Going BACKwards TO THE FUTURE

Aug10

A friend and I were discussing our daily walk(s) with G_d. We talked about how difficult it can seem to walk in obedience according to the Word and not according to the flesh. As we shared the struggles we were each facing to get our financial, emotional and spiritual needs met, I had a re-revelation of something our Father had shown me during another dark lonely period about how actually walking with G_d differed from my expectation of walking with G_d.

My flesh wants me to do something and be productive every day. It wants G_d to give me a checklist of things to do every day to show that I love Him and that I love others. It wants constant and obvious feedback to soothe itself and reassure its owner that I am on the right path.

My flesh does NOT want to stride out into darkness trusting in the Vision of the Invisible G_d. Even my mind, at least the not yet renewed segments, rebels against walking when there are no discernable landmarks. My flesh cannot see, hear, touch, smell or taste G_d. Thank G_d, my flesh is dead:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 AKJV

In Ancient Hebrew (as explained in this YouTube video), they used words that represented concrete concepts. For instance the word for past means in front and the word for the future is behind. The past is in front of me and myfuture is behind me. In the Hebrew thinking, the past is known so it would be in front of me where I can see it while the future cannot be seen so it is behind me where I cannot see.

So…If I walk forward toward what my flesh has known and in the patterns of my past, I am backsliding. While “advancing backwards” may sound like a contradiction, it means to allow G_d to take me safely where I have no sensual (flesh) experience and cannot see, hear, feel, taste or touch the path.

Have you ever watched someone play that game called “trust” where they fall backwards into the arms of their companions? I choose to fall backwards into the arms of G_d and rest in Him while He takes me to my destiny. I choose to obey the Word and walk in the Spirit and let Him be the light of my Way.

This does not mean that I will never have clear guidance and direction.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 (Darby)

It does mean that if I cannot see, hear, smell, feel, or taste anything, I will hold onto the Word I know and trust and I will not be afraid. The way to know the way is to KNOW THE WAY.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Poulty, Corn, Children

May25

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ashley, Senior

We’re growing well around here. The corn is up high enough to have little green worms. I’ve just been looking for holy (ha ha) leaves, locating the little tiny green caterpillars and tossing them into the laying ladies.

The girls also like it when I bring the compost out and dump it. They are like garbage disposals with wings and legs. They eat ANYTHING! The girls also like it when I thin the corn, which was growing WAY too close together (Mr. Ashley insisted I put 3 kernels in each spot… he didn’t believe me when I told him ALL my plants grow well-I pray for every plant.) I throw the pulled up stalks in there and the squawking starts. It’s so much fun to watch them snatching the leaf and running around playing chase with it.

The corn stalks will give the ladies shade as well as snacks. I haven’t gotten the sunflowers planted on the end but I will try to get that done really soon. Join me at Freedom Gardens Forum so I can find some more people there from Louisiana. Here’s that link: http://freedomgardens.org/

With the three grandchildren, the household size is up to nine again: seven children and two adults. School (public and home) is out and so we have to get children ready to go to various camps. We are still running into town three or four days a week with family visitations, library trips and, our favorite, church.

I’m reading First Peter this week and also I am meditating: Oppression Vs. Submission.

Oppression says: You will do this. Submission says: I will do this.
I do not want to oppress others, adults or children. I do want to submit to the Holy Spirit.

Biker Sunday

Apr10

We enjoyed Biker Sunday at The Church on Garrett Road today. We were honored that Squirrel and Sherrie were there. There were so many motorcycle ministries (ABATE, Patriot Guard, Brother’s Keeper, CMA, Chariots of light…) there. I can’t begin to name them all. The children and adults all had a wonderful time.

Richard “Two Dogs” Highwalker and his beautiful wife, Kristi of Freedom Fire Ministry were there. Dove Morgan of Loving Hearts Ministry brought her daughter, Micah, to the annual Bear Morgan Memorial Run – the team visited David Wade Correctional in Homer, LA and they were also at the service on Sunday.

If you missed out on this opportunity to hear the Harleys roaring in, mark your calendar for next year…

You could also go by the MDA Poker Run and meet some of our local heroes for yourself. Register early (by May 20) . Buy a ticket to win a brand new Harley and help them meet their goal– it’s all for “Jerry’s Kids.” See Squirrel and Sherrie on June 11-13, 2010 and tell them Julie sent you!

June 10-12, 2010 – 31th Annual NE Louisiana Motorcyclists Poker Run, to benefit MDA. Cheniere Lake Area 8 Campground in West Monroe, LA. $20/person, Bike raffle ($20), food, live music, auction items, poker run. Primitive camping available. FMI call Squirrel or Sherry @ 318-325-9578.

homestead house, micro-farm

Mar20

It’s really beginning to look like a “Micro-Farm” around here. The five chicks are pecking in their brooder box (cardboard box with sand in the bottom”) by the stove. The worms next to the computer desk have been fed compost and misted this morning. The ducks will be fed and checked for eggs shortly and the worm castings are spread around the lilies and I have the blisters on both hands to prove it.

We don’t believe in self-sufficiency around here… so we’re headed to church. See ya’ll there.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Duck eggs, Worm farms, Aquaponics, Baby chicks

Mar17

Yesterday we collected another duck egg and moved the duck tractor to the right side of the property where the tool shed and pear tree could shade it and the ducks could eat the weeds growing beside the new compost bin. Duck Tractor Moved

We also went by Tractor supply and purchased seven red pullets. Actually two of the chicks are black and five are yellow. There appear to be three breeds as you might be able to tell from the pictures. We also got one bag of Dumore Chick Starter Grower 20%, the same unmedicated feed we bought for the ducks last year. Seven Chicks

We stopped by Mama’s house before church so we could show her the chicks. She had been to get the worms and gave me the worms and the worm farm filled with worm castings so I could divide them and make more worm farms.

Although I purchased a four outlet air pump and six air stones, that is as far as I’ve gotten on the aquaponics until we find barrels and get money for pvc fittings. I’m really looking forward to getting that going so I can have a tomatoes and lettuce shelf as I love salads.

Homesteading has been added as a category to my blog so I can tell you what’s going on with our sustainibilty efforts.

Sustainability is defined by the online Meriam Webster Dictionary as

1: capable of being sustained
2a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged
b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

So our goal is to be able to harvest or use the resources our Heavenly Father has given us in such a way so that they are not depleted or permanently damaged. We want to make this a lifestyle choice and not just a hobby or amusement.

Love Letter

Feb15

Some people call their Bible a sword, and it is. To me, it is also a Love Letter. So open your love letter to Jeremiah 31:3.

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.

Jeremiah 31:3

In 1984 when I was nine months pregnant with my second daughter and we were living in a tiny little trailer outside Kileen, TX, near Ft. Hood, two deputies arrived to arrest me for a bounced check I had written to a grocery store. The check had been redeemed and I had the receipt so the deputies did not take me with them but the incident made me realize that I couldn’t go on as I had been going.

My mom had come to Texas to visit me and I begged her to tell me how to have the faith that she had. Mama never doubted God’s existence or that He would take care of her and I wanted that unfeigned faith, the faith of my Mama. Mama prayed for me as I stood crying beneath a tree beside the tiny trailer.

It has always been my belief that my daughter, Holly, was annointed with that same faith, my Mama’s faith, right there– before she was even born, at the moment my Mama prayed. Holly has always believed that God exists and that He cares for her.

This is my love story. God loved me and He willing chased me down. I turned around (repented of my sins) and began to chase Him.

Quite a few years later, I was still chasing God and someone gave me a well-known book to read that had helped them. When I opened the book to the first chapter, I read, “It’s not about you.” I closed the book and put it on the shelf.

In 1 John 4, my Love Letter says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” It is about me and it is about you. God loved us so much that He is willing to chase us down.

How did God show us that He loved us? John 3:16-17 says,

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God is not willing that anyone should perish but not everyone accepts God’s love and God gave each one of us the freedom to choose life or death. He will not go against my will.

So how can I receive the life and love that God is willing to give me? Romans 10:10 tells me,

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

So what is God’s love like? First Corinthians 13, verses 4-8 tells us how God defines love:

Love is patient,
Love is kind.

It does not envy,
It does not boast,

It is not proud.
It is not rude,
It is not self-seeking,
It is not easily angered.

It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,
   always trusts,
   always hopes,
   always perseveres.

Love never fails.

But, What if I can’t hold onto that love that God is giving me? Romans 8: 35, 38-39 says,

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Song of Solomon, a love letter within a love letter, says in chapter eight, verse 7, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.”

As I began to believe that God loves me, I wanted to show God that I accepted His love. So, What does God want from me? John 15: 9-12 says,

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Now when I read these verses I was concerned and you might be too. Uh-Oh, So here’s the catch. IF I can obey His commandments He will love me. Or IF I can obey His commandments He will abide with me and give me joy.

The devil, that thief and murderer, shouts immediately, You’ll never be able to do it! HaHa, you God-chaser, you FAILURE. You will NEVER be able to keep the commandments. Thou SHALT, Thou SHALT NOT! Haha. You will FAIL.

But then the very next verse tells me what Jesus commands me to do:

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

In Matthew 22, Jesus was asked by an expert on the Law (the law of Moses) what was THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So the commandment of Jesus is to LOVE.

Now as I began to ponder this commandment, I was still a little concerned.

Could I love as God loved? As I have stated above, God has defined love in my Love Letter. Here is that definition again, paraphrased in light of Jesus’ commandment:

I am patient,
I am kind.

I do not envy,
I do not boast,

I am not proud.
I am not rude,
I am not self-seeking,
I am not easily angered.

I keep no record of wrongs.

I do not delight in evil but I rejoice with the truth.

I always protect,
always trust,
always hope,
always persevere.

The best part is the very last four words:

I will never fail.

Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and ALL that is within me bless HIS HOLY NAME!

God loves you and I love you. If you want to know more about God’s love, you can email me:

Providential

Jan5

Dictionary-Reference.com says:

Origin:
Providential derives from Latin providentia , from providens , provident- , present participle of providere , literally, “to see ahead,” from pro- , “forward” + videre , “to see.”

Providence is defined by the same website as:

( often initial capital letter ) the foreseeing care and guidance of god or nature over the creatures of the earth.
2. ( initial capital letter ) God, esp. when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
3. a manifestation of divine care or direction.
4. provident or prudent management of resources; prudence.
5. foresight; provident care.

Verses to study and meditate:

http://scripturetext.com/philippians/4-19.htm

Matthew 6:24-34 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

The Cure for Anxiety

25“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

red birds and choices

Dec3

Red Bird

Years ago, after a fire had done damage to our house, I decided that every time I saw a red bird to remind myself out loud that God knew where I was and that He had a plan for me. Later after we’d gotten back into our house, I decided to plant some pretty bushes and hang out some feeders… thus INCREASING my opportunities to SEE the red birds. My children blessed me with pictures of red birds and even a button I could snap on my blue jean jacket. So I have reminders everywhere to MAKE THE CHOICE to believe that God knows where I am and that He has a plan for me.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. -Joshua 24:15

Moms Survival Guide

a Woman at the Well

Archives

Going BACKwards TO THE FUTURE

Biker Sunday

homestead house, micro-farm

Duck eggs, Worm farms, Aquaponics, Baby chicks

Providential

red birds and choices

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