THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

April 2, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

For the past two or three weeks, we've been having a lot of strong winds here in Oklahoma. It's made a mess in our yard. Our big pecan trees have dropped limbs that's carpeted the grass. One morning I picked up all of the bigger limbs in the front yard, but after this past weekend, there were more limbs that fell. Before mowing the first time this season, I'm going to need to pick up all of the smaller stuff and get things cleaned up; not only in the front yard, but the backyard, also. Not something I'm looking forward to!

Thankfully, we've not had any roof damage and everything has been safe.

Many years ago, when I was single, I lived in a mobile home. One night, the sound of wind woke me up from sleep. I had never heard anything like it before, and haven't since that time. I could hear the sound of wind sweeping up from the bottom of the holler towards my home. It was getting louder and louder, the closer it got. I knew that it was going to hit my house as soon as it hit the top of the hill.

My mobile home had a metal roof on it and when that wind hit, it sounded like it was going to tear my house apart. It was quite scary! I honestly didn't know if it was just wind or a tornado headed my way. I didn't really think it was a tornado, but hearing the sound of it approaching and it being so loud, made me wonder about it. I ran into the bathroom and wedged myself in between the toilet and wall to the shower. I didn't have enough warning to do anything more than that. Thankfully, I was safe and it was only strong wind.

It seems odd that something you can't see with your eyes can have such an impact and can even cause a whole lot of damage. You can feel it, you can see the effects of it, but you can't actually see wind.

You can see dust storms, which is caused by the wind. You can see tree branches shaking due to wind. You can feel it shaking your car while driving. You can feel and see it blowing your hair and clothes when outside. But the actual wind isn't visible.

I had a 6-year old ask me one time how I knew that God is real. How to you explain to someone who has never been raised in church or taught about God who He is and how we can know that He is real? You can't see Him, but you can feel the effects of Him in your life.

I used the wind as an example. You can't see it, but you can feel it and see the effects of it to know that it's real. Same with God: you can't see Him, but you can look all around you at creation and know that He exists. You can pray to Him and He listens and answers your prayers. You can feel Him in your life.

We can see the handiwork of God in the sunrises and sunsets. Genesis tells us about God creating the heaven and earth and everything on it. We see God in the trees, flowers, grass, rock formations; as well as in the birds and how they are well cared for. We can look up into the sky at night and see all of the formations of the stars and even see some of the planets shining brightly.

But we can also see Him in how a life is changed from sin-filled and separated from God, to becoming a new creation in Christ. We see hard hearts become softened, as well as hatred and bitterness change into love and forgiveness. We see turmoil and strife turned into joy and peace. Those are all things that only a relationship with God can bring about. We can't actually see God working inside of a heart, but we can see the fruit of His work being accomplished.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The wind is also an example in John 3:8. Jesus was speaking, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." By "born of the Spirit", Jesus was referring to people who were "born again", "saved", or "accepted Christ".

Meteorologists can make some pretty good guesses at which way the wind will blow and when. But it is still guess work.

Likewise, we often try to guess at what God or the Holy Spirit have planned. Sometimes we can guess well; but often not. Just like Loretta could listen to the sounds made by the wind coming up the hillside, and had a good idea something big was coming, we can listen to the Spirit and watch what is happening around us, and have a good idea something big is coming. Have your hearts ready for it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Fajita Chicken and Rice Skillet

Saute chicken with a bit of olive oil or butter until cooked through. Set aside.

In a large skillet, saute rice mix with 2 Tablespoons butter and onion, until vermicelli is golden brown; stir frequently. Slowly stir in 1-3/4 cups of water, seasoning packet, and 1 can tomatoes. Stir in chicken, bell pepper, and garlic. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Stir. Sprinkle top with cheese. Serve with tortillas.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Here are some stories from "Out of the Mouths of Babes":

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents!"

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!"

A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org