Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 31

Next Stop ��� a State Park, Spring Vacation Blog Post #3

 Sunday, March 26, Hubs and I werestill motoring around the twenty mile or so section of the tip of north-westKentucky. So much to see in such a small area that no one has hardly ever heardof. But if you know me, I can always find something of interest no matter whereI am.

After quick stops at Dinsmore Homesteadand Rabbit Hash, we next arrived at Big Bone Lick State Park. I know, quite thename. 

It comes from the salt licks which attracted big animals with big bones, such as mastodons and giant sloths, all who died there and became fossils to be dug up centuries later.

We toured the small museum.

And then walked along the nature trail out back. 

 

But we were forced to turn back due to flooding on the trail. Darn spring rains.

It continued to be a beautiful day, sunny and temps pushing 60.

We took the trail out to the bison herd but they were naturally on the far end, and we didn���t want to walk that far (another mile, maybe) and then still have no guarantee of seeing them.

We headed back to the car and ate lunch inside it, with the windows and the sunroof open. First vehicle I���ve had with a sunroof!

Soon, though, we were on our way down the road again. Still more things to discover that day.

Next Stop – a State Park, Spring Vacation Blog Post #3

 Sunday, March 26, Hubs and I werestill motoring around the twenty mile or so section of the tip of north-westKentucky. So much to see in such a small area that no one has hardly ever heardof. But if you know me, I can always find something of interest no matter whereI am.

After quick stops at Dinsmore Homesteadand Rabbit Hash, we next arrived at Big Bone Lick State Park. I know, quite thename. 

It comes from the salt licks which attracted big animals with big bones, such as mastodons and giant sloths, all who died there and became fossils to be dug up centuries later.

We toured the small museum.

And then walked along the nature trail out back. 

 

But we were forced to turn back due to flooding on the trail. Darn spring rains.

It continued to be a beautiful day, sunny and temps pushing 60.

We took the trail out to the bison herd but they were naturally on the far end, and we didn’t want to walk that far (another mile, maybe) and then still have no guarantee of seeing them.

We headed back to the car and ate lunch inside it, with the windows and the sunroof open. First vehicle I’ve had with a sunroof!

Soon, though, we were on our way down the road again. Still more things to discover that day.

Waiting

The truth about Christ has been proved inyou. So you have every gift from God while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christto come again. Jesus will keep you strong until the end. He will keep youstrong, so that there will be no wrong in you on the day our Lord Jesus Christcomes again. (1 Corinthians 1:6-8, International Children’s Bible)

It’sbeen a week since Easter Sunday; seems like so much longer. It’s been a badweek around here.

Myback went out three weeks ago. Usually, when that happens, I’m able to doenough things – heat, rest, gentle exercises – that it straightens out on itsown. This time it just kept getting worse. No, I wasn’t babying it as much as Ishould have; I did a few things which in retrospect I see made the pain worse. ButI’ve never had pain all the way into my shoulder blades and rib cage, and I’vebeen dealing with this quirky back for 37 years. I’ve never let it get me sodown; I’ve always kept the faith and waited it out until it got better. Thatand often times a few trips to the chiropractor.

Yesterdaymorning, from 3:30 to 6:00, every time I tried to move in bed, my back spasmedso much it was paralyzing. I tried a muscle relaxer and kept laying on theheating pad, but even a simple stretch would tighten those lower back muscleslike I was being tasered. And then my rib cage would hurt so bad that I couldn’tget a deep breathe.

Yet,I kept waiting for this to settle down so I could work my way out of bed andgimp to the bathroom. And I kept waiting.

Afternearly three hours of this, I finally caved and called 911. The EMTs from ourlocal hospital (adjacent to the clinic where I work – even after I retire, Iwill continue to play that card when I have a medical crisis) arrived and didtheir job – got me out of bed and into our car (amid my screams of pain). Hubbydrove me to the ER, where they gave me some IV drugs and a couple prescriptionsand sent me home.  

Allday long, yesterday, my back still ached and was stiff, but it never spasmedagain. But I kept waiting for it to. And now, still doing okay, in some pain but no spasms, I’m waitingfor it to be completely better, for the appointments I have next week with thechiropractor to be miraculous, and for me to get back to bouncing out of bed,doing my yoga, and being active all day long.

Butwhat does that have to do with Easter? Waiting is hard. The day between GoodFriday and Easter morning, I always wonder how those followers of Jesus weredoing. Were they waiting, in fear or anticipation, for what would happen next?Had they heeded Jesus’ message that He would rise from the dead on the thirdday? Or were their hearts broken that they would never see their Teacher again?

Weall hate waiting, especially when we aren’t sure what the outcome will be. But there is one outcome we are certain of. Jesus rose from the dead on the firstEaster morning, and He will return to this earth someday.

Looks who has a birthday!

Surpise! Someone has a birthday today! 
Really? Who could it be?  I'm not gonna tell!  Oh, don't be silly! It's Val-Pal's birthday! And she's ready to celebrate!  She went from a little girl to a grown-up lady, overnight. 
Ready to take on Kenya and fall in love with all the littles ones she met. And ready to continue her passion through multiple trips to her adopted homeland.  She continued to make friends on every trip.  Even some questionable ones.  But from every side, front or back, inside or out, Val is an amazing, beautiful person with so much to give to this world.Help her Mutti wish her the best year ever. 

Two Stops to Start with, Spring Vacation, Blog post #2

Oh,man, it’s been a rough couple of weeks. It’s been two weeks since we got homefrom our trip to Kentucky, and I’ve not done much since then, except lay aroundcomplaining of all the pain I’m in. I tweaked my back loading the car when weleft home and really threw it out of place a few days after we got back. MostlyI’m just frustrated, but it’ll get better.

Butyou didn’t open this post to hear about that. No, you want to know what we didthose three full days we were in the northern tip of Kentucky.

Sunday,our first full day there, the weather was beautiful – sunny with a high closeto 70. We slept in – for us – and didn’t get on the road until close to 9:30. Ihad a short route mapped out from our Airbnb, just around the area, of what Ithought would be interesting places to see.  

First stop was Dinsmore Homestead, which was closed until April 1. I still got out and wandered around the grounds.

It looks like all the other old homesteads I’ve visited, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t fascinated by it.

Imaging myself living there in the 1850’s, wearing those long, beastly hot dresses in the heat of summer, without even a fan in the house. And taking a bath twice a year, no idea how often I could have washed the long tresses of hair that I would have had.

 Okay, it would be fun to live there for a weekend in the spring.

Moving on. Next stop was a fascinating historic district called Rabbit Hash. Yes, it’s named for the population of rabbits, many of whom ended up in the pot on the stove.

I’m not really sure what all the buildings are in this little area, but I took pictures of them anyway.

And the fog on the Ohio River with the ghostly riverboat on the opposite shore.

The only building that was open was the General Store, where we poked around a bit. Two old geezers and two old dogs were relaxing around the pot belly stove, on which were cooking cinnamon rolls. But the men were too busy telling tall tales to offer us one.

 The Old Hacienda does have a listing on the Airbnb site. It looks pretty cool inside from the pictures that are posted, but it’s pricey too.

It was all pretty cool actually, but very hillbilly, and that’s coming from a country hick like me.

Anyway, we did a lot more driving that day. And I took a lot more pictures, but I think I’ll share them another time. My back is still killing me, and I should get to bed. 

Doubter, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #10, Easter Morning

   "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Youbelieve in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if thatwere not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place foryou? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you tobe with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place whereI am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t knowwhere you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and thetruth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6,New International Version)

ThroughoutLent this year, I’ve been writing about Jesus’ disciples. And here it is –Easter Morning! What more can I tell you about those twelve men?

Well,there was Thomas. Few remember him asking the question above. Instead, he is knownfor the statements below.

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, wasnot with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unlessI see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my handinto the wound in his side.”  

Eight days later the disciples weretogether again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; butsuddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” hesaid. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Putyour hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

            “My Lord and my God!” Thomasexclaimed.

            Then Jesus told him, “You believebecause you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John20:24-29, New Living Translation)

Eventhough we haven’t seen Him with our own eyes or touched His wounds, we knowthat our Redeemer lives. We have been blessed. Praise God!

Traitor, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #9, Good Friday

 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelvedisciples, went to the leading priests and asked, “How much will you pay me tobetray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that timeon, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (Matthew 26:14-16, NewLiving Translation)

Thisyear, during Lent, I have been writing about the various disciples who Jesushad called to follow Him. Just like Peter, Andrew, Matthew and the others, Jesus choseJudas Iscariot to follow Him. Did Jesus know from the very beginning that Judaswould be the one to betray Him?

But Judas Iscariot, one of hisdisciples—the one who would betray him—said, “That perfume was worth a fortune.It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he caredfor the poor, but he was in charge of the disciples’ funds and often dippedinto them for his own use! (John 12:4-6, Living Bible)

Thispassage from John makes it sound like Judas always cared more about himselfthan he did for others. I’d still like to believe, though, that Judas startedout just as devoted to Jesus as the rest of the disciples.

After he had said this, Jesus was troubledin spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betrayme.”

His disciples stared at one another,at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesusloved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said,“Ask him which one he means.”

            Leaning back against Jesus, he askedhim, “Lord, who is it?”

            Jesus answered, “It is the one towhom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then,dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Assoon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

            So Jesus told him, “What you areabout to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said thisto him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling himto buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. Assoon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. (John 13:21-30, NewInternational Version)

Sometimes,though, I notice that the rest of the disciples had their faults as well. Imean, really how many times does Jesus have to tell them what was going tohappen to Him? And how many times did they not understand what Jesus said?

And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one ofthe twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs.They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. Thetraitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which oneto arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus.“Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

            Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead anddo what you have come for.”

            Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrestedhim. ( Matthew26:47-50, New Living Translation)

Butthe reality is that no matter what Judas was like when he started followingJesus, he made a pact with the devil. And even though his guilt caused him tohang himself, I wonder if he truly asked God for forgiveness and if, at thatlast moment before he tightened that rope around his throat, he acceptedJesus as his Savoir.

Nomatter what you have done in your life, there is no sin that God won’t forgive.You need only to ask for forgiveness and turn your life over to Him, knowingthat Jesus died to take away all of your sins. 

Peter’s Denial, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #8, Maundy Thursday

 

But Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to gowith you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, beforethe rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:33-34,New International Version)

SimonPeter was one of Jesus’ first followers and was one of the inner circle of disciples.He was also bold and outspoken. He would never think to betray His Lord and Savior,would never deny that he knew Him. And yet –

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know whatyou’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lordturned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lordhad spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me threetimes.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-62, NIV)

Icannot imagine the pain Peter felt when he looked into Jesus’ eyes that nightand realized that he had failed his Teacher.

Howoften do we deny that we know Jesus? Do we keep from speaking when theconversation turns to other beliefs, ones which deny the Triune God? Do weavoid people that we know disagree with Christianity?

Whatwould you see in Jesus’ eyes if He were to look into your soul right now?

The Unknown Ones weren’t Unknown to Jesus, 2023 Lenten Blog Post #7

 

As Jesus and his disciples approachedJerusalem, they came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount ofOlives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into that village over there,” hetold them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied therethat no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Whatare you doing?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it soon.’”

The two disciples left and found the coltstanding in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it,some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They saidwhat Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then theybrought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. (Mark11:1-7, New Living Translation) 

Todayis Palm Sunday, and we probably all know the story of the triumphant return ofJesus to Jerusalem. But during Lent this year, I’ve been blogging about Jesus’twelve disciples. I’ve already written about John, James, Andrew, and Matthewand have plans to talk about Peter and the infamous Judas Iscariot nextweekend. Oh, and we all remember Doubting Thomas. But what about the other five?Were two of them the ones called to bring the young donkey to Jesus?  

Philip,Bartholomew (who also might be known as Nathanael), James (the other James, sonof Alphaeus), Thaddeus (also known at Jude or another Judas) and Simon theZealot. With all the name possibilities for these guys, it’s no wonder there isso little known about them.

Then he got into a boat and started acrossthe lake with his disciples. Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waveshigher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep.

            The disciples went to him andwakened him, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re sinking!”

            But Jesus answered, “O you men oflittle faith! Why are you so frightened?” Then he stood up and rebuked the windand waves, and the storm subsided and all was calm.

The disciples just sat there, awed! “Whois this,” they asked themselves, “that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew8:23-27, Living Bible)

Ibelieve that Jesus called each of these men for a specific reason. And even if someof them aren’t identified by name in what they do and say, they each have theirplace in the teachings of Jesus.

Also,Jesus knew each of their names and everything else about them. Just like Heknows your name and everything about you. Don’t ever think that you or yourname is insignificant to Jesus. Everything about you is special to Him.     

Spring Break - Blog post #1

Wednesdayafternoon, Hubby and I returned from our spring break vacation. One of theseyears we’ll figure out that the weather this time of year never cooperates. I don’tknow how other people manage to get out of town and travel to some place warmin late March, but it never works out for us. I think it’s time for us to bitethe bullet and book plane reservations next year.

Weleft home at 6:30 Saturday morning. The weather was fine at our house, butabout two hours south we started hitting snow. Next thing you know, there wasan accident on the interstate and we were rerouted to side-roads. Not sure ifthat was safer or not, but we pushed through. So thankful that we had boughtthe all-wheel drive Honda CR-V two weeks before.

Anyway,here are just a few pictures from our couple days in Kentucky. You know me,more pictures and long detailed stories are in this blog’s future. 

No matter what happened this week, the grass was green. 
Dinsmore Homestead, still closed for the season

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky 
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Across the Ohio River from Rabbit Hash
The Ark
Inside the Creation Museum 
Outside the Museum - FLOWERS blooming!
And more green grass out the back door of our Airbnb