What do you mean Dirty Face?

Lucky girl is showing the same signs of poor hygiene most of our goat herd has this week. Put out a new molasses/protein bucket to supplement hay we are feeding them (results of not getting rid of baby goats when they are first ready to wean - you end up with too many animals for your available browse and pasture!). Lucky is a sweet creature - she was a bottle raised kid and even now thinks she has a special claim on me when I'm in the pens. I haven't had enough nerve to try the molasses lick - it must taste wonderful gud (been reading Amish background fiction!)because they will stand there for long periods of time working it with their tongues and mouths.

Possible rain in next couple of days - oddly - Texas is still in a drought when so many states are literally too soaked to take in any more moisture. We continue to pray for peace in Jerusalem, healing for our land and it's people and oh yeah - for things to continue to be good on Buhlaland. In a bit of a drought here health wise and it is hard at times to keep perspective.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

I don't tend to like smaller light voices in any kind of music - but the words of this song pretty much encapsulates much of my heart.

Job 2:9b "Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?”

Still good on Buhlaland,we are grateful for each blessing.

Saturday - the waiting day

Realizing I am not a fountain of knowledge about liturgical terminology (churchy names) I wondered today - we have Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection/Easter Sunday - so what was Saturday? I'm sure one of you clever folk know and if it were a serious question Google stands ready to oversupply information.

The whole idea of completion - there was work done out of human view - important work which is wonderfully defined as "one of the mysteries". It isn't popular in today's preaching/arguing on the internet to talk about the mysteries of scripture - we are modern enlightened people. Believers in Christ must be able to explain every word every jot and tittle of scripture. Sorry folks - I think mysteries are wonderful -to not know - what a deliciousness in not knowing some things. I know my Savior Lives and He is not only Risen but returning - but it is was the sabbath after He suffered and died - people were waiting. Great sermon by Shadrach Meshach Lockridge - doesn't tell us what happened Saturday but anticipated Sunday was coming. Blessings on y'all this Saturday - whatever you are waiting for - trust and obey and know - your Sunday is coming

Complaint Department

If you have goats (or children or dogs or trained monkeys) you hear complaints - from the incessant bleating I hear from these goats to whining from the dogs and I assume chattering and words from monkey and children. I saw books about how to complain effectively while I was book browsing on Amazon.com. There are Complaint Blogs, Complaint departments, and television is full of people's courts (what a ridiculous name) with people complaining about other people.

Dadgum folks - while I laugh at the goats grumbling - the country seems overrun with an entitlement attitude of "I ain't getting what I want and everyone has to hear about it". While scriptures tell us exactly how to resolve issues in the Body of Christ - how do we resolve things in the secular world? Does complaining help or do we have to take action? Seems a lot of words flying around now about how much damage is done by words - sticks and bones may break my bones - and words can absolutely strangle me. (Paraphrase by Linda Sue) A greater tone of civility wouldn't hurt anybody - no group should be screaming hateful phrases at any other group. While I'm totally unwilling to accept societal guilt for the actions of mentally ill people - any words I repeat or support are on my ledger sheet. Old slogan - we have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we talk. Perhaps with all the "communication" which is supposedly taking place (text, twitter, facebook, blog, forum or bulletin boards) much of it is akin to graffiti - marking up something for our selfish motives. Obviously this isn't my cutesy Buhlaland blogging - I'm concerned our society has gotten so far off the rails of common sense, decency and respect for one another we won't find our way back.

14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New Living Translation)
You think that's too simplistic? Is the world stronger in it's pull toward violence, vile language and discord than the Word is toward a peaceful path.

“Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble.” I Peter 3:8, The Message
It is better to be humbly grateful than grumbly hateful.

Chuck Swindoll , pastor and author

Ok if you don't want to take scriptural advice - how about sports advice?

There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. So keep in mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.
John Wooden

Seems too many choices are being made by polling, peer pressure or herd mentality - stop think and remember a word spoken cannot be taken back - but words unspoken can do no harm and no foul. That's the way I'm seeing it here on Buhlaland - it is good to be in a department other than the complaint department -

How about joining in the refreshments committee- refresh the air with gentle words and the stomachs with some treats - I promise some treat ideas soon.

Texas Wildflowers

Luke 12: 22-33
And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. "For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
"And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span?
"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
"But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!
And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.
"For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.
"But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
"Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. "



From a distance - most wildflowers are pretty but until you look closely - you could miss delicate perfection.

State flower of Texas - the bluebonnet - often seen with Texas Paintbrush. Individually the flowers are beauty but combined alongside a country road - a colorful spring palette.

Why worry - on Buhlaland we have a few wildflowers and God's loving care - it is good.

First Robin

DH walking our pasture fences looking for areas needing repair. He is wearing his portable oxygen tank. Sometimes I let myself be overcome by what the future MIGHT hold for us - and I become sad, afraid, unsure. God knows where we are and what we need - yesterday it was reassurance.

We saw our first robin of the year during our walk yesterday - the sunshine and beauty of God's creation gave me a sense of "all is as it should be". Easy to remove my eyes from the Creator to the mess His creations can make. Grateful for His faithfulness and watch care over us. It is good on Buhlaland - because His eye is on more than sparrows and robins.


Matthew 10:26-33

"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Saddest Verses in The New Testament

We are still not able to go to traditional (as in at a building with hundreds of other people) church services due to DH's immune issues. We watch and are blessed by the teachings of some preachers (both on television and internet) but sit in jaw-dropped amazement at the total lack of scriptural authenticity in others. Today in our devotionals we read a section in Matthew which struck me as the saddest verses in the NT - now don't come at me saying verses around the crucifixion are sadder - we know Christ's sacrifice was for a purposeful plan the Father had to give us a way back to Him.

The Narrow and Wide Gates NIV Matthew 7:13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I've read these verses at least a hundred times in my 6 decades of life- but this morning those words "only a few find it" hit me so hard. Jesus taught clearly to thousands a truth which the world wants to ignore. MOST will choose the easy road and be led to destruction. Following the teachings of some spiritual leaders will not get you to that narrow gate.

Just a few verses later it is clear how the end will be for those who deliberately misconstrue His words and teachings- (the Message paraphrase)Matthew 7:21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' "

I realize, dear readers, we are all at different stages in understanding. If you haven't been reading the Bible regularly I highly recommend it as a daily activity. We believe the Holy Spirit reveals to us when we are ready - when we have "ears to hear". Apparently I am at a point where I need to realize not everyone we love is going to choose the narrow road - we'll continue to pray for opening their eyes to the truth , for their hearts not to be hardened - but it isn't up to us. So it is good on Buhlaland - we have the blessing of scriptures to read and eyes to see and ears to hear - even when those eyes are shedding tears.

As an editorial note - I'll enable comment moderation for this post - seems to be a number of folks out there with particular demons to exorcise in their minds who like to post comments.

Autumn Bounty

The local outdoor market displayed their fall merchandise this week - familiar smell of ristras (the dried red peppers hanging from ceiling) and wild versions of gourds - the one white with orange one looks like it has spider veins (some of us are more familiar with that beauty of aging than others!). We don't be doing a fall display - partically because nobody sees it (we live off the road) and also because the basic pumpkin in the big display goes for $5.95 upward to $25-30! Lots of money when they aren't even good for pies! I've posted a picture of the pie pumpkins display - $2 each or 3 for $5 .
What does all this have to do with Buhlaland? - well we like the fall weather we are having - cooler and more rain in the forecast and we get a kick out of the decorating lots of people are doing. God created beauty for us -





from Genesis we see God making things beautiful - for the sake of beauty
Genesis 2:8-9 (New Living Translation)
8 Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. 9 The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

So for enjoying the fall colors and decorations - we can say thank you to the Creator and appreciate - it is good and feeling autumnal here on Buhlaland.

Read the Word (s)

Most of us have several bibles (I won't go off on the very disturbing reality we seldom wear out our bibles.) and at least in our household we have 4 or 5 translations and a paraphrase (The Message is not a translation). This morning in our readings I was quite taken by the simple, firm beauty of Micah 6:8 - for those who try to make walking with the Lord complex or legalistic or ritualistic - read the WORDS.

Micah 6:8 (Contemporary English Version)
8The LORD God has told us
what is right
and what he demands:
"See that justice is done,
let mercy be your first concern,
and humbly obey your God."

Micah 6:8 (The Message)
8But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.


Please don't take yourself too seriously -and remember to be grateful and loving. Tomorrow is Father's Day - I miss my Daddy and hope any of you blessed to still have your father with you will make the day extra special.
It is blooming here on Buhlaland - canna blossoms and faith. That is good - very good.