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  • Trouble by the pair!

    January 16, 2026

    Well, Mr. Weatherman says it feels like 2 degrees out there, but the bigger danger is that a person could blow away, 36 mph sustained winds with 75 mph gusts. I knew that extra weight would come in handy at some time!

    With all of this tough winter weather today, let’s take a look at a summer situation. I was right around junior high age. I had saddled a colt that I had a dozen rides on because it was going to be a long day for both of us. The bay gelding that I was hitching a ride on was a four-year-old half breed. He was half quarter horse and half thoroughbred. His breeding made him kind of long and lanky with the ability and stamina to travel all day long, while he also had plenty of cow savey. He needed another thirty-days of riding, but he sure enough was going to be a good one.

    We headed out at the first glimpse of daylight. It wasn’t very long before I set the cruise control at a long swinging trot, we were covering some country. After riding through the gate at the first pasture we were to check, we were soon greeted by a couple of doe antelope, with their new babies. It was mid-June and the little fellers were plum full of energy. It didn’t take any of them very long to increase the distance between me and Chance.

    We spent a hour looking at cattle, windmills and salt, before we rode into the next pasture, where we found all in good condition there as well. By the time we were at the third pasture I rode on a regular basis, we were in the timbered hills east of our place. Here we found doe Mule deer with their super cute, spotted babies. I remember smiling and tipping my hat at one ‘ol gal feeding her young’in’ as we rode by.

    Here Chance and I found most critters in good shape. One bull was a tad soft on a front leg, either from covering lots of ground looking for a girlfriend or perhaps coming out on the short end of the battle with one of the older, bigger bulls. I decided to give him a week and we would check on him again.

    As we rode to the middle windmill of this pasture, located on a big sagebrush flat, we found our excitement for the day, a pair of big ‘ol prairie rattlers all wrapped up and on the fight. When these ‘ol fellers get to doing their dance, they lift their head and about ten inches of their body above the ground and wrap themselves around each other. During this dance, they tend to be terribly unsocial.

    Perhaps I should state right here that I have a heap of dislike for snakes, and this pair were just too close to the stock tank that would be covered with cattle looking for a cool drink on what was already getting to be a hot day.

    Usually when I would encounter a rattler, I would use the knot end of my nylon rope to bid such a critter farewell. But beings we had twice the opponents and they were already crabby; I tied my left spur into the end of my rope. Keeping a firm grip onto Chance’s reins, I advanced with caution.

    When we were within 6-8 feet of the pair, I wound up and gave a mighty sidearm throw of rope and spur; perfect throw! My ‘ol Crocket spur caught both heads with a clean thud! Unwinding, both snakes took great offense to my gesture, and separated themselves by a few feet before coiling, ready for a fight! A few more passes with Mr. Crocket sent both of them to snake… well it wasn’t heaven.

    Spur back on, rope recoiled and tied to my saddle, Chance I decided we needed to get back to work. We rode up to the barn just before dark, and I handed Dad a half-dozen sets of rattle snake rattles. A pretty normal day’s bounty after covering close to thirty miles of pastures.

    As Chance ate his grain, I brushed him dry and thanked him for taking good care of me during another day of life on the Wyoming prairie.

    Just like rattle snakes, trouble often comes in pairs, and when it does, you have to be creative how you deal with it. But please remember, Jesus promised that He is always with us, and as such, we have plenty of wisdom and strength to draw upon. And let me assure you, it is plumb satisfying when you can put a pair of big rattles in your pocket and ride on to the next pasture.

    Depending upon Christ when dealing with difficulties, with you, Neal

    Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) mating at the Montana de Oro State Park, California.

  • “Better or Bitter?”

    January 15, 2026

    Tie down and hang on. It’s 40 degrees at 5 a.m., headed for 51. By this time tomorrow it’s supposed to be 16 degrees, headed for 27 with 74 mph wind gusts! If a feller needs to get something done outside today, he best get after it, the wind gust are only 55 mph today. I wonder if this wind ever will die down again?

    For the past two days we have visited about responding to pressure in a proper way. As the adage goes, “Trials will make you either better or bitter.” Remember, we have often talked about that which God intends for good, Satan will use for evil. When God allows a trial (pressure) to come into our life, His desire is that we will become better, but of course, Satan is right there trying to convince us that God is punishing us, or that the circumstances are against us, and that the proper response would be to become bitter.

    Two influences, one decision – a decision that each individual gets to make. Better and bitter are direct opposites but walk so closely together that it is really easy to choose one and walk the other. Here’s what I mean: When a trial shows up, as a Christian I desire to use the trial as a way to make me better, yet as this thing plays out, I can so easily become bitter and difficult to be around.

    May I suggest that perhaps when the Holy Spirit allows a situation to apply pressure against us, perhaps we should stop and pray for wisdom. Remember, James states that we will receive wisdom from on high if we just ask for it. (Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.) Before praying for wisdom, ask for proper understanding of the situation, to see it from God’s perspective, not mine.

    Once the Holy Spirit has given us understanding of the situation and wisdom of how to proceed, then we need to ask for strength to stand firm with His leading. Observation: Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is our “Helper” not our doer. That is to say, the Holy Spirit will help us understand the situation, He will give us heavenly wisdom and strength, but He will not do that which we need to do. The doing is when better comes in, if our focus is upon becoming better.

    We need to properly respond to the pressure situation, much as Jesus would respond to it, because by this time we know that this is a “what” situation and not at “why” situation. That means that if we take the proper steps to dealing with a difficult circumstance (pressure), then we will ask “God what are you wanting me to learn about myself and Yourself? What is it that I need to do to respond to this situation correctly? -Our way of saying, “Thy will be done.”

    I guarantee, if we respond to our pressure situations following these simple steps, we will begin to see God’s hand at work within our lives, even in very difficult situations. And when we know that God is in it, we will respond with the better.

    Praying with you to always be better, Neal

  • “Fight or Flight!”

    January 14, 2026

    Well, it’s 30 degrees here in Lusk right now, headed for a high of 53, with only 30 mph wind gusts. But for the next three days the wind is supposed to blow. Sounds like more dust and dry.

    Allow me to work with this pressure idea for one more day, please. You see, I strongly believe that God created horses and people to both use pressure in a positive way. First, let’s just take a look at horses: I’ve never ridden two with the exact same personality. Every horse, and every person, have their own personality and characteristics. You are you, with a different set of fingerprints, a different mind-set and a different response to life than those around you.

    You see, it isn’t what happens to us that makes us different, it how we respond to that which happens to us that makes us different. Some folks feel the need to be in control with everything planned out, while another person within the same house, same community, same era of life, will be easy going, taking things as they come. Two people in the exact same time and circumstance, yet two individual people with two different responses to pressure.

    I’ve seen a batch of colts, born to the same stallion, and out of mares with the same bloodline, and every colt will be different than the rest of their siblings when you start applying pressure in their training process.

    I once broke a pair of black mares, full sisters, one year apart in age. I worked with the first one for thirty days and she was ready to go back to her home ranch, where she became the best friend of the rancher’s eight-year-old daughter. That mare’s full sister, was a bucking, fighting, renegade. It didn’t matter how I tried to work with her, she fought it hard. I rode her all summer long and finally sent her home. The oldest son of the outfit was sure enough cowboy and he and that mare made a pile of money team roping around the country. She fit his personality and the two of them sure enough were a great team, yet no one else could get along with her.

    For me, I want a horse that learns to respond to leg pressure. I prefer to ride a horse way more with me legs and feet, than with my hands. Like when I’m roping in the branding pen, I want my horse to respond to my leg pressure to move sideways to give me that correct shot at a calf’s legs.

    Not only are horses and humans very similar in that each one is an individual, we both have the same way of responding to pressure: either flight or fight. Remember the black mares mentioned above? One went with flight, in that she quickly learned to move away from pressure, while her full sister used the “fight” method of responding to pressure. And guess what, each of us will use our natural response method as well!

    Think of Jacob and Essau, two brothers growing up with the same parents, in the same home, at the same time, with two different responses to life. Essau used “flight” as his way of learning. He moved away to become the man God wanted him to be. Jacob, well he was the “fight” man. Jacob’s early years were filled with constant conflict. He even tried to “fight” with God.

    Let’s bring this parade to a close: every person in your life is an individual. As such, you have to work with each one differently because each one responds to pressure differently. Let’s say you go to church on Sunday and while there, you meet someone for the first time. You visit with them for twenty minutes, each one of you applying pressure to the relationship with simple comments – usually questions – and body language. Depending upon how each of your respond to those questions and comments, you will either walk away feeling like you have just made a friendship that you are now willing to fight for, or you will walk away from that other person before there is an argument – “fight.” We all respond to pressure differently with different people.

    So, how do you respond to the pressure of Romans 5:3-5? Do you, like that good rope horse, respond quickly and favorably, or do you fight against the pressure that God is attempting to use to refine your character?

    Your choice, but remember that you and those around you get to live with your choice!

    Responding well to pressure with you, Neal

  • Licking your lips!

    January 13, 2026

    It’s 4 a.m. with 34 degrees outside, headed for 54. The weather man is saying, “Very windy, rather cloudy with a little rain.” It sounds like a great day to work on Sunday School lesson and sermon.

    Yesterday, we talked how Frank responded to pressure in a negative way. All horses, and all people, respond to pressure in one of two ways. Today, let’s look at pressure from a positive standpoint. We have probably all watched Amy on “Heartland,” chase a horse around a round pen, using the tail end of a nylon rope to apply pressure on a horse. She will allow the horse to run around and around until it begins to tire of the process, usually indicated by the horse licking its lips and dropping their head.

    At that point, pressure is released by turning one’s back to the horse and walking away from them. If the horse is ready to step toward pressure, the horse will follow the person and “join up.” connecting through the release of pressure. If the horse isn’t quite there, more pressure, until the horse decides that being near their human is better than running away from their human.

    The same is true with people who are being asked to “join up” with God. At first most all people will run away from the pressure the Holy Spirit exerts upon them through pressure situations. The Apostle Paul speaks of such situations in Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

    Here, the word “tribulation” is how the Holy Spirit lovingly applies pressure to a person’s life, so that said person will choose to “join up” and work with the Holy Spirit to become all that God created that person for.

    You see, when a horse trainer pressures a horse in a round pen, the trainer is not intending to be mean to the horse, they are simply wanting the horse to connect with the trainer so that the trainer can help the horse become all that they were created to be. Please note, proper training is always based upon a relationship. The same is true with the military, sports, horses and a person’s spiritual journey.

    For sure, a Drill Sargent may not be a recruit’s best friend, but it all works better when the solder understands his/her role in the relationship. Once again, the same is true in sports with the relationship between coach and athlete. And again true when a person is first learning to walk with God. In each of these situations, there must be a relationship, based upon respect. Respect does not mean that there is mutual closeness between Drill Sargent, nor between the coach and the athlete, but there does need to be an understanding that one is in authority over the other, and the sooner they learn to work together, the better.

    In a similar fashion, the sooner that a Christian allows God to have authority over their life, the better for the Christian. God is by no means a dictator, for His relationship with a person is based upon love; “because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts.”(Rms. 5:5) Fact, God first loves us so that we will learn to love Him, thus developing a loving relationship flowing out of proper respect.

    Like it or not, God is the absolute authority over every human life. The sooner a person learns to yield to God’s authority, the sooner a stronger relationship will develop. I fear we have for too long portrayed God only as a person’s “best friend,” without teaching a healthy respect for His authority. That is why Romans 5:5 mentions that God pours His love into our hearts “through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Note, we usually think only of the Holy Spirit as our “Helper.” Someone who is in my life just for my benefit.

    However, a biblical understanding of the working of the Holy Spirit is that He exists to help me learn how to live under the authority of God. Which in turn, makes my life much more pleasurable. However, if I’m not learning a biblical lesson that the Holy Spirit wants me to learn, He takes me to the round pen and chases me around with the tail end of a nylon rope called pressure.

    The sooner I yield to His authority, the sooner He can teach me what I need to learn to become all that God created me for! In a loving relationship, both the horse and the trainer, both the Holy Spirit and the Christian, get a great blessing by working together.

    But just the moment a Christian refuses to grow, the Holy Spirit has an amazing way of applying pressure through “tribulations.”

    So, may we each learn from the horse and trainer, the moment we begin to lick our lips(submit) and walk toward the Trainer, the sooner He can begin to “train” us up “in the way” we should go – sound familiar? Read Proverbs 22:6.

    Joining up with God with you, Neal

  • ‘Ol Frank!

    January 12, 2026

    It was 25 degrees at 3 a.m., with the possibility of reaching 57 for a high today. I know, you can’t believe it, but it is true, the wind is going to blow, but only with 40 mph gusts. More of a breeze than a wind.

    Today, I would like to introduce you to Frank. Frank was a four-year-old sorel gelding. His owner thought it was about time for Frank to start earning his way around the ranch, so Frank came to my house to learn how to be a horse.

    Frank was plenty gentle; in fact he was too gentle for my likin’. When he was loose around the corrals or in the horse pasture, Frank always had to be right on top of me when I was outside. He would nibble and bite, a trait his boss thought was “cute,” and I though was totally unacceptable. Frank was like having an extra milk cow around place, always trying to get into someplace he shouldn’t be. Let’s just say, I didn’t care for Frank when I was on the ground, and things didn’t change much when I stepped into the stirrup.

    Frank was as stiff as a 2 X 6 plank. Every time I rode him, I would have to work on flexing every part of his body. When I would attempt to show Frank something new, he would always fight it by wringing his head and kicking with one hind leg and then the other. He was kind of like trying to ride a broken sawhorse. Under the saddle, Frank was a spoiled brat.

    But the worst thing about Frank was that when he got pressured, he would lunge straight up into the air, reaching an altitude that wasn’t normally friendly for horse and rider. At the very top of his lunge, he would sunfish with his left side aimed at the ground, and we would come crashing back to the ground! And I do mean crashing, often knocking himself plumb looney, and I would have to stand there for a few minutes while he lay, groaning, on the ground. Eventually, Frank would get up, and we would go on about our work.

    I’d had Frank at our place for a month when I ran into his owner at a branding one day. He inquired about his prized steed, and I unloaded everything I saw as a fault about that colt. The wide-eyed owner finally confessed, Frank had been into the Loco Weed when he was a yearling.

    I mentioned to this feller that he should probably shoot coyotes off Frank’s carcass the next winter, but he was way too fond of his oversized pet to even consider such an option. So I kept riding Frank, ever weary of us leaving the earth’s atmosphere whenever Frank felt pressured. We could sort cows and rope calves at a branding; we could work the alley, pushing cows when someone was working their hides, but never could trust Frank to keep both of us safe.

    I had taught Frank a heap of manners about respecting my space, and that I didn’t need to inspect his teeth on a regular basis. I had learned how to read when Frank’s space exploration fits were going to take place so I could get clear of him. I could make the colt look plum usable most of the time. But I never could find the nerve to tell his owner that Frank was trustworthy. I finally talked the ‘ol boy into sending Frank for a ride on the short truck. Yep, lots of folks washed their hands with Frank.

    Here’s the point, sometimes folks are just like Frank, they are so soured that sooner-or-later, you have to cut your ties and let them finish their trip across this ‘ol ball of dirt. Unfortunately, there are some folks that no matter how hard you try to help them figure out this thing called life, they seem to never be able to handle the pressure of life. They will always resort back to their mode of handling stress, usually drugs and/or alcohol.

    Two facts about such folks: 1) You have to give them a chance to change. This will usually be a rather long, difficult relationship for you, but most often it is worth it. For the one or two Franks I have worked with, there have been hundreds of really great colts. The same with people.

    2) When you cut ties with someone who refuses to turn away from their modus-operandi, you have to be straight forward with them and let them know that even though you are walking away, they could still make a choice to help themselves at any time and that you will continue to pray for them!

    In closing, if you find yourself in a situation with a person who refuses to make needed changes, do not beat yourself up for their decisions. As I always say, don’t carry a burden that isn’t yours to carry. Some folks are just going to consistently make poor decisions; that’s not your fault. But please remember, for every Frank there are a whole pasture of good colts.

    Tomorrow we will visit some more about handling pressure.

    Giving every person a chance with you, Neal

  • Who is God?

    January 11, 2026

    Today, please allow me to begin our visit by asking a question: “Do you know the one true God of the Bible?” It would seem that in one way or another we all have at least one god in our life. Too often our god is one we have developed based upon opinions. Usually, those opinions are based upon partial truths from different perspectives.

    I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have been told, “I can’t believe in a god who would allow…! And every time I hear such a statement, I immediately know that such a person does not know the God of the Bible. In our American culture today, we have many folks who “used to attend church,” who for whatever reason feel they now have complete knowledge of the one true God.

    Perhaps even more dangerous, are the folks who have a syncretistic faith. That is when a person takes this opinion and that opinion from others and then they fold all of those opinions together into one statement, “Well, I believe…” Their belief is usually based upon partial, and often incorrect, information and opinions of who God ought to be, the God they want Him to be, and now they have their personally developed faith. A faith that is not based upon biblical truth, but upon personal preferences. So, once again I ask, “Do you know the one true God of the Bible?”

    May I suggest that if you want to know the God of the Bible, you have to study the Bible. I’m not talking about a casual reading of the Bible, however that may even be helpful in this situation. What I’m suggesting is that if you want to know the God of the Bible, you need to get to know Him through expanded study of the Bible. As you study, don’t attempt to make the Bible say what you want it to say, allow it to speak on its own.

    Or perhaps, begin by reading the book, “A Case for Christ,” by Lee Strobel. Mr. Strobel set out to prove that God does not exist and…, well I guess you will need to read the book to discover the rest of his story. But then, after reading Strobel’s book, please read and study the Bible. Then, you should be able to base your opinions about God upon biblical truth.

    However please note, none of us will ever completely understand God this side of heaven. God is just too big and too amazing for our human minds to know everything there is to know about Him. Yet, I don’t know everything there is to know about electricity either, but I don’t plan to sit in the dark until I do fully understand all of it!

    Seeking to truly know God with you, Neal

  • Dig a Hole!

    January 10, 2026

    27 degrees at 4 a.m., headed for 43, with same mph. on the wind. Sure glad we get to stick around town today. We plan to go root for the Tigers basketball teams this afternoon, and then hunker down.

    A while back I talked about digging a new outhouse hole for a neighbor when I was a kid. It was like digging in cement for the first three feet, and then I broke through the crust. The deeper I dug, the easier it got. The same is true for Bible study – digging deeper is the easiest and most rewarding way to explore God’s word.

    As I have said before, I recommend that you read less for more when I comes to reading your Bible. I know many folks are reading through their Bible within this next year, and that’s great. But I want to talk about reading less for more. Pick a book of the Bible and read the whole book to keep everything within its context. After reading the entire book on the first day, now read a paragraph, digging deeper into just one or two verses of that paragraph each day of study. Continue that process for the rest of the book. Even Colossians should take several months to really study your way through it.

    There will be days that one verse will be all that you cover, by the time you study the key words, study what the verse meant to its original audience, and then determining what it means to you, today. Also ask, “How am I to apply this verse, or passage in my life?” Without application, you’ve done nothing more than read. Remember, information does not equal transformation. That is why we must always seek to apply what Scripture we are studying.

    So grab your Bible, a notebook and a pen. A dictionary will be helpful and a good study Bible, or a commentary on the Bible book you are studying. Make notes about what you find as you dig your way through a verse or two. Dig deep, finding context, meanings, and applications. Add one more question, “Was the Gospel message presented within today’s reading?” Be sure to write your answers in detail.

    When you finish your study of a particular book, or topic, give your notebook to a child or grandchild upon their birthday, graduation, or marriage. Speaking of marriage, that might just be a really fun topical study for each one to do. Or study the topics of God’s nature, such as His holiness, truthfulness, gentleness, purity, or His being all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. Salvation will make an exciting topical study as well!

    Be sure to dig into the cross-references listed in your Bible. Remember, other Scripture is the best proof text for the Scripture you are studying. Many times, the best golden nuggets are found in other passages. Be brave, keep digging and writing, always with the goal of drawing closer to God, and then also applying His word instead of just reading it.

    Much like digging a hole in the ground, digging into your Bible will be tough for the first season, but then you will break through the crust, and it will become a daily adventure! Dig deep, find every golden nugget that is buried within the pages of God’s love letter to you, the Bible! “Grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,” and apply, apply, apply!

    By the way, a cup of coffee or tea helps with this process, along with a quiet spot, just you and the Holy Spirit, with your Bible and notebook.

    Loving digging deeper with you, Neal

    Resources: Logos Bible software(expensive), Miss Deb uses the Bible Gateway Plus app; a concordance; a commentary (The Bible Knowledge Commentary is a good one or build a set one book at a time as your study each book of the Bible), a dictionary, a spiral notebook and a pen. Pray before beginning each day and after each study, asking the Holy Spirit to help you live what you just learned.

  • Retired? What is that?

    December 9, 2026

    Cold, snow and wind – sounds like winter. For some reason, the older I get, the colder cold gets!

    For the last few years, around this time, Miss Deb and I have hooked onto our camper and headed south to see our kids and grandkids in Florida. It is always good to get to see those guys and to get to watch them do their family thing. It’s such a blessing to see them loving the Lord and serving His kingdom. And now that we are “retired” one would think it would be easy for us to find the time to make that trip – NOT!

    Our schedules are as full as ever. Miss Deb is doing some teaching either here in Lusk, or she does travel to Guernsey on occasion to spend the day with her “littles” down there. The rest of the time she is either painting cupboards, sewing projects for others, teaching sewing, or crocheting a blanket for someone to enjoy. Her hands a seldom still.

    My life consists of remodel projects around here, planning for the addition, or trying to keep things from blowing away. I spend a lot of time reading and studying for the Sunday School class I get to teach and the sermons I get to preach. I know, some of you think I’m already “an old know-it-all” but really, I’m still learning and growing in faith, just like you. As A.W. Tozer once commented, “It is impossible to fully know God while trapped here on earth.” There is always more to learn about the workings of our amazing Lord.

    I can’t say for you, but for me, I’m really grateful that God’s thoughts are much higher than mine. To me, His all-knowing is so amazing! Just think about it, I don’t know what all that will take place in my life today, I have no idea of how I will respond to those circumstances, and I most probably will miss an opportunity to testify on His behalf. I usually say it this way, “I don’t know what will happen around me, to me or through me, but God does.”

    Each morning begins with the Lord and I visiting about this thing called life. I usually run my ideas for day past Him, but then I conclude with, “and if You have a different plan, let’s go with it.” Life works so much easier when we are willing to do what He wants, instead of attempting to make God do what we want. After all, God knows best.

    So, we are still trying to find a time to go see our Florida family, but as of right now, it isn’t looking very promising. Maybe after the new great-grandson shows up??? Remember, when making plans for your life, always leave room for “God adjustments!” Sometimes He just totally amazes us with a great surprise!

    Looking forward to what God has planned for each of us, Neal

  • Let’s Visit!

    December 8, 2026

    At 5:30 this morning the temp is 24 degrees, hoping to raise that to 34 this afternoon, with a possible snow flurry. Right now, the wind is quiet, and it’s not supposed to scream today, we’ll take it!

    Yesterday, Miss Deb taught in Guernsey, I studied for Sunday. This next Sunday I get to teach the adult Sunday School at our home church, then we hustle across town, and I get to preach at a neighboring church! Today, Miss Deb is headed back to Guernsey and I’m back to studying.

    Last night, we had us a date night – Pizza and a movie. We take turns choosing the movie we watch and last night Miss Deb “hit a home run!” We watched, “Forever My Girl.” You would do well to give it a gander, my eyes leaked most of the night. As we watched, my mind went back to 1966 when I took Miss Deb to our very first movie together at the movie theater in Guernsey.

    I was in eighth grade; she was in seventh. I was staying in town with a friend because we had a basketball game earlier that day. I still don’t remember how it happened, but she and I went to the movie and sat together. The next Monday at school she dumped me. I asked her best friend “Why?” and was told that I didn’t talk with Deb enough. Back then I was EXTREMELY bashful and had no idea as how to visit with a girl. I could talk with ladies at a country dance, but to just sit down and talk with one, I was lost in the weeds.

    Over the years as a pastor, I have marveled at how many Christians seem to suffer from the same delima when trying to talk with God. Call upon most folks to pray out loud, and they will quickly decline the opportunity.

    “Why?” Well, after our first movie night, Miss Deb and I never spoke again until 1970 when I asked her to go to the Homecoming Dance with me. By then, I had spent considerable time visiting with young ladies my age at dances and community events and felt much better about talking with Deb. I must have said close to a dozen words to her when I asked her out!

    To my amazement she said “yes,” and we have been yacking with each other ever since. Last night, during our date night, we visited and watched the movie together – together on the sofa and together in spirit. We spent time together.

    Friends, if you have trouble visiting with God, may I suggest that you spend more time together with Him. Some of my favorite prayer times are when I ask God for a visit, and then we just sit and listen to each other. (I do most of the listening.) In fact, I try to start every day with such a visit with God. I greet Him with “Morning Lord,” and then I just lay there and listen. After a half-hour of listening, I usually get up and continue with a time of prayer, once again leaving time for Him to speak into my life. Then during the day, I spend several moments in prayer, just visiting with my dear Friend about events of the day.

    You see, after 56 years of visiting with Miss Deb, we visit a lot, often without words. We both enjoy just being in each other’s presence. The same is said about visiting with God, we have spent enough time together so that we visit all of the time, sometimes with words.

    If you are struggling with your prayer life, pray more. The more time you spend visiting with God in private, the easier it is to visit with Him in public. When Miss Deb and I first dated, I was so self-conscious that I wouldn’t string four words together. But now, I can plumb yack her ear off. So, when you are asked to pray in public, don’t worry about what others will think of your prayer, or what you should say, just visit with your good Friend.

    Some of the best prayers I have ever been blessed to listen to, didn’t contain a bunch of flowery words, I was just blessed to listen to two friends visiting. Last night, I was blessed to just set beside my best friend and wipe away the tears – some from the movie, some from the moment.

    Oh, by the way, the more you accept the opportunity to pray in public, the easier it gets. Praying in public is just allowing others to listen while two friends visit!

    Visiting with God with you, in private and in public, Neal

  • Emptying my shoe!

    December 6, 2026

    Well it looks like today will be another day of the wind speed and the temperature matching. On such days, I wish the temperature wasn’t going to be so nice.

    I spent the last two days of December looking for a bugle cow because my license expired the end of the month. One of those days, as I was sliding down a steep bank, I somehow got a pebble inside of my hunting boot. I really didn’t have the desire, nor the time, to stop, untie my boot and deal with the pebble, so I attempted to keep walking while sharing space with the pebble. Well, as we all know, the pebble soon won. I had to take a few minutes of precious time and empty that little bitty pebble out of my boot.

    Think of it this way, unconfessed sin is like that pebble in my hunting boot. Lets pretend that I just bull-headedly kept walking, and then the next time I sin we add another pebble, and then another and then another. It isn’t very long before I can’t even walk. Fact, if we don’t deal with sin immediately, we soon become a spiritual cripple. In 1 Peter, God tells husbands that if we hurt the heart of our wife (sin), then He doesn’t hear our prayers (result of unconfessed sin).

    To confess sin, I need to follow the example of King David who admitted to God, “against You and You only have I sinned.” Sure, if I sin against you, I owe you an apology and need to ask for your forgiveness, but because I have sinned against you, I need to confess such sin as direct rebellion against God.

    The problem is that my human nature prefers to rationalize my sin instead of admitting it. You know, statements like, “well it wasn’t that bad,” or “well I didn’t really mean any harm by…”, or “that person deserved to hear how I feel.” Any excuse to cover my sin is a poor excuse.

    So please, don’t let a “little” pebble in your shoe – sin – cripple you. Be quick to acknowledge it, confess it to God, asking His forgiveness. After all, “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession leads to cleansing, and cleanliness is next to godliness.

    It’s kind of difficult to “walk” with Jesus when we have a shoe full of pebbles. May I suggest that we all need to daily stop and empty out our shoe.

    Walking with Jesus with you, Neal