Sunday, January 25, 2015

Winds of Change

The eleventh month on the Biblical calendar has arrived, so a month of winter is behind us.  In this part of the country, spring is on it's way.  I'm a bit contemplative, as I have no garden for which to plan.  This past year has been quite eventful.  Several guests have visited the Land of Goshen, and many have actually felt free enough to self-invite.  I'm glad folks can feel that way.  It's been quite a year of great learning.  I've also been privileged to be able to look for properties for a number of people who spoke of relocating to this area.  In wondering how we could actually back our social media words with actions, this has seemed a great way to "love my social media neighbors."

Many of us have sensed a real shaking and change coming and without a doubt, we are beginning to see changes.  The tangible changes, I believe, are just evidence of the spiritual changes taking place in this world.  Having been shown a vision, recently, I believe time is of the essence.  In this past year, the visitors who have come and those who have made plans to come, have not been a part of organizing this community at this time, and that's all right.  I want, only, the Will of YHWH in this matter of community.

I have had a time of serious soul searching, as potential plans appear to have fallen apart.  There's been no feeling of disappointment or devastation, but rather a realization that His Will be done.  That's not to say, I don't love those folks and wouldn't love for most of those folks to gather here in Goshen, but if it's not His Will, then I'm thankful we could know this before trying times hit.  My acceptance is what caused me to really soul search.  Is this growth?  Is it closer to being ready?

Scripture tells us the sum total of Torah is to love YHWH and our neighbor.  If I'm reaching out in the Name of Y'hshuwah, I need not fear the response.  It's been a wonderful time of growth for me.  To be able to extend hospitality, opportunity, and even do a little leg work regarding real estate, while trusting Adonai with the end results has been a wonderful opportunity for me.  It's also been quite illuminating.  I've been amazed in my years of tending Goshen, how difficult it is for each of us, to lay down our own ideas in order to fully embrace the plan of YHWH.

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love YHWH, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Creation vs. Evolution

I am a creationist!  I am 100% sold out on the week of creation.  I believe the first Words of YHWH brought forth His Son.  The first line of Scripture in the original Hebrew includes the "aleph tav."  The first day there was light, also a reference to Messiah, as confirmed in Revelation 21:23  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of G-d did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  

Day 2, water is mentioned and separated.  The most basic of elements in sustaining life.  By the third day, our food and remedies were created.  Now, if we'd have remained obedient, remedies would not have been needed, but we didn't and our Creator in His benevolent mercy created what would be needed.  The fourth day has brought much illumination to my walk.  I guess this is where I might add [pun intended.]  Not only has it underscored when the month actually begins, but has also given great confirmation that the Light, spoken into existence on day one is clearly not from the sun.

As the week moves forward to day five, it should be noted that Abba created sustenance before He created the creatures that would need it.  Separating the water from the sky before He created fish and birds was definitely perfect planning.  He also created the shelter and food sources before creating the creatures.  To even attempt to explain the order of the universe with the theory of an explosion seems preposterous.

The sixth day, of course, came the mammals, "things that creepeth," and people.  The things that creepeth, I suppose covers everything from insects to reptiles.  I'm not quite sure where amphibians fit into the week of creation, but I'm confident they were created specifically, and did not not evolve between water and land.  By the end of the first chapter of Genesis, we read that the Creator was pleased with creation, it was good.

All of this now brings us to the fact that evolution is a theory of science, while the account of creation is considered only a religious story.  Truth be told, both require faith.  I don't have enough faith to believe this world came into existence by accident without a plan.  Since I've actually experienced some promises of Scripture and heard the Voice of our Creator, I don't have any problem believing the account of Creation.  I think it's even grander than packaging it as Intelligent Design.  This world was spoken into being!  Of course, I can't convince an evolutionist that his faith is misdirected, by arguing against the theory he believes.  Neither creation nor evolution can be proven scientifically.

There is one thing, however; that sets Creation above any theory and is actually proven throughout the world.  The calendar has seven days.  As a creationist, I can't prove what happened the first six days of the week of creation, but I can still live the intended purpose of the seventh day, and it's verified on calendars around the world.

And G-d blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which G-d created and made.  Genesis 2:3

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Being Led

Change is coming, and one of the first changes for me, through this year of shemitah is on the internet.  Abba is leading me to be more set apart with the Goshen Gazette.  He's also leading me to further outreach through new social media platforms, and He's leading me to help those who are trying to come out of their dependence on and participation in "the system."   I know He's doing this with other servants, as well.  In the past few months as I've been seeking in regard to this coming change, He's also reminded me of some things that haven't changed.  When He first established the Mission in the last town, He told me to do what was not being done.  I thought everything in ministry was already overlapped and layered and repeated.  I soon learned, I was wrong.    

In those seven years, I was blessed to cover a great many miles that were not being covered by other outreaches, because that was my job!  The online ministry began in 2001, just weeks before 9/11.  So much has happened since then . . .  I can look back now and realize Abba was preparing me to be able to minister while also homesteading.  I can certainly cover a lot more ground, economically via internet, than the mission trips.  Tending the land and flocks and herds definitely makes travel, prohibitive.  Popularity and participation has vastly increased in social media and in homesteading.  

It seems when it comes to believers and church, many have left the building.  There are also a number of Jewish believers now, who have accepted Messiah and are no longer worshiping in traditional synagogues.  The internet appears to be the place to "forsake not the assembling" in the 21st century.  According to many of the social media teachers, and there are many, their videos and blogs are attaining mega-status.   I never got the hang of twitter, but I did manage to navigate through some forums boards and now facebook.  Abba is now saying it's time to move on.  Interestingly, Facebook has afforded many of us some true fellowship, as well as leads and connections as the end of days will call for a gathering of the remnant.  I'm so thankful to have had this time of getting acquainted.  I pray a number of us remain in touch and hope some of us actually get to "community up," or at least enjoy fellowship for Feast Days.  I'm also thankful for the foreknowledge regarding relationships that were not meant to be.  I can't imagine the devastation of making that discovery in person, as things around us are collapsing.

There have been folks from whom I've learned, and folks who have schooled me.  Some precious friendships have been established and clearly some future disappointments have been averted.  I've been able to minister to some as well as being blessed by others.  As I was met with some disparaging remarks and some discouragement as I announced my change of venue, I was reminded of the same reaction in the church 20 years ago, as I searched Torah and Sabbath keeping for a believer.  It is my fervent belief, the body of Messiah would get along better if we weren't all trying to be in the same place, doing the same thing.  I have also discovered through my years of ministry, staying in a place after Abba says it's time to move, only hinders.  When He says, "Move;" not moving is disobedience.

 Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.  At the commandment of YHWH they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of YHWH they journeyed: they kept the charge of YHWH, at the commandment of YHWH by the hand of Moses.  Numbers 9:22-23

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8


Sunday, January 4, 2015

Practical and Prayerful

Now that breeding season has ended and "the girls" are due in about a month and a half, my Buddy Buck started showing out.  Sadly, that is usually the case with herd sires.  It seems they start getting ornery between 2 and 2 1/2 years old.  As I mentioned last week in Peculiar Princess, Buddy Buck was moved to the naughty pen and the reason was truly troubling.  He stayed very cordial to me, but I could simply no longer trust him with the does.  He was downright obnoxious at feeding time, which can be overlooked to a point, but something else caught my eye.  When I was in the pasture, he wanted my sole undivided attention and could literally hook the does front leg between his horns immediately rendering them helpless and unable to move.  He is strong and it became clear that a broken leg could result.

For Buddy Buck and I, it was love at first sight, but . . . the girls depend upon me for their provision and safety, and I depend on them!  After a few days in the naughty pen, it became sadly obvious that Buddy had matured to the ornery "old goat stage."  So Buddy became officially auction bound.  Here's where it gets interesting.  Abba had told me to prepare practically, and I have, but getting Buddy loaded was going to take more than my practicality.  This goat weighs in at about 150 pounds and he was going be loaded in a pen in the back of my Chevy Uplander.  The reality is simple.  "Man handling" him into the vehicle was not possible and lifting him was out of the question.  He was going to have to want to get in.  So I prayed . . .  Psalm 29 gives a clear description that nature is absolutely controlled by our Creator, so He can cause an ornery goat to want to go for a ride.

Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, I prayed for a plan.  I was given a glimpse that there would be a moment of opportunity, but only a moment.  Once a goat gets wise that something is going on, they get quite uncooperative, so I had to make every move count without tipping him off.  The basics of practicality were not problem.  I knew to have everything in place before even dealing with the "loadee."  He has a favorite hay that he can smell from anywhere on the place, so I put some in the travel pen to entice him, before opening the gate where he was.  

Buddy was leary and a bit cagey so I kept my cool and didn't make any sudden moves.  He could clearly see that something was up.  He nibbled at the hay, then backed away.  I tried to get a lead on him, but he was having no part of that, so I laid back again and waited for his craving to get the best of him.   His horn span was about as wide as my shoulders, as well as the opening of the pen, so there was no room for error.  The third time he moved toward the pen, he got serious about the hay, raising his front legs up into the vehicle for better access.  With that boost, he then put his head through the opening and I saw my moment of opportunity.  With a quick silent prayer of "thank you" I grabbed hold of his cape and guided him right on in.  He was literally in the pen in the blink of an eye, and I had the gate closed within a matter of seconds.  

Then the prayers of thanksgiving got loud!

I can do all things through Messiah which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13