Rain, and more of it, but nowhere near what the coast, Portland and the Willamette Valley are going through – several inches over average for the month in just 3-4 days.

I didn’t get my ribs smoked.  I know there are those that are going to be writing me off as a true BBQ’re, but I did them in the oven.

Found a recipe that looks like it might work so trying it, not the same, of course, no smoky flavor, but we shall see.

We will have some fresh cooked apples and French fried potatoes as part of the course.  I didn’t think of it early enough or I would have coleslaw with them, but not worth going to town over.

We have four grandchildren’s birthdays coming up, shortly.  Really hard to believe I am writing that, I have to remember that my kids are adults now, still remember them as young kids.

‘There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.’  -- John Wooden

Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up

Prayer is so important.  Communicating with God EVERY day is critical if we want to truly be His child. 

It is just too easy to let the day go by without thinking of our responsibility to Him if we don’t take a few minutes each morning before going anything else to praise and thank Him.

No matter how deep a well we may feel we are in, we can look up and talk to Him.  Doing that each day helps get the day started on the right foot.

We know that there will be challenges, no matter what we are doing, but having that quiet time with Him, prepares and braces us for the unknown and gives us peace within – even if that is all the peace we may feel the whole day long, we know where we can go back to and get it.

Later, Art :-)

Pretty out yesterday and is turning into the same today.  Not sure why but the past few days, in addition to other issues, my allergies are really kicking in.  Too many exhales are sneezes!

Allergy eyes, lungs and sinuses, this is fall, not supposed to be this bad.

But, it is still purdy outside.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot ° receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Watching the news today, is like reading the warnings from God in the Old Testament to His people.  And just as those warnings went unheeded by the majority of His people, Christians today are doing the same thing – not to mention the millions that so hate God that they are doing all in their power (and magnified by satan) to block any reference to His divinity.

The feelings of frustrations, anger, skepticism and other emotions that rock the foundations of our belief in a nation that truly believes in doing what is right, even when we make mistakes – watching a country where more and more people were given the opportunity to grow, be successful and worship God now turning in to hateful language AND actions by the masses as well as the supposed ‘leaders’ of our nation.

However, we do have a hope.  It is in Christ.  We have never lived in a Utopia and despite the promises by politicians saying that they will cure all the nation’s ills, we know it isn’t going to happen.

At least not until we, as a nation, confess the sins of our nation and turn to God for redemption.

There are still Christian leaders trying to do what is right; there are still ‘good’ people who may not understand or accept Christ’s role in their lives are at least lining up with the principals laid down in God’s Word.

But anymore the message is controlled; the message is corrupted by the many different forms of media – social, broadcast, movies, etc. – people in control of those medias and determining that only ‘their’ message, only ‘their’ truths will be allowed on the air.

Yes it is disheartening, but within every Christian lies the power of God that can be unleashed on a sinful world.

Through prayer and directed action we can be effective warriors in the battle for this nation’s heart and soul.

While this battle is relative new to us, it has been going on for thousands of years.  Great nations have risen and fallen because they became decadent and so self-absorbed that they destroyed themselves from within – long before they were overcome by a physical army they had lost the battles to the spiritual army of satan.

God allowed the world to go on.  We think ‘surely the time is right for Him to send Christ back and end this madness.’

I would dare say that that was the feeling and prayer of the many Christians in other countries who suffered from their countries sins and demise – up to and including many countries around the world today.

We can wring our hands all we want, but that changes nothing.  Only a dedication to our God and following Him and His commands will have any impact on individuals.  And despite the deterioration of the country, we are made up of individuals, men, women and children who need God.

And despite what is going on in the world today, despite all those emotional feelings, we can still help people find Christ and help them prepare for Christ’s return – either for His entire church or as has happed for 2000 years, one person at a time as they passed away in Christ and went to be with Him.

No matter what happens today, tomorrow or after the election, God is still on His throne.

Later, Art :-)

Beautiful out there today.  Lots of sunshine and no clouds.  Hope it is like this tomorrow, it is supposed to be even better.

I have a doc appointment, some errands to run and then I will get the last rack of ribs smoked for dinner.

Jeremiah 20:7-11 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

⁸ For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

⁹ Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

¹⁰ For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

¹¹ But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Don’t know how many times I have been put down for my stand with Christ – even times that I didn’t know at the time but found out later. 

It can be very frustrating.  The isolation and the mocking makes a person wonder why go through all of it?  If these people are as foolish as this, why bother to tell them of our Powerful God and His Son who gave His life for us?

But it isn’t long before I have to speak out, I have to share, because as Jeremiah says Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones

The Holy Spirit burns within, He pushes us, His fire may sometimes lay there smoldering, but it is still there and will not be denied. 

Challenges fan the flames and love of God gives us both more coals and more strength.

To feel that burning bursting into strong flames can be an exciting time and watching the Holy Spirit working in others just fans those flames.

May I never grow weary of talking about my Savior.

Later, Art :-)

Sunny yesterday, overcast with promise of rain today, clear next couple days.  Hope to smoke some ribs on Monday or Tuesday, getting to the end of the season.

Not much else going on. 

Do not like memes or whatever they are called. I was doing the smiley face thing from the late 60's and then someone came out with the yellow dot.

It didn't bother me, when typing I had do the sideways one, until every program started changing it from MY smiley face to the dot.

Took me a while but I figured out that if I turn the whole thing around it doesn't change. (-:

so far......

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

⁶ Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

One of the things that really bothered me when I was running for Office was I had to tell everyone how ‘great’ I was, knowing that it wasn’t just me that made a difference it was all of us.

Still I needed reassurance, I needed to have people pat me on the back and tell me what a good job I was doing.  It puffed me up and all too often made me think I was better than I am – even knowing that some of it was just fluff, it still made me feel good.

I remember when I was asked to go to Antelope, by the citizens there, as they were ‘given’ back the town by the Rajneesh.  They wanted me to take possession of all city documents and property so none of them had to be involved. 

There was a lot of patting on the back and thank you’s.  Later in the month I was in a Sheriff’s Association meeting and mentioned that, to them, I was a white knight on a white horse coming in to save the day.

One very wise Sheriff who had been through a lot said, ‘Art, be prepared for a come down, you can have 100 atta boys and one oh no moment will wipe them all away.’  He spoke from experience and he was right as I also found out, from experience.

When we do our job well, it is too easy to pump ourselves up with pride as we gain recognition.  It is too easy to feel we are doing so well we can actually coast a while.

Or, as so often happens these days, we so crave that attention we do everything we can to get it.  We become devious; we become possessive of our realm and don’t accept others or their advice.

It always amazes me when I hear politicians who are running for an office that is just one seat of many, claim that they did this, or they will do that – as if by electing them they will accomplish things on their own.

It takes cooperation, and unfortunately some compromises to get anything done in a legislative body anymore.  There are always leaders who are able to move the legislation they want along a little easier than others – but almost in all cases the political party calls the shots and those in that party that forget that often find themselves on the outside looking in.

AND we accept that from our politicians.  The larger the body the more it is true.  Local politics have it too a much lesser degree because there are fewer decision makers and these people are part of the community that see their constituents on a regular basis.  But, it is still there, none of them, including elected department heads, like the Sheriff, can do it on their own, they must work with others to truly make a difference.

Oh, the individuality will work for a bit, but, that person learns that they must appoint people who can help form and accomplish goals.  They don’t have to agree all the time, but they do need to discuss and fine tune what they want to get done.

Our nation – indeed the world – is becoming so self-centered that nothing less that total self-absorption and gratification is expected, if it helps someone else, that’s okay, but the important thing is to be patted on the back.

It is hard.  I look at Christian men and women who I have the highest respect for, I see their humility even though they really have made a difference and shake my head. 

They accept the mantel so effortlessly, it seems, they don’t live for glory, they live and work so others will be better off.

I NEED that in my life.  The glow of a temporary flattering, wears off quickly and I am left with who I am.  Do I want to do something JUST to be ‘admired’ and looked up to, or because it is the right thing to do and in doing so it might actually be to my detriment as far as my ego is concerned?

I shouldn’t even have to think about it.  Hopefully, before I leave this earth I will draw closer to Christ and farther away from my inner man.

I really am trying.

Later, Art (-:

I see the telecasts of the weather on the east coast and pray that people heed the warnings and get out of harm’s way.  What a dangerous storm.

For the past few days we have had a ‘bit’ of rain, more than we would normally get this time of year.  Today it is sunny and nary much of a cloud in the sky. 

I am doing okay, trying to overcome that residual effect from the bacteria.  I will be undergoing more tests to determine why I am not bouncing back like I should.

We will be on and off line for a while; so don’t be too concerned if there are a few days between my ‘daily’ e-mails.

Thus far, nothing is really life threatening, just physically challenging.  Doing what the docs tell me and hopefully we will be doing better as time goes on.

Been an interesting couple three years, but we ‘think’ we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel – this one at any rate.

Isaiah 43:11-12  I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.

¹² I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.

Sometimes we must set back and reevaluate the role God has in our lives.

We can see how He has protected us throughout our life time – even before we had accepted His Son as our Savior.

Trials we have gone through, tribulations, challenges, back sliding are often because we took our eyes off who God is and how we relate to Him.

Are we living for God in every aspect of our lives can be a daunting question and can cause us to question if we are even saved or not as we realize we have not given Him full access to our lives.

None the less, we have received forgiveness, we have a God that cares for us as individuals and who wants to bless us, wants to guide us and wants to make us an effective witness for Him.

2 Corinthians 4:5  For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

As Paul preach Christ, not himself, so must we remember that it is Christ, not us who makes a difference in our lives and can make a difference in others.

God made it clear to the Jewish people that He was their God and there was no other.  Salvation came through Him and Him alone.

Jesus made it clear that He and the Father were One.  That His death and resurrection also fulfilled God’s statement of being the only One that can save.

We should never be ashamed, we should take every opportunity we can to present Christ to those that need Him and/or that need reassurance.

Later, Art :-)

I will be off-line for a bit.

BBQ’d some ribs today, but miscalculated the time – gonna be later than I had planned.  I turned it up a bit, it was still very good, but tad overdone. 

I was impressed with the smoker, though, I was able to keep the temperature constant and with the weather the way it was I was afraid it would be jumping around.

Got down to 39 last night, won’t be long until the garden will be finished for the year.

Purchased some more books, will be giving some of them to the libraries of the different Nursing Homes and Adult care facilities along with the Wasco County Library.

Trust those of you that have purchased one enjoyed it.

Ephesians 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We know what His will is, He wants everyone to be righteous, accepting His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and obey Him in all things.

Simple, until we also must figure out what He wants of US as an individual.  We all have different missions, yes, many are similar, but since we are unique so is both our background, experiences, talents and abilities.

He uses those things that are within us to reach and help others find Him.  He doesn’t expect a carpenter to do the work of a leather worker.  Many of the same skills are necessary to do both jobs, and some people are adept and using the skills to do both jobs, but not everyone can and those that can’t are still valuable in their craft, if they do a good job.

We reach different people than our neighbors, some we have in common, but some are unknown to our neighbor and vice versa.

We have different styles, some can reach the lumber jack, but the silversmith would have nothing to do with us – and the list goes on, of course.

We are unique, our relationship with God is unique but we have in common the need to serve God to the very best of our abilities.

Sometimes it isn’t clear just what He wants us to do.  Sometimes we need to take time to just listen, lay our fears, concerns and ideas out to Him and let Him decide how HE wants us to proceed.

Sometimes we just use ‘I don’t know’ as an excuse for inactivity and sometimes we just forge ahead in hopes He will make it right.

If we trust Him, if we really believe that He is God and wants the very best for us we need to check with Him often to make sure we are in His perfect will for us as an individual.

AND He will guide us and help us, even if we have failed him in the past.

Sometimes we do fall out of His perfect will for us, but He is always willing to forgive us and given us another chance, we but have to ask Him.

Psalm 37:23-26 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

²⁵ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

²⁶ He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

I am so thankful for that promise, I have fallen so many times, but He has always been there to lift me up.

Later, Art :-)