Bittersweet Farm
Yesterday the life of this Village Parson included some visits in the country. It’s beautiful in every direction from the church and yesterday it seemed to my heart that spring arrived.
Welcome, the greening of the year.
Welcome birdsong.
Welcome sunning turtles.
Welcome Sand Hill Crane chicks.
Welcome hopping crows.
Welcome lonely Loon out on Gillets Lake.
Welcome genial breezes and welcome sun on my head.
Welcome front porch talks.
I supposed Robert Norvell to be a pretty no-nonsense character who enjoyed enforcing rules and being in charge. That is why when I discovered he would be in charge of the Northwoods property during our visit I reminded they boys that they would likely have few freedoms or privileges.
They were used to fishing all day out on Wolf Lake when I conducted the retreats at the Northwoods Center in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
This trip they were chattering about the sailboat. Our two younger boys, Daniel Pierpont and Wesley Josiah Pierpont had their hearts set on spending the night sleeping below the deck.
“You will need to ask Mr. Norvell for permission and I doubt if you will get it.”
They complained but they were so eager to sleep out so they worked up the courage to go make an appeal to him. Off they went and I prepared to try to console them when they returned disappointed.
A few minutes later they came charging in with Mr. Norvell’s full blessing on the venture. Turns out he was the kind of man who loves young men and boys and adventure and Jesus and he was quick to give them permission.
They slept out all night under the stars on Wolf Lake and tucked away a sweet memory of night under the stars and Christian manhood at it’s best.
We miss you Bob Norvell… You are a blessing to hundreds and hundreds of young men. Two of them were Daniel Pierpont and Wesley Josiah Pierpont.
If you get a change to encourage a young man or young woman the gesture may live in their heart for many years.
Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
April 20, 2018
This afternoon I’m gettng ready for a visit from the grand-buddies and grand-princesses so I dug out Uncle Wesley’s genuine Red Ryder BB Gun.
For a few minutes this afternoon I was a ten-year-old boy again with the on my neck and the wind in my hair out on Bittersweet Farm. We are going to make some very sweet memories here… camping out, roasting weiners, making smores, listening the birdsongs, watching the waterfowl crossing over head, the bats and the martins flitting in the evening sky and and enjoying the smell of a wood fire. For just a few minutes this afternoon I was a boy again.
Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
April 20, 2018
It was a beautiful afternoon. This may have been the first real day of spring-like, we-have-the-snow-behind-us weather. I was musing out on the acres and have some ideas. We will see how they pan-out.
The Kind of Friends You Need
1. You need friends who refresh you in the things of the Lord.
2 Timothy 1:16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain…
2. You need friends who will stimulate you to love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts…
3. You need friends who fear God and obey Him.
Psalms 119:63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
This is the kind of friend you need to be to others…
[Pictured above are Paul Gardner and Jon Ford, who for over two decades have been the kind of friends listed above].
Five Tools to Craft A Holy Life
Crafting a Holy Life with Obedience
Bethel Church-Jackson, Michigan
April 15, 2018 AM
Pastor Ken Pierpont
Five Tools to Craft A Holy Life
2. Crafting a Holy Life with Obedience
Bethel Church-Jackson, Michigan
Pastor Ken Pierpont
April 15, 2018 AM
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