THE FLEETING NATURE OF OCTOBER

The Harvest is winding up. The soybeans, of which there is now an abundance in the storehouses of the Midwestern USA, and the cornfields are wrapping up an almost six-week excursion into flying corn tassels, dust, and stalks as massive, computerized Combine Harvesters cut through millions of rows of corn, all across the USA. While the ever-present green of $500,000 plus John Deere combines stand out, many others that we see at the International Farm Progress Show, which was in Decatur, IL. cover a spectrum from Case to CLAAS, etc.

While it seemed like endless summer for the longest while, causing most of the leaves to stay green on trees, Fall colors are finally peeking through....and just in time to fall to the ground quickly.

It is a great illustration of the fleeting nature of life itself, which the Bible tells us, is is simply a vapor, to us (James 4:14).

October 2025 is soon to be in the rearview mirror as November, with all its memories and its season of Thanksgiving, comes upon us.

On October 31, the Western world goes overboard in celebration of Halloween. In my family, our kids were raised at church, observing October 31 as our Church Fall Party. They are now adults, two in their 30s, and look back on the wisdom of those days when they had more fun, more variety, more hot food, bonfires, and campfire songs, that the kids who were back home by 7:30 pm with a plastic pumpkin full of corn syrup and sugar-filled candies and jaw breakers,

October 31 will also be remembered for the events of 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. While the Protestant Reformation had begun way before that fateful day 508 years ago, it was this specific act, which officially launched the movement, that resulted in each of us being able to hold our own Bibles in our hands and know the true Road to Salvation.

Luther's Theses led to the Biblical Road to each human being being able to comprehend that eternal life and reconciliation with God the Father are only possible by His Grace, through Faith, repentance, and accepting/surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. While the world may see various streams of Christianity and 100's of denominations, the basic facts about the Road to Heaven have never changed in 2000 years, since Jesus rose from the dead.

As October rolls to an end this week, the significance of this month can not be mentioned often enough. We are who we care because of October 31, 1517. 

So as the Combines retreat for another year, as the corn dust settles and the crunch of red, yellow, and brown leaves resound underfoot, as smells of hot cider and fireplaces up and down the street predominate, may we never forget that we are blessed beyond measure. We serve a God Who created and continues to create. We are endowed by our Creator with the ability to love, live, and experience His Goodness moment by moment. Finally, we owe it all to the One who made this all possible - by giving His Life on a Cross, a long, long time ago. Thank You, Jesus. Amen. 

THE GOODNESS OF THE HARVEST

Around mid- to late September, in our great regions on the plains of America, the great big green Combine Harvesters slowly chug down about 2/3's of two-lane roads heading for the corn or bean fields to cut the dried-out grain stalks, ready for the massive storage bins all over the Midwest.

It is an annual ritual that evokes the sights and sounds of tailgates, Friday Night Lights, apples and pumpkins everywhere....including the ubiquitous Pumpkin Spice...er...everything! 

The Harvest is here. There are pieces of cornstalks all over the sidewalk. My brother and friend, and retired Pastor Milton, in his 70s, still drives the grain trucks from the fields to the bins, a job he remembers doing as a youth at his dad's trucking firm down in southern Illinois. These days, being 70 years old is the new 50! I learned that from one of the most unforgettable men I met in 2025 - Bob Tiede, of Leading With Questions, who has worked for CRU (formerly Campus Crusade For Christ) for 54 years. Bob is now 76, and as we discussed my approaching the 70 milestone in 2026,  we discussed the Power of asking Questions. 

It set me to thinking, all through the Gospels, we find the Lord Jesus asking questions of mere men like you and me. Did He ask questions because He did not know the answer? No! He asked them for these people and our benefit, almost 2000 years later. We find out that Jesus asked a total of about 125 questions, and there could have been more.

The Apostle John said in John 20:30-31 that "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name".

One powerful question which Jesus asked in John 4:31 is "  Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" In this context, He was attempting to fire up the disciples and us, to sow the seeds of the Gospel. The world is lost, and so many are departing this life, without the guarantee of eternal security, because, particularly in the Western world, the workers in the Harvest are few.

So let us, in this Harvest Season of 2025, step out of our comfort zone, suit up and get in the game. May we begin by sharing our story with those who will listen, or even those who do not know, yet they will listen. Then we can use our testimony as a gateway to ask if we can pray for someone, take them out for coffee, or share a book that inspired you (before recommending the Bible). If you have a bible on your desk at work, bring it up in ordinary conversation and keep planting those seeds....and do it with joy, enthusiasm, and compassion in your heart. People will read that before they care to know anything else from you. 

May we be like this verse from Galatians 6:9, which says, "let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart". Amen

PRAYER: Lord, in the Name of Jesus, I pray, while it is still today, that You in Your infinite, mercy we thank You that You have called us to serve in an intentional way, as Your hands and feet of the Gospel, to take the Good News to the End of the World....starting with those in our streets, stores, work places, families, friends, churches and communities. Grant us boldness, courage and the correct approach and words to say, when that opportunity arises, so we can bring glory to Your Mighty and Precious Name, Jesus, amen.

LIVING WATER- THE SOURCE OF TRUE LIFE

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks of this water which I will give to him will never be thirsty for eternity, but the water which I will give to him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  (John 4:13-14)

There is no way any creature on planet earth can survive without water.  Even creation without souls and wills need water to live, thrive and survive. Plants need it. Animals need it and mankind, who was made a little lower than the Angels definitely cannot live without water. Scientists say that the average human can go  days without food, not so with water. Dehydration or lack of water in the human body can lead to physical, emotional and mental problems according to doctors and scientists in both the private and public sectors. We see the effects of drought not just in third world countries, but increasing in an America which has not just abandoned a God but constantly shakes its collective fists at Him, refusing to humble ourselves and repent, turn from our wicked ways and be healed. Hence, spiritual dehydration can lead to a slow spiritually bankrupt life, which will result one day in eternal separation from the Creator. 

There's nothing like a high mountain stream. Crisp, clean and clear, it pours out of the words of heaven. At first it slips down an incline and glides clean over smooth rock, picking up speed and cutting its own path this way and that. The Lord knows even where that little source of life goes. He directs thirsty people to it. 

There's nothing like the taste of a high mountain stream. It has a natural sweetness and unique flavor which no bottled water manufacturer anywhere in this world could duplicate. It's the natural, original grace and goodness of God. 

There's no such thing as eternal life without Living Water. This living water quenches the spiritual thirsty that has plagued humankind since the Fall in the Garden. This living water, once you and I drink it, does not require paying a monthly water bill or stopping in the local grocery store for a bottle of Dasani.  Sine every human being since Adam and Eve sinned, was born spiritually dead in our sins. It is only the pure Grace of God reaching down from Heaven, looking at the Sacrifice of God the Son (Jesus Christ) which pulls us out of the bottomless pit. 

The majority of mankind would rather rebel like Moses and STRIKE the Rock rather than speak to Him and seek a right relationship with God, through Christ. (Scripture told us the rock which Moses struck, when he was specifically told to speak to it, WAS Christ  (1 Corinthians 10:4)). Jesus told us of the rich man who was in hell and he was in torment, yet he thirsted. Being conscious, he even sought a sip of water to cool his tongue. Why does this even have to happen when the cool, peaceful water of Life is completely FREE and available to everyone, everywhere (John 3:16)?!

Let's think about this next time up on the front range of the Rockies and the snow starts melting or hiking around Pine Mountain, Georgia...or the gorgeous Smokey mountains. Have you drank at the font of life? Why not?!

FOUR PRINCIPLES OF SOWING FOR THE HARVEST

Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up".

A wonderful friend of mine for almost 20 years who has been a faithful man of God for over 50 years owns a blessed and productive apple orchard. This apple orchard still supplies thousands of apples to an area business which makes up to 500 gallons of cider daily - pure, cool, refreshing tasty local cider! I don't think there is anything better in this world, except iced water, to sip on a beautiful fall day!

My friend planted those apple trees and nurtured them from the ground up for decades...and he still takes care of them as he did when he was in his thirties. Recently I was given a huge box of a variety lovely apples from his crop (which will become apple sauce by the way), and it got me thinking of reaping and sowing. I also contemplated thea legacy my brother in Christ and fellow warrior is leaving to the next generation.

Those who have built a booming business using his five-decade-old crop as a foundation are now providing employment for local men and women. Their store sells caramel apples, apple sauce, apple butter, apple cider, apple cider donuts and other local produce and meats from other local business. Anything from apples you can think off  - they have it. Even cold yummy apple slushies from $1 up so the smallest kid can afford it. This is the essence of America. So much came from one man who planted an apple tree and opened a small shop for his wife to sell apple cider! The real life example here, has provided the impetus for this teaching from God's word to enable common folks like you and I, to leave a legacy which is just as rich as the soil my friend's apple trees stand on.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:7 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. This second part of the verse is natural law, logic and plain old common sense. The first part reminds us that what we are seeing in America and the World today is both self deception and the surety of the Justice of God! In the wider societal sense, the political-academic-cultural axis of evil has deceived the majority of the country (and the world) into a certain mindset and lifestyle which is leading the majority to final judgment before God one day....then eternal separation from Him. 

There are many ways to look at the sure Word of God and its real-life implications in both a corporate (or societal) sense and then in a deeply personal sense. We have seen how the mocking and blaspheming of God by politicians, judges and the culture has sown a harvest of hell and damnation to each successive generation. We are responsible for that only in the sense of our voting patterns and how respond to it. What we are most responsible for before God, however, is our personal spiritual conduct in this sowing and reaping process.

There are a few takeaways we have to key in or focus on to grasp the Lord's teaching here, as relayed by Paul. The major points, in brief are:

1. The Sowing comes before the Reaping. 

Everybody sows or puts something into play in life. Many folks, since the existence of humankind, have grown up where either evil has been sown (alcoholism, immorality, unbelief, anger and hate) or love of family and/or God. By the sheer act of living, we sow a part of ourselves. We leave a footprint in our every action. It is completely up to us what kind of footprint we leave behind. Just as an apple seed cannot bear oranges. Function follows Form and therefore, if we sow love, we reap love. 

If we sow gossip, we reap gossip. 

If we sow lies, we reap lies. 

If we sow hate, we reap hate. 

If we sow the wind, we reap the whirlwind. 

So the first thing is - you and I reap only what we sow - that would preach - that's bible! 

2. The Sowing of Bad seed can lead to devastation.

When King David lusted after another man's wife - Bathsheba - killed her husband to cover up his adultery and lied to himself for two years before Nathan confronted him, he set a series of events in motion which still has impact today. Solomon, the once wisest man who ever lived, was the product of that union. His immorality and pagan worship led to God splitting the Kingdom and judgment on the followers of the Law when God let the Romans completely destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70. 

The seeds to that destruction were sown 1000 years before, when King David crossed the line. The Land of Israel has never recovered for that act, almost 3000 years ago and is now a 70% secular country. The good news for them is that on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, one third of Israel will be saved from the fires of hell by the Messiah!!! (See Zechariah 13:8 here)

3. The Fruit from the Sowing may not be immediately seen.

We have all heard the stories of grandmothers or parents and prayer warriors praying for the salvation of a loved one, or even a fellow co-worker....and then never living to see this or that person come to a saving knowledge of Christ....in the praying person's lifetime. Then this same person, let's call him "Person A" being prayed for runs into another along the line who waters that evangelistic prayer seed....then this same unsaved person comes to either a dramatic "come-to-Jesus" moment and surrenders to Jesus, repents and gets saved AND THEN gets baptized. This entire procedure has been witnessed by the High Court of Heaven. 

Each person along the course of Person A coming to salvation, sowed into Person A's life. This will then be evident on the Day of the Lord, in God's Courtroom, when the righteous stand before Jesus to be judge for our works. It may only be evident there that Person A we met on a train to New York or at the State Fair in line to buy ice-cream or at the Godmobile, actually remembered what you said 20 years before he gave his life to the Lord! THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, so look forward to it! Can you imagine the Joy you will have in heaven when Melissa or Joan or Jackson comes up to you and says "it was YOU who led me to a saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ, and I wish to thank you for it"!!! Factor this!

4. Correct missed opportunities to sow, by planting NOW!

Everyone of us have messed up! I don't know how many times I have figuratively kicked myself in the shin for neglecting to tell this or that person an encouraging word from the Lord. How many times have we ALL said "I wish I had said "something or other" and maybe this or that person would have felt better, gone away less confused or even believed the Gospel and would have been saved? How many times? Well, the answer is too many to count.

Is God a hard taskmaster sitting up on the Throne saying "I am going to get him or her, and show them they can't just do this and get away!" Does He do that? No! In His Mighty and Merciful Grace, He gives us one opportunity and another to make it right until we get it right! You and I cannot revisit the past and correct the errors of omission we committed, when we were either too chicken to talk to whomever, about what Jesus has done for us or how theLord Himself transformed us. What we can do, if we are wise, is to learn from our disobedience and folly. We can evaluate the following:

 - the environment in which we missed it. Could it be a place we felt it was not appropriate or even against some degree from the boss not to talk about Jesus at work? If this makes you uncomfortable - immediately ask this person if you can speak to him on your break time away from your place of work, or after work for a cup of coffee or iced tea.

 - the circumstances in which we missed it. Could it be you do not feel qualified to address someone who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer or heart disease and is in a panic? If so, while it may not be the same thing, speak about hope, the expectation of hope and the need to NOT lose courage.  Do not use "religious lingo", just be human and loving in your natural self and watch the Lord use this willingness to even open the eyes of the person you're witnessing to maybe allow them to see you care about them and their emotional well being than they could ever imagine! If it is a serious medical situation, here is the place you may ask, in private, if you can pray for her/him.

 - the words we used or did not use when we missed it. As we all know, we cannot live in the past or walk around saying "if I had only......"! We can become more acquainted with HIS WORDS - through intentional/devotional/relational reading of the Holy Word of Truth - the Bible and then Prayer! Because we know we have missed several opportunities in the past, we now double down and vow not to do it again but to proactively pray for God to send you more divine appointment this day or when He wishes, so you can share what He has done for you! If you do this and everything else He instructs you....if you are filled with the Knowledge of the Holy....if you are ready, willing and able...ALL you have to do now is trust, obey and step out of the way. Then watch Holy Spirit speak directly through you as you mouth His Words! 

SEASONS IN LIFE as another year leaves us....by LAURIE

Seasons demonstrate to us that while nothing stays the same, there is beauty to be found in every season (Laurie Popovich)

 Temptations in bright yellows, oranges and reds;

The beauty surrounds us, turning our heads.

This beauty soon fades to a crimson brown,

And piles of leaves fall, littering the ground.

Twisting and turning as they dance with the wind;

The stirrings, the confusion, the unrest within.

Echoing the noise of the words once spoken,

Revealing the heart scarred and broken.

Trees stripped and standing bare,

Nothing to hide, nothing to spare.

Facing the cold, harsh winter winds;

Woe the brittle and breaking of limbs.

Hardened heart, frozen for a time;

Desiring great warmth,

Waiting to be defined.

Rains steady on the earth’s floor,

Seeds being watered evermore.

Resurrection of life all around,

Colorful blossoms of beauty abound.

Waters washing away the lies,

Seeds of truth within arise.

Springing forth from old to new,

Anchoring one in “Beautiful You”.

Light lengthens a summer’s day;

Pushing back darkness, showing the way.

Bright colors painted everywhere,

Withstanding a Sun’s gaze, glare.

Shade welcomed, warm waters near, far;

Visions of clear skies, the brightest of stars.

Frolicking, dancing my heart secure, at rest;   

Warmth of love defines me, giving me the best.

The beauty to be found in each season is found in you. You are the beauty to be found and shared with others.

You are loved,

Laurie Popovich 

POPS of LIFE

(image by google images)

WHAT ARE YOU HARVESTING?

This message fits in perfectly with the season - the Season of the Harvest! Our great friend and sister in Christ LYNN MOSHER gets right to the heart of the matter as she asks the question "What are YOU harvesting"?! Read on and then search your heart!

LYNN MOSHER

Maple trees stand ready to burst forth with golden-bronze highlights.
Beechnuts tickle the leaves as they fall to the ground.
Red tinges the leaves of the burning bushes.
Pumpkin patches set ablaze with orange, plump fruit.
Cornfields ripe for gathering.
My favorite time of year. Fall. It always brings to mind the seasonal word harvest.

Nature goes through its seasons, as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” (NKJV)

Just as nature, we, as Christians, have circumstances that bring rain, sunshine, heat, cold, storm, calm, dryness, fire, and flood. Our aim is to always work toward having a spiritual harvest, no matter what the circumstantial season.

But how do we produce the luscious harvest God desires for our lives?

God once whispered to my heart…

“If the ground is not turned, I cannot plant My seeds. A life as a lovely green meadow with its abundance of wild flowers is a fair picture of beauty. But there’s more to be had from the rich soil lying beneath the surface blanket of a lovely green pasture. Cultivating this meadow can produce a harvest of fruit, of nourishment, of good things for others.

“The Hand of the One tilling the soil is the One Who loves it the most and sees the greatest potential in it for a harvest. The roots of unwanted growth beneath the surface must be ripped out that the ground might be tilled and furrowed. This gives room to accept the seeds of new growth and eventually welcome a beautiful, golden field of harvest, waving its ripened grain in the breeze.

“A life in the Hands of the One guiding the plow will display a fruitful meadow. When it is uprooted and turned over, it welcomes the plantings of the Master Husbandman and gladdens the hearts of others with its lovely field of harvest.”

What is damaging the harvest in your life? Hmmm. Do you have any roots of unwanted growth? I know I do.

Any roots of bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, jealousy, judging, gossip, complaining, doubt, worry, or hypocrisy, among other things, will destroy the possibility of an abundant, spiritual growth and harvest. The roots of unwanted growth must be ripped out in order to have good soil.

Jesus explained the good soil in the Parable of the Sower, “But the good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a plentiful harvest for God - thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as was planted in their hearts.” (Mark 4:20 TLB)

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What are you harvesting? Is the soil of your heart producing what it should? Or maybe you have a mixed crop, having planted negative seeds in with the positive seeds?

God told Israel, “Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.” (Deut. 22:9 NIV)

Reproducing the character of God in our lives requires the planting of His Seed-Word in our hearts, not the seeds the world spits at us. There can only be one Seed in our hearts!

Don’t like the crop you’re growing? Maybe its time to check those seed bags! Paul tells us, “Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!” (Gal. 6:7-8a MSG)

If we want our lives to have an abundant harvest spilling over with ripe fruit, we need to rip out the old roots, weed, and plant God’s seeds. Then, we will see a bumper crop at harvest time, for “the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” (Gal. 6:8b MSG)

“A life in the Hands of the One guiding the plow will display a fruitful meadow.” May your life be cultivated by the Husbandman that it may “produce a harvest of fruit, of nourishment, of good things for others.” And may your harvest be plentiful!

(Image by Bing Images)