Tuesday, January 26, 2010

That's why I don't let you lick me...

I was walking to my neighbor's house to get something and was accompanied by my dog, Daisy. She is a 9 year old Jack Russel and is probably the best dog I have ever had. She is always great with Isaiah, never showing any signs of aggression to him or anyone in the family for that matter. Her tail is constantly wagging, constantly reminding me that she is happy to see me. She keeps the rodent population around the house down and gladly finishes off any scraps we have left over. She takes walks with me when I choose, plays with Isaiah when he wants to, and listens when I give her commands. She is a great dog.

About halfway on our trip, Daisy starts coughing and hacking. Then, suddenly she throws up right beside where I am walking. "You ok?" I asked looking down at her. She looked up at me, tail wagging so hard the body is shaking as if to say, "I feel better now!" We continued on to the neighbor's house, dismissing the incident as something bad she ate. On the way back, Daisy did something that I have seen many dogs do before and to this day it confuses me. As we approached the place where she had threw up, she slowed down and began to sniff her puke, followed by her licking it, then eating some. "Daisy!" I said in a rather disgusted voice. She simply looked up at me with the same brown eyes, tail still wagging as hard as it could. "That's why I don't let you lick me." I told her convincingly.

The incident reminded me of a Bible verse I had memorized as a child because I thought it was funny.

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness." - Proverbs 26:11

The fact is we are all going to be foolish at one point or another. We are all going to make mistakes. We are all going to do something stupid. We are all going to throw up at some point. It happens. The key is, once you do it, don't go back to it. Don't be a fool. Repeating your foolishness is disgusting. Learn from your mistakes, don't go try to eat them again!

In Christ,
jon walton

Friday, January 15, 2010

Calling the Cows...

I live on a small farm next door to my Mother & Father in law on one side and my Brother and Sister in law on the other. We all get along well and help each other often. Having family like that is great. My Father in law is gone on vacation and he asked me to feed the cows while he is away. I agreed and every evening this week I have been putting out grain for them.

Now, the cows need to be there when I put out the grain. There is no feeding trough, so the grain is dumped straight on the ground. If the cows aren't there when you put the grain out, it will ruin overnight on the ground and the cows won't eat it when they come check. Why is this a problem? Well, my father in law works nights. I work days. These cows are accustomed to eating in the morning. I am feeding them in the evening. Cows, being creatures of habit, don't naturally come up to the feeding area in the evening. So, you have to "call" them.

I am sure there are several "calls" for cows, but as I grew up I learned one from my grandmother. I don't know that I can type out the sound I make, but if you ask me sometime I'll say it for you. At any rate, when I got ready to feed the cows, I would call them. The first night, no cows came at the initial call. In fact, I am sure these cows were all together somewhere wondering what this crazy person making an odd sound was. So I walked to the edge of the field with the feeding bucket in hand, still making the call. As the cows noticed me, more importantly the feeding bucket, they began to run to me. I walked them to the feeding area, still making the call.

The second night, three of the nine cows came when I called. As they came, they "moo'ed" telling the others "DINNER TIME!" By the third night, these cows had learned when they hear my call food was on its way. They had learned my voice and what it meant.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me."(John 10:27) When the cows didn't know my voice, they didn't know I was wanting them to come and eat. They didn't understand what I was saying. As I taught them, they understood and followed. Are we really so different? For those of us who know our Shepherd, do we know His voice? He calls us. He warns us when we are going into danger. He has given us His Word(the Bible) to learn His voice and His calls. Have we taken advantage of that? Don't ignore His calls. He may just be wanting to feed us.

In Christ,
jon walton

Friday, January 8, 2010

It Gets Better Every Year...

There are few things that get better with age. I mean really think about it. Your tires on your car wear out with age. You need to buy new shoes when the ones you have on begin to wear holes in them. Bread will mold as time passes. Milk will turn bad with age, even turn solid given enough time! Technology gets outdated almost before it comes out now and the longer you wait to upgrade the bigger the leap is. Time causes most things to get worse, even our bodies. As we age we get hurt more easily, we need more sleep, and eventually we just wear out. Time works against most things.

There are a few things that get better with age though. Cheese, for example, when aged properly gains flavor, texture, and a richness that can only come with time. Reputation can improve with time, if the right actions are taken during that time. Wisdom comes with experience, and you must be around long enough to have experiences. There are a few things that time improves.

Tomorrow, January 9th, 2010 something wonderful happens in my life. I have the opportunity to celebrate 11 years of marriage with my wife. I can say without any reservation that my life with Missy gets better every year. God has blessed me with an incredible woman. She is an amazing helpmate, incredible mother, gifted teacher, God fearing Christian, and loving wife. One of the most amazing things I ever discovered about her is that she reads the Bible specifically in search of how to be a Godly wife. I am blessed beyond what I deserve to have her in my life. I look forward to another year with her. Heck, I look forward to our life together! If there were anyway to truly describe her, it would be this:

Who can find a capable wife?
She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.

She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.

She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her servants.

She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

She draws on her strength
and reveals that her arms are strong.

She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.

She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.

Her hands reach out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.

She makes her own bed coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts to the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she can laugh at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and loving instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the activities of her household
and is never idle.

Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:

"Many women are capable,
but you surpass them all!"

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the L
ORD will be praised.

Give her the reward of her labor,
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

-Proverbs 31:10-31

Thank you for the last 11 plus years Missy. Thank you for all you have done for me, our family, and the Lord. May you, my wife, be abundantly blessed each and every day.

In Christ,
jon walton


Thursday, December 31, 2009

Its Tradition...

Have you ever stopped and wondered why we do some of the things we do? There are many things we do just because we have always done them. Like black eyed peas and hog jaw on New Year's Day. I don't know why, but I can remember growing up we always had that for supper on New Year's day. I still don't know why, maybe someone can educate me as to why that is the meal to eat on that day.

In our society we have lots of things like that. Think about it, Turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving, singing carols at Christmas, giving candy and flowers on Valentine's Day, and watching fireworks at the Independence Day just to name a few. Those are all pretty well known traditions, but we all have tons of our own. For example, Missy, Isaiah and I always celebrate Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve, and with her side of the family on Christmas day. At my family reunion each year in June, we will play guitar and sing old hymns. Every year at midnight on New Years Eve for the past 11 years I have kissed my wife. But have you ever wondered, "Why?" All these traditions are actually quite special. They are there usually to help us remember certain things. Like how the pilgrims and Native Americans made peace, how Jesus came from Heaven to become God with us, how a bishop helped two lovers by exchanging gifts between them, or how we celebrated becoming a nation. For our personal traditions, they hold a special meaning, too. Like how we would celebrate Christmas with my grandparents on Christmas Eve, how my Uncle and grandmother would always want to sing hymns at the family reunion, and how I promised my wife that I would only kiss her on New Years Eve till death do us part.

Jesus understood this. He knew at the last supper, the last meal He would share with His closest friends, that He wanted not only them, but everyone to remember who He is and what He was doing.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me."

In the same way He also took the cup, after supper, and said,
"This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26

May God bless you in this new year. May you seek Him more each day, and may you find what you seek.

In Christ,
jon walton

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Merry Christmas!

From all of us, Missy, Isaiah, and myself, Merry Christmas. May you and your family be blessed this year. May you grow closer to Jesus in your everyday life. May you seek the Lord's will and find the adventure He has for you. May you bless others with your abundance. May you be given a heart of love for those who surround you and those who have less than you. May you represent Christ Jesus in your actions, words, and thoughts. May you remember why those who believe on the Lord celebrate this time of year. May you praise the name of Jesus!

In Christ,
jon walton

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Little Eyes Are Watching...

If you have met me, ever read this blog, or heard me speak you know that I have a 5 year old son named Isaiah. You would also know that I love him dearly. He is starting to do some new things that make me really happy. For example, a few Sundays ago, he came to me with his face just beaming with joy. As he approached me he said, "Look Dad! I'm dressed just like you!" Then he noticed that his shirt was tucked in and mine wasn't. As quick as he could he untucked his shirt(to his mother's joy I'm sure) and stated, "NOW I'm dressed JUST like you!" How can you not hug him after that? Someone not long ago pointed out something about Isaiah as well. As he was following me down the isle for KidStuf one Sunday morning, I heard someone behind us laughing. I turned around and asked what was so funny. The lady said through her laughter, "He walks just like you!" I didn't even know I had a specific walk.

I notice it in his actions, too. Many times he will ask me, "Dad, what are you eating for supper? I want that, too!" Or, "Dad, can I play my guitar with you?" My interests are becoming his interests. He wants to do the things I want to do. He is watching my every move and copying me. Whether he likes it or not, he is becoming like me.

Fathers and sons tend to do that. That is probably why Jesus used terms people were familiar with. Jesus was(is) just like God. In fact, the way they act, talk, and the things they do are almost identical. Much like a Son imitating his father.

Then Jesus replied, "I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way."
John 15:9

If you want to know what God is like, look at the life of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Look at his life from humble birth in a manger to the resurrection from the tomb, He is just like His father.

In Christ,
jon walton





Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I Am Thankful...

As Thanksgiving approaches, I have been thinking about just how blessed I am. God has given me much more than I deserve.

I am thankful for my incredible wife. She encourages me when I am tired, cheers me up when I am sad, brings me back down to earth when my head is in the clouds, hugs me when I am depressed, cries with me when I mourn, and is always at my side. She strives hard to be a Biblical wife. She is my helpmate, my desire, my love, my support, and even at times my protector. I am thankful for my wife.

I am thankful for my son. His laugh can bring joy to the most rainy day. His playfulness allows me to be 5 years old again. He depends on my wife and I for food, clothes, shelter, and love. What he doesn't realize is the joy it brings us to give him his needs and show love to him. God has taught me more about Himself through my son in the past 5 years than I had learned about God the first 23 years of my life. I am thankful for my son.

I am thankful for my church. Crossroads, I have been with you for 3 years this coming Easter. You have welcomed me and my family in, nurtured us to grow, and been a source of support when we need it. You have given me the opportunity to begin to fulfill God's call on my life to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do my best to give the youth a firm foundation on which to stand. You are truly a people who are about the business of Christ Jesus. To the close friends I have made on whom I have called for advice, help, guidance, and friendship, an extra thanks. I am thankful for my church.

Most of all, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Your love, I would be lost. Without Your mercy, I would be punished. Without Your grace, I would have no hope. Without Your blood, I would be condemned. I am thankful for my Savior.

May God bless you, your family, and friends this year. May you seek Jesus Christ as you make your way through this life, and as you seek, may you find.

In Christ,
jon walton