God Changes People

It is amazing how God works and changes people. When people are called to faith in Christ by the Spirit of God they believe, trust, obey, and just become all around better people.

Take myself for an example. I was saved at the age of eleven years. God's grace has continually been with me, even though, when I was in my teen years I did things for which I am not proud. I am gravely afraid that I offended the One who loved me enough to give His life for me. I also know that I have even since becoming an adult. It is wonderful and great to know that I am His, and He is mine.

Something has began to happen to me which I really never thought possible. I am enjoying do some garden work. I never enjoyed working in the dirt as a boy, and even into adulthood, and now, here I am fifty two years of age, and I have been riding a tractor, plowing a garden, digging that garden to tear up the sod patches, and smooth the ground using a harrow. Harrow, that is a new farming implement for me. Never used one until today. Got the garden ready for planting.

As I have mentioned in a previous article; I have not plowed ground in many years. The old blue Ford tractor still does not have power steering, and now it definitely wears me out; and probably quicker than the soil gets ready.

God is so good, His mercy is everlasting, and His grace is so full and free.

A Journal

"I don't know why, but there has been a new hope come in my heart. I don't physically see any hope, but at least there is some in my heart. This hope is for a better financial situation. That maybe all it is, and that is just wishful thinking.

It seems that I have always been a dreamer, but I have never worked toward those dreams. Most of my dreams have always been material oriented, I believe. Even when I have dreamed things in spiritual matters it seems, they have been for my good, and not God's glory. I do not believe I have ever seen any spiritual fruit come from my "spiritual" dreams.

Lord, give me YOUR visions and dreams for YOUR glory alone. AMen."

This was written in my own personal journal by hand on April 22, 2007. I find it rewarding to write thoughts and feelings onto paper. This is the first that I will have shared with the public. I don't think it will be the last. And, BTW, I know you are not supposed to use contractions in writing, unless it is in a quote, or something like that. To Everything...A Season.

The Smile of God

My wife, Madge and I were getting near home this evening and I had been noticing the moon. You can't see much of it; there is the faint outline of the whole moon, but in darkness; with the exception of a long curved lighted bottom. I had thought that was rather odd.

I do not remember ever seeing the moon in that phase. I said something to Madge about it, and she said, "A smiley face". I told YEAH!, I had not thought of it that way and then, I said, "It's as though God is smiling down on us.

I still think that is a pretty neat moon; especially if it is a reminder of God's good grace toward His people, and a smile to the world of His mercy.

He is smiling down on you. He loves you. Love Him by loving His Son Jesus Christ.

The Return

It was here for quite a bit of the month of March, at least two weeks. It brought pleasant temps, the ground was warmed, and most people I know loved it. The grass turned green and grew. Flowers blossomed and bloomed. Tulips were popping up in gardens everywhere. Even the oaks were beginning to spring forth with new leaves.

I am, of course, speaking of Spring. It was here and then, it went on a two week vacation. We were left with remnants of Winter. There were mornings when I went out to get in the car, go drive the bus, and the windows were covered in frost. I even started wearing my jacket once again. I love this time of year. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons. The Falls of the Ozarks are beautiful when the trees begin to change. The colors are beautiful driving through the hills. Winters have their own beauty too, but I cannot stand the cold. I can tolerate, but only because I grew up here and live here.

My wife and I lived in the Northern part of Southern California for 16 months, and I could enjoy that type of Winter for a long time. We moved back here, though, and we love it here.

Like a good, old and faithful friend Spring has returned, and I am hoping he stays around ; at least until Summer arrives.

Welcome back Spring.

Plowing Along

Many have heard someone say, "I am just plowing along", meaning, of course, that they are struggling along with life, but they are progressing. That is not what I mean by the title.

I did something on Monday April 09, 2007 that I had not done in many years. First of all I rode the old farm tractor that I ran into a tree when I was a boy of about twelve years of age. That is right - I ran it into a tree, or maybe I should say, it rolled into a tree after I jumped off to catch my horse or something, and I did not set the brake, and it ran into a tree. It was a brand new tractor at the time. That is not what this is about though.

The reason for riding the tractor was to take it to the old home place where my father grew up, and plow the old garden spot. My Dad told me several months ago that he would like for the family to have a garden spot down at the old house, and nothing was ever done about it. So, I was setting out to do something about it. With my brother Steven's help, we got the tractor and plow ready, and then, I headed over there.

It was a little tough plowing a little piece of ground that had not been plowed in probably thirty five years or more. Old fescue roots build up in that sod, and just make it plumb tough. I don't believe I did a very good job. It had been twenty five years or more since I had plowed anything. The old tractor has no power steering, never did, and it is harder to steer now than it ever was.

Anyway when I returned home I was really tuckered out. I did not do anything all evening. We will be planting some things there soon. Now some reading this may think, "Shouldn't things have been planted already?" Most usually, yes. This year; NO! We have had a freeze the past week. The first week of April has been quite damaging to the things that came out and bloomed. This freeze has even set the oaks back some for sure. So NO! We are in good shape for planting a garden.

Until next time.

Tim A.

Sunrise

As I was driving my School Bus route this morning; it was the first time since beginning this route two weeks ago that I had seen the lake as the sun came up.

I enjoy being up before the sun rises. I use to almost hate being up that early, but I did not know what I was missing. Of course during that time I was also more of a 'Nightowl' and stayed up till all hours of the night and into the morning at times. I know that I would much rather be up and going early and see the sun rising than going on and on and on after sunset.

Now for those who like the sunset, I can also agree with you, but to me there is something special about sunrise. It signals the beginning of a brandnew day. It is the sign of new things. It is hope that this day will be better than the one before.

As I drove by the lake with the sun not yet up over the horizon I could see the reflection of the tree covered Ozarks hills in the waters with the glow of sunrise. I see that and I think, 'My how wonderful our God, our Creator is. That He could make this all for us.'

Let me challenge you; if you have not seen a sunrise in a while try it Tuesday morning April 03, 2007. If you make it that far, then, be thankful that you made it another day.

A Parable

There was a Certain Man and he had a rather large family. Occasionally the family would get together and discuss matters of family interests. On a certain date early during a year the Certain Man standing addressing his family made a statement concerning an annual family Event.

That statement was one encouraging an early start in the planning of the Event. He spelled out some details, and suggested that it be done a little differently than past years. Using materials that were coming from other family, and not using outside help for the production of the Event. This coming Event was a gathering of family and discussion of increasing the family, encouraging the family and just an all around good time.

One of the sisters, Speaks Out, says, "I think it is a good thing that the Certain Man is suggesting. Let's listen to what he says, and see what happens". The matter was put aside for a time, so a Sister Not Present and had been a vital part in the previous Events could have some input into the matter. It was agreed by all to do so.

One of the brothers who was at the meeting called the sister who was not there and told her that the Certain Man and Speaks Out, who spoke in support of the Certain Man, had gotten together before the meeting and discussed the Event. They had not done so.

The Certain Man spoke privately with the Sister Not Present about the Event in the hope of getting things worked out. The Certain Man was pretty insistent on not bringing the outside help from previous years in, but wanted to work with Sister Not Present. The word was still going around that Certain Man and Speaks Out had got together and spoke of the Event without Sister Not Present who in that case should have been meeting with them. The meeting between the Certain Man and Speaks Out did not take place.

Is there an answer to this problem? There must be. First of all in such cases they could question those involved. "Was there a meeting that took place to plan this Event?" A simple question, not the blank and blunt statement, "You two met and planned this all out..." That is not only an accusation, but when the person denies it, it is a declaration of the one denying as lying. There should be no accusation until one knows the truth.

In the second place no one came to the Certain Man to ask him about the matter, they only approached and accused her. These type of things should not happen in families.

The matter of the Event was really only being presented for means of discussion, and approval or rejection. Has it been rejected?

What Is It With Kids???

Well here I am back to this blog writing once again. And the title of this one may leave some of you wondering. Wondering what is he going to write in this anyway?

Well! I have mentioned before that I drive a School Bus. Yeah! One of those big yellow, roaring road huggers, and maybe some would say "Road hoggers", because sometimes when you meet us it does seem like we are hogging the road. Don't complain unless you have driven one, and then, you will realize that those things take up most of the lane.

Anyway, back to the "Kids" thing. WHAT IS IT WITH KIDS??? While driving the bus, we have a mirror where we can look back and keep an eye on things, when we are not watching the road; which, by the way, watching the road is the most important thing; that is, if you want those "Kids" home safely.

Here is the thing I am wondering about. When I look into that mirror and I see one of them in one seat, then I return my eyes to the matter of driving, searching the mirrors, watching the road and such things as that; then, look back at those same kids. Only now one or two I have seen in one seat are now in another. It is almost like they think the driver doesn't notice. Do they think we don't know what seat they were in? Do they think we don't know one side of the bus from the other.

You tell them to stay seated, and they turn around backwards in the seat. You know the driver is not supposed to notice. I just pray that none ever get hurt. I sure would not want one to be hurt while I was driving them.

WHAT IS IT WITH KIDS??? They are kids, being kids. I do pray they will learn that the driver does notice, and that is why she/he is constantly on them to stay seated; especially while the bus is in motion.

New

This blog use to be called "The Blankenships", however that site has been moved to wordpress, and is doing well. The address on this one has been changed as you can tell, as well as the name so this is basically a new site.

As it says in the title of the blog, "To Everything... A Season", so will this blog be. I may post here once in a while, but I also may not. To Everything.. A Season you know. If I have something to post that will not necessarily fit with the theme of my other blogs I will post it here, and there may be times I will post something here that I posted there.

I will guarantee one thing, there will not be any material here that a child of any age could not or should not see or read. It will be wholesome family oriented materials. If you find otherwise please alert me to it, and I will do my best to make it right.

Please feel free to post a comment in the comment section anytime and for anything. I do ask one thing of you when commenting; keep it clean, keep it simple, keep it civil, and keep it wholesome.

May God Bless You Richly.

Tim A. Blankenship

The Blankenship's Blog is Moving

I do not know how many have found this site, but to those who have come on over to Our new site.

Tales of The Life

I will not begin today, but in a few days, after I have had some time to think things over I will begin sharing some personal "Tales", and leave you in awe. :>)

When I was growing up under the care of my father and mother there were some things I did and had happen to me that I do not believe they ever knew about, and some that they did. Some were not so bad as they were stupid. Sometimes they were bad as well.

Anyway, not only will I tell some things on myself, but you may have a hard time telling truth from fiction. I will not tell you the difference.

Isn't it fun to have something called a "Tale" rather than a "Lie"?

Happy and Blessed New Year

A New Year greeting may be a little late, but I guess you could say, 'Better late than...' The New Year got off to a really good and warm start, and then, turned nasty on us - weather wise.

We, that is, Madge and I, had a wonderful Christmas with our kids and grandkids. We also attended my parent's home for Christmas on the Eve of Christmas Eve and had a time of feasting with my brother and his family, and my three sisters and their families. When we all get together that makes for quite a house full.

I hope all who are reading here is as blessed or even more so than I am. God is so good and full of grace and mercy. So much better than what I deserve. I am so thankful for that though, because without Him there would be nothing.

Be sure you look the the Lord Jesus in this New year. Here we are well into the first month, and I pray you have given yourself to Him and His grace for eternity. Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried carrying your sins away, and was raised to life after three days, and is forever seated at the Right hand of the Father. He will come again soon, and I pray you are ready. Call on His name, and He will hear you and save you.

Remember if you are a Blankenship, know a Blankenship, or anything about some, please let me know. Also let them know about this site. We all could make it quite interesting.

To the Blankenship Family and All

Have a very merry and blessed Christmas, and a good, godly, God filled New Year, 2007.
There will be no more posts at this site until around January 16, 2007. Let me know about you. It does not matter who you are tell me about yourself.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr......

I got up this morning by the alarm shortly before 4. Out house was nice, toasty and warm, and I had no idea what the outside temp was until about an hour and one half later when I went to start the car. Brrrrrrr. the title is correct. I did not look at the thermometer in the car when I went to start it, but I did as I was leaving to go drive the bus.

As I pulled away the temp was four degrees. That is what I wrote 4 degrees. It is cold like this that makes me like 100 degree temps in July and August. I love the Summer temps. That is almost my favorite time of year.

I hope we are having an early Winter, then, when Winter officially arrives maybe it won't be so bad. Wouldn't that be nice.

Hope all are warm.

May God bless you all.

Cold, Snow and Ice Day

It is December second, of the year 2006. I am sitting at the computer, and it is cold outside. I would even say very cold.
It has been a while since we have seen cold and weather like this. I guess we were due to receive it.
Cassville Schools did not hold classes on Thursday or Friday, that is on Nov. 30 and Dec. 01. I find it almost hard to believe we are in the month of December the last month of the year. The New Year is just 30 days away.
If no one has noticed I enjoy blogging. That is why I am here now. I am thinking of doing another one on Biblical Manhood, but I wonder if I am the one to do that.
There is a policy I have for myself in blogging and that is that I will not edit the text I have written at some later date. If it has an error in it, that will stand. If I said something that was wrong toward someone else that will remain, but I may follow it up with an apology; where one is needed. I have no desire to unnecessarily offend anyone. My sole intent is that my life, my words - spoken or written - will glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As the title says it is a, "Cold, Snow and Ice Day". At least where I live. It would be great to be in Australia for there late Spring and Summer coming up.