Sunday, April 27, 2014

Discernment

As the dogwoods are blooming, and spring becomes obvious, there is a new awareness that has come to my attention.  Discernment in these end of days, especially for those of us who are establishing places of refuge and comfort; is imperative.  Just like Abraham's servant at the well, I've already asked YHWH, to please tell me what I am to hear from those who are led to be here.  It's so easy to get caught up in the hope and enthusiasm of fellowship and unity, but . . . television and social media makes it very easy for everyone to know the "right words" to say, without sharing the same faith.

A few years ago, I was given a dream of warning that people would actually come just for the provision, and worse, to implement their own personal ideas, without any personal "investment."  The dream basically revealed the possibility of my becoming a servant to self-serving humanity, rather than YHWH.  Now, of course, we know as times become difficult, anarchy and theft is a real possibility, but that dream a few years ago wasn't of vandals and marauders, it was people "talking the talk" to get their feet under my table . . .  The dream was about showing me my own weakness,  We don't need discernment to know right from wrong, we need discernment to understand the difference between being used of G-d or used by man.

In the past five years since establishing this homestead, there have been visitors that talked the talk, but are clearly planning on taking advantage of the diligence of others.  I don't have a television, but I hear about various "religious prophecies" and of course social media is full of "teachers," exhorters, rabbis, pastors, etc.  I have often found a common thread, in that "everyone" seems to believe the time of tribulation is nearly upon us, yet talking seems to be their plan to prepare.  Some seem to even be scoping out what may be a good place to head when the going gets tough.

I was not brought here to put my light under a bushel, but by the same token, the feelings I've had about being "cased" have been confirmed by two witnesses, who knew nothing of my dream or the people who have come "in search," only to reveal their true intent.  For all those who are preparing; be advised, most everybody is going to have "the mantra" or the buzzwords, so ask YHWH what the "right people" will say.  I've even been contacted via third party to provide lodging for people I've never met or spoken with.  YHWH has given me some specifics and I know he'll do the same for other homestead ministries if asked.

If Joshua can be taken in by wily Gibeonites, don't think it can't happen to us . . . The following are snippets of the account found in Joshua 9.  I encourage you to read the full account in context.

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,  They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors . . . And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. . . thy servants are come because of the Name of YHWH thy G-d . . . And Joshua made peace with them . . . Joshua 9:3,4,6,9,15

Monday, April 21, 2014

Collecting Rainwater

Realizing collecting rainwater in some states is illegal, I almost feel the need to "whisper" the information contained in this article, rather than commit it to print, but so far in my state, collecting rainwater is not illegal.  It's probably only a matter of time before the EPA will be legislating federal law, so do what you can now to get "grandfathered," if that's even still possible in this country!  I still find it troublesome that our government feels so exalted as to claim authority and make legislation about rain.

I have a well, and I have barrels under my gutters.  It seems like simple math, either way.  The ten barrels I have when full, hold 650 gallons of water, total.  I use that water to water my livestock and garden.  If I didn't collect that water, I'd be pumping it from the well, which would mean using water from the table beneath the ground, and paying for electricity to pump it; but my water use would be the same.  In collecting rainwater, I'm not hoarding it, it still goes back into the ground!  Not to mention, in collecting rainwater, I'm not drawing on the water table, therefore doing my part to sustain and conserve the underground table.

It is really hard to wrap my mind around how many gallons of water actually fall from the sky when it rains.  It doesn't take an eighth of an inch of rain to fill all my rain barrels, so with one inch of rainfall, over 87.5% of the water still goes directly into the earth or into rivers, streams etc. in watershed.  One inch of rainfall on ten acres amounts to 271,500 gallons of water.  The amount of water I collect is 650 gallons, regardless of rainfall.  Anything over 1/8 of an inch of rain never sees the inside of a barrel.  Guttering is only applied to the buildings, so everything that falls on the open field is undisturbed.  While the EPA and Department of Conservation would have us all believe otherwise, most folks who do collect rainwater, do so with the specific intent of putting it back into the earth.  The fact that it will be placed on a garden or given to livestock first, seems to be the real issue for a power grab.

There are 43,560 square feet in an acre, so there are 435,600 square feet in ten acres.  Of the 435,600 square feet, only 2160 square feet of the place contains a building with gutters and rain barrels.  I realize on small town lots with behemoth mcmansions this practice would be prohibitive, but many of those folks aren't terribly interested in gardening, anyway.  Back to the math on the preservation.  435,600 - 2160 = 433,440 untouched square feet of land to catch open rainfall.  Meanwhile in one inch of rainfall, the open land nets:  271,500 - 650 = 270,850 directly, with the rest to follow indirectly.  The only time my barrels caught a full 650 gallons was when the guttering was first installed, and the beginning of seasonal spring and fall rains.  The grand total of collected rainwater per inch of rain amounts to less than 0.25%, that is less than 1/4 of one percent.  Meanwhile there is 5/8 of a gallon of water on every open square foot of the place.  Without the rain barrels there would be percentage difference of 2/1000 or 0.002%.   Without the house, Tabernacle, and chicken houses, the rainfall to the open land would still be within the same measurable percentage . . . and we all have to live somewhere.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says YHWH of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  a prophet of Holy Scripture

Sunday, April 13, 2014

The Time Is Nearly Here

Upon hearing the specific word to prepare practically, things have been happening so fast.  So many people are telling me they are feeling a leading to move or make changes, as well.  Clearly, many are realizing the problems that are arising will not be solved in our nation's capitol.  As I look back over the years at this season, it's truly fascinating to see how many changes were birthed.  I first met Messiah through the Passover season, but it would be two and a half decades before I came to know what it meant to follow Him.  Since following Him, however; this season of separation has deepened in meaning for personal change.

It was nine years ago, the second day of Matzo when the for sale sign went up in the yard in the city in which I was living and I headed south by south east, to the new life of homesteading.  It was four years later, also when the barley is in ear that I signed the contract on the acreage that would become the Land of Goshen.  Although neither move actually happened in a day, the beginnings were each life changing.

Three years ago, in this season, I was led to purchase a round table.  It didn't need to be anything fancy, just round, so there would be no "head or foot."   YHWH said this was to serve always as a reminder that Y'hshuwah is the head when He gathers the five-fold ministry.  I found one on Craigslist and bought it.

Two years ago just before this season, I distinctly heard I was to enlarge the tent.  Two rooms were added. There is now a meeting area, and another room that serves as a studio/guest room, making eight rooms and two baths.  Then, there was a great shaking, breaking, and separating.  Now this year, just last week, I heard to prepare practically.  YHWH is bringing His people out of the society of which we have been accustomed and bringing us into the unity, He's planned for the body of Messiah through these latter days.

. . . Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  Psalm 133:1  And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah:  Ephesians 4:11-12 


Sunday, April 6, 2014

Practical Preparation

A couple of things have really hit me, hit me like a sledge hammer!  YHWH told me, "It's time to prepare practically for the purpose.  This place is no longer to be run like a petting zoo."  I'm sorting through exactly what that means, but so far I do know three things and one is particularly troubling, yet must be.

First, the herd and flocks needs to be strong, productive, and purposeful.  Chickens that don't lay eggs, need to be in the freezer, not die of old age because they are "pretty!"  Goats that cease to be productive or refuse to be good mamas need to be culled and repurposed.  Some people would like a goat, just for the companionship for another one, that's a fair situation, but no four-legged freeloaders.

I was blessed to discover I can have two calves continuously on the place, without a tax issue, so that makes it easier to allow the beef to get larger.  With the farm headed for a more structured purpose, the next two things are becoming clearer.  I've been reminded many times of late, as to my original call coming further into fulfillment, in writing and natural health.  Why do we just accept the social status quo, along side the Gospel?  It's time to be a set apart people in every aspect of our lives.  My health plan is prayer, oils, and herbs, and I'm preparing to share.  My writing is neither politically correct or religiously correct, but I do seek YHWH in prayer and His Word.

The last item that has surfaced is the fact that family is not necessarily what we assumed or even hoped.  Many of us are discovering blood bought family is actually closer than blood relatives.  We are also learning that the warnings are being sounded world-wide and for those who know time is short, they won't be welcomed to partake of that which they have not prepared.  It has been a truly heartbreaking realization to know I've been given the responsibility of gatekeeping, here at this preservation.  I have been given some very specific instructions and words to listen for, and to do otherwise; will be failing in the commission of my call.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  ~ words of Messiah