#wisdom

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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...

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...

God and the Waves

Last week we just needed away.  A family friend graciously offered a place to stay in the panhandle of Florida and we packed up and spent a few days on the Emerald Coast with the pure white sand.  This is one of our FAVORITE PLACES.  The kids LOVE playing in the water, exploring, building sand castles and sea creatures, taking sunset walks and crab hunting at night. Oh…and the fresh seafood.   A couple of days during our stay, the ocean...

Sing and Be Happy

Often we sing this song in church. It used to be one of my favorites, probably because it was the one I first remembered learning. But I have discovered this song has a deeper meaning to me now than it did in 2019, or any year before. You have heard everyone say it, but I will type it yet again. 2020 will be a year to remember; and not necessarily for good reasons. This song has become very helpful and...

The Sound of Silence…

In 1964, Kitty Genovese was murdered in New York City.  She was stabbed and raped on her doorstep.  A neighbor, Karl Ross, heard noises and cracked his door to see what was happening.  He promptly shut the door and called a friend to ask what he should do.  The friend told him to not get involved.  Eventually Mr. Ross climbed out of his apartment window and went to his friends home.  It was there he finally called the police.  When...

God’s Beautiful Tapestry

When I was a little girl, I wanted a BIG happy family! I remember praying for it and imagining what it would be like. I thought a big family would solve the woes of my world. You see, I was pretty much an only child raised by my beloved grandmother. My parents were good people actually but they could not beat their demons of substance abuse the first sixteen years of my life. As with most folks without God in...

“Old” Friends…the best medicine

This past weekend was spent cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, decorating, giving directions, driving (a lot), buying groceries, making lists, 97,382 steps, running errands, finding people, cutting cakes, making punch, Sonic runs, steaming dresses, pinning boutonnieres, wiping up spills, asking favors, and a myriad of other tasks.  It was also spent visiting, laughing, catching up, hugging (sorry – no social distancing for me), staying up late with feet in the pool just talking, eating meals in the midst of great conversation,...