Heading Home

It has been delightful being with the family here in Indiana for the past few days.  Gavin and Calli came from college for this weekend to be with us.  The trees are colorful but their leaves are rapidly falling, bringing that phase of fall rapidly to an end.  Farmers are busily harvesting their soybeans and corn in preparation for winter that is not too far around the corner.  The weather has been dry and mild making it an excellent time for us to get some of those fall chores out of the way at the lake.  Keith and I cleaned up a huge volume of leaves and dropped the boat off at the marina for annual service today so that it will be ready to hit the water again when summer comes around.  Looking at the trees, it appears that only one more leaf removal will be necessary this year.

Tomorrow I will be heading back home and Keith will travel with me, spending a few days in Florida before flying back home.  Unfortunately Karin is unable to get someone to take her cases, so will be unable to join us.  We plan to spend a bit of time in South Carolina with Justin and Laura on our way back.  I am thrilled that Keith is able to make the trip with me.  It will make the miles go much faster.

Thanks for keeping us in prayer.

Love to all,

Chuck

Discipline

I found much to “chew on” in the 22^nd chapter of Proverbs.  The chapter focuses upon many facets of a persons character which challenged me.  I found it an interesting activity to evaluate my own life against those 29 verses and have to admit that I did not feel that I came up to standard with a number of them.  One more project for me to be working on!

The importance of training our children was clear; “Direct your children onto the right path.  And when they are older, they will not leave it.”  (vs.6)  As I was thinking of the many possible definitions of “right path I suspect that this likely would include taking in to account their interests and abilities, which is not the first thing that I would usually think of.  It is often easy for us parents to have a plan for our children and try to fit them into that plan without considering all factors.  It was also obvious that discipline does not include just corrective discussion.  Verse 15 says; “A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.”  That reminded me of Proverbs 13:24; “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.  Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.”

As I pondered the verses I was reminded that as a child of God, I too am subject to the discipline of my loving Heavenly Father.  That is something that is difficult to accept at my age, but still true.  It is much more appealing to focus on the blessings and benefits of being a child of God without accepting the fact that as a child, I am still in line to be disciplined when my heart may also be filled with “foolishness.”  Yes, I was challenged!

Tomorrow I plan to leave early in the morning to spend a few days at our lake house.  I am eager to catch up with the family living in that area and also check out the new heating and air conditioning system that has been installed.  It was not functioning well during my last visit so that problem should now be corrected.

I trust that each of you is having a blessed week!

Love to you all,

Chuck

The Lord Directs

I had a most interesting day yesterday visiting Solomon’s Castle.  A 12,000 sq. ft. building sided with recycled printer plates, housing the builder’s residence and thousands of interesting and unique items that he constructed over the past 42 years recycling tons of items/junk.  Following our tour of his multi-room castle and living quarters we enjoyed lunch at the Boat in the Moat which he also constructed.  A highlight of our lunch was having the opportunity to talk with the builder, Solomon, who turns 80 this year and also his wife.  His active mind is constantly designing more items and his hands are continually busy constructing the amazing and often humorous items.  It was a delight to enjoy a clear sunny day after our many days/weeks of rain.

With our clearing weather, the removal of many shovels of drying mud from my driveway, and with the help of a friend, my grass seed is now spread over the topsoil which hopefully will root and hold the soil in place before any future downpours.  I was reminded of my grandfather, a farmer, who was always careful to seek the Lord’s guidance in every aspect of his work and grateful for whatever he was able to harvest after a busy year of hard labor.  He humbly thanked the Lord for the harvest which always met his needs regardless of size, and I never heard him complain about a light harvest or the hard work.   

 This morning as I was reading Proverbs, I was reminded of my grandfather and challenged by the words; “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”  (Proverbs 20:24)  That reminded me of an earlier Proverb; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)  I was reminded that I have a wonderful promise but at the same time a crucial responsibility if I wish to enjoy it.

Have a blessed week,

Chuck