Questions, Questions, Questions

The more I know; the more I realize I don't know. Does that make any sense? I think it does. Anyone who has any real sense realizes that the more we learn the more we realize we need to learn. Am I right?

Questions are usually asked by the questioner for the purpose of learning. How many of us who have children and grandchildren haven't had one come up to us with one of those questions, and then, always; upon hearing the answer, ask, "Why?" The question that ends all questions. Sometimes there are really odd, and silly questions like, "Why is that car yellow?" The obvious answer to that is "Because they wanted it yellow", or they bought it that way.

Questions also sometimes spark a debate. Debate is sometimes good. Debates sometimes turn into heated arguments.

I know I am just rambling it seems. "Why?" I am not really sure. I feel like rambling I guess. This is going to be online for the whole cyber world to read. And I really don't care. I know others feel like this at times. I read some of their blogs and other stuff, so I know. Even politicians; like our President of the USA, rambles on a lot and never says anything meaningful, or constructive. I think I have that right too.

Well! Welcome to Autumn or Fall as we call it often. We are well into the Fall of the year, but around where I live the grass is still green and growing. Farmers are still putting up hay, though it must be a booger to cure for baling.

There is one thing I know and am assured of that God is God. He is Creator of all that is, has been or ever will be; and He has a Son whose name is Jesus who died on a cross for my sins and the world's sins, was buried, and He rose again. One day He is coming; and to that day I look with great expectation.

Still I want to know more, because the more I know the more I realize I don't know.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Talk About Seasons

Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter are inevitable for us, and we appreciate them; most of the time. The things which we may call "Seasons" of our lives also come with mixed appreciation.

It seems sometimes that the seasons of my life have been stricken with only the "Winter" mode, and that of my wife as well. This is not meant to capture anyone's sympathy, empathy or what ever, but I pray it will encourage you. I know, and am trusting completely in our Lord's goodness, grace and love. He holds my life, my wife's life, all our family's lives in His powerful hands.

You see I cannot see the finished picture which He is painting for my life. I have only what is today; however, He sees the complete picture. When He is finished with this painting it will be a glorious picture which will glorify His Son Jesus. No work He has began in me or any of His children will fail.

Before I go on with this let me tell you what my wife and I have found out from our doctor, and blood tests. According to my last blood test I have a high glucose level, and a failing liver. She has also told me that my kidneys are only functioning at 60% (just the other day a woman gave one of her kidneys to her husband whose kidneys had failed completely, so she is on fifty percent kidney function) WOW!!! Thank the Lord.

My wife has an aortic anyrism (an enlarged aorta of the heart). When it was first discovered she was told it was at a 4, and when it reached a 5, they would need to do surgery. We were told Monday that it is now at 4.5. The surgery we have been told would be open heart surgery. I am so thankful that our God who has created all things, and holds all things together has it all in His mighty, everlasting hands.

We have also determined to fight these things through prayer, praise, and eating right, or at least closer to right, and getting some much needed exercise, starting with walking as often as we possibly can.

He can heal us if He chooses to do so, and we would be thankful, and we are thankful to Him for the privilege and "Right" through His Son Jesus for having a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus our Savior and God is the Creator of all, is worthy of our praise. We will love Him, serve Him, and will not bow to the words of men or the devil; but we will praise and serve the LORD of hosts. There is no rest without this God and Savior who died on the cross for our sins.

Look to Him today. Have peace through faith in Him. Live His faith.

Give thanks for every day you can arise from your bed, take a breath, take a step, look into the early morning skies and see the stars, the moon, the planets, and have a knowledge that there is the Creator. There are those who cannot do those things and are thankful still.

When we are oppressed by the rough seasons of our lives; let's be sure we make it a season of praise to our Creator.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Summer's Ending

Summer vacation for some Schools began in late may, late Spring, and now Summer vacation has come to an end. Some Schools have already began. The School which I drive the School bus for begins today [August 19, 2009].

It seems to me that Summers are really too short. Maybe its due to global warming :>), and I do say that with a smile. It is actually due to kids going back to school, the teachers being there to teach them, drivers being their to get the kids where they are supposed to learn. Enough frivolity.

I am thankful to be driving a bus for a school like Cassville Schools. We have a staff that works together to make the best possible environment for kids, teachers, bus drivers, administration, and the maintenance people. At the bus garage it is almost like we are family.

That kind of environment makes it where you enjoy going to work everyday. It doesn't seem like work. It is a joy to see the kids you haven't seen all Summer long. If they come back that is. I say that because we did hear of one who will not be returning due to drowning just this past week. My heart goes out to the family. That will be so tough, and my prayers are with them in this difficult heart breaking time.

If you have a clean record, love kids, and need to make a few extra dollars; and you can fit it into your daily schedule; you might want to think of driving one of those big yellow monsters. Go to your nearest school and I know they can tell you how to go about it. You might only get started as a sub driver, but that is how I started. Try it out. You might enjoy it. And in most cases you do get all Summer vacation off.

-Tim A. Blankenship

A Family Weekend '09

My wife and I have what some would call a large family. It doesn't seem that large to me when I know of some parents who have 16 children. I don't know them personally. I do know personally one family who has 8 children they have raised and in the process of raising. I really think large families are great. You're never short of a friend that way.

Our family of 5 children, minus one (he and his wife were away to Florida for their 6th Anniversary), their spouses, and our grandkids had our annual family get together at our son Philip's and wife Sarah's home in Booneville, AR. Our eldest son Timothy, his wife Sarah, their three kids; Naomi, Josiah, and Eli; along with Madge and I journeyed down that way last Thursday evening - Madge and I rode with them. Charity, husband Paul and their three kids; Rachelle, Jonathan, and Caitlyn beat us there. Monica, husband Sam, and Addison came along on Friday evening. It was James and Amber who was away for their Anniversary, and we missed them being with us, but understand.

On Friday my parents Mike and Juanita were brought down by my sister Jane so we could go up Magazine Mountain. They have quite the park on the mountain, and we enjoyed the beautiful day which our LORD provided us. There were several scenic view areas and you could see for miles and miles. You can see the Arkansas River from those views, and it is about thirty miles North of there.

My Dad enjoys things like that, as do I, and we had a very good time. I think Dad was exhausted, as was Mom, and they drove back home that afternoon. We were all pretty worn out for the day.

On Saturday we spent the day playing, enjoying the weather, each other's company, and that evening we went swimming in the City Park Swimming Pool. We had rented it for a couple of hours. No one there but the Blankenship family, and the Life Guards. It was a nice way to spend the evening and to finish off the day.

Following church on Sunday we had Sunday Dinner together with Philip and Sarah Joyce, Rene'e, and Natalie (Philip's and Sarah's two). We packed up and returned home. We arrived home around 5:30 p.m. and spent the evening resting.

We missed the people of our church on Sunday. Look forward to being back this Sunday. They are like family to us. Best people I have ever had the privilege of being their pastor. I pray that I can become a better pastor for them, and always proclaim God's Word for them to hear.

Great weekend. Great kids and grandkids. Majestic God and Savior. What a wonderful life.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Guest At My Front Door

It is infrequently that we have any guests show up at our door. Usually they come in cars, pickups, or ATV's; and they don't come often.

Yesterday morning June 25, '09 I had just settled in my reading chair, settled in for my daily reading in the Bible, and I heard a scratching sound at the front door; and that is in my office where I do my reading. I got up, turned on the light for the front porch, and there he was. It was a young raccoon come letting me know he was there.

He turned to walk away, then turned to face me again, and stood on his hind legs with his arms up in the air. I believe that is a universal sign of surrender. "I give up.", he said; then he turned and ran away as I unlocked the door.

God's creatures have a way of teaching us lessons.

-Tim A. Blankenship

First Day Of Summer '09

The first day of Summer 2009 is starting out acting like Summer. Hot, muggy, summerish to say the least, and I guess I am one of a few or many (not sure of stats) who enjoy the hot, muggy days of Summer.

This day also is Father's Day. Father's are a blessing from God. I know mine is to me. I pray that I have been to my three sons, and two daughters too. Our daughters Charity and Monica both have children with their husbands and are both happy and to to be Moms. Two of our sons are Dads and happy and blessed to be so. I am now blessed as a grandfather of nine living, two with Jesus in heaven, and one on the way.

On this Sunday we will be attending church at Carr Lane Baptist, preaching the morning message, worshipping in the preaching and singing of hymns, songs, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. On this beautiful first day of Summer. What a wonderful day our Lord has wrought.

Thank YOU Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

One Saturday In May

I know there is a couple of Saturday's left in May. On the 23rd and 24th I will be away from the pulpit of Carr Lane Baptist Church, taking a vacation Sunday. I will be visiting another church to listen to a good sermon, from a good preacher.

The "One Saturday..." of which I write was on the 9th of May. The day before Mother's Day. Our son Philip came up from Booneville, AR. along with his wife Sarah Joyce, and two daughters Rene'e and Natalie, spent the night on Friday and went to Mother's Day breakfast with us, at Carr Lane Baptist on Saturday morning. The men of our church provided, cooked and served bacon, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and scrambled eggs for the honor of our mothers.

Following the breakfast we; that is our son and his family; our daughter Monica, her husband Sam and daughter Addison went to Silver Dollar City near Branson. We often, jokingly, call it Steal Your Dollar City; around here in Southwest Missouri. It is a theme park, amusement park, music park, crafts park; taking you back to the 1800's or so. They also have rides; roller coasters, wet rides, and kiddy rides.

Even I got on two of the roller coasters. The first one I rode was called "Powder Keg". It sends you off on a short ride which starts you from a standing stop at about 60 miles per hour. From that stop you top a steep rise in the tracks to a sudden drop with twists and turns which would leave you breathless, if you are not screaming; or laughing all the way around. I laughed on every twists and turn. Were it not for the seat restraints you would come out of your seat.

We finished with Powder Keg then went and rode "WildFire". It has loops and loops and one more loop. It too is a thriller, but I think I liked Powder Keg the best. It sets you back in the seat, and leaves you longing for more. That is if you like that kind of thing.

Spring is here. Enjoy it in our Lord's Creation.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Winter In Spring

It is not so uncommon for Missouri to have Winter in Spring. It turned Spring officially last weekend, and a few days have been Spring like with warm sunshine, and just wonderful.

Now, however, this the final weekend of March, and it is more like Winter again. Snow, blizzard like conditions in parts of our country to the West - Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado receiving snow in the foot proportions. Here in Southwest MO; at least at my house there is none on the ground; but on Saturday/yesterday it did some snowing.

I am looking forward to when the warmer weather comes and stays for a while. God is so good to give us the change of seasons, and reminds us that better days are coming.

Enjoy your Spring.

-Tim A. Blankenship

What's Happening???

Here we are in the final week of January 2009, and we are being hit by a Winter storm. Ice is falling from the sky, and making the roads and streets slickery (that is a word coined by my grandson who is the picture on the left side of this blog), and unfit for travelling, so schools all over Southwest MO. has been cancelled today.

I was scheduled for a medical precedure today at 9:00 a.m., but that was postponed yesterday when the hospital called basically asking if I would do that - they left it up to me - saying that I might not be able to arrive there due to weather and some of the hospital staff may not be able to arrive either, and my prep for the precedure would need to be repeated when it is rescheduled. So, I told them to postpone it. I had requested a couple days off from driving the School bus due to this.

When it was known that the event was called off for today, I called my Supervisor and told him I could drive now. He went ahead and let me off for the evening run, because he already had a sub driver, and told me I could go ahead and plan on driving today, but today "NO School". That is a good thing considering the road conditions. I am already longing for Spring. I always look forward to Spring.

I am learning more everyday that our God is good. He is full of grace and mercy. What's Happening??? God is working and moving in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

HAVE A GREAT WINTER!!

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Season of Christmas '08

It is now officially Winter as of the 21st of December. On that day it really turned out to be quite cold. My last day of driving the School Bus for the year of 2008 was on Friday December 19, and we had a Christmas dinner at 11 a.m. It is quite okay for me to call it dinner, because dinner has always been the time others call "lunch".

The bus drivers all agreed to bring their favorite dish or dessert, and we made a potluck dinner of it. I asked permission to bring my wife, and I was told, "If she is preparing the turkey you're bringing, then I wouldn't have even bothered asking", but maybe not quite that way.

I mentioned it being cold on that first day of Winter. The temps dropped down into the single numbers on that evening, but then it has warmed up to the sixties the day following Christmas, and today [Saturday 27th].

We had a great time with my siblings, my parents, my wife and kids, and my siblings spouses and kids and all the grandkids. There must have been nearly sixty present at my parents house. At our small home we had about 21, and is it ever crowded with only one bathroom, and really only one bedroom with an upstairs that is open. There are at least two families who stay upstairs overnight at Christmas time.

The most important time about Christmas is Jesus Christ, and remembering His birth, His incarnation as a man; the day that God became man, to dwell among us - Immanuel is "God with us". A great part of Christmas is the family get together.

I do need to admit that by the time it is all over I am ready for a break, and right now I am having a break. The house is empty with the exception of God and me. Those times do serve as a time to freshen your thoughts, and receive assurances from the Lord and His Word. I even went for a short walk this afternoon, and it was after the temps started to go down. It is beginning to feel like Winter again.

We may indeed have a strong, hard, snowy, icey Winter this year. I am praying we don't, but I have no say in the matter. I only pray for God's will, for safety, for warmth, and all our needs to be met, for the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is always the season to be thankful. Even in the Winter.

-Tim A. Blankenship

For Anyone Who Is Interested

It has not been too many days ago that we had the first snow fall of the season. It, however, did not amount to much. For that I am glad. It is not that I don't like snow; I don't like cold weather, and it seems that the two just happen to go together.

Last night [Sunday] the weather suddenly turned from an almost balmy, warm Spring time temperature in the sixties during the afternoon to freezing and below. From the time my wife and I left our church the temp dropped fourteen degrees, and that was driving a short 17 miles. It only takes us about 30 minutes, with about one third of that time spent driving the last two miles to our home (it is a rough dirt/gravel road).

When I arose this morning, planning to go and drive my School Bus I looked out the window and everything looked pretty good. There was a dusting of snow on the car, but nothing bad. I spent time doing my quiet time and then blogging, and then got myself ready for leaving for town (also 17 miles away) to go and drive the Bus.

I got in the car, and was out of our driveway when my wife called me on my cell telling me "Joe called, and there is no school today" (Joe is our Supervisor for the bus drivers). Because there was no school I saved a little bit of gas.

I saw Joe later in town, and he told me there was a thin sheet of ice on the school parking lots, and that was mostly the reason for the cancellation. While my wife and I were in town it was snowing, and the weather reports are calling for 1 - 4 inches of it by morning. If we get that there will be no classes for Tuesday. Our last day of School for this year was going to be on Friday December 19, but we may get a few extra days, if things continue as they are.

That is one of the problems with Winter. Mostly it is the cold of Winter I dislike. I prefer to be warm, even hot compared to being cold. I like the seasons, and I thank God our Savior for giving me these days. I appreciate those warms days even more.

Have a great Winter, and be thankful to our Lord.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Headlights On the Road

This is just going to be a short reminder to those who drive the highways of our land. It is important that you be seen when you are on the highways driving a motorized vehicle. Some evidently do not realize how dangerous it is when they cannot be seen by other motorists.

Just this past Saturday morning near my place of dwelling, it was foggy, I was making a left turn into a gas station when all of the sudden there was a F150 pickup which did not have any headlights on. I made a quick and sudden decision and sharply and quickly got back into may lane, and there was no accident; thank the good Lord. The funny thing about this is the man driving the Ford pickup was some one that I know. I did not find that out until this morning when I entered the bus garage, before driving my bus route for the morning.

When we are on the highways we need to be as visible as we can possibly be. Safe driving is no accident. I do not claim to be the safest driver on the road, however, there are things which I endeavor to do which helps me to be more visible, and one of them is turning headlights on in the fog, even when it is light out. It is also wise to turn on headlights during cloudy days and rainy ones. Another time to have them on is at least thirty minutes before sunset, or sooner, and have them on up until at least thirty minutes after sunrise. It is a wise thing to even keep them on when driving long distances day or night. It is especially helpful when you drive a dark colored, and some other colors of car.

Better to arrive alive, than to the morgue dead. That is for you or the other driver.

-Tim A. Blankenship

It Is Autumn Once Again

It seems to come upon us quickly. Summer is too short to suit me. It could be Summer all year long and I would be happy. I do know some people who are my friends who like Winter weather, so I guess I am probably in a minority concerning Summer.

Autumn does have its beauties, and I can't be where it is Summer all year round - in fact I don't know if such a place even exists. On this planet, there are four seasons during the year wherever we may be. If it was Summer all year round though, things might begin to be a bit monotonous. I best be thankful for all four seasons of the year.

Our God and Creator of all things has made our earth, since the fall of man, to have the four seasons; and I think to remind us of lifes circle. Every life has a Spring and that takes place at our birth, then there is Summer, our Autumns, or Falls; whichever you wish to call it; then there is Winter in our lives where life has its end. The end is what not too many people like to deal with, talk about or confront.

There is a question I have always had in my mind. When whoever it was who came up with our present calendar (is it called the Gregorian calendar?), why didn't he begin the year with the first day of Spring, and end the year with the last day of Winter. That calendar would make a lot more sense; to me anyway. Wouldn't it make sense for January 1 be the first day of Spring, and December 31 be the last day of Winter?

Anyway here we go toward Winter, then thank the Lord, then Spring and then Summer. Thank the Lord He has designed things so.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Disruptions or Designed for Faith

There has been an abundance of hurricane problems lately, especially for the folks along the coastal areas, and the Gulf. If you live in those areas know that I think and pray for you, and your faith to grow.

Living in Southwest Missouri we have our storms, tornadoes, etc., and we do receive some of the benefits and troubles of the hurricanes, when they come up from the Gulf.

Last evening when my wife and I went to bed for the evening, and rest, there was a calm rain coming down from the residual affects of hurricane Ike. Like I said it was a calm, mild pouring rain; no troubles right?

About 2:30 a.m. I awoke to complete darkness, similar to being in a cave with no lights on. Our house has never been so dark. Our electric power was off, the air was not on, nothing was running, no refridgerator, or freezer, and worst of all no light. I needed to get up for a little while, so I got out of bed found the wall with my hands, and worked my way to where I knew there was a flashlight. I got the flashlight, turned it on. Oh, how good it was to be able to see. Oh, how good it is to know that God has given me that ability to do so. I pray that I never lose the heart of thankfulness for my eyesight, or anything the Lord has given me.

When I got up this morning about 5:15, the power was back on. I am thankful; for I know that there are millions in Houston today who do not have power, and will not have it for a few days, maybe weeks; let us pray for these good people.

The water which crosses our road after we get out of our driveway was up over the road, and deeper. When we needed out to go to worship our Lord, it was down enough to cross it. That is when I saw that it had risen higher than it had been before, to my knowledge since we have lived here. We wouldn't have been able to get out at the depth it had reached.

We arrived at our church, had no Bible Study class, and we had three people present; including my wife and I. We had a hymn, read the fifteenth chapter of John, had prayer and came home.

I ask was this storm a disruption, or was it a design for faith. I choose to make it a design of faith. God always knows what He is doing. The prophet Nahum has written, "The LORD hath His way in the whirlwind, and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." 1:3 (KJV).

We must learn to trust Him through every storm. The one's which are made up of wind, lightning, rain, and tornadoes and hurricanes; and the one's which are made up of our troubles, trials, fears, and sicknesses and diseases. Even these are in His hands, and He brings us through them, prepares us for the glory that is ahead.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Going Again

It is going again. It seems, that without fail it never quits, though it would not be good for it to quit, because whether we like it or not; as children or as adults; we must have it. This is probably not a mystery to those of you who may read this; meaning, you probably know what I am writing about.

I won't mention the name of what I speak, but only give some clues, which will probably be quite obvious.

All Summer long these people aree busy preparing for the next year, and the people they help are on break. There are also some of the employees who are on break, because of a big yellow thing they steer down the roads to bring in the people who ride it. The distance the steerers take varys from only a few miles, and a few minutes to 150 to 175 miles per day.

The year round employees keep the grounds clean, the buildings in good repair and working well; and there aree those who make the plans, and take care of the day to day business during their months of quietness.

As I have been out steering one of these big yellow things down the roads I travel, the sun comes over the Eastern horizon, and is so beautiful, as it glows through the clouds, and morning fog. The deer, the coons, the squirells, rabbits, birds; such as the cardinal (red birds), blue bird, sparrow, crow; are all busy collecting their morning meals. The deer crossing the roads, and making many a steer man or woman be cautious as we approach them on the roads.

I didn't steer the big yellow thing on the first day. I was away for my son's surgery. He had heart surgery at age 28, and seems to be doing well, after a night of not doing too well.

It is good to be back. I pray that I will be strong in discipline of the people who ride, yet merciful when there is time for it, and that God will give me strength, and patient with them. I realize that I just asked God to help me be "patient", and that it's dangerous, because "Tribulation worketh patience" (Romans 5:3). I don't like tribulation, but I can appreciate it, when I grow nearer to the Lord because of it.

Monday morning will begin the first full week back on the big yellow thing. So Lord, give me your strength, and your patience.

-Tim A. Blankenship