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Hidden in God

Technology has come a long way.  Just yesterday, we were warned that the afternoon might be a little dicey in Middle Tennessee with a flash flood watch and some weather.  While the extreme of what exactly might happen may not be exactly known due to extenuating factors, we had to be on alert.  Tracking the storms from the northwest and seeing the lightning strikes from the weather radars, we prepared.  As the storms approached with threats of 75 mph winds...

Wrestling with God

by Jenn Tolbert With two teenage boys in the house, wrestling is a constant. Arm wrestling, leg wrestling, thumb wars,staring contests, milk chugging…if it can be turned into a strength or endurance contest, it’s on. Ofcourse, every competition is fun and games in the beginning, but then it escalates. Someone doesn’tplay fairly. Someone takes it too far. Or someone decides that their actual worth as a human isdetermined by the strength of their right thumb. In Genesis 32:22-32, Jacob wrestles...

Boundaries–Lessons from Rockin’ N Farms

Life at Rockin’ N Farms has become a little more interesting. A *certain* little girl talked her daddy into some goats and at the end of April, four cute little boys made their home in our back pasture and barn with the donkeys. When the call came through that they were ready, we had to scramble to get an area set aside for them because of their size. We felt it was best for the donkeys to get used to...

Break the Ice

Like many of you across the United States, we in Middle Tennessee have experienced extremely low temps these past few days.  The boys have made several trips down to the donkeys to break the ice, feed, and check their well-being while bundling up.  We have had water dripping from pipes and have tried to conserve energy.   And…the pool.   Although we have winterized it as much as possible, it can be a little concerning.  When the pump can freely work, we...

Looking Forward

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise…For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10 How was Abraham able to look forward with confidence? What was he expecting to find? Who did he want...

Scratched Pews

Several months ago on “our” church pew we noticed some scratches. We were oblivious until those scratches became deeper and more visible. It was then we realized the buckles from Kelly’s suspenders were the culprit. A choice had to be made. We could choose to ignore the scratches and continue damaging the pew…or not. A small pillow was quickly grabbed and put behind him as a barrier to protect the wood from those metal buckles. Looking at those scratches made...

Finding Ways to Serve–From a Teen’s Perspective

In the summer of 2005, Jody and I moved to Katy, TX for his “first” job after graduating from Texas Tech in May. The minute we walked into Katy church of Christ after moving there, it felt like “home.” While there, we met an awesome couple, Jeremy and Regina Ross, who quickly became our “family” and soon they shared with us the news they were expecting. We loved getting to share that exciting time with them: preparing the nursery, baby...

We Bought a Mower

There are things in life that should be taken slowly. Mowing is one of those things. Some of my favorite things to do on the farm are brush hogging and mowing. You get instant gratification, time alone to just consider life and necessary work gets done. One thing I love about being on the tractor or mower is the slowness of it. Life is fast. There is always something to do and somewhere to be. Mowing provides a respite against...

Interruptions

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you is humming through my head. It’s a good thing I am not at work, the family is not around, and that the dogs don’t care–cuz I can’t carry a tune in a bucket as my Southern family would tell me.  But that song is placed on my heart this morning for a reason and I trust it for this blog. I...

Don’t Leave the Band-Aid Hanging

2022 has arrived. Many of you have written down resolutions, chosen words to focus on, or simply made promises to yourself about changes you want to make this year. A quick search of the internet will deliver innumerable ways to accomplish these goals. Numbered lists, bullet point lists, paragraphs of “how to” all written with you in mind. But honestly, it’s been a hard year, a complicated year. I don’t have the stamina for numbers or bullet points anymore. I...