9-21-09
OUT ON THE RANCH it is a beautiful Monday morning………but a cold front is on the way. At least that is what Mike Morgan on Channel 4 says. We are supposed to get a little rain as well. I am kind of enjoying this late summer sunshine, but we will enjoy whatever comes…..by the Grace of God. Today I have to go to the other side of the river and check the cows and fence. Later on today I plan to plant some wheat. Cameron Dusek is coming over at 10AM to ride with Elizabeth. We had 28 people yesterday for church, which is a big crowd for our little church on the ranch. We have had as many as 50 and as few as 10. Yesterday would have been my mother’s 83 birthday if she had lived to see it. I went to check phone messages yesterday and pushed play on the old messages by mistake and mom was speaking. I almost lost it!!
The 21st has always been kind of an odd day for the kid because mom’s birthday was the 20th, and mine the 22nd. I can still see the twinkle in her eye and the voice that was almost eager to laugh. I miss her but have the wonderful promise from Scripture that I will see her soon for her trust was in Jesus Christ and I am confident her name was written in the Book of Life. Her race is run. While I am here I can enjoy the promises of what waits, but I must be about the Father’s business. Today is another day (even if it is a Monday) and I have opportunities set before me that I must tend to.
Well, it is evening now and we had a great horseback ride this morning. We saw a covey of about 20 quail, twenty or thirty turkeys, and several deer. We checked the fence on the other side and had the opportunity to visit with my neighbor to the Northeast. It was a gorgeous day for a ride. We enjoyed lunch with Cameron and his grandfather Wayne. Of course I had my siesta before starting to plant wheat. I really enjoy getting on my tractor and planting or shredding or digging. I guess I am just a big kid that still likes to play in the dirt. We had two sets of visitors that came in today to just look around. Our census on the ranch today, including visitors etc… was 11 people.
Eccl 11:6
6 In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good. NKJV
Whether it be planting the seeds of eternal life in visitors or sowing wheat seed into the ground for winter pasture we need to be diligent understanding that we don’t know which seeds will prosper. But we do know that “some” of the seeds will………..So Keep On Sowing My Friend!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Sticker Patch
9-18-09
OUT ON THE RANCH we are enjoying the company of Jerry Tawney and his precious wife Jeanne tonight. They brought with them a special friend, Devie. We had a wonderful time of conversation this afternoon and then took them to Carter for a little piece of Americana at Kay’s Café. Lorene and Dan Kissick joined us for supper. After supper we came back to the ranch and gave them a late evening tour. Jerry was responsible more than any other single person for the construction here at the ranch. He was responsible for getting our house built overseeing all the subs and for minimal remuneration. He is one of the most giving people I have had the pleasure of knowing in this life. His wife Jeanne is an excellent counselor and Bible teacher.
A couple of the thoughts that she taught that have stuck in my heart are:
1. If you get off the path out into the sticker patch you are going to get stickers till you get back on the path!!
2. When things get tough you have to dig deeper into Jesus.
3. If you have to stand on your head and spit BB’s………don’t quit!!
John 6:66-69
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."* NKJV
This passage has supported me through a multitude of difficult situations. When the going gets tough and I am tempted to think about quitting on God, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the misery of sin (THE STICKER PATCH) I have come out of. He also reminds me of this Scripture and the truth that I can’t quit, because I have know where else to go, for He is the only one with the Words of eternal life. When I get through the difficulty I always think how crazy I was to even think of giving up, but I need His encouragement to sustain me through the trial. I may have to stand on my head and spit BB’s for awhile, but God will never give us a trial that He doesn’t also make the way of escape. If we are in a trial……He will give us the strength to deal with it. Don’t Quit!!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
OUT ON THE RANCH we are enjoying the company of Jerry Tawney and his precious wife Jeanne tonight. They brought with them a special friend, Devie. We had a wonderful time of conversation this afternoon and then took them to Carter for a little piece of Americana at Kay’s Café. Lorene and Dan Kissick joined us for supper. After supper we came back to the ranch and gave them a late evening tour. Jerry was responsible more than any other single person for the construction here at the ranch. He was responsible for getting our house built overseeing all the subs and for minimal remuneration. He is one of the most giving people I have had the pleasure of knowing in this life. His wife Jeanne is an excellent counselor and Bible teacher.
A couple of the thoughts that she taught that have stuck in my heart are:
1. If you get off the path out into the sticker patch you are going to get stickers till you get back on the path!!
2. When things get tough you have to dig deeper into Jesus.
3. If you have to stand on your head and spit BB’s………don’t quit!!
John 6:66-69
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."* NKJV
This passage has supported me through a multitude of difficult situations. When the going gets tough and I am tempted to think about quitting on God, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the misery of sin (THE STICKER PATCH) I have come out of. He also reminds me of this Scripture and the truth that I can’t quit, because I have know where else to go, for He is the only one with the Words of eternal life. When I get through the difficulty I always think how crazy I was to even think of giving up, but I need His encouragement to sustain me through the trial. I may have to stand on my head and spit BB’s for awhile, but God will never give us a trial that He doesn’t also make the way of escape. If we are in a trial……He will give us the strength to deal with it. Don’t Quit!!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
Thursday, September 10, 2009
"The True Blessings"
9-10-09
OUT ON THE RANCH today I have to take my daughter Rachel to the airport in OKC. I have been in “DAD” heaven while she has been here. For those of you that don’t know Rachel, she is a 5’ ball of energy.
Ps 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord ,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; NKJV
I count her (Rachel) as one of the true blessings in my life. She truly is a reward from the Lord. In my last devotion we talked about the rewards of the Lord. In this country much of our thinking concerning blessings involves material things. If we have a lot of money in the bank we think that God is blessing our lives. And certainly we have His Promise to provide for our needs. But the “real” blessings of our life, involves relationships. Our greatest blessing is our relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the blessed Holy Spirit.
I have been pondering the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you remember a man had two sons. The younger received his inheritance before the father’s death and wasted it. When the younger son repented and came home his father killed the fatted calf and had a party rejoicing over his son’s return. The older son was upset and jealous. The older son was not “seeing” the true blessing that he had………..His relationship with his father. While the younger son may have been having a party, he was missing out on a relationship with the father. If the older son had realized what he had (the true blessing) in his relationship with his father he would have been thrilled that his younger brother could once again share in that joy.
As someone that has missed out on a relationship with his father for the last thirty years……I can attest to what is really important. I don’t know of anyone on their death bed that wants someone to bring them a fatted calf. They want the company of their loved ones……..and the comfort of the Father, His Son, and The Blessed Holy Spirit. Your relationships are the true blessings…………Work on those today!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
OUT ON THE RANCH today I have to take my daughter Rachel to the airport in OKC. I have been in “DAD” heaven while she has been here. For those of you that don’t know Rachel, she is a 5’ ball of energy.
Ps 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord ,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; NKJV
I count her (Rachel) as one of the true blessings in my life. She truly is a reward from the Lord. In my last devotion we talked about the rewards of the Lord. In this country much of our thinking concerning blessings involves material things. If we have a lot of money in the bank we think that God is blessing our lives. And certainly we have His Promise to provide for our needs. But the “real” blessings of our life, involves relationships. Our greatest blessing is our relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the blessed Holy Spirit.
I have been pondering the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you remember a man had two sons. The younger received his inheritance before the father’s death and wasted it. When the younger son repented and came home his father killed the fatted calf and had a party rejoicing over his son’s return. The older son was upset and jealous. The older son was not “seeing” the true blessing that he had………..His relationship with his father. While the younger son may have been having a party, he was missing out on a relationship with the father. If the older son had realized what he had (the true blessing) in his relationship with his father he would have been thrilled that his younger brother could once again share in that joy.
As someone that has missed out on a relationship with his father for the last thirty years……I can attest to what is really important. I don’t know of anyone on their death bed that wants someone to bring them a fatted calf. They want the company of their loved ones……..and the comfort of the Father, His Son, and The Blessed Holy Spirit. Your relationships are the true blessings…………Work on those today!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
"The True Blessings"
9-10-09
OUT ON THE RANCH today I have to take my daughter Rachel to the airport in OKC. I have been in “DAD” heaven while she has been here. For those of you that don’t know Rachel, she is a 5’ ball of energy.
Ps 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord ,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; NKJV
I count her (Rachel) as one of the true blessings in my life. She truly is a reward from the Lord. In my last devotion we talked about the rewards of the Lord. In this country much of our thinking concerning blessings involves material things. If we have a lot of money in the bank we think that God is blessing our lives. And certainly we have His Promise to provide for our needs. But the “real” blessings of our life, involves relationships. Our greatest blessing is our relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the blessed Holy Spirit.
I have been pondering the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you remember a man had two sons. The younger received his inheritance before the father’s death and wasted it. When the younger son repented and came home his father killed the fatted calf and had a party rejoicing over his son’s return. The older son was upset and jealous. The older son was not “seeing” the true blessing that he had………..His relationship with his father. While the younger son may have been having a party, he was missing out on a relationship with the father. If the older son had realized what he had (the true blessing) in his relationship with his father he would have been thrilled that his younger brother could once again share in that joy.
As someone that has missed out on a relationship with his father for the last thirty years……I can attest to what is really important. I don’t know of anyone on their death bed that wants someone to bring them a fatted calf. They want the company of their loved ones……..and the comfort of the Father, His Son, and The Blessed Holy Spirit. Your relationships are the true blessings…………Work on those today!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
OUT ON THE RANCH today I have to take my daughter Rachel to the airport in OKC. I have been in “DAD” heaven while she has been here. For those of you that don’t know Rachel, she is a 5’ ball of energy.
Ps 127:3-5
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord ,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one's youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; NKJV
I count her (Rachel) as one of the true blessings in my life. She truly is a reward from the Lord. In my last devotion we talked about the rewards of the Lord. In this country much of our thinking concerning blessings involves material things. If we have a lot of money in the bank we think that God is blessing our lives. And certainly we have His Promise to provide for our needs. But the “real” blessings of our life, involves relationships. Our greatest blessing is our relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the blessed Holy Spirit.
I have been pondering the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). If you remember a man had two sons. The younger received his inheritance before the father’s death and wasted it. When the younger son repented and came home his father killed the fatted calf and had a party rejoicing over his son’s return. The older son was upset and jealous. The older son was not “seeing” the true blessing that he had………..His relationship with his father. While the younger son may have been having a party, he was missing out on a relationship with the father. If the older son had realized what he had (the true blessing) in his relationship with his father he would have been thrilled that his younger brother could once again share in that joy.
As someone that has missed out on a relationship with his father for the last thirty years……I can attest to what is really important. I don’t know of anyone on their death bed that wants someone to bring them a fatted calf. They want the company of their loved ones……..and the comfort of the Father, His Son, and The Blessed Holy Spirit. Your relationships are the true blessings…………Work on those today!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Please send responses to ridgelamar@hotmail.com THANKS!!
If you have someone that would like to receive the OUT ON THE RANCH devotion please send me their e-mail address and I will include them. GOD BLESS
Thursday, July 9, 2009
7-9-09
OUT ON THE RANCH I thought it was hot yesterday @ 103. Today, it is 106 and it is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. We still have the baking South wind of 15-20 mph. The good news is that the swimming pool is crystal clear and ready for action, so come on down (or up, whichever the case may be) and join us for a swim. We had guests, today, from Kansas City, Kansas and Oklahoma City join us for the day. Rev. Dawn Richards brought her beautiful daughter Morgan (now a senior in college), her brother Mike and his daughter Ashley out for a day of fun in the sun. They toured the ranch and enjoyed an afternoon in the pool. Dawn and Morgan are like part of the family. Dawn was Lorene’s pastor for several years in Carter.
This evening we have two families of five coming from Dallas, Texas for a few days on the ranch. I am sure that will mean some early mornings saddling horses. But that will seem like a piece of cake after cleaning those darn windows at the bunkhouse. We are loving our life on the ranch -- just wish we had the energy we had twenty years ago. But God provides the strength that we need for each day, and for that we are grateful. I am going to get out of my king size (have you seen me since I weigh 260) recliner in a few minutes and turn some water on the lawn.
Today, I cleaned the boys' bunkroom at the bunkhouse. The girls' bunkroom wasn’t too dirty…except for the windows. The boys' bunkroom was a mess. I know that I was never that messy!! (Right Sisters?) LOL It reminded me of this Scripture from Proverbs:
Prov 14:44 An empty stable stays clean-but there is no income from an empty stable. TLB
We could have a nice clean bunkroom if it wasn’t for those darn boys. But then if it wasn’t for those boys, girls, dads and moms what would our purpose be. We are here to provide refreshment for the minds and bodies and nourishment to the souls -- people. The people are what are important, they are eternal. The rooms, swimming pool, and Bible Studies are to serve God’s precious people. And you are one of those precious people. I remember as children one grandmother that opened her home to us -- everything in it was ours. Another grandmother opened her home to us as long as we didn’t make any noise or mess. Which grandmother do you think we preferred to go see?? SELAH
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
OUT ON THE RANCH I thought it was hot yesterday @ 103. Today, it is 106 and it is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. We still have the baking South wind of 15-20 mph. The good news is that the swimming pool is crystal clear and ready for action, so come on down (or up, whichever the case may be) and join us for a swim. We had guests, today, from Kansas City, Kansas and Oklahoma City join us for the day. Rev. Dawn Richards brought her beautiful daughter Morgan (now a senior in college), her brother Mike and his daughter Ashley out for a day of fun in the sun. They toured the ranch and enjoyed an afternoon in the pool. Dawn and Morgan are like part of the family. Dawn was Lorene’s pastor for several years in Carter.
This evening we have two families of five coming from Dallas, Texas for a few days on the ranch. I am sure that will mean some early mornings saddling horses. But that will seem like a piece of cake after cleaning those darn windows at the bunkhouse. We are loving our life on the ranch -- just wish we had the energy we had twenty years ago. But God provides the strength that we need for each day, and for that we are grateful. I am going to get out of my king size (have you seen me since I weigh 260) recliner in a few minutes and turn some water on the lawn.
Today, I cleaned the boys' bunkroom at the bunkhouse. The girls' bunkroom wasn’t too dirty…except for the windows. The boys' bunkroom was a mess. I know that I was never that messy!! (Right Sisters?) LOL It reminded me of this Scripture from Proverbs:
Prov 14:44 An empty stable stays clean-but there is no income from an empty stable. TLB
We could have a nice clean bunkroom if it wasn’t for those darn boys. But then if it wasn’t for those boys, girls, dads and moms what would our purpose be. We are here to provide refreshment for the minds and bodies and nourishment to the souls -- people. The people are what are important, they are eternal. The rooms, swimming pool, and Bible Studies are to serve God’s precious people. And you are one of those precious people. I remember as children one grandmother that opened her home to us -- everything in it was ours. Another grandmother opened her home to us as long as we didn’t make any noise or mess. Which grandmother do you think we preferred to go see?? SELAH
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Saturday, July 4, 2009
7-4-09
OUT ON THE RANCH it is Saturday morning and the day we celebrate our nations’ independence. We have guests staying at “Grace” and Elizabeth is out with riders as I write. I helped her gather horses this morning and Danny and I helped her saddle. We have a 34 year old truck driver (Ruben) and his 9 year old daughter (Cynthia) joining Elizabeth for the ride this morning. I cannot express enough how much it touches me for fathers to show such interest in their children. While it may be a loving sacrifice for this father to shut his truck down for the day and come out here, his daughter will remember and be blessed for a lifetime. Dad (Ruben) is taking his daughter on his trip to California. It just doesn’t get any better than this for a little 9 year old angel.
The phone rang as I was writing this. It was Elizabeth on the phone and the neighbors cows are out on the river. I have been looking for a phone book, ever do that?? I called but guess what, the line was busy. Press 3 and you will get a call back if the line becomes available in the next 30 minutes. So many conveniences, and it doesn’t help with the frustration one little bit. Now, I think I will pray ………….. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?? OK….Love your neighbor as yourself…If they were my cows what would I do? I would go put them back in. That isn’t the answer I was looking for………I thought maybe go take a nap, relax, and they will get back in by themselves. Oh well, I am off to herd cows!!
Everything was OK on the river. It looks like our neighbor is letting his cows get into the river for water. That works fine as long as we don’t get a big rain. We are about to do the same thing next week, but we fence the river off temporarily. I did my part. I listened to hear what the Lord would have me do. I believe that He answered and I obeyed. My heart is at rest. Now back to the days writing and tomorrows’ sermon. In my mind when I started as a pastor I could see myself sitting in a nice office studying for the message. I find experientially that most of the messages come just like this. Some problem comes up while I am trying to study and I end up learning something from it that turns out to be the message.
So what did I learn from this? Or rather re-learn. Getting out of my chair and taking care of my neighbors’ cows was not what I had in mind for a Saturday. What I have discovered over the years and continue to re-discover is that I am always blessed when I obey the voice of the Spirit.
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
1 Sam 15:22-23
22 So Samuel said:
"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord ?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
NKJV
OUT ON THE RANCH it is Saturday morning and the day we celebrate our nations’ independence. We have guests staying at “Grace” and Elizabeth is out with riders as I write. I helped her gather horses this morning and Danny and I helped her saddle. We have a 34 year old truck driver (Ruben) and his 9 year old daughter (Cynthia) joining Elizabeth for the ride this morning. I cannot express enough how much it touches me for fathers to show such interest in their children. While it may be a loving sacrifice for this father to shut his truck down for the day and come out here, his daughter will remember and be blessed for a lifetime. Dad (Ruben) is taking his daughter on his trip to California. It just doesn’t get any better than this for a little 9 year old angel.
The phone rang as I was writing this. It was Elizabeth on the phone and the neighbors cows are out on the river. I have been looking for a phone book, ever do that?? I called but guess what, the line was busy. Press 3 and you will get a call back if the line becomes available in the next 30 minutes. So many conveniences, and it doesn’t help with the frustration one little bit. Now, I think I will pray ………….. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?? OK….Love your neighbor as yourself…If they were my cows what would I do? I would go put them back in. That isn’t the answer I was looking for………I thought maybe go take a nap, relax, and they will get back in by themselves. Oh well, I am off to herd cows!!
Everything was OK on the river. It looks like our neighbor is letting his cows get into the river for water. That works fine as long as we don’t get a big rain. We are about to do the same thing next week, but we fence the river off temporarily. I did my part. I listened to hear what the Lord would have me do. I believe that He answered and I obeyed. My heart is at rest. Now back to the days writing and tomorrows’ sermon. In my mind when I started as a pastor I could see myself sitting in a nice office studying for the message. I find experientially that most of the messages come just like this. Some problem comes up while I am trying to study and I end up learning something from it that turns out to be the message.
So what did I learn from this? Or rather re-learn. Getting out of my chair and taking care of my neighbors’ cows was not what I had in mind for a Saturday. What I have discovered over the years and continue to re-discover is that I am always blessed when I obey the voice of the Spirit.
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
1 Sam 15:22-23
22 So Samuel said:
"Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord ?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
NKJV
Monday, June 22, 2009
6-22-09
OUT ON THE RANCH this morning it is a gorgeous day. The temperature is supposed to get hot, hot, hot, this week!! Last night we drove over to Carter to see Ben Day, my late mother's widower. Ben is moving, today, to an assisted living center near his daughter in Oklahoma City. It made me want to cry. I feel so sorry for him. He misses Mother so much, and yesterday was 5 months since she passed away. I know he needs some assistance, but I am selfish and would like to keep him around here a while longer. I offered for him to stay with us, but I know his girls want him closer to them, and I don’t blame them. I would want Mother to be here if she were still alive. I miss her terribly this morning. I really need to talk to her for just a few minutes!! But I suppose I will have to wait awhile, unless, the Lord decides to take me today.
One of the last things that mother said was, “I can’t believe how short life is!!” And that is a statement coming from a woman who lived a full life of 82 years. Some memories are so vivid they seem like yesterday. I can remember so clearly living in Farmington, New Mexico and the smell of the Russian Olive trees along the ditch banks, near our house in the country. I would leave my window open at night to catch a cool breeze and the aroma of the blooms from the Russian Olives. It was a simpler time and somehow the smell still transports me back over 40 years to my bedroom in Farmington. It is amazing how we can forget all the problems of the past and remember the smells and the emotions from those days long gone by. I can’t tell you what someone looked like back then, but I can still remember how I felt about them.
I pray for me, today, and you that we can let go of the worries and fears of today, and cling to the sweetness of life. Life is short, and the problems we are encountering today are not nearly as big as the devil and our minds might make them out to be. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine everything in the room that is temporal disappearing and only the eternal remaining. What is there in the room with you that is eternal? If there are other people there, they are eternal. God is there, but you can’t see Him. Everything else is only here for a season, and will be gone. Even the mighty General Motors is going through bankruptcy. Everything changes and will soon be gone, except the precious people that are around you. Let us focus, today, on the eternal. Let us focus on our relationship with God and each other. These are the things that will remain when all else has vanished from this earth and our lives. Life is short and there is no reason to sweat the small stuff. And, other than the relationship with Him and the wonderful (less than perfect) people around us, it is all small stuff.
God Bless
Always Your Friend
Ridge
OUT ON THE RANCH this morning it is a gorgeous day. The temperature is supposed to get hot, hot, hot, this week!! Last night we drove over to Carter to see Ben Day, my late mother's widower. Ben is moving, today, to an assisted living center near his daughter in Oklahoma City. It made me want to cry. I feel so sorry for him. He misses Mother so much, and yesterday was 5 months since she passed away. I know he needs some assistance, but I am selfish and would like to keep him around here a while longer. I offered for him to stay with us, but I know his girls want him closer to them, and I don’t blame them. I would want Mother to be here if she were still alive. I miss her terribly this morning. I really need to talk to her for just a few minutes!! But I suppose I will have to wait awhile, unless, the Lord decides to take me today.
One of the last things that mother said was, “I can’t believe how short life is!!” And that is a statement coming from a woman who lived a full life of 82 years. Some memories are so vivid they seem like yesterday. I can remember so clearly living in Farmington, New Mexico and the smell of the Russian Olive trees along the ditch banks, near our house in the country. I would leave my window open at night to catch a cool breeze and the aroma of the blooms from the Russian Olives. It was a simpler time and somehow the smell still transports me back over 40 years to my bedroom in Farmington. It is amazing how we can forget all the problems of the past and remember the smells and the emotions from those days long gone by. I can’t tell you what someone looked like back then, but I can still remember how I felt about them.
I pray for me, today, and you that we can let go of the worries and fears of today, and cling to the sweetness of life. Life is short, and the problems we are encountering today are not nearly as big as the devil and our minds might make them out to be. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine everything in the room that is temporal disappearing and only the eternal remaining. What is there in the room with you that is eternal? If there are other people there, they are eternal. God is there, but you can’t see Him. Everything else is only here for a season, and will be gone. Even the mighty General Motors is going through bankruptcy. Everything changes and will soon be gone, except the precious people that are around you. Let us focus, today, on the eternal. Let us focus on our relationship with God and each other. These are the things that will remain when all else has vanished from this earth and our lives. Life is short and there is no reason to sweat the small stuff. And, other than the relationship with Him and the wonderful (less than perfect) people around us, it is all small stuff.
God Bless
Always Your Friend
Ridge
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
OUT ON THE RANCH..........6-16-09
6-16-09
OUT ON THE RANCH it is another gorgeous day!! I didn’t make it up for the sunrise this morning…….SURPRISE…SURPRISE!! But I am up early enough to do my devotions and drink some coffee before the day begins. We have the Community Church from Elk City out with us for a few days. Robert and Becki Chaney are leading the group. The group spent the afternoon in the pool yesterday. This morning they are going to go paintballing. I played one time. There just isn’t enough oxygen on the ranch for this fat boy to be running around on sand hills in the heat. Today the heat of summer begins, according to NOAA. The next three days we are going to be near 100 degrees. Air conditioning and the swimming pool become a necessity from now till September.
The Bermuda grass is going crazy with all this moisture, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. Living on the ranch brings alive some of the descriptions used in Scripture.
John 8:12
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." NKJV
IT IS THE LIGHT OF THE “SUN” THAT BRINGS LIFE TO MY BERMUDA GRASS AND IT IS THE LIGHT OF THE “SON” THAT BRINGS LIFE TO MY SOUL.
John 6:35
35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. NKJV
IT IS THE RAIN THAT QUENCHES THE THIRST OF MY BERMUDA GRASS AND IT IS THE “SON” THAT QUENCHES MY THIRST FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV
What a gift God has given us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. He brings warmth and comfort to our needy soul. He quenches our thirst for spiritual drink. He is also the “Bread of Life”. He fills us with Himself. More and more I “understand” that He is all that I need. We think we need the bread of this life, but God knows we need the bread of LIFE.
John 6:51
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
NKJV
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
OUT ON THE RANCH it is another gorgeous day!! I didn’t make it up for the sunrise this morning…….SURPRISE…SURPRISE!! But I am up early enough to do my devotions and drink some coffee before the day begins. We have the Community Church from Elk City out with us for a few days. Robert and Becki Chaney are leading the group. The group spent the afternoon in the pool yesterday. This morning they are going to go paintballing. I played one time. There just isn’t enough oxygen on the ranch for this fat boy to be running around on sand hills in the heat. Today the heat of summer begins, according to NOAA. The next three days we are going to be near 100 degrees. Air conditioning and the swimming pool become a necessity from now till September.
The Bermuda grass is going crazy with all this moisture, sunshine, and warmer temperatures. Living on the ranch brings alive some of the descriptions used in Scripture.
John 8:12
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." NKJV
IT IS THE LIGHT OF THE “SUN” THAT BRINGS LIFE TO MY BERMUDA GRASS AND IT IS THE LIGHT OF THE “SON” THAT BRINGS LIFE TO MY SOUL.
John 6:35
35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. NKJV
IT IS THE RAIN THAT QUENCHES THE THIRST OF MY BERMUDA GRASS AND IT IS THE “SON” THAT QUENCHES MY THIRST FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
NKJV
What a gift God has given us in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. He brings warmth and comfort to our needy soul. He quenches our thirst for spiritual drink. He is also the “Bread of Life”. He fills us with Himself. More and more I “understand” that He is all that I need. We think we need the bread of this life, but God knows we need the bread of LIFE.
John 6:51
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."
NKJV
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
6-10-09
OUT ON THE RANCH it is raining sheets and sheets of rain. A minute ago it was raining so hard we couldn’t see to the other side of our front yard. We have a pergola that buckled under the force of the wind. I guess I am going to have to amend my prayers, and dial them down just a tad. I have been praying for rain, but not Noah’s flood. I am not complaining just trying to be humorous. I will take a buckled pergola for a good soaker (THANK YOU JESUS). This country is all about the rain. If we get rain it a lush land, and without it we soon become a desert. We are on the fringe. East of us they get a lot more moisture and West of us they hardly get any. This spring has been marvelous for moisture and everything is bright and green.
Last night we had a couple of young ladies stay on the ranch with us from Holland. They were both Medical Doctors in their twenties. They had been to a medical conference in Chicago, and were doing the Route 66 adventure to Amarillo. It was a joy to have them with us. They were personable, bright, beautiful, and wonderful in conversation. It really was a delight. I told them they were sent by God to encourage us. It really is amazing how getting out of yourself and serving someone else can lift your spirits. And these girls were so precious they were easy to serve. I wish we could keep them in Western Oklahoma, but we will be satisfied with a return visit some day in the future.
1 Peter 4:9
9 Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).
AMP
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
OUT ON THE RANCH it is raining sheets and sheets of rain. A minute ago it was raining so hard we couldn’t see to the other side of our front yard. We have a pergola that buckled under the force of the wind. I guess I am going to have to amend my prayers, and dial them down just a tad. I have been praying for rain, but not Noah’s flood. I am not complaining just trying to be humorous. I will take a buckled pergola for a good soaker (THANK YOU JESUS). This country is all about the rain. If we get rain it a lush land, and without it we soon become a desert. We are on the fringe. East of us they get a lot more moisture and West of us they hardly get any. This spring has been marvelous for moisture and everything is bright and green.
Last night we had a couple of young ladies stay on the ranch with us from Holland. They were both Medical Doctors in their twenties. They had been to a medical conference in Chicago, and were doing the Route 66 adventure to Amarillo. It was a joy to have them with us. They were personable, bright, beautiful, and wonderful in conversation. It really was a delight. I told them they were sent by God to encourage us. It really is amazing how getting out of yourself and serving someone else can lift your spirits. And these girls were so precious they were easy to serve. I wish we could keep them in Western Oklahoma, but we will be satisfied with a return visit some day in the future.
1 Peter 4:9
9 Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).
AMP
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
6-9-09
OUT ON THE RANCH this morning I was impressed with the writings of Spurgeon.
"The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."— Ps 126:3
Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has allowed them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously, and say, "I will speak, not about myself, but to the honor of my God. He has brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord has done great things for me, and I am glad." Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient Savior, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us "out into a wealthy place." The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our life's song, "He has done great things for us, and we are glad. (MR. SPURGEON)
The enemy of our soul delights in our misery, and if he can convince us how “sorry” our life is, he has the battle half won. I was walking a couple of days ago and began to try to think of everything I had to praise God for. I stated with the green grass, the wonderful rain, the cool crisp morning and went on to my beautiful wife, friends, and most of all my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The walk lasted about 45 minutes and I never ran out of things to praise Him for. What was really amazing was how wonderful I felt inside when the walk was over. We can have a million things “right” in our life and the enemy reminds us of the one or two things that are challenging us. Most of the negative things that come to our mind never come to pass anyway. Our lives would be so much sweeter if we would heed the advice of Scripture:
Phil 4:8-9
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV
Meditation upon the positive things of live is a simple concept, but extremely hard to master. You must have faith to believe this, because it is sooo…. Difficult!!! The only way we can accomplish the practice is by the power of Jesus Christ. We can accomplish a great deal by our so called “strong will”, but we will always fail unless undergirded with the power of the Spirit. The “Good News” is that by the blood of Christ we can take every thought captive, and become a non-worrying positive person. The rewards from cultivating this discipline are totally awesome, and I encourage you to begin today!!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
OUT ON THE RANCH this morning I was impressed with the writings of Spurgeon.
"The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."— Ps 126:3
Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has allowed them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously, and say, "I will speak, not about myself, but to the honor of my God. He has brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord has done great things for me, and I am glad." Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient Savior, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us "out into a wealthy place." The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our life's song, "He has done great things for us, and we are glad. (MR. SPURGEON)
The enemy of our soul delights in our misery, and if he can convince us how “sorry” our life is, he has the battle half won. I was walking a couple of days ago and began to try to think of everything I had to praise God for. I stated with the green grass, the wonderful rain, the cool crisp morning and went on to my beautiful wife, friends, and most of all my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The walk lasted about 45 minutes and I never ran out of things to praise Him for. What was really amazing was how wonderful I felt inside when the walk was over. We can have a million things “right” in our life and the enemy reminds us of the one or two things that are challenging us. Most of the negative things that come to our mind never come to pass anyway. Our lives would be so much sweeter if we would heed the advice of Scripture:
Phil 4:8-9
Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
NKJV
Meditation upon the positive things of live is a simple concept, but extremely hard to master. You must have faith to believe this, because it is sooo…. Difficult!!! The only way we can accomplish the practice is by the power of Jesus Christ. We can accomplish a great deal by our so called “strong will”, but we will always fail unless undergirded with the power of the Spirit. The “Good News” is that by the blood of Christ we can take every thought captive, and become a non-worrying positive person. The rewards from cultivating this discipline are totally awesome, and I encourage you to begin today!!!
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
Monday, June 1, 2009
6-1-09
OUT ON THE RANCH it is the first day of June, unbelievable. I was looking at the radar a couple minutes ago, and rain is on the way. God has been so good to us this spring in providing abundant moisture, after a very dry winter. We took our Lorene out for a sandwich tonight, or rather she treated us. What a blessing she is. I can’t imagine what the last 22 years of my life would have been like without her. She has been there time after time when I need someone to talk to. Tonight Elizabeth and I both needed a pep talk, and she was there for us. There surely is a great reward waiting for her in heaven. She is amazing in her consistency. Here we have an 88 year old blind woman giving two healthy, reasonable stable Christians a pep talk. Makes me feel like the spiritual weakling I am……..At least at times.
On our way home after being encouraged by Lorene we stopped by to welcome some new neighbors into our area, and offer them borrowing rights. They will soon be our closest accessible neighbor. Our neighbors across the river may actually be closer as the crow flies, but you can’t get there from here. Our newest residents will only be about one and a half miles away. We are turning into a regular metropolitan area. To give you some insight into our area, there are less than 20,000 people in our entire county. We rely rather heavily on the internet and Old Route 66 for traffic to the Red River Ranch Retreat. It is amazing how many tourists travel Old Route 66 in the summer.
This Scripture came to my mind about our evening.
2 Cor 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV
GOD COMFORTED US USING LORENE AS HIS VESSEL, AND WE WERE ABLE TO COMFORT OUR NEW NEIGHBORS AND WELCOME THEM TO THE AREA. I told Elizabeth that it sure would have been nice for some of our neighbors to welcome us when we moved here. When we first moved on the ranch we were not only not welcomed, but made to know that we were not wanted here. It brings joy to my heart to extend the hand of hospitality to our newbies, that they may feel welcome.
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
OUT ON THE RANCH it is the first day of June, unbelievable. I was looking at the radar a couple minutes ago, and rain is on the way. God has been so good to us this spring in providing abundant moisture, after a very dry winter. We took our Lorene out for a sandwich tonight, or rather she treated us. What a blessing she is. I can’t imagine what the last 22 years of my life would have been like without her. She has been there time after time when I need someone to talk to. Tonight Elizabeth and I both needed a pep talk, and she was there for us. There surely is a great reward waiting for her in heaven. She is amazing in her consistency. Here we have an 88 year old blind woman giving two healthy, reasonable stable Christians a pep talk. Makes me feel like the spiritual weakling I am……..At least at times.
On our way home after being encouraged by Lorene we stopped by to welcome some new neighbors into our area, and offer them borrowing rights. They will soon be our closest accessible neighbor. Our neighbors across the river may actually be closer as the crow flies, but you can’t get there from here. Our newest residents will only be about one and a half miles away. We are turning into a regular metropolitan area. To give you some insight into our area, there are less than 20,000 people in our entire county. We rely rather heavily on the internet and Old Route 66 for traffic to the Red River Ranch Retreat. It is amazing how many tourists travel Old Route 66 in the summer.
This Scripture came to my mind about our evening.
2 Cor 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV
GOD COMFORTED US USING LORENE AS HIS VESSEL, AND WE WERE ABLE TO COMFORT OUR NEW NEIGHBORS AND WELCOME THEM TO THE AREA. I told Elizabeth that it sure would have been nice for some of our neighbors to welcome us when we moved here. When we first moved on the ranch we were not only not welcomed, but made to know that we were not wanted here. It brings joy to my heart to extend the hand of hospitality to our newbies, that they may feel welcome.
GOD BLESS
ALWAYS YOUR FRIEND
RIDGE
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