What a blessing to have such a beautiful world in which to live!

What a blessing to have such a beautiful world to live in! 

Last Night The Dreams Were Endless!

Maybe it was too warm in the bedroom, Cheryl certainly seemed to think it was. Her night was a restless one with sleep escaping her until 2 in the am. As for myself, I fell asleep as I usually do, quickly(as in seconds after my head hits the pillow), and if a tree had fallen on the house I might have rolled over, but I would not have wakened. We never seem to know exactly when a dream begins, or when it ends for that matter, unless it is one of those nasty ones that wakes us with sweats and pulses that are trying to beat time to an unseen drummer. Last night I had the strangest dream, it was of a young lady that I have not seen in several years. At one time she was my youngest daughter's best friend, as in, the two were in separable. They are both over twenty now, and the young lady that I dreampt of was busy telling me about her new life, the one that includes a two year old daughter. Then the daughter was on stage and she was singing with her grandmother in their native tongue. The little girl ran back and forth across the front of the immense stage trailing a microphone cord behind her as she sang solo and unison verses with the grandma. As she moved to the edge she threw flowers and kisses to all who were near, and then continued singing as she rejoined her mom's mom. Her great grandmother was there, too, and in the wings there were several other grandmothers watching and smiling, they would have been greats and great, greats. Well, I saw it live and in living color tonight from the wings, stage right! Just as it was in my dream(except for the group of great greats)the little girl was out there singing with her grandmother, and that's when I realized that it was a "dream come true." Maybe it has something to do with talking to my daughter about the little girl's mom last night, but I think it was something very different. Maybe it was a premonition, or a vision(that's what some would call this experience) but it was truly a pleasure and one that will not be forgotten. The hour long drive returning home gave me time to consider all of the many possible explanations, but the one that I am happiest with is that of God's having chosen to show me a tiny bit of the future. Perhaps this is something that happens often to others, but, quite honestly speaking, this is only the third or fourth time it has happened to me in my entire life! I am going to pray about it tonight, as I do about all of the things that are questions and concerns. In the midst of that prayer I am going to ask God to "do it some more." When I awoke this morning fresh from the dream I had no idea what it meant,still don't for that matter, but I know it was real now. Maybe God was telling me something about more than just the immediate furture. I will surely let everyone know if that is the case. For now it is enough to give thanks for an amazing Creator who blesses lives everyday in new and wonderful ways. Rest well! God bless, Preacher.

How Often Do Your Dreams Come True? 

If You Are Really In A Hurry, Don't Speed, And Wear That Seat Belt! 

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way Home From Rehearsal

It really isn't humorous, unless, that is, you happen to have a friend that works in the art department who just went through this. Our State Highway Patrol has a job to do, and laws to enforce. With that said I can share with you that lately they have been "cracking" down rather hard on our I-29 corridor. It will be a week ago tomorrow since this same officer pulled over a friend who just happens to work as a supporting member of the artistic types who live out here on the Great American Desert. The van he was driving reeked of paint thinner and chemicals. I'm sure the officer thought he had pulled over the main connection for a major meth lab when he smelled the man and his van(possible lyrical turn here). The rub for the initial pullover was lack of a seatbelt being worn. The local papers are filled with long lists of offenders, and the unfortunate person I captured on camera at about 8 pm on July 14th is going to be added to the list tomorrow. It really isn't too big a deal, but $85 is the price tag and then there is the loss of time, inconvenience, and having your entire car searched if there is any possible probable (or improbable) cause. I would have liked to do an interview with both of the men on the opposite side of the road just out of curiosity, but thought better of that. I'm certain had I stopped I would have been in serious trouble for something. I guess the reason I'm writing about this is because I know the officer(he lives on Apple Lane, and used to be a neighbor, 5 houses down)and I know one of the people that he has popped recently very well(good hard working likeable guy who wouldn't ever break a law knowingly)and this is not the least bit unusual here in SD. Got an E a short time ago from a friend on the western side of the state telling me that the temp hit 107 degrees there today! With less than 3\4 of a million people in the state we are quite the small town community. I guess where I'm going with this is out on the road where in a span of twenty miles I carefully slowed and proceeded with caution around two tractors, one wagon load of feed pulled by an unlicensed grain hauler, and a fellow who was obviously lost on a huge lawnmower. Because of the neighborhood thing no patrolman in his right mind would ever turn the cherries on one of these folks (incidentally, the road I'm referring to is a major local highway that runs through two counties). So what is it that gets a guy in trouble big time on the feds highway, "failure to obey a law that is now clearly posted on every one of the major thoroughfares(there must be a couple hundred signs out here)in the state." We're in the midst of tourist season, again, on the northern plains. That means that there will be literally more people passing through every week than live here! Maybe you live where the laws are enforced this way, too. The best way to handle oneself is to really put forth an effort to "not" commit one of the state's written sins. Only God provides forgiveness and Grace, for everything else(don't cha know)we have to pay cash! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Even The Wildlife Is Looking For Something To Do For Summer Vacation! 

Thinking About The Winds That Blow Across The Face Of Our Nation