A sad day, losing something and St. Anthony

On June 7, 2002 Jake gave me this ring and asked me to marry him. I have never taken it off, except when my fingers were too swollen to wear it during the last part of both of my pregnancies.

Yesterday sometime from when I left the Ohio Cattleman's meeting to when I returned home after picking up tires and a half of beef I lost the diamond out of my ring.  Jaelin has had an attachment to my ring since she was a few weeks old.  She rubs the diamond when she is sad, mad or tired. I often left my ring with Jake when I was going to late night FFA meetings when she was an infant for her to rub before she went to sleep.  She really isn't as attached anymore. However, last night Jaelin climbed up on the coach to sit next to me after I had gotten home.  She instantly grabbed for my ring and then looked at me and said "what did you do with it?"  I have looked everywhere and prayed to St. Anthony, the saint of missing things.

O blessed St. Anthony, 
the grace of God has made you a powerful advocate 
in all our needs and the patron 
for the restoring of things lost or stolen. 
I turn to you today with childlike love and deep confidence. 
You have helped countless children of God 
to find the things they have lost,
material things, and, more importantly, 
the things of the spirit: faith, hope, and love. 
I come to you with confidence; 
help me in my present need.
I recommend what I have lost to your care, 
in the hope that God will restore it to me, 
if it is His holy Will.

Amen. 

I still have not found it and very much disappointed.

What is the worst thing you have ever lost?  Have you ever prayed to St. Anthony?

Why farmers/ranchers do what we do . . .

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, 
give careful attention to your herds; 

for riches do not endure forever, 
and a crown is not secure for all generations.

When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 

the lambs will provide you with clothing, 
and the goats with the price of a field. 
You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.
Proverbs 27:23-27

2 Samuel

I have spent the entire time I have been reading this book wondering why they didn't call it David.  Could someone please tell me why?

Basically the book is another story thriller (could be a blockbuster sequel to 1 Samuel, starring Matt Damon of course) with another rise and fall of a great leader.  These stories seem to all be the same.  There is a man with very little, that seems to follow God's direction and authority over their life until God gives them more and more.  After God had given David land, cattle, goats, camels, a great home, servants and basically everything he needed (except health insurance, they didn't say he got health insurance) he sleeps with a married woman and then has her husband killed.  What? Yes, unfortunately that is what happened.

We also met Nathan. I didn't know Nathan was a Biblical name. Nathan is a good man - he is a prophet and tries to keep David straight with messages from God about when he has screwed up.  It seems strange to me that a man that has got to where he is by listening and following God's instructions now has to have an assistant to tell him what God says.

I also find it interesting that none of these God following good leaders that God has found favor with and given wealth to are able to raise children that are followers of God's ways. In fact David's son raped his daughter.

In addition to the already mentioned things, David goes into battle after battle (which again would make an excellent movie) and wins even when the odds are against him.  David is able to conquer armies larger and better equipped than his, all because God wanted the best for Israel.

I really thought from the middle of this book on, that the book would end with the death of David . . . but it didn't and he is still alive.

Fact:   A word that I have only read in the Bible - Concubine.

Eastern Ohio

Joshua 1:7-9 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

This is the day that the Lord has made.

I am assuming the girls were singing "This is the day that the Lord has made" at school today.  Because as we set out for an evening drive through the cows at sunset this evening they were both singing it.  Of course Jaelin was singing . . .

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad.  cha-cha-cha

I have never heard the cha-cha-cha version of any church song.  

We headed down the road to find some cows and mineral feeders.

We found this heifer wanting to pose for the camera. She moved around and wanted to hold her head up.  As we pulled away she even followed us, as if she wanted me to take more pictures of her.

These cows were hanging out by the mineral feeder for the twice a week mineral delivery.

The sun sets on The this day that the Lord has made . . .

 cha-cha-cha

I Samuel

As I continue to make my way through the Old Testament, I am becoming more and more interested.  This was a tremendous story line and book.  I don't know if I have missed the boat. But I continue to wonder and with this book more than any other, why they have not taken a book from the Bible and made a modern day blockbuster hit.

I originally enjoyed the traditional story of David in Goliath and it took me back to my Bible School days at Somerset United Methodist Church. But then, but then there was Saul.  Oh the classic story of the good boy gone bad.  He had the world in his hand, but then he tragically let his power and money make all of his decisions.  Thank goodness that doesn't happen today (insert sarcasm).  The story seems so simple "to whom much is given, much is expected".  The story really intensifies as Saul starts to hunt down David.  The fact that David and Saul's son Jonathan are such good friends makes the plot even better.  The idea that as a reader you know the entire time that God is on David's side, and that Saul will die and David will eventually be the leader of Israel, makes things even more interesting. As you read farther into the book, it surfaces although David has the opportunity to kill Saul, God doesn't want him to, so he doesn't.

One of the biggest things I am taking with me from this book is that just because life seems to be going well, it doesn't mean that God is happy with how you are living.  Saul obviously thought he was living a life that God was proud of, up until he realized God wasn't answering his prayers anymore.

I don't know anything about writing a movie but here is my cast, for the blockbuster in my head for I Samuel the movie. What do you think and who would you cast?

David -                                                Saul -

Finding Joy . . . and Keeping Joy even at Walmart

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I have been reading my way through the Bible.  Those of you who have found yourself in the middle of a good book like 50 Shades of Grey or Harry Potter,  you know it is on your mind constantly.  For me the Bible is having that effect, throughout the Bible it speaks of finding and keeping your joy and rejoicing constantly. I am just not that kind of person.  I am a realist, extremely sarcastic, grumbly and complain a lot.  I admire people who are super optimistic, happy and joyful.  I have been working on this personality flaw and mostly I am failing.  I do really well until I leave the house.  Usually once a week I have to go to Walmart and I feel this is a test for me to try to keep my joy. I figure if I go in rejoicing and I stay happy throughout my shopping experience and leave joyful, I win.

So far I would give myself a D.

Last week I was doing well and then I went to the meat counter. I was waiting and waiting, even though I was the only one in line.  From the produce section I see a woman in scrubs coming with a small child in a cart.  I thought I would let her go first, I always hated waiting in line with the girls when they were young. As she was getting to the counter the lady said who can I help and before I could give away my turn, she said I'll take . . . Oh, but I kept my joy and smiled because I passed the test.  But, oh then she ordered turkey and sucked the joy out of my meat counter experience. :)

Today while back at Walmart.  I was almost out the door when the cashier said "how are you"?  I am changing my response to wonderful, great, couldn't be better, you know something besides fine.  She said I can't believe the price of groceries, and then went on to say I don't know how they expect us to live, they are just so expensive, last week I spent blah blah! She finally took a breath for me to squeeze in well as Americans we do have the cheapest food supply of anyone in the world.  Her response, and that is hard to believe and think of those poor people.  I then went on to say if I hadn't bought these pre-packaged items and I had only bought a bag of potatoes, meat and some vegetables, my bill would have been a lot cheaper.  She said "yeah but I like the convenience items".  I then just smiled and thought to myself with sound of the game losing buzzer in my head and the thought of loser - you just lost your joy at Walmart again. When will I learn?

How do you keep your joy? - Please share!

Ruth

If you would like to read just one book of the Bible I would choose Ruth at least so far.
Ruth is by far the shortest. You could read it in an hour.  Ruth is a love story and is all about the warm and fuzzy mostly.  I feel like we deserve this message after reading the first part of the old testament.

Interesting stories from Ruth . . .

1. The earliest welfare system for orphans and widows was gleaning wheat and barley from behind the harvester.  This is what Ruth did and how she met a new husband that was impressed with her work ethic and was also the farmer of the crop.  There is something you don't hear these days, I fell in love with her work ethic.

2.  A lesson you learn from Ruth and Naomi is that you keep praying in faith and working hard.

3. Another lesson learned from these two women is that you can be discouraged as you continue to pray and wait but you can't be bitter.

Ruth a great story and great book.

Judges

Joshua ended on such a good note, that I have found Judges rather disappointing. When Joshua ended the Israelites had finally entered the Promised Land.  Joshua dies however left them with good advice, "You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.  If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you."
I don't think it gets much clearer than that. Of course over the course of Judges this information must have been forgotten, they also forgot to pass the stories and advice to their children.  Judges seems to be one story after another of sin and rebellion followed by punishment.  If Judges would be made into a movie it would be a gruesome war movie.

Deborah was one of the highlights of the book for me. The footnotes in my Bible says "Wise leaders are rare.  They accomplish great amounts of work without direct involvement because they know how to work through other people. They are able to see the big picture that often escapes those directly involved, so they make good mediators, advisers, and planners"  

Deborah listened to God and lead the people into battle to kill Sisera. Although the story tells you Sisera would fall to the hands of a woman and like a good movie makes you believe it will be Deborah.  But it wasn't Deborah it was another woman.  I won't tell you who, I don't want to spoil the ending.

The book of Judges was an alright read, but not my favorite and I am ready to leave all the sin for Ruth. I heard it is calmer.  I hope!

Deuteronomy

This book seems to me a lot like a slide show following a big event.  In this case they are standing right outside the Promised Land. This is not the kind of joyful slide show like ones seen at FFA Banquets showing all the highlights of positive things and accomplishments.  This slideshow as told by Moses with no pictures was more like, this is where you screwed up.  This slide show is detailing a 40 year journey that should have only taken 11 days.  Does anyone else feel they are on that journey?  I am trying to listen more clearly because although I know my journey to the Promised Land has already taken me longer than 11 days, I most certainly hope God does not leave me wandering in the desert for 40 years.


Things to consider from Moses in Deuteronomy to get to the Promised Land more quickly:


1. No rebelling against God - Do the job he asks you to do immediately.
2. Obedience - 4:2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
3. Love God - 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
4. Do not forget the Lord - 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
5. Tithes - 14:22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. I believe these can be in time, treasure or talent.
6. Giving to the poor - 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.


 Well this should be easy! ;)  Good luck on your journey to your Promised Land.

Numbers

Stop complaining . . . start a revolution.

Numbers

I loved reading numbers.  It was a great read.  I don’t think it was as good as Genesis, however it had some great messages.

The start of the book included the census of all the people.

The census was followed by specific jobs given to the groups of people.  Each person was provided a job unique to their skills. I thought that seemed like today, when there are people that just seem to be so perfect for their job.

Overall the message that reappears over and over in Numbers is the same one that my former student,  Brian Klingenberg said he saw on a bumper sticker this week and posted on Facebook that states “Start a Revolution and stop COMPLAINING.”

 I thought awesome, someone summed up Numbers on a bumper sticker.

While Moses was leading the Israelites to the Promise Land, God had Moses “take them around the mountain” again.  Or actually wondering  in the desert another 40 years because of all of the complaining they continued doing.  God even killed people because they complained so much.

This made me begin to wonder how many times God has taken me around the mountain again, because of my complaining.  Have I missed my Promised Land, because of my complaining.

Leviticus

I called my friend half way through Leviticus and said this book is horrible reading . . .

- the how to's of sacrificing animals
- burnt offerings
- diseases
- unlawful sexual relations
- clean and unclean women
- clean and unclean men
- open sores

. . . I don't know if I am going to make it.  She said, " Ahhh! Leviticus the reason people stop reading the Bible."

I find Leviticus very difficult to separate the message for today's life.

What I am taking from Leviticus that I found interesting:

Lev. 25 The Sabbath Year - Farm your ground and vineyards for six years and then on the seventh year let the land lay dormant. I am wondering how our Bank would feel about this.

Lev. 26 - If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.

Lev. 27 - A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Every tithe of the herd and flock - every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod - will be holy to the Lord.

These are things that I found that take on a whole new meaning when read by a farmer.

I could not be more excited to have found out that because Jesus died for our sins we don't have to select a ram for a sacrifice and put blood on our earlobes.  I just ponder how sacrifices would fit into our daily lives if we still had to do that.

Exodus

Because I am reading for pleasure and not as an assignment, I just now finished Exodus. Exodus was not nearly as exciting as Genesis.  However I did find a few things interesting.  Still a lot of questions to be answered and a lot more reading to do.  There still seem to be a lot of relations to Agriculture and I like that.

Things that I found interesting:

The plagues and Pharaoh's inability to "get it".  I have to wonder what message God may be saying to the world, our country, our communities, my family and me personally that I may just not be "getting".

We meet Moses and are introduced to the 10 commandments.  These seem like simple rules to abide by.  I then begin to wonder what would happen if these were the only laws we had and just enforced these.  Can we live like that?

I never knew that the punishments for the commandments are right there in Exodus too.  For example Exodus 22:1 Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sell it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep. More Agriculture examples.  Does that transfer into cars, computers, IPods, and cell phones today?  I also wonder why it's only four for one on sheep and five for one on cattle. But, who am I to challenge the "Good Book". Exodus 22 explains other punishments for different crimes - very interesting.

The part I have enjoyed the least thus far is the building of the Tabernacle instructions.  The details that are given were very detailed and I need pictures.  I also think it would be helpful if they could have used feet instead of cubits. Jake would probably like reading this.

The verse I end with this evening, is one of Jake and I's biggest arguments.  I have always known that one of the commandments said that  'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'  As I was growing up our farm did not operate on Sundays.  Animals were fed and cared for but that was it.  Tractors and equipment rarely moved. Grandpa would not even let Grandma use her sewing machine.  In 1995 when my grandpa passed away, things began to change.  We would many times work, but only after attending church.  After Jake and I married, I often would comment about him working on Sunday.  Although we would go to church he often put in a whole days of work afterwards.  Many times he would spray because when the wind doesn't blow, you spray.  I didn't usually say much about that. One particular Sunday he called to tell me everything was going wrong and things kept breaking.  I laughed and he said What?  I said, maybe it's God speaking to you, it is Sunday.  It is now an inside joke with us, as he continues to work on Sundays.

As I was reading Exodus though I almost jumped out of my skin when I read this.  I had know idea, there it is in black and white.  Exodus 23:12 Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed. This same message was in Exodus several times and enough times to make me uncomfortable.  I'd like to believe that since we don't have a donkey or a slave, he isn't talking to us.  Really we have a pay loader and a animal health supervisor and the Bible doesn't say anything about that.  What do you think?  I think Jake and I will continue "talking" about this until the "end".