The little boy runs up and hugs my leg when he sees me. Reaching down to return the hug, he says in his sweet voice, “Wook, I bwot yew something Mr. Jim”, handing me a folded sheet of paper. Encouraging me to open it, I can’t wait to see what he’s drawn for me this Read More >
As I continue seeking spiritual maturity, I try to limit the time I spend atop my personal soapbox. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit unbridles my heart and mouth and allows me to speak what is on my heart. I believe this is one of those times. This week, I depart from sharing lessons learned here on Read More >
As a young boy, I wondered why Mamaw (grandmother for my northern friends) saved tin foil, kept a can for pan drippings on the back of the stove, and was the “Queen of Tupperware.” With the rising costs of everything these days, I understand. Most years, hay season ends when I’ve stacked the last bale Read More >
Seeing a nursing calf in the springtime on our Cross-Dubya ranch is a common occurrence. Hearing one, then noticing their vigor from 30-feet away is a different story. While filling a watering trough, I paid little attention to “Aunt Yolanda” (the mama) allowing “Sophia” (her three-month-old calf) to nurse. A few moments later, a noise Read More >
Sometimes curiosity wins. Our church’s youth group worked hard in the intense Texas heat to scrape and paint the Cross-Dubya’s pipe fencing over the two days they were here. As the team shared, listened, learned and laughed—a few managing to get more paint on them than the fence—all had a good time. On Saturday evening, Read More >
For the first 14 years of my life, I seldom felt the joy of being loved. I never knew the difference encouragement made in a young life; and never understood how being part of a family was something to cherish. By the time I was 12, I had all but given up on the dream Read More >
Have you ever asked yourself, What does God see? This week, as we’re preparing for a big project around the ranch, the words “El Roi”, the God who sees me (Genesis 16), came to mind. I’ve asked myself, What will God see? Exploring this question through prayer, the Holy Spirit helped me to better understand Read More >
Getting a telephone call from your foreman at 6:03am, advising you to hurry outside with a gun, assures you won’t need that cup of coffee to get your heart pumping. I didn’t ask why, I just grabbed my Smith and Wesson, donned my muck boots, and skedaddled outside. Judging from the clowder of barn cats Read More >
It’s springtime around the Cross-Dubya; and as some of you may have noticed, planting has consumed much of my life lately. Sowing gardens, pastures, and fields, we’ve put a lot of seed in the ground this year; all of it requiring planning, preparation, planting, and prayer. As many know, we pray about everything we do Read More >
I doubt I’m the only person this happens to, but sometimes my soul gets tired. It seems to happen when I allow this life to take precedence over my spiritual life. We all have family, work, church, and community obligations; and sometimes these will need to take a priority in your life. What we should Read More >