Month: August 2020

“Save Our People”

With all the unrest and division and disruption and hate around us, life can be somewhat unsettling.  When the rioters began rioting and looting in Minneapolis and in Portland and Seattle, it was pretty far removed from us out here in the sticks. When they targeted Chicago it was getting a little closer to home, but I still felt safely removed from it.  But then when they hit Kenosha, that’s starting to get a little too close to home.  That’s now in my state.

The Fellowship of Christian Farmers, International is organizing a short term mission trip to Lives Under Construction (LUC) Boys Ranch.

When: October 3-10, 2020

Where: LUC Boys Ranch near Branson, Missouri

Cost: Free! Food and housing provided.

There are projects for all skill levels and physical abilities from painting, construction, organizing at the thrift store, cooking, and showing the love of Christ to the residents and staff. LUC open house is Saturday, October 3rd to start off the adventure.

When you see devastation like this in Iowa farm country, you immediately think tornado.  This would not be the case for a straight line windstorm that passed through the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area on August 10, 2020.  Wind speeds set a new record for the straight line winds, called “Derecho.”

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before, (Daniel 6:10). Daniel put God first! We pray to be people who puts God first! Please pray for Don and Sarah Palmer. Both are having health issues, they are both active in FCFI.

A man by the name of Thomas C. Oden (1931-2016) wrote a book titled:  “A Change Of Heart.”  According to Wikipedia:  “Oden was an American Methodist theologian and religious author.  He is often regarded as the father of the paleo-orthodox theological movement and is considered to be one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.”  (Paleo-orthodox is a Protestant Christian theological movement in the United States which emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and which focuses on the consensual understanding of the faith among the ecumenical councils).

“The Church Is Essential”

A satire website, (thebabylonbee.com) had this headline: “Millions Of Women Outraged As Essential Oils Businesses Deemed Non-Essential.“

The article went on to say: “Women everywhere say they’re very angry as their oil businesses, which are clearly labeled essential, are nonetheless being called non-essential.

The women say they are organizing protests — where they will stand six feet apart, of course — and letter-writing campaigns.  Some violent women are even creating essential oil Molotov cocktails to throw at government buildings.  They don’t do any damage but do make the place smell nice…

“Cancel Culture”

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock the last few months, or been in a coma, or in military Boot Camp, you’ve probably heard the phrase “cancel culture” more than once.  What exactly does “cancel culture” mean?

Well, one of the odder ideas to snowball its way into the climate of the times during this decade’s turbulent second half, is the idea that a person can be “canceled.”  In other words, they can be culturally blocked from having a prominent public platform or career.

Next week I will write about the Conference in Shipshewana.

“Life and Death”

We’ve been doing a study on Sunday mornings about how to overcome evil with good.  “When the days get darker,” God says, “here is what you must do: Overcome evil with good!”  How do we overcome evil with good?  Well, I’ll give you some examples – but I warn you, they’re not easy.