We made it through the holidays. Heather and Jeremy were able to be home for Christmas. Regi, Josh and Shelby remained in South Carolina. We had a great time just spending time together as a family. There were a lot of games played, snowballs thrown, and food eaten. God has been so good to us. It really is a joy to us to see our children active and involved in serving the Lord. Jeremy is still active at Littleton Baptist Church. Josh, Regi and Shelby are attending Westgate Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Heather is back at BJU for 2nd semester, only because of God’s provision. She is in a Missionary Preparations major. She has been accepted for the MTT team traveling west this summer. Caleb recently, with the Pastor’s son, memorized James Chapter 1. A whole chapter was quite an accomplishment. Josh and Caleb are both doing well in King’s Kids. We are actively helping two churches in NW Colorado. The job at the airport has become very stressful with our company being bought by a corporation. Don’t believe the “we are not going to change anything” line. It’s a lie.
But God continues to provide for us. I will write more about what God is doing in another post.

A number of years ago, I was giving my friend Pastor Barry Layne a hard time about becoming a grandpa. I just couldn’t believe that Barry and his wife were grandparents before they were 50 years old. Boy was I naive. Now my words have come back around to haunt me. My daughter Regina and her husband Josh have caused my wife and I, at the tender ages of 49 and 47, to become grandparents. This was not our choice, but was forced upon us by our daughter. However we could not be happier for Josh and Regi. Little Shelby Paige Brodsky is a precious granddaughter. It’s odd being grandparents of a little baby and still parents of two boys still at home. Caleb-11, and Josh-5, are proud uncles and wanted to hold Shelby every chance they got. Shirley has about 60 pictures she carries around with her. I posted a lot of them on our Facebook page, and I will post some on here as well. I guess we are proud grandparents. Changes keep happening. Heather is at BJU for her first year of Missionary preparation. It will be interesting to see how and where God uses her. Regi and Josh are in the middle of change with being new parents, and possibly a career and location change coming up. What does God have in store for them? Jeremy is busy working and serving the Lord in Denver. He is facing some changes this coming year with some medical needs. But the thing that is exciting is that each one knows and serves the Lord. Praise the Lord for His work in their lives. May God help us as we raise the two left at home. May God know and use them. Oh and also little Shelby. Let’s not forget that God loves her, too.

So much has been happening. We have been to a family reunion in Denver. We watched with pain from the nosebleed section as the Rockies lost to the Padres in the 9th inning. (They went on to win the next 5 games) The company I work for is being bought out by a larger company. Not sure yet what this will mean for us. They have said they will hire everyone. We will see what they offer when it comes down to the end. Tommorrow we are going to Glenwood canyon to make the hike up to Hanging Lake. Family from PA is out visiting. The church here in Hayden had its first Sunday service last week. This is a restart. The church has been closed for three years. We had about 40 in attendance. Pastor Ditges had about 9 family from out of town there, but that is still a good turnout for the locals. Some was just curiosity, I’m sure. We will see in the coming weeks. Since there is no PM service, we will keep going into Craig for choir practice and the evening service. They want to keep the choir going so we have agreed to help for awhile. So we will have 2 churches for awhile. Interesting life we lead. More later when I get time. There are some great pictures I have to post and some topics I want to address, some serious and some not.
Tim

This is a belated tribute for Father’s Day. Last week I posted a poem prompted by my father-in-law. This week, I want to share a poem I wrote about my father. I have the privilege of having two men to look up to. Both are men with incredible strength, neither will quit, and both have a genuine love for their families. I hope I will exhibit those traits into my later years. When I wrote the poem, “Hats Off”, I was sharing my admiration for my father and the example he was to me. Now four more years have passed. These words are more true now than when I first wrote them. Since that time, Dad has continued to write and publish ministry materials. This last year, when my brother was unable to continue as Pastor in Grantsville, UT, Dad once again returned to pastoral ministry. Even though ministry is more difficult now, he doesn’t quit. As long as ministry is available, and Dad is able, he will be serving the Lord. Once again, I take off my hat to you in admiration. Thank you!
Tim

Hats Off

The cowboy life is not for all.
But everywhere I go,
I think I see some cowboy
In all good men I know.

“So, although you’re not a cowboy, Dad,
You’ve ridden hard and long.
You’ve faced the trail with all its bends,
But always with a song.”

“Dad for many years now
You’ve been ridin’ for the brand.
True and loyal to the Lord,
Ready to give a hand.”

“You’ve served the Lord through many years,
As tall in the saddle you’ve sat.
You’ve not been ashamed of the Lord or His Word.
To you, Dad, I take off my hat.”

“So as you approach the end of the trail,
There’s really no call for fear.
When comes the voice to light and set,
Your rest is almost here.”

Tim Parish
Nov. 2004

This one was prompted by my father-in-law. Every time I helped with branding, I heard him say this simple phrase that became the title to this poem.

That’ll Bring ‘Em Home

The day was hot, the ground was parched; the dust rose in the air,
As we pushed the herd toward the corral and the work that was waitin’ there.
The older cows seemed unconcerned; they’d been this path before.
The younger steers seemed anxious-like and lookin for the door.

The calves were busy runnin’ round as if they had no care.
They had no idea what was comin’ or why the crew was there.
I think they started to wonder some as we sorted off their mothers.
And left ‘em in a pen with just their sisters and their brothers.

The crew was ready; the iron hot, the knife was close at hand.
The boss man said, “Let’s get to work; the time has come to brand”.
One by one we put ‘em down and quickly went to work.
Each man among us knew his job, and not a man would shirk.

The ear was notched, the shot was giv’n, the cuttin’ was all through.
The time was come to make the mark. A brand that’s clean and true.
The boss man watched his son approach the calf with ease and care.
The iron hot was firmly pressed upon the matted hair.

The iron burned down to the hide, the smoke was blowin’ free.
Whether I was at the front or back, it always came at me.
The boss man said with an approving nod, “No matter where they roam,
That brand is clear, that brand is clean, that’ll bring ‘em home.

This reminds me of another time. A time that’s long ago.
Of another Boss who has a Son; the Bible tells us so.
God watched His Son approach a cross; He watched Him hangin’ there.
He watched Him groan in agony, and watched Him gasp for air.

The reason He was on that cross was pure, unselfish love.
He wanted us to be with Him, up in His home above.
When Jesus Christ died on that cross, He satisfied a need.
We were lost in sin, without a hope. We needed Him to lead.

You see, we’re like a bunch of strays wonderin’ round in sin.
Without His brand we’re doomed to an eternity without Him.
The brand of Jesus Christ alone is the only one that’ll do.
Just put your trust in him, and then He’ll put His mark on you.

That brand will tell where you belong; and what you ought to do.
For you belong to Him, and He belongs to you.
And the Father will say with approving nod, “No matter where you roam,
That brand is clear, that brand is clean; that’ll bring ‘em home”.

So when the final round-up comes, and the gatherin’ is at hand,
When God begins the sortin’, He’s lookin’ for His brand.
And when He sees His mark on you, you’ll never, ever roam.
The Father will say, “The brand is clear, my child, Welcome Home”!

Tim Parish 9-15-04

Amazing words about the Grace of God from an amazing woman. She also wrote ” He Giveth More Grace” and God Hath Not Promised”, and many other poems. Knowing her life story, I understand why she wrote so much about grace. Each stanza elaborates on each word of the statement by our Lord, “My Grace is Sufficient For Thee”. “For Thee” are together on the last stanza. This poem has been set to music.

The Grace of God
By Annie Johnson Flint

My

“My grace,” ’tis the God of all grace who hath spoken,
Whose word in the heavens forever is set;
Whose covenant promise hath never been broken;
Who never can fail or forget;
Who knoweth my needs and who seeth my sorrows,
However so many and great they may be;
Who heareth my prayers for the days and the morrows;
His grace is sufficient for me.

Grace

“My grace;” all His blessings this work is unfolding,
His love and His power in harmony blend;
‘Tis grace that hath saved me, and grace that is holding,
And grace that will keep to the end;
‘Tis grace that hath written redemption’s glad story,
And grace all the song of the ransomed shall be;
‘Tis grace that transforms me from glory to glory;
That grace is sufficient for me.

Is

“My grace is,” not “was,” and not “will be;” ’tis flowing
Each hour and each moment my need to supply,
The deeper I dip, still the deeper ’tis growing,
No drought can diminish or dry;
My heart from the future no trouble shall borrow;
Eternal this present provision shall be,
Assured for today and as sure for tomorrow,
Such grace is sufficient for me.

Sufficient

“My grace is sufficient.” Oh, help without measure!
An ocean of riches no plummet can sound,
A storehouse unfailing of infinite treasure,
A gift without limit or bound;
Exceeding abundant for all His creation,
Enough for the thorn that is buffeting me,
The fulness of God for earth’s brief tribulation -
“My grace is sufficient for thee.”

For Thee.

“Sufficient for thee,” for my utmost salvation,
As though ne’er another had owed Him a debt;
For my special grief and my special temptation,
My cares and my sins that beset;
He giveth more grace for my humble endeavour;
His power and His majesty daily I see.
I am praising Him now, I shall praise Him forever;
His grace is sufficient for me.

Annie Johnson Flint

2Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

“Be ye holy, as I am holy” The doctrine of separation is rooted and founded in the nature of a holy God. Specifically, personal separation from the world is referenced in I Peter 1:15-16. In studying out separation again, I am brought back to God’s character and nature and my response to Him. A proper understanding of God is necessary for me to fear Him. (Psalm 119:120; Isa 66:5) Those who know God best, fear Him most. Rev. 15:4 says, “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord and glorify thy name?” I read somewhere the following statement, “I think heaven wonders at those who do not fear him.” If I am to properly separate from the world, I must fear Him. And if I am to properly fear Him, I must understand that He is a holy God.

This last weekend was a reunion of sorts. Our daughter Heather graduated on Saturday and we had a ceremony at church for her and Derek Willshire, another homeschool graduate in our church. Shirley’s parents and my parents were able to be here, and my Dad gave the challenge to the graduates at the ceremony. My brother Philip and his family were also able to attend (and got in a round of golf). Our children were able to be here as well. It was a lot of fun having Jeremy and Regina here for a little while. Jeremy had to return to Denver on Saturday after the graduation because of obligations with his ministry at his church. We hated to see him go early, but glad to see his commitment to his church. Regi will be with us for a week. We wish her husband, Josh could have come as well, but glad to see Regi. Of course, she is bigger than last time we saw her, but she has a good reason. She and Josh are expecting their first child and our first grandchild. The Lord willing we will be going to South Carolina in August to take Heather to college and see our grandchild. She (or he) is due August 25. I’m sure we will have pictures to post after the birth. Anyway, congratulations, Heather!