Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 30

What Weight are You Trying to Lift Today

But the Lord said to me,“My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect inyou.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power canlive in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hardtimes, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I amweak, then I am truly strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, New Century Version)

Stop trying to carry all your troubles, even all thetroubles of the world, on your own shoulders. Take everything that is worryingyou and drop it all on God’s shoulders.

Turn everything over to Him. From the smallest to the largest load.His shoulders are much broader than yours, and He can carry any weight you placeon Him.

Whatever is wrong in your life today, ask God, in prayer,to take care of it. Then release that it, imagine hoisting it right off ofyour back and placing it on God.

Trust me. You can’t handle it, but He can and He will.

The Lord is my strengthand my defense; he has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14, New InternationalVersion)

Creation

     Ourlast full day in Kentucky on Spring Break, Hubby and I made the short nine miledrive from our Airbnb to the Creation Museum in Petersburg.

I’m not gonna lie – I was pretty disappointed. It just felt like 75,000 square foot of propaganda. 

Yes, I believe in the Creation andthat it happened just like it was written in the Bible. But I think that faithmeans you believe that because of your faith and not because some guy claims tohave scientific proof of the whole thing, and that the earth is not billions ofyears old, but is only 6,000 years old. 

And that dinosaurs lived on earth withus. 

It just made me feel weird. Like Iwas at one of those multi-leveling marketing parties, being pushed to buy into the whole thing, insteading of believing what I believe. 

But many of the displays and exhibits were interesting and thought-provoking.I always enjoy imaging how people lived during different times.   I didn't think it was a total waste of time.
Anyway, after we left the building, we toured the grounds a bit, but itwas cloudy and cool out and none of the gardens were blooming yet. I imagine itis beautiful this time of year, as opposed to the end of March. 

Theyhad a small, barnyard zoo, with only a few animals.

ButI liked the KuneKune pigs. They are from New Zealand and their name means “fatand round”. My kind of name. 

No matter what we see, though, Hubs and I always have a good time. 

Saving the Lost

Then Jesus told them thisstory: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep but loses one of them. Then hewill leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the open field and go out and lookfor the lost sheep until he finds it. And when he finds it, he happily puts iton his shoulders and goes home. He calls to his friends and neighbors and says,‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you thereis more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart and life, than overninety-nine good people who don’t need to change. (Luke 15:3-7, New CenturyVersion)

Pretty straight forward story. The shepherd (Jesus)leaves the majority of the flock, the ones who already believe, and goes afterthe one who is lost. And once the lost one is found there is rejoicing in heavenand earth.

There are several Christian songs that I’ve beenhearing which talk about that one lost sheep. Below is the video with lyrics ofthe one by Cory Asbury. There is another song, but I can’t remember the name ofit.

Anyway, but the real moral of the story, for me, is thatGod does not forget us when we go astray, and He will always bring us home. So, if you are praying for someone who has lost their way, never give up hope. Always believe. Always keep the faith. God saves all who are lost.    

The Pack Shrinks Some More

For many years, we had a fine pack of noble hounds - Dino, our dog, aka the Wonder Dog. Wesley, our son's dog, a lab rescue with several other breeds in his bloodline. Buddy, our daughter's first child, a lab/rott mix with an old soul. And Bleu, our daughter's lab/husky mix.   Sadly, Wes was the first to leave us in November of 2021, with bone cancer of his skull.  Our pack dropped down to three.  In January of this year, as you may remember, devoted Dino peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge to join Wes and the long list of cats he had lived with during his 16 years with us. 
The pack was down to my daughter's babies. 
I don't have words to express how devastated we were when Bleu left us this past Sunday night, a victim of vicious blastomycosis. 
He was an adorable pup 
but always lived his life listening to the beat of a different drum. 




He is irreplaceable. 

The Famous Ark ��� Spring Vacation Blog Post #5

Goodnesshow is it possible that five weeks ago we were in Kentucky on Spring Break, andit still doesn���t feel much like Spring here in the Northwoods.

Oh,well, I guess that means it���s okay that I am still sharing that trip.

On a day much like day, we arrived at the Ark Encounter with partly sunny skies up above and temps in the mid-forties.

Everyone I���ve talked to who has been there reports that the size of it is daunting, hard to believe that it was constructed by one man and his three sons so very long ago. It didn���t seem that massive to me, but then I guess I was only thinking that it was built in this century by a large team of engineers, contractors, and modern-day craftsmen. It took me a bit to put my head in the right time and place.

Inside, there were depictions of nearly every aspect of life on the Ark for Noah, his family, and the animals. From feeding systems to food and water storage.

 

From many of the various animals which were housed in the Ark. Including these interesting containment units for snakes.

Up to animals we have around today or who were somewhat different at that time.

But I don���t really believe that some sorts of animals were around at the time. There were long explanations trying to prove that dinosaurs were alive when the Ark set sail and that Noah welcomed them aboard. I don���t buy that.

There were also examples of what the living quarters for Noah, his wife, their three sons and their son���s wives might have looked like.

This might be how people lived on Earth at the time, but I���m not sure that Noah���s family would have taken the time to build things quite so nice.

But then again, those eight people were chosen by God to survive the flood, so maybe God saw to it that they were comfortable.

In any case, it was a huge boat, both inside and out, and accommodated the people and animals needed to repopulate the Earth. 
And there is no doubt in my mind, that the Ark did save humanity from the destruction of our sins. 

The Famous Ark – Spring Vacation Blog Post #5

Goodnesshow is it possible that five weeks ago we were in Kentucky on Spring Break, andit still doesn’t feel much like Spring here in the Northwoods.

Oh,well, I guess that means it’s okay that I am still sharing that trip.

On a day much like day, we arrived at the Ark Encounter with partly sunny skies up above and temps in the mid-forties.

Everyone I’ve talked to who has been there reports that the size of it is daunting, hard to believe that it was constructed by one man and his three sons so very long ago. It didn’t seem that massive to me, but then I guess I was only thinking that it was built in this century by a large team of engineers, contractors, and modern-day craftsmen. It took me a bit to put my head in the right time and place.

Inside, there were depictions of nearly every aspect of life on the Ark for Noah, his family, and the animals. From feeding systems to food and water storage.

 

From many of the various animals which were housed in the Ark. Including these interesting containment units for snakes.

Up to animals we have around today or who were somewhat different at that time.

But I don’t really believe that some sorts of animals were around at the time. There were long explanations trying to prove that dinosaurs were alive when the Ark set sail and that Noah welcomed them aboard. I don’t buy that.

There were also examples of what the living quarters for Noah, his wife, their three sons and their son’s wives might have looked like.

This might be how people lived on Earth at the time, but I’m not sure that Noah’s family would have taken the time to build things quite so nice.

But then again, those eight people were chosen by God to survive the flood, so maybe God saw to it that they were comfortable.

In any case, it was a huge boat, both inside and out, and accommodated the people and animals needed to repopulate the Earth. 
And there is no doubt in my mind, that the Ark did save humanity from the destruction of our sins. 

I have hope

       

          Lord, remember my suffering and how I haveno home. Remember the misery and suffering. I remember them well. And I am verysad.

But I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love neverends. His mercies never stop. They are new every morning. Lord, your loyalty isgreat. I say to myself, “The Lord is what I have left. So I have hope.”

          TheLord is good to those who put their hope in him. He is good to those who lookto him for help. It is good to wait quietly for the Lord to save. (Lamentations3:19-26, International Children’s Bible)

Well, it snowed again last night. And my back got worse.And I have a list of other things going haywire in my life or the lives of myloved ones.

So, after I limped to my laptop coz I am toobullheaded to just stay in bed, I did a search for the most beautiful Biblepassages. There were a lot of good ones, but the one above convened most what I’mfeeling and the assurance I need from God.

I pray you all have had a better week than I had. Alsopraying for Spring! And for healing, of course. God has got this, and He is allI’ve got. It’s in His hands.

Little Towns and Detours ��� Spring Vacation Blog Post #4

Backto last month���s vacation. We spent the rest of our first day in Kentuckydriving around little towns up and down the Ohio River.

Whoknew it was such a wide river. And this was before the spring melt up northstarted. All the rivers in the country seem to be near flood stage now. Thanksto the miserable, bipolar month of April. But I digress.

When we are driving around, I randomly take pictures out of the car window of any buildings which look interesting. I thought this was just someone���s huge old plantation house and didn���t think the picture would turn out anyway. Actually it is one of the world's top ten most romantic inns, Riverside Inn outside of Warsaw, Kentucky. Crazy.

 And here we are in the city of Warsaw, where we ran into our first detour. Which I appreciated, because it gave me an excuse to get out of the car and walk around town. The county courthouse.

Well maintained historic old buildings.

And some not so much.

But still some colorful ones.

The heritage center in town was closed for the day.

And someone was not happy about it.

But eventually, we crossed the river into Indiana, where we kept running into more detour signs, but I said let���s just keep going, until, well, we had to turn around and back track down some narrow windy roads which, believe it or not, I didn���t take pictures of.

The next town of interest, though, was Aurora, Indiana.

With its many murals.

Quaint downtown.

And other fun stuff.

Even the feed store looked fun.

But it was time to head back to our Airbnb to rest up for our big day tomorrow. 

Little Towns and Detours – Spring Vacation Blog Post #4

Backto last month’s vacation. We spent the rest of our first day in Kentuckydriving around little towns up and down the Ohio River.

Whoknew it was such a wide river. And this was before the spring melt up northstarted. All the rivers in the country seem to be near flood stage now. Thanksto the miserable, bipolar month of April. But I digress.

When we are driving around, I randomly take pictures out of the car window of any buildings which look interesting. I thought this was just someone’s huge old plantation house and didn’t think the picture would turn out anyway. Actually it is one of the world's top ten most romantic inns, Riverside Inn outside of Warsaw, Kentucky. Crazy.

 And here we are in the city of Warsaw, where we ran into our first detour. Which I appreciated, because it gave me an excuse to get out of the car and walk around town. The county courthouse.

Well maintained historic old buildings.

And some not so much.

But still some colorful ones.

The heritage center in town was closed for the day.

And someone was not happy about it.

But eventually, we crossed the river into Indiana, where we kept running into more detour signs, but I said let’s just keep going, until, well, we had to turn around and back track down some narrow windy roads which, believe it or not, I didn’t take pictures of.

The next town of interest, though, was Aurora, Indiana.

With its many murals.

Quaint downtown.

And other fun stuff.

Even the feed store looked fun.

But it was time to head back to our Airbnb to rest up for our big day tomorrow. 

Are you done with winter and everything else?

     I have told you all this so that you mayhave peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But takeheart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, New Living Translation)

How did your week go? Or how about the month of April?Or all of 2023? Is anyone else completely done with winter? It does seem to beone thing after another.

If you follow me online or in person, you may rememberthat my back has been giving me a lot of trouble. The pain will be just aboutgone, and then the next day, I feel like I am back to square one with it – it isa trial which is starting to cause me some sorrow. I have other things to do besidesbaby this bum back.

And it’s not just me. I’m surrounded by family andfriends who are struggling in even worse ways. My heart goes out to them, and Ipray their burdens lessen.

But the Bible tells us that life wasn’t meant to beeasy. And just because we believe in God doesn’t mean that we will cruisethrough unscathed. What I can never figure out is how someone who is not a believercan even get out of bed in the morning, thinking that there is nothing morethan this life.

Take heart! Believe! Jesus Christ came into this world– into your life, if you’ll have Him – so that you can overcome all the troublesyou face. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Then even on the worst days,you will know that you have a true Friend and Ally, One who was willing to goto the cross for you.