Sunday, July 28, 2013

Opportunity vs. Obligation

My granddaughter and I are enjoying our time together, but we are painfully aware that this opportunity will soon give way to the obligations we have.

Her insight is linked, just hover below and it should appear.
http://sadiephotobug.blogspot.com/

Monday, July 22, 2013

For My Descendants

As life takes some unexpected turns, and current events are somehow relegated to history, I continue to cling to the One Who is steadfast, the One Who changes not.

We've had our own twists and turns, here at the Preservation since it's inception.  I knew I was coming to found a community, and shortly after arriving, I heard this was for my descendants.  I felt it would include grandchildren and I've already been blessed to see a great grandchild, but as for the first generation, it remains to be seen, and as for how many of the descendants, only YHWH knows.

I am blessed, not only to serve, the Unchanging Self-Existing One, but so far, there is one consistent descendant, who just last night revealed how very much she loves to write.  And so without further comment from me, I'm honored to share Sadie's perspective of Life on the Preservation.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Canning

It's a little late this year, but canning season has officially begun.  There is something very special about canning.  It, of course, is healthier than what you can buy, but it's stewardship and saving without hoarding.  Naturally, I eat fresh food for as many months as possible, and I'm even considering a few winter experiments for the green house, but the bottom line is, not everything grows year round.  If I'm going to have any fruits and vegetables in the winter, I need to can them.  Besides, the abundance through the growing season is too much to eat, even in small gardens.  One tomato plant can produce up to 50 pounds of tomatoes!  Besides, if I don't raise it and preserve it, I'll have to go buy it.

The other interesting fact about the abundance of crops this time of year, is even to try to give them away, others are enjoying abundance, as well.  It's those special recipes through the winter months that really make eyes light up and guests feel special.  Nothing makes for better neighbor relations than home baked bread with a jar of preserves in January, or a jar of special relish.  Although we don't visit regularly, the neighbors are all cordial.  Just today, as I went about my business in town, I thought, as for my journey on this earth, I truly am home.

For the time being, things are in place at the preservation, and the canning season should, YHWH willing, keep me busy until Sukkot, or perhaps longer, as it's early in the autumn, this year.  Not to mention, just one more year of gardening before the Sabbath year.  I've truly been seeking and trying to learn and apply the Instructions for the Torah observant agrarian lifestyle.  I had no idea how far removed our culture is from that understanding.  I'm learning.  Every day, I'm learning the plans YHWH has for me.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says YHWH, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  a Prophet of Holy Scripture




Sunday, July 7, 2013

Remember the Sabbath day

When I first considered a day of full and complete rest, I just didn't know what I'd do with myself.  Oh, I'd nearly always taken one day to "do less" for Biblical reasons, but a day that truly was set apart from my regular schedule was a more daunting task.  As a matter of fact, when I first attempted to "remember Sabbath," I made work out of it.

First, there is the social interpretation that if one is "doing good" on Sabbath, it's a pass.  So all health care, emergency work, etc. was deemed "doing good," because Y'hshuwah healed on the Sabbath.  But if one is getting paid, is that really doing good?   I, personally, can't answer that.  I remember one time, someone was unable to man a "crisis line" on Shabbat and although I usually manned it on Sunday, I was asked to cover that shift.  I certainly couldn't have imagined someone in crisis just getting the ongoing ringing, without an answer, so I told them I'd cover it, but I wouldn't be on the clock.  I still don't know if that was right or not.  Perhaps I could have taken that money and donated it somewhere, I don't know.  YHWH knew my heart, though, and so He's taken some of the guess work out.

I don't work outside this ministry homestead, so that's taken some of the guess work out.  Since I'm not dependent upon anyone else, I'm not causing anyone else to work on Shabbat.  Since my livestock has free access to hay and pasture, I just make certain the animals have extra water before sunset begins Shabbat.   Then Shabbat morning is simply a matter of opening chicken doors and making sure everyone is accounted for and still has water.  I've even worked out the schedule, so there is no need to milk on Shabbat, and it causes the nannies no undue discomfort.

Now, as to the other part of that Commandment.  Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work!  That requires discipline and I truly believe YHWH expects us to apply ourselves to that principle.  One of the biggest differences between our present society's view and The Way of Life is the difference in the definition of work and the amount of time spent doing it.  Our society divides the day into basically three parts, and the week into five days and a two day week-end, now heading into four day work week and 3 day week-end.  None of that is Scriptural.  Six days we work and 1 day we rest.  Of course, we sleep daily, but the work isn't gauged by the clock, it's gauged by the finished product.

I can honestly say, I am blessed to have work that often doesn't feel like work, at all!    I'm quite sure it's part of the Sabbath blessing . . .
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:  But the seventh day is the Sabbath of YHWH thy G-d: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days YHWH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.