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Good Morning God…again

Good Morning God…again!   
Thank you for being in my life.
Thank you for opening my heart 
and my mind to your Glory!
You have instilled in me, a Trust.  
While other things in life fail, 
I can Trust in You!
Amen

Faith the size of a Mustard Seed

Good Morning God! Thank you for today.

Faith at times does not seem as being strong enough to satisfy us, 
or for our needs.
Wants and Needs are different.
It does not matter the amount of faith that we have as long it is a True and Trusting faith.
Jesus spoke on the subject.   
He said that ‘with the amount of faith the size of a mustard seed, you will be able to move mountains before you'
We know that the sun will rise in the morning.  Looking at it in a different way, 
we have faith that it will. 
Rh 3623

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He Created Nature

In the beginning,
God created the heavens
and the earth.
On the 7th day,
he flexed his muscles and
said 'done'...and rested.
With that , He created Nature.
Nature offers to us...so much.
The beauty , the peace,
the circle of life
and the Power in it.
Use it wisely and in reverence,
keeping it the way His gift to us
was given.
Rich Hoback 2.19.2023

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He Created the whole Shebang

He created the whole Shebang
The sun rises in the morning,
because he created it.
When goes to rest, yep
He was there too!
When a smile appears,
He had placed it in a soul.
We hear music in the air,
as he knew we needed it.
And yes, we as humans
will stumble and fall.
He made us to feel
the joy of being strong.
Yes, he will be there 
to lift us back up.
God created the whole ‘Shebang’
Rich Hoback 12.4.2022

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Life is simple, Just ask

Life is simple
or so it might seem.
We wake up in the morning
to start a new day.
We look outside to see
it waking up with you.
And so, the day goes
as it usually does.
By the end of it,
all is well.
I have a smile on my face
As I give thanks to God for 
being with me again.
Whether the day went well
or perhaps just the opposite, He will 
be with you, in your heart.
By keeping that in your mind
and in your heart,
All will be just fine, if you just ask!
Rich 11.27.2022

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The Blades of the Windmill

The Blades of the Windmill
They use the wind to pump water.
Sometimes they are noisy and
Sometimes still as they listen for the wind.
Even though they age
they are not forlorn or forgotten.

We might, in thought, parallel the windmill.
When young, we travel at full speed,
Sometimes in circles it seems.
Then we need to take a break 
for a gust of wind,
giving us a renewed energy
 to travel full speed again.
As we age and having performed well,
our task on earth
will not be forgotten.
With our trust in Him,
we will never feel forlorn.
Rich Hoback 11.13.2022

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Natures Creator

Natures Creator
I see nature
with birds and butterflies in it,
I get butterflies in my heart, 
always have...always will.
It isn't something 
that I have read
or been told.
It is something felt
deep within me.
How then,
could we deny 
that there is a Creator
more powerful than Man.
Rich Hoback 9.18.22

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Reaching Out

Reach for the stars 
even though they seem so far,
Reach for the horizons
although they seem to disapear,
Reach for the dreams
you thought could not come true,
Reach although your arms are weary, 
your heart is strong
and the smile it brings 
will surely carry you through.
"Trust" will allow you to find
things that you never thought 
were possible.
Rich Hoback 7.10.2022

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The sun will rise again tomorrow I promise

I stood looking up the hill 
to the cross with a limp torn body
hanging from it.
As he closed his eyes
a tear rolled from my eye.
.....and then I heard a whisper:
'Fear not my son, the sun will rise 
again tomorrow and as many 
tomorrows that you follow me'
All was well.

Rich , Easter 2022

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Jesus the Fisher of Men

I went fishing in September and found a fishing buddy instead.

I see it as in how we Expect and Accept.

I could have walked away without a fish in my creel .

Instead I watched the Great Blue Heron fill his.

I have  a lasting image of him and he found a safety in me.

It all works !

Our Creator has also installed a safety net for those times of disappointment.

Jesus not a Fisherman but a Fisher of Men !

Rich Hoback 2.20.2022

Tunnel Vision , the way we look at things

Tunnel Vision

Do things change As you look at them ,

or is it that they change

due  to the Manner

in  which   you look at them?

~a quote paraphrased

In life we often find ourselves viewing with a ‘tunnel vision’ .

It might be due to mindsets or something inherited.

Be reminded that a tunnel is often  circular.  

The way you see and share the way you see them……..

will be returned in the way which others see you.

Let your mind be allowed to expand past those walls of

the tunnel.

Rich Hoback 2.19.2022

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Thorns in Life

Thorns in Life

It was not promised

that life would be smooth.

Along that journey

there will be Thorns.

If we are able to

Walk with Eyes Wide Open

we can avoid feeling their sharp poke.

Lest we not forget though,

the one  wore a crown of them

For Us.  Thank You Jesus!

Amen!

Rich Hoback 2.6.2022

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Dance me to the end of Love

Thoughts of Charlotte, the Mother of our Children

She passed away today to a better place.
We met at a college dance.
We continued to dance so often,
taking even more dance lessons together.
While we parted daily lives, while remaining friends.
I will hold these words of Leonard Cohen in my mind .

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Oh, let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn…..

Dance me to the end of love

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Christmas 2021

I was raised to believe that Christmas each year began in this little white building in Avoca.

It was the reason that we celebrated on this anniversary with  His gift to us , being him in the form of man named Jesus. He received gifts from shepherds in the form of Love; from the wise men material gifts representing good properties for Jesus to share.

Our Christmas was first, going to church on the eve of Christmas by attending church services in His honor, with others that feeling the same way.

After that, it was a family gathering at Grandma’s. Family with friends stopping by to leave the joy of Christmas with us. It was in the form of smiles, laughter, love and most of all a Thankfulness.

Then was the gifts. They were usually useful and humble, not lavish or frivolous . They were given with Love.

It is my feeling that this tradition or priority should never change. Jesus the Christ that he brings to our lives…. and the true reason for the Christmas season. Merry is the feeling of Happiness and Joy.

Merry Christmas to All of my Friends and Family.

Rich Hoback 12.25.21

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Our Blessings

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We will soon be at the part of the Year when we feel so many blessings.
My thoughts:
God lives individually within us, within our hearts.
When we need to see a blessing ,
he will tailor that blessing to our needs.
It is then we recognize it as a true blessing.
However, looking at how someone  is blessed,
will only cloud the vision of our own blessings.
Rich.Hoback 11.21.2021

A New Day Awakens….

Sunday morning and a new day has awakened.
Looking at photos for something to share....
I came across these Crocus from an early morn last spring. 
With it the words from a song..... "Starry Starry Night..... Flowers that Brightly Blaze"
I looked further and as I noticed things that I have overlooked before.
A feeling came over me. I was seeing things both in a different light as well as at a different angle of life’s presentation. I may have been single focused and have been missing things that were placed within my plain view. 
I have just needed a change to the view.  I have just needed a change to
 “Walk with Eyes Wide Open” .     and you will never be disappointed .
My eyes left the ground and looked up  .... With a Smile and a silent Thank You !
 Rich Hoback 6.6.21

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Grandma’s Will

These verses were found in Grandma Ruhge’s
Bible after her passing.

“We cannot know or understand
The leading of God’s Mighty hand.
But we can trust that love divine
is shaping both your life and mine,
and from this trust may spring anew,
A courage that will see us through.

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If I should die and leave you here a while,
Be not like others, sore undone,
who keep long vigil’s by the silent dust
and weep.
For my sake to turn to life and smile,
nerving the heart and trembling hand……. to do
something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.
Complete these unfinished tasks of mine
and may it be……. I shall comfort you.”

After reading what she had left for me,
I felt compelled to write an answer as
re-assurance to her of my intent.

“Such words so wise ascribed here
surely must have come from someone
so very, very dear
but not, I feel to be weighted as a wisp
of just another oldster’s breath.

Rather……
her wish , her love, her final look at death.

Should I live a life of varied faith,
oh please God, give me the strength,
the will, the way
to turn to life and smile;
to do something to comfort weaker hearts
than mine,
to complete the unfinished tasks of thine.

And …….. I know when that day comes
for me,
as I know that it shall;
give me the grace, the beauty,
the love,
of this dear old trooper, my pal”.

And how knows ……… it just may be
that a bit of comfort shall be passed on
to you from me,
but not without, I fear, the guiding hand
of God and my Dear Grandma Ruhge.

Dedicated to Maude Ruhge

R. L. Hoback 5.14.21

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Keeping a Light in You Life

Sometimes in Life

the path gets winding

…. and Long.

I get weary and weak

at times

But thou art Strong.

Be safe….. be Happy

and keep a song in your heart.

rLH 51720

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At The Edge

So many times have it paddled my barrel

  to edge of falls at Niagara.

So many times

  have I backstroked it

    before going over the falls.

Why is it

 that I changed my mind

  at the edge of turning back?

Perhaps it is the same reason

  I have done this before

    And came to the conclusion that

Maybe He is not done with me yet,

And I am pleased .

© R Lynn Hoback

2 28 2021  

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Walking on Water

If you want to … You’ve to Get Out Of The Boat

Walking on water means Facing your Fears and choosing not to let fear have the last word in your life. 

Walking on water means discovering and embracing the unique calling of God on your life. 

Walking on water means experiencing the power of God in your life to do something you would not be capable of doing on your own.

Expect a few waves to slap you in the face.  Failure comes with the territory . . . but so does the strong hand of Jesus, pulling you up when the bottom drops out.  And so do brilliant successes and rewards that far outweigh all of the risks.

Failure is not an event, but rather a judgment about an event.  Failure is not something that happens to us or a label we attach to things.  It is a way we think about outcomes.

Jonas Salk made two hundred unsuccessful attempts to create a polio vaccine.  Salk, “I never failed two hundred times in my life.  I just discovered two hundred ways how not to vaccinate for polio.”

Failure does not shape you….. but the way you respond to failure shapes you.

God isn’t finished with us yet! 

I am still on the “potter’s wheel”.

R L Hoback

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It Changed My Life Forever

It was late in the afternoon 60 years ago…..

Greenwood,  Nebraska

It was an average day for me.  I was working for the federal government  as a scale attendant, weighing trucks of grain destined for storage in grain bins there.

It was nearly time to quit when I received a phone call from the county office that there were three large trucks on the way but had been held up in Lincoln traffic and told me to wait for them to arrive.  The scales were very close to the railroad tracks.    As I weighed  a smaller truck and sent them across the tracks to the unload,  I noticed a forgotten authorization to allow unloading..    So I decided it was best for me to take it  there myself while waiting.

I climbed into my 1957 Ford and on a hot day had all the windows rolled down proceeded to the tracks.   I had a lot of Life on my mind.

As I turned around the scale building and started to cross the tracks, I heard the loud horns on one of the trucks traveling down the highway.  I stopped and watched the truck nearing to see if i needed to stay.

My world…. my Life  changed in but a moment!  I was 17 years old.

In those years, cross buck and blinking lights were normal and without  arms that blocked travel.    Dang,  I was sitting right on the tracks and focused on the oncoming tracks.   When i heard the whistle and noticed  the waving headlight …. it was there.   I put my foot to the floor with the gas pedal… and thru my gear shift to reverse ,  but passed reverse and into Park.  Just that fast , I pulled it back to reverse but had only moved  a foot or two backward when the train stuck me.

With all four windows down and with no seat belts,  the car was thrown out from under me and my limp body against the signal post.

Just before the train stuck me I only had time to say three words.

Seconds after the crash , I laid lifeless by the tracks.    At that time, my life changed forever.

    The form of three dark gray robes settled down beside me.  One at each at my side.  The third at my feet.  Without a word or touch….  they were lifting me upwards.  Silently up and up…… then again without a sound or movement… they started to lower me gently down , down , down to the ground and they lifted back up out of site.    That was when the emergency response folks had brought me to consciousness again.    Now, I hear one say “he is alive”.

I went to the hospital in Lincoln and examined.   I was released on the second day with “abrasions and contusions of the lower back”  

Dad took me to Greenwood to see my car a few days later when these photos were taken.    For several years when waiting for a train at a crossing, I had to lay down in the seat of the car.     The director of the county office came to the hospital the next morning , not to see how I was, but to get me to sign a waiver that it was by my own actions and not the action of my employment.    Oh well.

But what has changed my life?  The three words that I uttered before the crash?   Oh, it could have been a few four lettered ones.……… but for me it was  “OH DEAR GOD”   and I will always be convinced that I was Spared.     Thank you !  I will Never forget those three words.   

I now add to them.  Oh , Dear God,  How I trust in Thee !   I have no idea why I was chosen to be spared, but I don’t question it for one moment. 

When I see an artists conception of an image of an Angel as having long golden hair,   bright red lips and white wings…. I just smile myself…if they just  knew….

Rich Hoback

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Sunday’s Thoughts:

In the troubled times we see ….
In the troubled waters before
and …… below us.
I am reminded of the
31 years ago song

‘When you are tired and weary
when you need a friend
Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water
I Will Lay Me Down
I Will Lay Me Down’

Use that Bridge !

It was a given promise to us

That in the good times and those when things are troubling us,

He will provide that means to carry us across those waters to

happier times.

Tomorrow the sun will
surely shine… Tomorrow !

Rich Hoback

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Give and ye shall Receive

‘…. And in the wagon was the figure of infant Jesus.  So the Pastor walked up to the boy and said: “Son, where did you the little baby Jesus that is in your wagon”?

The little boy replied: “I got him from the church”.   And why did you take him? Asked the Preacher 

The little boy replied : “Well about a week before Christmas, I prayed to the little Lord Jesus.  I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas,  I would give him a ride around the block in it.’ 

Now what did this little story say to me?

So often we feel a need for help from a source of more power that we can ever generate ourselves.  Think about the words we say in prayer…. Or at least run through our mind as we pray.   How often have you bargained , just as this little boy did?    “you know Lord, I sometimes have turned my back on you.  I know it was wrong but I really need you now  … and you are in front of me at this moment” 

What does this say?  When I don’t feel that I need you, you are not leading my life ……..  But if you help me, I will keep you in the driver’s seat.    Now, what if you do receive the help you need?   Do you keep God up front and guiding your life?   In other words , will if be  like the little boy, do you keep the promise you made to God in your prayers ? 

The Praise:

Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes our memories are short when it comes time to remember what we have promised to you in our time of need.  Help us, guide us, remind us ….. and please Dear Lord, please take the steering wheel in our lives.

Amen

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Praying Though Parched Eyes

It has been a borderline drought here in Nebraska for several years now.

We have both family and friends who depend on the earth for supplying a means for living.  My heritage involves that very experience.

In this small village we live in, Water is a very precious substance. 

We are not unique.

We might vary in our needs for it though…..

While we truly enjoy raising vegetables in our gardens for food, we really enjoy more, the process of growth, development and maturity of the end product.  That is perhaps the overlay of our need to plant.  Perhaps further is the need for display…. for ourselves and for others, the beautiful floral gardens we have been guided to plant.

This year has been no exception during this decade, providing a challenge for growth, for sustaining as well as providing that end product…….. the fruit or the blossom.

The year, like most in Nebraska opened with a promise of necessary moisture, then diminishing to many forecasts of moisture that never develop.   Storm clouds develop, flexing their muscle with lightning and Thunder…….gently traveling past our area with no ………. nadda……. even one drop of water……again.

Recently, as I was bent over a plant in the gardens, pulling a small weed; I found myself talking to the weed.  “I know that everyone needs to be somewhere … but you just can’t be here”, pulling it to an early demise. “I need to direct what little moisture we have for the blossom” .   Oh boy, talking to a weed, they’ll surely come to take me away , ha ha hee hee, ha ha.

I found myself also remembering my heritage as a farmer.  I thought “wow, here I am apologizing to a weed while my parents and other ancestors experienced an actual drought of the 1930’s.”  Each winter they had dreams…. each spring they planted those dreams.. …. each summer they watched their dreams bend over and succumb to the extreme heat and lack of moisture.   Each winter they dreamed again….. first year, second year, third year, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh………………….

Each year, they planted, they watched it fail, they survived, they Prayed again for a newborn life in a new year.  Think about that one for a bit………. might be also called eternity.  Days grew longer and longer and more challenging.  They watched their “fruits” tumble and fall to a dried up end.  Our lives are so easy…….

I Prayed……… “Lord, if this is our task you assigned, please show us strength; we are so tired.”   ”If it be your will today, we need some help.  We need some rain. We need some assurance.”

Almost as I uttered Amen, gentle rains began to fall.  One inch, two inches, three inches and four; all timely and needed.   The creek that I used to water our amenities from, once dry, began to flow again.  Once thought dead, flowers and lawn, tomatoes and peppers came back with fury.  While trusting,……………. I am so amazed at the Power of Prayer once again!

Tonight as I lay a few feet from our bedroom window, listening to the gentle raindrops in the middle of the night, addressing the roof, the gutters, the lawn and flowers, the vegetable gardens again, I look at them as Amenities to our lives. 

I Pray again…… “Lord, as usual, I asked, You Listened,  and You Provided through Your Will”, “ We needed rain, You provided” “Now, since you have abundantly addressed our needs, we want to share with others who are also so in need of the wealth you provide”, “We want to share with others who are in need of both your ‘moisture’ and your spirit”……… If nothing else in this life here on earth, I have found the meaning of when you need, just ask….

No longer do I need to Pray Through a Parched Eye!

Amen

 © Richard Hoback Feb 2021

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Grandma Ruhge’s Will

These verses were found in My Grandma Ruhge’s

Bible after her passing.

We cannot know or understand

The leading of God’s Mighty hand.

But we can trust that love divine

is shaping both your life and mine,

and from this trust may spring anew,

A courage that will see us through.

………………………………………………………

If I should die and leave you here a while,

Be not like others, sore undone,

who keep long vigils by the silent dust

and weep.

For my sake to turn to life and smile,

nerving the heart and trembling hand……. to do

something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.

Complete these unfinished tasks of mine

and may it be……. I shall comfort you.

…………………………………………………………….

After reading what she had left for me,

I felt compelled to write an answer as

re-assurance to Grandma of my intent.

…………………………………………………….

Such words so wise recorded here

surely must have come from someone

so very, very dear

but not, I feel to be considered as a wisp

of just another oldster’s breath.

Rather……

her wish , her love, her final look at death.

Should I live a life of varied faith,

oh please God, give me the strength,

the will, the way

to turn to life and smile;

to do something to comfort weaker hearts

than mine,

to complete the unfinished tasks of thine.

And …….. I know when that day comes

for me,

as I know that it shall;

give me the grace, the beauty,

the love,

of this dear old trooper, my pal.

And who knows ……… it just may be

that a bit of comfort shall be passed on

to you from me,

but not without, I fear, the guiding hand

of God and my Dear Grandma Ruhge.

Dedicated to Maude Ruhge 1884-1973

Rich Hoback 1974 /s 3.16.21

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