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
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