western Oklahoma

February 27 – Say What?

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musk-thistles

When you move back home, you find so much that is familiar. And those things are constantly warming your insides up because it’s all connected to your childhood “hard drive.” I’ve been experiencing that over and over the past few weeks, and wow, I like it!

But another part of the familiar is the small part of UN-familiar. We’re in western Oklahoma flatland here, and the hills and gullies we have are few and far between. In the continuous spaces of grass pasture, there is an evil and devious enemy to all who live and work in these parts: the musk thistle.

Now if you’re like me, you have trouble even pronouncing that! And I don’t know a thing about this tacky weed. I have no familiar memory of battling it while I was being raised here. My cousin brought up his task of the day a few weeks ago: spraying all of the musk thistle.

I just looked at him in confusion. Say what? What is a musk thistle? Oh, by the way, it’s even against the law to allow them to grow. They have to be sprayed or dug up from the roots. Hmmm, that pesky intruder has to be eliminated, or else.

Sin is like that. Evil, deceptive, destructive, as Romans 6 says, it leads to DEATH. We’re talking basic right and wrong here. I know it’s not politically correct to talk about it, but the facts are, sin exists, it can ruin our lives, and it is insidiously persistent.

It doesn’t need an invitation, and no one is exempt from its advances! But like the musk thistle, with determination and a plan to root it out, the weeds of sin and all the little tiny seeds they hold can be bagged up and stopped in their tracks.

Don’t let those thistles and thorns of sin overtake your time here on earth. Place your trust in the One Who paid for them, and follow His directions for chopping them down. One at a time. You won’t be sorry!

Jennifer

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Biblical Meditation: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

October 17 – What a Way to Live

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There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. Proverbs 11:24 AMP

We have a special place we love to eat on an occasional date. It has great Mexican food and even greater service. Out here in western Oklahoma, we treasure our good restaurants (they can be few and far between).

Our favorite waitress is there almost every time we go. She is raising a couple of sweet children and working hard for their future. Her story always stays with us, long after the meal is over.

Every person crosses our path for a reason. It would be tragic to miss those moments to give, wherever and whenever the occasion arises. Our waitress touches our heart time and again with her giving service, but at the same time, we are moved to give back to her. If we’re able, we want our tip to be big and our smiles even bigger.

“Paying it forward” isn’t just a new-fangled idea from a Hollywood movie. It’s an age-old principle from the Word of God. It’s how God works and it’s how our lives can work if we live and move by His direction.

If we live by how we give, the next blessing is always around the corner.