Life lost...almost.

My sweet man, O had a rough day. But a real day in the life of agriculture is ever full of lessons.  His BEST ET bull calf was found bloated today...he had stopped breathing just prior to the boys' intervention.  Thankfully he appears as though he's gonna be fine.  SO thankful.  Life lost...almost. But God in His mercy intervened on O's behalf. ♥

Gentle reminder...Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body...."  HE is the true giver and sustainer of life. ♥

No blog in June...here's why!!

Busy month...I thought summer had down time...NOT this summer....

1. We had a birthday boy and a Mario Kart party!! Truett is five!!
2. We had a dance recital.
3. CJ got a haircut!!!
4. O & C had Grand Champion Female at TX Red Angus Field Day in Huntsville, TX.
5. We celebrated Dad's day!
6. We traveled to Hutchinson, KS for the North American Jr Red Angus Event...and won big ;)
7. Owen went to Glorieta, NM for Fuge camp (I have a youth camper!!)
8. We had family pictures done. {will post when I get them... so 'cited!!!}
9. CJ started first stage of braces.
10. CJ had Mini Cheer Camp.
11. Oh and a piano recital...late May.
Whew!! Bring on July!!

Attitude adjustments

After reading Ann's blog tonight, we have a new assignment starting tomorrow morning.

looks like he"s here to stay

 About a month ago, we had a visitor.  A new puppy showed up at the barn. Having no idea where he'd come from we kinda ignored him hoping he'd go back wherever 'home' was.  I wasn't in favor of another dog as Lou, our 8 year old 'baby girl' was plenty for me.  My heart was full...until, well, he's so cute, and hungry, and not taken care of, and ... you get the idea.  We 'let' him hang out at our house while we decided his fate.  He got a bath and MANY ticks removed, and some meds, and then a collar, and a name...Hank the cowdog has finally found his HOME here on the ranch.  He's a precious little pup for my sweet baby boy who needs a good companion.  Hopefully he'll be a friend to T like Lou was for O.  

Have I failed as a Southern mom?!?

So I don't fry much. A couple of weeks ago I fried some fish. Today I fried chicken for dinner. In the South fried food is known as comfort food, soul food...well, it's neither in this house! Truett comes in from play, and scowling he says, "What IS that nasty smell?!?" He is shortly followed by Chloe echoing, "You know I don't like that smell, right?!?"
They both ate heartily by the way.
Our souls won't be comforted by this Southern delicacy often cause honestly, while my mouth and soul love the comfort, I don't like that nasty smell either ;). Our hearts will thank us later on.

What Easter means at our house...

Today our church had its first Good Friday service at noon. It was such a blessing. Such a great way to begin this weekend that has become so overrun with bunnies, chicks and eggs. I'm not at all opposed...we dye and hide eggs, we eat Peeps and the like. I just want my children to understand and remember that those things...all things...are secondary to the cross of Christ. Partaking of the Lord's supper today was especially meaningful...a precious reminder of what I am worth because of Jesus. I'm not worthy of anything, but He saw it differently and for that I am humbled and grateful. My prayer for each person who reads these words is that you would feel the call of Jesus over your life, and in bold obedience you would respond to Him as Lord of your life. If you don't know how, I'd have no greater joy than to share His plan of redemption with you. May your Easter and the rest of your days here and forever be filled to overflowing because of His great gift!

 

 "Stricken Smitten Afflicted" Fernando Ortega

Beautiful

 

And What Would I Have Done? Lenten Ponderings....

This morning I came across a passage I have read countless times in my life, and yet today...it roused me from my aimless wandering to pointed wondering.

Having just finished the book of Leviticus and thinking through the laws prescribed for the Jews as well as the offerings and sacrifices that must be made, I was particularly intrigued by this verse:

<28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. John 18:28>  Apparently according to Jewish law their entering the governor's headquarters would have left them ceremonially unclean and therefore unable to partake of the Feast of the Passover.  Hmmmm....They desired Jesus's death so much that they were willing to go to Pilate since he could sentence Jesus to death...something they were not able to do by their laws.  But they were unwilling to go ALL the way and potentially be unclean...break a law.  

Fast forward... John 19:38-42

<<38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.>>  Nicodemus--a member of the Sanhedrin, sympathetic to Jesus--he is described.

 John 7:47-51 

<<47 The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived?48 Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed."50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,51 "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?">>

Again we see Nicodemus having thoughts toward Jesus as the rest of the leaders do not. 

Joseph of Arimathea --possibly a member of the Sanhedrin as well, a member of the Council as listed in Mark 15:43.

Both men were willing to defile themselves by touching, carrying a dead body (this would definitely have left them unclean requiring priestly assistance) in order that Jesus, the Messiah be buried properly while they discounted the cost to them personally.  Or maybe they already knew that their laws had been fulfilled....

Now my questions, my pondering meditation of the day...1 what set them apart? 2 would I have broken the law and become unclean for a man my peers wanted dead? 3 why haven't I seen this before?

1...Jesus! It's always the grace and mercy of Jesus that sets us apart. ALWAYS...they saw Him with unveiled faces (eyes)...The Messiah came for them...and for US! He came to fulfill that Law that was ruling the lives of their peers, and they must have been able to see and distinguish that.  Blessed revelation!

2...I certainly hope I would have!  What bravery, what humility...  I can truly only hope and pray that if I am called to such a task in this earthly lifetime that I would be found faithful to see past what 'we've always done' to what the Lord would be calling me to do so that HIS glory will shine forth.

3...I am still and always will be amazed that the WORD is ALIVE and Active all the time!!!  It will always reveal to us what God is ready for us to see when we study and seek Him in His living Word.

Praise Jesus for His remarkable gift! ♥