Sunday, March 27, 2016

Lamb of God

 What could be more sweet and gentle than a lamb? What an image for the Lord of Creation to choose for His Son. The Prince of Peace was slain for our transgressions... willing led like a sheep to the slaughter.
 The Lord of Glory humbly willing to wear a simple crown of thorns.
 Let us follow His example of humbleness and like Him become a servant of all.
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered Him stricken by God
smitten by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions, and crushed for our iniquities;
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
                                                                                                           Isaiah 53:4-5

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Tiny Footprints

As I drove home from Kalona the other day, I saw this young Amish girl pulling a wagon. She was not far from a dry-goods store and was probably sent on an errand to pick up a few things for mom.
 New buzzwords are always popping up. Nowadays, it's "Becoming a Minimalist" a few years ago it was "Going Green." We talk about having a "Carbon Footprint" and admire those that have "Tiny Carbon Footprints." None of these things are new to our Amish friends.
 Raising most of what you eat in a garden near the house, hanging handmade clothes on the line, driving a completely organic powered vehicle, and not ever turning on an electric light. Now that is being a minimalist! The picture below shows two teams of horses hauling manure in a wide open field. Those horses raise their own fuel and produce no emissions that need to be controlled by the government. That is what organic farming should look like.

 These children in the picture below don't have to plug in their toys. 
We should do everything we can to encourage and empower our Amish neighbors and friends to continue living their very "green" lifestyle. I suggest purchasing Amish made products and visiting Amish communities to buy produce. While you are there, look around and learn something about how your own grandpa and grandma lived life as a child.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Thirty-fifth

 My wife, Shari, and I recently celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary.

We spent an afternoon at Cedar Ridge Winery with our family. (I didn't post all of the family pictures on here)

Cedar Ridge has a brick oven and they make AMAZING pizza, gourmet style.

I couldn't help but take a few photos of the vineyards and I wanted to share them with my blog friends.

There is something so beautiful about a vineyard even in the winter months. All the more in spring and summer.