Timing... Our's or God's!

Have you ever noticed how our timing is rarely the same as God's?  Kay and I are slowly creating a farm environment that will have produce available in the fall, winter, and spring.  Kay will also be offering farm tours and lesson plans that comply with the Sunshine State Standards.  What an awesome way to show children about where their food comes from and the importance of viable and sustainable agriculture. 

We want to 'go.. go.. go..' to get things up and going and yet God has us going along at a deliberate slow pace, paying for things in cash instead of going into debt.  I certainly see His reasoning with the economy in the tank and so many monetary systems on the brink of collapse, still it's hard to move so slow sometimes. 

We have these hopes and dreams for this farm and I wonder what God has in store for our farm that we haven't even considered yet.  It is up to us to either stay under the protection of our Lord, moving onward when He says or going out there and winging it on our own.  As hard as it is, I choose to go God's speed and pray that those around me will hold me accountable in this regard.

Simplicity is What We Make It

Six episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, that is how I spent a good part of my Sabboth day of rest.  What draws us to that show?

For me it has to do with a simpler lifestyle.  Family and town folk caring and looking out for each other.  A church bizaar or picnic being the focus.  Simply sitting on the porch and watching the sun set. 

Why is this so hard for us?  Why do we allow the world and society around us to push us into their mold of rush, rush, rush and always being active for ... well, active's sake?

We have a farm so time is of the essence for us with all the chores to get done each day.  Many lives of both two-legged and four-legged animals depend on us to care for them.  That said, it is up to ME to carve out that 'simpler lifestyle' in my day. 

How do you do it?  How do you make sure that you don't get caught up in the whirlwind of life?

Sheep

I sit here this morning looking out over our sheep thinking of how David did the same thing 3000 years ago. They depend on us for food, water, and safety. Alone, they are helpless and destined to die prematurely due to starvation, dehydration, disease, or predator. We are also the same in God's eyes. Yet, he does not fence us in but allows us to have free will to come and go from under his protection. It is amazing to watch these guys in this lush pasture reaching through the fence because I guess 'the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence'. Without fences, we as Christ Followers can do the same if we do not have our eyes on our Creator.

A New Mission Vision Emerging?

Lately I've been digging deep into the Word of God and exploring what God is speaking to me through His text. I am also in the midst of taking a class on Missions and filtering what I'm learning there through what I see in today's society and the movement of our country.

My wife and I have a vision from God that we are to turn our small farm (actually His farm) into a place where missionaries can stop over during their furloughs to rest, relax and recharge. In addition, we see the farm as an opportunity to extend basic training in crop production and animal care to those that are in need of additional training.

Watching how our country is spiraling from a democratic republic towards socialism and beyond though has given me a new vision. Our focus thus far has been toward helping those that have been sent from the United States to other countries and are back in the U.S. on furlough. Could it be though that God actually wants us to stay put here while our country sinks deeper to be a stopover and source of support to foreign missionaries coming to the United States? Could the United States be the next big mission field?

No matter what the answer, we want to be obedient to the call. All we have is His and we want to use the resources entrusted to us for His glory and for His Kingdom. Time is short and the second coming of Christ is neigh. There are billions of souls out there that are destined to an eternity in hell if they do not hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am ready to be used by God today, are you?