Tag Archive for: God

Built to Withstand the Weather

Many people love covered bridges. They stir nostalgia – allowing memories of another time to come to mind.

As part of their charm, these structures often draw much speculation to why they were built. It seems, thanks Hollywood, chivalry and courting come to mind for many.

However, the real reason for covered bridges was more utilitarian. They were originally built to protect the structure from the weather.

While maybe not as inspiring as a love story written for the big screen, there’s something just as noble and powerful to the reason behind covered bridges.

We often look at the outward appearances of people and things. Yet, we don’t look at their inner beings – who or what they really are. While an appearance may make for an attractive picture, the inside “guts” reveal the real structural integrity of a person or thing. It also makes us ask if the bridge (or person) is built to withstand life’s storms – and are they who they were created to be?

Covered bridges offer a unique, attractive perspective of a previous era. Yet, they also offer a great reminder that we must always look at what’s inside to make sure that it matches what is on the outside.

Have a great day!

😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Farm’s Covered Bridge

 

This little covered bridge spans a small stream on a farm drive. I’ve driven by it hundreds of times – and have passed through it on a few occasions, as well.

Sitting in the trees, the small structure is partially obscured by the foliage during the warm months of the year.  I think that those trees and leaves offer an added sense of tranquility to the scene.

Covered bridges offer a nostalgic, timeless glimpse back to days long ago.  They allow us to remember times that, compared to now, don’t seem to have been so hectic and hurried.

I love scenes like this because they force me to slow down.  An image like this has the ability to help me to reflect on the people and things that are truly important in life.

A bridge also has another important function.  It spans a body of water or other barrier – connecting two pieces of land or a couple of buildings that are separated from one another.  These links allow the flow of people, materials or information to be passed with little or no hindrance.

Thinking about this covered bridge, I’ve been thinking how often barriers are formed between us and other people.  We’re separate individuals, who have our own identities, ideas and values.  Yet, there are common bonds that link us together – such as our heritage, ancestry, beliefs and views.

Deep down, each person wants to feel appreciated and linked to others.  In fact, it’s the central theme of the most widely-distributed book of all times:  the Bible.  Christ serves as a bridge – offering a redemptive connection between God and people.

While not as common as they once were, covered bridges offer a glimpse into the past.  They also allow us to reach places and people who would otherwise be inaccessible.

Have a great day!

😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Story of Love and Faith

It may look like another small country church. Yet, it’s part of my family’s story.

Today is Dad and Mom’s anniversary. This is where they exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends many years ago.

Having moved away long ago, our family hasn’t attended here since I was a young boy. Today, we only make it back for an occasional visit to the neighboring cemetery.

This picture reminds me of the importance of God in my parents’ lives. Commitment, love, faithfulness and grace are some of the many lessons that they are still passing on through their example.

We live in a world that is filled with many distractions. Yet, this old church reminds me of lessons taught by Dad and Mom: to remain committed to God and our families.

Have a great day!😀

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Combining Oats

It’s a scene that looks like it could have taken place nearly seventy years ago. However, the year is 2021 and an Amish farmer is using a team of horses with a pull-type combine.

Today, most of us are used to seeing farmers operating modern self-powered combines, equipped with the latest, most-advanced technology. Yet, there are those who use older pieces of equipment.

This farmer is working only a few miles from where I live. Several of his neighbors still cut their oat fields using older binders – and then have to go back and make shocks. Likewise, some English (non-Amish) farmers with small farms cut wheat by using old pull-type combines ran behind tractors.

These oats will be used as livestock feed during the coming winter. The chaff will most likely be raked and baled as straw for animal bedding.

As I look at this picture, I’m reminded that we often reap what we sow. Crops grown in good conditions will often produce a good yield. A lot of work is involved including planting, cultivating and harvesting.

Seeing this horse-drawn combine may cause us to ask what we’re growing. Do our lives yield kindness, generosity and concern for others?

Let’s work at producing crops that reveal our care for others.

Have a great day! 😀

“A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7b (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Looking Down Your Nose

I was driving down a steep driveway from a delivery when I saw a red barn across the valley in front of me. By road, the old structure was probably more than a mile away. Yet, in a sea of green, it stood out.

From my vantage point in the truck cab, the barn looked closer than it appeared. It definitely made for a unique picture! But, since I was on a steep grade, I didn’t really want to stop there and climb out of the truck for even a few seconds. So, I opted for a photo from behind the steering wheel.

As I was thinking about that view later, I was reminded of how I had looked down my nose – or, rather the truck’s nose to get that shot.

We live in a world where people are often comparing themselves with others. In fact, that’s been the case since Adam and Eve were here with their first two sons, Cain and Abel.

There are so many things that vie to separate us. Yet, God created each of us as equal beings with specific gifts and abilities to meet our individual personalities. The fact that each person is born and will die should be enough to make us acutely aware of our need for a Savior, and keep us humble in our dealings with others.

We really don’t have any reason to compare ourselves with others. This instance, where I looked down and over the nose of my Peterbilt, allowed me to have a unique perspective of the countryside – and of life.

Have a great day!😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Between the Ditches

You have probably heard someone say “to keep it between the ditches”… or, between the lines. Perhaps, you’ve told someone that, as well.

On many small, rural roads like the one in the picture, it may be hard to always stay inside the lines. This is especially true if you’re driving a large truck or piece of farm equipment. But, keep between the ditches… definitely!

As I look at this picture, I’m reminded of something that I used to hear my Grandfather say. Grandpa said that he paid for both sides of the road – so, he was going to use them. Of course, Grandpa said it in good humor. Driving truck for sixty years, he definitely spent plenty of time driving country roads.

Seriously though, we can learn from narrow roadways.

Lines provide a path to help us move forward. They won’t stop us when we cross over them.

Ditches, however, carry the possibility to stop us. If you have ever slid into a ditch then you understand this truth.

We face many challenges going through life. Each of us have “lines” that help to guide us. Sometimes we stay safely on the road – while we crash at other times.

The Bible talks about how the narrow road leads to eternal life, while the wide road leads to destruction and separation from God. We see evidence of this often in the choices that we make.

Let’s keep it between the lines and ditches – arriving safely at our destination. We don’t want to crash off course and hurt ourselves and others!

Have a great day! 😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Making the Best Better

There are two things that every youth who goes through 4-H learns. They are the 4-H Motto and 4-H Pledge. They were quoted, along with the Pledge of Allegiance, before every meeting when I was in 4-H – ten years as a member, and another ten as an advisor. They are as follows:

4-H Motto:

“To make the best better.”

4-H Pledge:

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.”

The motto and pledge are an encouragement for 4-H youth to strive for excellence in all that they do. Further, it means to never settle for what you think is your best – because there’s always room for improvement.

But, there’s more than just striving to do, and be, your best. The pledge ends with “… for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” It’s a reminder that what each person does ultimately doesn’t just affect them. Each part of our life ultimately affects others – whether we realize it or not. We should – no, we must – do our best, because others are depending on us. People see how much we value, care for and love them by how well we serve them.

How often do we strive to do our best? Just consider how many people are impacted by our words and actions. Are we careful to do our best – or, are we careless? I don’t know of too many people who are happy to receive a mediocre product or service. Just imagine a doctor who didn’t take the time to listen to your questions. Or, what if Albert Einstein gave up on the light bulb after the fiftieth time that he couldn’t get it to work?

Unfortunately, it appears as if too many people are content at just getting by. But, what would happen if we really cared about other people? What if we took the time to really try to do our best – and constantly improve on it? What would families and marriages look like? How would students do in school – and in their afterschool activities? Consider how people might do their jobs differently. And, consider how politicians would govern. Would we continue to have to endure such divisive, political games and manipulative tactics?

So many of us act like our own lives, interests and possessions are the most important thing in the world. But, how would it look if we put others first? What if we pledged our head, heart, hands and health to better living – to looking out for the welfare and betterment of others? Perhaps, it might also help to simplify our lives as we most likely would have a new focus on life.

This is what Christ did when He came to earth to die for us. He put us first, and gave us the very best, when He left the perfection of Heaven to die for us – as ungrateful as we often are. Jesus died, and was brought back to life, so that we might have eternal life with God – if we would seek God’s forgiveness and humbly accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.

As I think about the 4-H Motto and Pledge, I’m reminded of the words of martyred missionary, Jim Elliott. He said:

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

We must realize that life is not about us. It’s about serving God, and then others. This is a foundational truth in each of our lives – whether we are willing to admit it, or not. When we truly care about others, we can find real joy and a sincere willingness to do our very best at any job.

In closing, please consider the following.

Who do we love? This will often determine who we working are for – and, who we are serving. Are we willing to settle for mediocrity – or, are we giving our best efforts in an attempt to always serve others better? Do we show love and concern for those who we come into contact with?

By striving to give all of us – our head, heart, hands and health, imagine how each of us can impact others’ lives. Think how individuals, communities, our nation – and even the world, can be impacted through each of us practicing humility, love, forgiveness, grace and hard work in a continual attempt to serve one another better.

Have a great day! 🙂

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Tranquility of an Old Dirt Road

A few miles from here, sits a farm that my wife and I like to drive by.  The house, barn and outbuildings are separated from the gravel road by a pasture with a small creek winding through it.  With some beef cattle or sheep often grazing there, it’s a tranquil setting where we often appreciate slowing down to enjoy the view.

When I see this farm, I’m reminded of a feature in a rural magazine that I used to receive that was called “The Prettiest Place in the Country”.

This farm, I’m sure, would be a contender for that article.  Its owners have spent countless hours transforming a small farmstead into a beautiful oasis.

Each season finds the house and landscape decorated for that particular time of the year.  Beautiful flowers and landscaping highlight the fences and house during the spring and summer.  In the fall, with the colors of the surrounding trees and green of the nearby hills, the white painted farmhouse and springhouse, along with the red barn and outbuildings stand out as they add to the muted colors of autumn.

We live in a world where the ability to multi-task is often seen as something that’s considered to be virtue-like.  But, were we really created to always run at whirlwind speed?  I seriously doubt it.

In a world that seems to be increasingly marked by hustle and bustle, we need to find time to unwind – perhaps, more often than we think.  Old dirt roads, sheltered by shade trees and winding past quiet meadows and beautiful farms, are among those places that I find restful – perhaps, almost therapeutic.

Slowing down and enjoying the scenery allows us opportunities to allow our minds to wander.  A drive in the country may allow us some much-needed peaceful, restful time away with family or friends.  It’s also in these moments that we are able to enjoy the beauty of creation – and have time to enjoy fellowship with our Creator, which is the primary reason why we’ve been placed here.

Reflecting on this farm and the little roads that lead to it, I’m reminded that life isn’t just about successes or reaching milestones and destinations.  Sometimes, the real joy and success is found in the journey.

Although we can’t slow down the world around us, you and I have the ability to alter the speed of our own lives.  Let’s make the most of this time that we’ve got – and enjoy the journey.

Have a great day! 🙂

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”  –  Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Happy Fourth of July!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

On this Fourth of July, we remember the sacrifices of many!

Have a great day!😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Just In “Case”

I made a delivery to this Amish farm. Before leaving, I had decided to get a picture of this old Case tractor. It didn’t wear the green and yellow implement colors that I love, but the unique setting had a vintage feel – like it should have been seventy or eighty years ago.

Some may wonder why a tractor would be on an Amish farm. While those farmers are often only allowed to use horses in the fields, many are able to use tractors for stationary power or to pull wagons and trailers on local roadways. In “Case” you missed it, this picture shows a belt linking the tractor to a pump that is out of sight.

Looking at this photo, I’m reminded of how many details we often don’t notice. There’s so much that we miss as we hurry through life. Perhaps though, the thing that most often suffers are our relationships with God, our families and friends.

Every generation has its own issues and trials. Yet, this tractor was built before all of our modern conveniences and distractions. It’s a testament to simpler times – and, the values that our minds fix to that era.

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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