Monthly Archives: August 2011

Morning, Oblivious

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Black cows graze

in the dim light,

oblivious to fog and bluffs,
Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Farming, Nature, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged calm, cattle grazing, fog, morning coffee, nature, reflection, summer morning | Comments Off

I had thought it was a completely rational idea to have the horses keep the grass “mowed” on the state right-of-way. It would save gas, give the horses extra grazing they needed and, in the long run, save me time. So I put up a temporary extension fence down by the highway. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Farming, Gardening, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged fencing, grazing, highway, horse fence, Johnson Grass, mowing, pasture, repentance, state right of way | Comments Off

Storm Surge

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Doc Arnett

The storm that came through the area just over a week ago laid down some destruction over at Maryville, Missouri. Straight-line winds and hail blew down trees and blew out windows, ripped up some roofs and left streets and lawns strewn with limbs and leaves. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Nature, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged downed powerlines, downed trees, faith, flooding, rooting, straight line winds, uprooted trees | Comments Off

August Morning

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Such dews as this

seem to come only in the heat of summer,
Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Farming, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged blessing of work, forgiveness, forgiving, heavy dew, love, prayer, summer dew, summer morning, work | Comments Off

Bad Seed

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Doc Arnett

There are things that we all do in the closed circle of siblings or spouse or children that we keep hidden from the world. At least, we hope that they remain hidden. This curtain of secrecy is a part of the intimacy of family. It is always natural and often desirable. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged bad seed, family secrets, intimacy, obedience, obeying Jesus, privacy, reaping what you sow, reputation | Comments Off

Conquering the Enemy

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Doc Arnett

The new drain for the new kitchen sink had slowed up considerably of late. Water no longer ran out after a load of dishes was done; it seeped. In addition to the speed issue, there was some concern about proper dispersion. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Humor, Remodeling/Construction, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged clearing clogged drain, clogged drain, drain cleaner, kitchen sink, problem solving, PVC pipe | Comments Off

Summer Evening

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Doc Arnett

And in these long years since then, that moment when I rose up from the waters, pure and cleansed, every sin purged from God’s great memory, there has not been another moment even remotely like that one. Everything that I was, could be and am becoming, exploded and compressed within me in the same pulse. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged baptism, conversion, dragonflies, joy, redemption, salvation, special moments, summer evening, union with God | Comments Off

Gutter Check

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Doc Arnett

With skies darkening and the forecast calling for thunderstorms, I made sure that the flexible extension tube was connected to the elbow at the bottom of the downspout. “Ready for rain now,” I thought, Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Gardening, Remodeling/Construction, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged clogged gutters, downspout, flower beds, gutters, gutters stopped up, landscaping, overflow, planters, storms | Comments Off

Gettin’ Better

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Doc Arnett

Sometimes in our self-examinations, we may look too far in the wrong direction. If all I see is where I should be spiritually, I may become too discouraged. If I look back to the beginning of my walk with a wrong perspective, I may become too ashamed. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged growing in the Lord, growth, maturity, self examination, spiritual development, work of God | Comments Off

Good Works

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Doc Arnett

There are such moments as this
when hot coffee
and the quiet beauty of God’s still morning
shared in the refreshing softness
of a moon’s pale circle fringed with orange

is our purpose. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Family, Nature, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged clouds, conversation, moon, morning coffee, quietness, sharing, solitude | Comments Off