Wisdom Farms

Walking Humbly With God

Posted by HandsNHearts
01:50, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

A devotional thought I read today and wanted to share.
I struggle with a great many things in my Walk, not the least of which is separation...the whole IN the world not OF the world.
Do my clothes make me separate? In our area, yes they do. In our area back north, no they didn't, not the the extent they do here. We are the only dresses-only/headcovering folks around this area for a good hour either direction. I am known as being separate from the churches in town because of my dress and covering. I am noticed as being different. I would pray that I am different in other ways as well...demeanor and such...but the greatest difference is visual for others. I am a book that can be read by it's cover alone here.
I struggle in mind with friendships a great deal. It isn't easy to find truly like-minded fellowship when you are the only one like you around. Of course I'm not seeking out friendships based on dress/covering, but it is something I believe is important. If I allow fellowship, close fellowship and not just passing friendliness, with those who do not share our convictions, it can cause trouble within the flesh of my children. It is a very fine line to teach your children to have love and compassion for their fellow man, saved and unsaved both, when they see one church full of half-clothed, far from modest families with all the modern gadgets and what-nots and your church of conservative dress and not so many gadgets and toys. They can easily begin to walk with an air of superiority' in their demeanor, or they can go the other direction and begin feeling behind the times so to speak and somehow less than others.
I don't want either for my children. I want they to be Children of God. I want them to have a deep relationship with The Father and a deep sense of God-reliance and God-esteem in their lives. I don't want a 'class' division of the have's and the have-not's to hinder them in any way.
We don't have alot of what other families have, but we have God and many of them don't, even though many claim Him in name. It's an empty claim in my eyes when they are focused so intently on making sure they are connected to the world and all it offers. I don't want that for my children. I don't want that for myself.

But, that being neither here nor there, here is the devotional thought for the day. It fed me plenty for my thoughts....I pray it offers you something to ponder yourself.

WALKING HUMBLY WITH GOD
(James 4)

REQUIRED: WORTHY PURSUITS

Most of us pursue something or another. Recognition.
Satisfaction. Success. Marriage partner. Things. Kindness.
Service. Peace. Friendship. Self-control. Money. Love. Truth.
Some of these are worthy pursuits; others, unworthy. Are these
attainable? Do we have to exert ourselves in reaching these?

I have purposed to speak the truth and allow no deceit on my
lips. This is not something that will "just happen" no matter how
long and fervently I pray. I have to exert a conscious effort to
always speak the truth and never even shade it. Have I ever
attained to this? Of course! I *know* when I speak the truth and
I *know* when I fall short of that. Does that mean that I have
now reached perfection in truthfulness? Of course not! But
inasmuch as I speak the truth, I have fully attained to it.

Now allow me to complicate this discussion a little. Have you
ever pursued humility? Is that a worthy pursuit? Will you ever
know when you have reached it? Hmmmm!!!

To not pursue humility is to flagrantly disobey the Scriptures
that command, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord"
(James 4:10) and "be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5).
Furthermore, to not pursue humility is to cut ourselves off
from divine blessing and protection. God hears, forgives and
heals those who know humility (2 Chronicles 7:14). God lifts
those who humble themselves (James 4:10). God's grace fills
the lives of the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Without a doubt,
humility is a worthy pursuit!

Now if the Bible tells us to be humble, does it not seem
somewhat illogical to assume that we can never know whether
or not we are obeying that command? Apparently the Apostle
Paul knew he was humble (Acts 20:19)! Did that make him any
less humble? I suspect not. Did that mean he never ever again
acted in an egotistical, proud manner? I doubt it. However,
inasmuch as he acted in humility, he was humble.

Remember the story of the emperor's invisible clothes? Some con
men convinced him they had tailored the most exquisite clothes
for him. And they also convinced him that only the unwise could
not see the beauty of such garments. The emperor could see
nothing but his pride would not allow him to admit to lacking
wisdom. So he let the con men "dress" him and parade him
through the streets. The emperor and the people all thought he
was naked but no one wished to "be foolish."

Can you fit such a fable into 1 Peter 5:5? I'm telling you, I
dressed this morning and I *know* it! Why? I made a conscious
effort to put on these clothes. I can see my clothes on me. And
nobody wondered why I drove my children to school in a state
of undress. I submit to you that to be "clothed with humility"
you have to make a conscious effort and you and others will see
some results.

How would you define humility? I suggest you begin with
"Humility is esteeming others better than myself" (see
Philippians 2:3). That begins in the mind then translates into
living so that we can also say, "Humility is acting in the best
interests of others" (see Philippians 2:4).

Humility is a state of mind, yes (see Philippians 2:5). But
humility is also something you *do*. If you cannot accept that,
look once again at Philippians 2:7-8. Is it possible to *act*
humble and not *be* humble. Of course. However, that does not
cheapen the value of acting (that is, of doing).

If you do not pursue godly humility, you cannot walk with God.

WHAT CONSTITUTES FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD?

Across the vast expanses of time and in multitudes of cultures,
God has always called His people to unswerving loyalty. He
insists that we come out of and away from ungodliness. He
demands our clear-cut separation. He commands us to choose
Him or lose His favor. And as He declares in James 4:4,
"Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy
of God." Since "the friendship of the world is enmity with God,"
we should daily investigate the level and nature of our
relationship with the world around us. Just what *does*
constitute friendship with the world?

Values. When my values begin to spring from and mirror those
of the world, I have established my friendship with it. The
world's values don't just differ from God's, they oppose His. The
world values independence; God says we must depend on Him and
His people. The world treasures, coddles, and promotes self;
God says self must be crucified. The world says we must get
ahead in this life; God says we must keep our eyes fixed on our
eternal goal. To avoid the world's values we must choose God's
values daily. If we isolate ourselves from His values by
neglecting the Bible and becoming careless in our fellowship
with Him and His people, we will surely embrace the world's
values. So let's seek Him early, for then we shall surely find Him!

Attachments. Our attachments spring from our values. If our
souls let down our guards, we shall surely become attached to
the same things that seize the lives of the unregenerate. Our
choice of music, reading, and entertainment reveals whether or
not we are the world's friends. If we become fixated with laying
up various types of treasures on earth, we cannot lay up treasures
in heaven...and neither can we be loyal friends of God. When
material things cease to become a means to honor God and promote
His kingdom, they have become the leeches that suck the life out
of our friendship with God. I believe ungodly attachments tend
to ease themselves quietly and unobtrusively into the lives of
the believers. So let's ask God to keep us alert and committed.

Of course there exist other elements of friendship with the world.
Stay in tune with God for He will always lead all seeking souls
to the truth and security found in friendship with Him. Each day
reaffirm your choice of God and His friendship. Then the
deceptive friendship of the world will have less draw on you.

And then you will be able to walk with God.

WHY HEART SEPARATION ALONE IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

Yesterday I wanted some Pepsi ONE. Now do some imagining
with me. To my shock and incredulity, all soft drinks are in
unmarked cans. Puzzled at this, I point out the matter to an
employee. He assures me that everything is fine because the
manufacturer knows what is in each can. When I protest that *I*
also need to know what's in a given can, he sternly informs me
that I should rest content in the knowledge that the
*manufacturer* knows. Exasperated at such senseless absurdity,
I march off to a competing store...and discover the same
situation. Resigned, I call the manufacturer, request a special
code which will identify a can's contents, and return to the first
store. I find a can with the Pepsi ONE code on the bottom, pay
for it and go outside for a hard-earned drink. My first mouthful
sets me to coughing, spitting and sputtering -- the stuff tastes
precisely like pure mint. At this stage I'm perturbed enough to
cup a hand and pour some of the can's contents into it. It smells
like mint, looks like mint and feels like mint. Knowing it will be
pointless to talk to store management, I call the manufacturer
again. Their answer? "What comes out isn't important. What you
see doesn't matter. It's what's on the inside that counts. And only
the manufacturer knows what's on the inside. How dare you
judge what's on the inside by what's on the outside?!" *Click.*

How silly, far-fetched and logically-challenged! Yet we see its
spiritual equivalent espoused everywhere by those who want to
make Christianity and separation a heart matter only. They seem
convinced that a separated heart does not necessarily lead to a
separated lifestyle.

I used a long, fanciful paragraph to illustrate that externals *do*
matter. The Scriptures are much more direct and have authority
which I shall never have.

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth
that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance
of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles? A good tree cannot bring forth evil
fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:16,18).

The Scriptures are unequivocal and clear. Even logic leaves no
doubt. Separation from the world that is not a whole-life
experience, is not separation at all. We cannot be friends of God
in our hearts, but His enemies with our life expressions. How
far-fetched!

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship
of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a
friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

We can find another valuable point in James 2:17--"Even so
faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." Separation that
goes no further than the heart will not last long.

Separate yourself from the world if you wish to walk with God.

IS SEPARATION A GODLY GOAL?

No. Otherwise some twenty-two years ago I should have commended
those young folks in Seattle for their brilliant purple spiked hair.

Yes, because God specifically commands separation for His people --
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Separation must have conformity to Christ as its motivator and
purpose; otherwise, it falls short of godliness. How does our
separation rank?

If it is for conformity to Christ, we can walk with God!

More lesson commentary I wrote:
http://eaf.net/pantinghart/?p=605

What drives you? Could you do it alone?

Posted by HandsNHearts
11:21, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link

This struck me as I read it....

The thought occurred to me this evening, as I was doing evening chores: a woman completely alone on the homestead: Would I still want to do this if it were only me here?

David is in the city working to provide the monetary means we need to be debt free, as we believe God has ordained (him to provide, us to be debt free.) My daughter, her husband and the grandchildren are in Texas tending to a family emergency. I have a rare opportunity to reflect completely alone this evening.

Would I pursue this life alone? Without a doubt, yes. Could I have done alone what David and I have done together? Absolutely not. Would I hunger for Christian community and fellowship? Certainly. But in the end, if it all boiled down to just me, staying here instead of "moving to town and getting on cable" as we joke, would I stay?
Without a doubt.

No matter where you are on the journey, how do you feel about this life? Would you do it alone? It matters.

This will be me in a mere handful of days if The Lord continues to move the direction He is thus far. Dewey will be on the other job and I will be here, tending the needs of our homestead, with the children, alone. Alone.

Of course, with 8 children I'm hardly alone in the true sense of the word. And being a blood-bought Christian, I am truly never alone in any sense of the word. But, still...for all practicality, I will be homesteading alone. Can I do it? Do I really want to do it?

I feel strongly, as the blogger in the note above does, that the answer is yes. A loud, resounding yes yes yes. I don't relish the idea of being away from my husband. We don't do separation very well, either of us. Until moving South, we had never been apart more than a night here or there with my being in the hospital with a new little one. Once, the children and I went up north to tend a friend's homestead while they went on vacation (it was our only vacation time), and it was 4 days to the end of the week when Dewey could join us. Aside from that, we don't do separation...so, can I do this? We're talking a bit more than a handful of days here; it will be 12-18 months, with some visits tucked in here and there for family time.

I am a family person. Dewey is a family person. He isn't the sort of Dad to look for jobs away from home, though his hours often keep him from home longer than we prefer. But this time, this job, we truly and deeply feel is where The Lord is directing our path. He brought the job to us, we did not seek it out. He brought the possibility of being debt-free to us again...in reality, He always had the plan for us to be debt-free, we just got in His Way and mucked it all up. silly, fleshy human nature.

Would I be living in the sticks of north Mississippi, on just under 20 acres, with 8 children at home, homeshooling and homesteading all on my own for any other reason? The short answer...yes. Well, honestly, if I had my druthers, I'd have picked out some quiet northern landscape in the beyond rural boonies for my homestead, but The Lord put us here and who am I to judge His Wisdom?

But, yes, I would be here on the rural homestead. I have never been very 'city-minded' at all. Ok, I did have a stint in high school where I just knew my life would be all dance classes and warehouse apartment living in the heart of New York City. It was where my very heart and soul was. And look at me now...no more leg warmers and toe shoes...it's all cape dresses and headcoverings, living in the rural mountains of the South, working toward a self-sustaining lifestyle...with 8 children! Yes, there is probably much you would never guess about my history, heh?

I believe The Lord is calling, has called, His Children to the heart of the country. Cities just aren't where it's all these days. There is something in the land that brings you closer to The Lord and His Heart. I can't explain it, but nuts and bolts is plain...you can't live a quiet life, a simple life, amid the noise and get-up-and-go attitude of the city they way you can in the ruralness of the country. It's a slower pace out here and you really can't speed it up. God made it that way, I believe. Out here, the more basic and simple you live, the more you don't have to strain to heat that still, small voice of God. It's pretty loud and forthcoming out here....there isn't the background noises of the hubbub to drown it out.

I don't know. Maybe some will think I'm trying to make excuses and rationalize out our decision to divide the family into 2 states for a while. I don't think I'm doing that, but I will consider it. I do tend to rationalize things beyond the point of common sense at times (hush up!). The Lord wants us to be debt-free... debt-free to the world, anyway. This job is the fastest method to reaching that goal short of Publishers Clearing House sending me that check. It is God-directed and we believe that in our hearts or we wouldn't be entertaining the plan for a single moment. Things are moving fast in our country these days. Prices on everything are increasing, with a handful of bones tossed our way with price cuts here and there to give us some sense of security. I don't buy it. These bits and snatches of price cuts are mere propoganda as far as I'm concerned. The Lord wants us debt free and living with a back to basics heart and mind-set. I'm not there yet, but I try to make steps in that direction without slipping backwards too often.

Are you serious about your homestead journey? Are you deeply rooted in the reasons that moved you to your homestead? What truly drives you....be honest....what drives you to your homestead? What goals do you have and what plans do you have to reach them? How far are you willing to go on your homestead? Is it just a hobby homestead for you or are you truly reaching out for a deeper lifestyle, a closer family lifestyle and a simple living lifestyle? How connected to the world around you are you? How much of that world around you are you willing to put aside in order to reach the goals you have?

Think about it. Alot of folks claim homesteading as their lifestyle, but as it means so many different things to so many people, you have to decide your definition on your own. For us, it means rural and disconnected from the world we are living in. That is what we work towards. For us, it means growing toward self-sufficiency on our own land and God-reliance in the areas we cannot provide for ourselves. How connected am I to the world -- well, I'm sitting here on the computer so that gives you some idea right there. I'm working on that 'connection' to the world though every day. It's engrained in me, so it's not an easy break, but I do believe The Lord can do much more with me if I make that break, so I work on it.

How about you?

http://tabletophomestead.blogspot.com/2007/09/7-year-itch.html

Gathering The Days here...

Posted by HandsNHearts
10:51, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. 2 comments .. Link

We have been spending time getting things pulled together somewhat around here. The piggies haven't popped out little ones yet, but we are watching. I think, just to be on the safe side, we will divide the barn pen and separate them this week. No point taking chances with them.

We have a pick up truck out here, in the driveway, just existing....it is getting moved to the back area by the barn. Oh, can you imagine...having my driveway to myself again. Won't that be nice

Today I have laid some things out to a few friends and am waiting to see what comes of them. We have a Sister in need of some things and I know a few friends who could be a great help as we gather items together. If The Lord is touching your heart to share with a Sister in serious need, do contact me. I am not going to share more...The Lord knows the needs of each of us and knows our ability to share. Let Him direct you.

Aside from that, I have finished cutting out a few dresses for the girls, and some broadfalls for the boys. I still have to put together the list of fall/winter clothing needs, but I think this will start us off nicely. Many of the dresses can be simply moved along down the line to the next one, but the boys...well, they are just much harder on pants and there isn't usually much left over to pass down the line! I think it's time for my own new dress and apron as well before I become too shabby!

We are making a big pot of vegetable beef soup today, with some homemade crackers to go along, for dinner. It's supposed to rain, scattered off and on today, so the laundry is in the dryer rather than out on the line. Ther are 8 rolls of hard salami in the oven baking/drying right now and next in line is some bread and pan rolls.

That's about it really. Not much to share but the hum-drum typical. What's going on on your homestead?

Blight

Posted by ChestnutsMama
10:01, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. 1 comments .. Link

Today's gloomy task was to clear all the dead and dying tomatoes from the polytunnel. Blight has got the lot, we bottled maybe six pints, and had a few salads – but now a mountain of promise lies rotting and brown. I could cry.

You don't have to let it get to you, but you do have to reassess, and when you start reviewing one thing, as you know, it tends to get into reviewing a few.

What I did wrong in the tunnel is plant things way too close together, and get too much in. I had seven or so of each variety of tomato – I would have been better with one or two. The yield would have been as good (well, better than the current zero!) and it would have been easier to keep everything in control, plus of course the plants would have had the requisite air and light. You see as a result of planting too much, I didn't have enough time to tend the plants as required.

I'd tended to rely on two bush varieties, which don't need pinching out and training – but of course in their happy rambling way, they are the perfect host for blight.

The vines I did have were interesting. Unusual. Different colours ... but obviously not very blight resistant!

I'm seeing it as a painful metaphor! I try to get too much into life, as well, try to cram in more things, and then lack the time to tend them and do them properly. All my zones could do with a little more light and air! And more love and attention lavished on their development.

I feel as if I've just focussed on detail, like the pretty tomatoes, and not made sure that each of the areas of my life has air light and water, and preferably is blight resistant! In other words, the valuable things need to be kept going, and done with love, respect, and attention to detail.

This year I haven't given the garden the attention it deserves, and I believe that is because we took a year off from its being an income stream – it was nice, not worrying too much, but it hasn't made for a good garden, and I don't feel as if I've made my contribution – so I would like to get back to proper production next year. Running my own 'micro business' within our family enterprise made me feel stronger, more accountable – it kept lines of communication open between me and God as well as me and the community.

School preparation was muddled and clouded by our great hope of getting the girls into a lovely christian school – but that wasn't in God's plan for this year, and now I do feel I've made a good start on getting ready for another year's homeschooling. I am sad that they can't go to school, but obedient to God's 'no' (or maybe 'not yet'). I also think I've been more realistic about curriculum this year, I have stepped away from CLE and constructed something mostly Ambleside, but with big input from Galore Park – I hope that will leave air and light around our schedule, and protect us from the blight of frustration, when things don't go well, and we are mired down with samey work books.

I've given up being a Brownie Guider, for the time being, as the Brownie team is strong and needs to go ahead and develop the unit anew, so hopefully, that lets some air and light into the Guide Unit I still run.

The major work on the house is being done in the next few weeks (kitchen floor, then kitchen refit) so then I can hopefully schedule one small job at a time when it comes to smartening up the detail.

Church .... well if you don't mind, we won't try to deal with that right now. At the back of the polytunnel, the peppers are still going nicely! I'm sure I've done a few things wrong, and yes, they are a little tightly packed, but for now, they're doing OK. And they bear some fruit.

As for the two bush variety tomatoes – they demonstrate that finding a sparky, different, so much cooler way to do things doesn't always pay off. I am a great one for being too bored to do WeightWatchers or Flylady, convinced I'll have a brighter idea myself. So I sit fatly, in an untidy house, waiting for the fruit of my own brilliance to strike ..... !!!

Despite the sadness of a crop failure, this chance to reassess is a blessing. I know most people make new years resolutions in January – actually, we usually make ours after Easter – but maybe homeschoolers and gardeners should consider an after harvest rethink?!

The polytunnel in June - pleased as punch with all the healthy growth, I failed to spot the warning signs of overcrowded plants in a warm, moist atmosphere. The weather is the chief culprit when blight stirkes, but the gardener is not immune from criticism.

Learn about the Irish Potato Famine - which began with the Blight.

Learn about Potato Blight .

Our beautiful potato crop, before the blight took hold. You can see the flowers on the second earlies.

Questions on Preserving the Harvest

Posted by HSB Front Porch
07:57 AM, Aug. 20, 2008 .. Posted in Putting Food By .. 1 comments .. Link

Would some of you please share your tips, thoughts, tricks, or tried & true recipes for ways to preserve the harvest with me? In particular, things like dehydrating, fermenting, pickling, salting, etc. I have good information on canning and freezing; but would like to explore other methods.

I have this book from the Bountiful Gardens website on my never-ending wishlist. But as it is Back-to-Homeschool time for my family, the book funds are all allocated to other types of learning for now.

Thanks so much for your help!

Blessings,

Catherine

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