JD-at-Large

It's a bittersweet day for Wanda and I. Our oldest grandchild, River Kay, started preschool today. She did have a good first day which is good. Our next oldest, Saige Cadence, will have her first day in preschool tomorrow. Yes, it's bittersweet. Prayers to your kids, grandkids, and great grandkids starting or going back to school. Who knows, maybe even some great greats. JD

ON PRAYER:

I grew up going to church, but prayer was not an integral part of the mainstream. At times,there was corporate prayer before Sunday morning service, but it was for those who felt “called” to pray. Personal times of prayer were left up to the individual. I remember hearing the head elder say, “I don't pray much”, as if to say, “I don't need to.” In my eyes, it didn't seem very important in the culture of the church and, to my loss and shame, it wasn't very important to me, though the Word of God clearly teaches otherwise.

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.”
The Apostles of Christ. Acts 6:4

It's not that it was ever said that prayer was unimportant, but there is such a thing as affirming a thing to be important, while, by degrees of inattention, consigning it to an inferior position in the hierarchy of teaching and practice, thereby relegating it to a place of relative unimportance.

I recall a time when there was some kind of a “movement” on prayer making its rounds, complete with corporate training and workbooks. Perhaps it helped someone, but it appeared to wane rapidly.

It took a long time before I saw the fallacy of such a paradigm on prayer. I saw first-hand the sad effects of the neglect of prayer. Prayerlessness indicates self-reliance, not God-reliance. Prayer, speaks of our helplessness and utter dependence on our Creator.

Yet, somehow, in God's goodness, mercy, and providence, he saw my lack and great need and has led me to a new place, and planted my feet on higher ground. Thanks be to God.
jd.

At a family reunion today and this evening. Wanda's mother's Miller side of the family. Lots of people I've nor seen for quite awhile. Lunch then hot dogs, root beer floats, and hay ride tonight on a beautiful Sunday. Be blessed. JD

Around 3am I was awakened by some impressive rolling thunder and a clap of thunder that shook the house. The continuous rolling thunder sounded like a freight train then subsided into low rumblings. There is the sound of a steady rain. Not much lightning. Near 4am the heavens are still in tumult. It's been wonderful to listen to the sounds generated by the turbulence in creation this early morning. It's time to try to get forty winks, make that eighty, till 530 when the alarm rings, even as the rolling thunder keeps on rolling. JD

Just arrived. Wednesday morning prayer. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised!

It's a cool, refreshing morning in Applecreek Ohio. A peaceful scene to enjoy. JD

More often than I care to admit, I need to be reminded to “count my blessings.” This weekend, I did not remind myself, so my dearest Wanda had to do it for me. I received it, but not wholeheartedly. Nevertheless, I mused on it.

This morning I greeted and started talking with Leon, an Amish minister where I work. Less than a minute into our conservation, I heard him remark, speaking in general, not just to me in particular, how important it is for us to be thankful. Ok, I get the message.

I'll start with: I'm thankful to have people in my life that speak truth into my life, even when I may not want to hear it.

Now it's time to take some time to count my blessings. Writing them down will hopefully make them more real. Maybe I'll share my list with you. Perhaps you need to make a list.

Blessings,
JD

My aunts and uncles (Erb side) visiting at my mom's dining room today. Mom lives having them come over. Good times. JD

There's been lots of rain in Maysville Ohio and the result looks and feels like spring, but the grass is still greener and better on the other side of the fence. JD

IPUPPY LOVE.
I had an unexpected, unplanned time with Wanda, my daughter, and two of the grandgirls this afternoon. What a blessing! JD

ETERNAL KINGDOM

I've lived with chronic pain for 5 years and 8 months. Severe enough at times that I prayed to God to take me. I'm saved and broken. The world is broken. The kingdoms of this world are broken.

There is NOTHING, not a single thing broken, in The Eternal Kingdom. This life is fleeting. It's a mist, a v***r that appears for a little while then vanishes. What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.
Isaiah 9

JD

Wow! It's like springtime today in the middle of January. 58°F with lots of sunshine. But it's not gonna last long. It's been a crazy couple weeks for me dealing with somewhat unexpected circumstances. Not pleasant ones. But, it's part of life's twists and turns. This life is in a constant state of fluctuation. I find true rest only in The One Who Changes Not. Be blessed. JD

I'm found this morning sitting at Panera Bread near Independence Ohio. I'm learning Spanish so yesterday my Spanish Bible arrived. Today I'm memorizing Colossians 1:15-20. I've already memorized it in English, now it's time for Spanish. It's been a stressful week. I find great peace in the truth found in The Book. Sipping on hot tea with a blueberry scone. Blessings to all. JD

Spanish NTV Bible
15Cristo es la imagen visible del Dios invisible.
Él ya existía antes de que las cosas fueran creadas y es supremo sobre toda la creación
16porque, por medio de él, Dios creó todo lo que existe en los lugares celestiales y en la tierra.
Hizo las cosas que podemos ver
y las que no podemos ver,
tales como tronos, reinos, gobernantes y autoridades del mundo invisible.
Todo fue creado por medio de él y para él.
17Él ya existía antes de todas las cosas
y mantiene unida toda la creación.
18Cristo también es la cabeza de la iglesia,
la cual es su cuerpo.
Él es el principio, supremo sobre todos los que se levantan de los mu***os.
Así que él es el primero en todo.
19Pues a Dios, en toda su plenitud,
le agradó vivir en Cristo,
20y por medio de él, Dios reconcilió consigo
todas las cosas.
Hizo la paz con todo lo que existe en el cielo y en la tierra,
por medio de la sangre de Cristo en la cruz.

It’s been a solemn week for me beginning with the sad news that an Amish man, a Mr. Yoder, of Charm Ohio, took his own life on Monday morning. Su***de amongst the Amish is rare, but it happens. Just two weeks prior, they buried his wife, at age 59, after several years of combat with cancer. Now they're both departed to the eternal realm. I heard bits and pieces of conversations regarding the su***de but I don't deem it appropriate to share here. My concern and prayers are now for the seven adult children, and their children, who are left here, in this present darkness, having to face such great loss and the dire consequences and lingering questions brought about by such a tragic death. Prayers. JD

Hello. I'm JD Schrock of Berlin, Ohio. This page is a record of my comings and goings. Sort of like a running diary. Not sure yet what all will see the light of day here. It'll be a seat-of-the-pants operation for awhile.
Blessings,
JD