Planting Corn

At the end of each year during our thinking time around New Years Eve, many folks begin to think about resolutions. There are from time to time resolutions, or commitments we make, that require no action until spring time. This type of New Year resolution might be one that takes you back to your childhood. For example the commitment to plant a garden. Year after year some folks make no though about a garden because they already know they are going to raise their own vegetables, they have been planting in the same field, location or spot in their back yard for years. A matter of fact, if we didn't see the ground turned or folks tending to the 'usual' we would be asking the question and wondering if they were going to raise a garden this year. While this annual rite of family tradition is a given for some, others might have decided to go back to their childhood memories and do some planting and venture out into the world of gardening and farming. If you have never planted a garden or raised your own vegetables the task can be challenging. Just consider the options for planting corn. Frying up a mess of fresh corn sounds easy but getting corn to the dinner table is not that easy, unless of course you are just buying a dozen ears from your local grocery or road side stand. The challenge of getting fried corn, corn pudding, corn casserole, corn risotto, corn on the cob, corn salsa, corn salad, or even corn chowder to the table requires growers to first figure out what type of corn to plant. Your options include: Silver Queen; Peaces & Cream; Bubble Gum; Cotton Candy; Kandy Korn; Jubilee; just to mention a few. Lots of options and choices. All this thinking makes you want to just say yellow or white corn, because all the options can be overwhelming. Making a decision about faith can be challenging too. Challenging because there are many options for folks to select from. You don't have to place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. You can live life anyway you want to, but without surveying the options which include Him, life will always require us to re-stuff the scarecrow or keep looking for a way to keep the crows from picking our harvest. Jesus Christ offers faith, hope and love. All of which can only be harvested if we accept His free give of life and allow Him to plant the seed in our life which grows eternal. Until then

Walnut Hill Baptist Church - 125 years

Looking back at our history can be challenging. In our current generation we like to remember those individuals, events and places we can remember and have connected with. Most often we reflect on the history we know and the history we like. After. all who passes down history that is not favorable? If you are smiling after reading the last comment then I am going to say we are on the same page. Our make-up, as a people, is a real mix. Here in the land of the Cumberland Gap our area has been influenced by the Scottish, German's, English and let's not forget the original residents of this area, the Shawnee Indians. The land surrounding the Cumberland Gap and the development of this region was aided by those traveling on foot, horseback and wagon, not to mention the cattle, pigs, and goats used for trading. The Southwestern corner of the Commonwealth of Virginia has been a neighbor and friend to Kentuckians and Tennesseans since long before either of these two became a member of the Union. The travels of these settlers who crossed the Cumberland Gap established homes, communities, churches and cities as they cut away the brush extending the Wilderness Road not only to Barbourville but beyond. The Walnut Hill Baptist Church, Ewing, Virginia is located along side the Wilderness Road east of the Cumberland Gap. The church is located in what must have been clearly an area filled with walnut trees. The congregation of Walnut Hill is nestled in between Martin's Stations and the Gap. Church meetings began in the year 1891 and have continued with the purpose of helping folks discover the love God has and plan God has for our lives. One of the joys of ministry is serving a congregation and being a part of their unique history as a church records their actions to tell the story of Jesus. Celebrating 125 years of church history congratulations are in order as the people gather this Sunday for worship. Remembering their past, reviewing their history and evaluating where they are today will be a great guide to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their work and ministry for the next 125 years or at least until His return. Until then.