The other day as I was plowing up some ground I heard an awful noise.
There is nothing more distinct as metal contacting metal, and that's what I heard when a disk blade made contact with a large object.
My wife and I built our home on her parents' land. Land that has been in her family since 1835, maybe even a bit earlier. The land also was sharecropped, so needless to say there is a lot of history buried under the topsoil.
Over the past few years I have plowed up a Grapette bottle, broken dishes and plates, old plow points, mason jars — all kinds of stuff.
What I found Tuesday, though, takes the cake.
After hearing that awful sound I looked back and saw a large circular object half up in the air.
It turned out to be the rim off an old wagon wheel and stood about four-feet tall.
I don't know this, but I would assume there are other parts around the immediate area as the wagon probably was left there to rot.
There is still more plowing to do, so I guess we'll just have to see what we can dig up.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Been away for a while
Sorry for the recent lack of activity. It's been a busy time at work and on the farm.
For those involved in agriculture, this is one of the busiest times of the year, beginning in March (in East Texas, May for some folks up north) through the dog days of summer and into the fall.
The thing that makes spring so special, though, is hope. We've had some good rains around here this spring and that gives us hope that maybe the corn will grow this summer and we can get some hay in the barn to help the livestock through the winter.
The long dry days of summer have yet to grab us, but I will admit Christina and I finally had to turn on the air conditioner last week.
It has been a strange spring. The winter had a lot of cold nights, but nothing bitter, yet in the middle of April, less than a month ago we had a severe freeze.
The weather delayed much of our planting and plans, but I think things are back on schedule.
The peas are in the ground and growing rapidly and the field corn is growing faster than the crows can pull it out of the ground.
Christina and I put in a lot of watermelons and hopefully in about a month we will plant a small pumpkin crop.
Of course the prayer is always for rain. Our ribbon cane crop loves water and fall just isn't the same without the sweet smell of cane syrup rising above the farm as we try our hand at the old craft.
Well, that's enough for now, but I will try and be more faithful.
For those involved in agriculture, this is one of the busiest times of the year, beginning in March (in East Texas, May for some folks up north) through the dog days of summer and into the fall.
The thing that makes spring so special, though, is hope. We've had some good rains around here this spring and that gives us hope that maybe the corn will grow this summer and we can get some hay in the barn to help the livestock through the winter.
The long dry days of summer have yet to grab us, but I will admit Christina and I finally had to turn on the air conditioner last week.
It has been a strange spring. The winter had a lot of cold nights, but nothing bitter, yet in the middle of April, less than a month ago we had a severe freeze.
The weather delayed much of our planting and plans, but I think things are back on schedule.
The peas are in the ground and growing rapidly and the field corn is growing faster than the crows can pull it out of the ground.
Christina and I put in a lot of watermelons and hopefully in about a month we will plant a small pumpkin crop.
Of course the prayer is always for rain. Our ribbon cane crop loves water and fall just isn't the same without the sweet smell of cane syrup rising above the farm as we try our hand at the old craft.
Well, that's enough for now, but I will try and be more faithful.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Getting the Word Out
With the recent passage of the newest set of hate crime legislation to come out of Washington, the time for being an effective and truthful witness for the word of God may be short with the House's vote on HR 1913 expected this week. Preaching on the commandments of God could conceivably be outlawed in this country if this bill passes, particularly preaching on the sin of homosexuality. East Texas lawmaker Louie Gohmert fought tooth and nail against it but to no avail. Please read this commentary from Michael Mickey, and visit his Web site at www.rapturealert.com. He has a solid grasp on what is happening and he is a watchman on God's wall.
(4-23-09)
Yesterday I posted a commentary by J. Matt Barber on H.R. 1913, legislation that could pave the way for Christians who express disapproval or disagreement with the homosexual lifestyle, even from a biblical standpoint, to be prosecuted for having committed a HATE CRIME.
As reported by OneNewsNow.com, the entire foundation of H.R. 1913 was stripped out from under it yesterday when it was proven that said foundation was built upon lies - blatant lies that the House Judiciary Committee somehow managed to get around by today and pass the measure which is now expected to go to a full vote before the House of Representatives next Wednesday. A Senate version of the legislation is to be considered next week as well, this legislation apparently burning a hole in the pockets of our liberal members of Congress due to their obvious desperation to forward the homosexual agenda as quickly as possible.
A lot can happen in a single day
Just yesterday, mere hours after I posted Matt Barber's commentary on this issue, the OneNewsNow.com article indicates that Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition, was sensing the measure was in trouble with good reason. The Democrats had lied and been caught in it, according to Lafferty:
H.R. 1913 On The Fast Track
by Michael G. Mickey(4-23-09)
Yesterday I posted a commentary by J. Matt Barber on H.R. 1913, legislation that could pave the way for Christians who express disapproval or disagreement with the homosexual lifestyle, even from a biblical standpoint, to be prosecuted for having committed a HATE CRIME.
As reported by OneNewsNow.com, the entire foundation of H.R. 1913 was stripped out from under it yesterday when it was proven that said foundation was built upon lies - blatant lies that the House Judiciary Committee somehow managed to get around by today and pass the measure which is now expected to go to a full vote before the House of Representatives next Wednesday. A Senate version of the legislation is to be considered next week as well, this legislation apparently burning a hole in the pockets of our liberal members of Congress due to their obvious desperation to forward the homosexual agenda as quickly as possible.
A lot can happen in a single day
Just yesterday, mere hours after I posted Matt Barber's commentary on this issue, the OneNewsNow.com article indicates that Andrea Lafferty, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition, was sensing the measure was in trouble with good reason. The Democrats had lied and been caught in it, according to Lafferty:
"We exposed the fact that they claimed, they have fraudulent claims that there was an epidemic of hate against homosexuals and drag queens, transgenders -- and that claim was the foundation of the bill," she notes. "They claimed that homosexuals are fleeing across state lines to avoid persecution, and that perpetrators are crossing state lines to commit crimes against these gays, lesbians, and transgenders, and that they have trouble purchasing goods and services or finding employment. We nailed them on the fact that that's a lie."
Lafferty says during yesterday's markup hearing, Democrats neglected to mention that in America -- a country of 300 million people -- there have been only 1,521 cases of hate against homosexual, bisexual, and transgender people.
An Epidemic of Hate?
Homosexuals having to flee across state lines to avoid persecution and, beyond that, perpetrators of crimes against them chasing them from state-to-state? The very premise of such a claim reads like a scene from a homosexual version of "Smokey and The Bandit", doesn't it?
And then there is the laughable issue of gays not being able to purchase goods or services. How stupid do our members of Congress believe we are? Show me someone with a fistful of dollars in their hand and I'll show you someone who can purchase most anything they desire in this nation of ours. Give me a wad of cash and within an hour or two I'm confident I could buy something illegal to even possess, but we're to believe that there is an epidemic problem of homosexuals being unable to buy groceries, a haircut or get someone to fix a broken water fixture in their home? Baloney! All of it!
The issue isn't that homosexuals can't purchase goods or services. No, my friends. That isn't it at all. The real issue is they can't, under present law, command a Christian catering service, for example, to handle their "wedding reception" for them. Sure, they could find any of a blue million catering services that wouldn't mind doing it in the first place, but it just isn't fair for anyone to demonstrate disapproval of their lifestyle or be committed to their religious faith to the extent that they wouldn't bow to the homosexual community's agenda.
And homosexuals can't find jobs? Pffft! I know quite a few homosexuals who are gainfully employed. Not only that, I can't recall even once seeing a job application that required one to indicate their sexual orientation, but we've got ourselves an epidemic of employment discrimination afoot in this nation of ours, a large portion of it directed against homosexuals. I can't get past the irony of this last supposedly problematic issue raised - employment discrimination. And why would that be? Because I know of a young woman who was denied the title (or job) of Miss USA because a flamboyant homosexual judge who goes by the professional name of Perez Hilton admittedly gave her a ZERO during her interview process during the Miss USA pageant just a few days ago. Why did he do that to her? Because she didn't sign off on gay marriage in response to a question posed to her by him on that politically-loaded topic.
In spite of Hilton's discrimination against her, Miss California (Carrie Prejean) still almost won, finishing as the first runner-up. But the bottom line remains the bottom line: She isn't wearing the crown of Miss USA today because of the wrath of a homosexual! And yes, it was wrath.
How do I know it was the hatred and intolerance of Perez Hilton that cost Carrie Prejean the title of Miss USA and not an objective and tolerant look at the answer she gave in response to his question? All one has to do is review how Mr. Perez has acted beyond the pageant!
Being homosexual and oppressed as Hilton and so many homosexuals are today, he has, as noted earlier, admitted giving her a ZERO on her interview. He's also referred to her as a "dumb b*tch", acknowledged a desire to refer to her as a c*nt, and, as I understand it, took the liberty of posting a picture of her on his website with a penis drawn across her face. Pretty obvious, isn't it? But are we hearing any outpouring of support for Miss California in the mainstream media? Any at all? Uh, no. That would be because tolerance is a one-way street that flows away from God and all that is right - the same direction the vast majority of the mainstream media flows, proving the accuracy of the Bible when it refers to Satan as "the prince of the power of the air." (Ephesians 2:2)
If you're hearing support of Miss California on any significant scale, you're hearing it from Christian and conservative websites and talk radio, which H.R. 1913, should it become the law of the land, may place squarely in the crosshairs of the homosexual community. And make no mistake about it, if this bill gets past the House and Senate, our beloved Christian president, Barack Hussein Obama, will sign it into law faster than he'd drop to one knee in submission before the Muslim leader of a foreign country or shake hands with a dictatorial enemy of the United States like Hugo Chavez.
How much longer, Lord? How much more of this must we endure?Friday, April 17, 2009
Going it alone
I am no Rick Perry fan, but I will admit, I enjoyed his talk of Texas going it alone.
I know he is not in favor of secession, and he is just pandering to us extremists, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, to which I can say I am proud to be one if being an extremist means being a Bible believing, Constitution supporting, gun rights supporting TEXAN. The nerve of these people.
I say send most of the current Texas politicians to live elsewhere, we'll be better off without them when the time comes for us to go it alone. This nation has abandoned its founding. Trust me, a Republican will not help us get it back. It starts with us, and it starts by kneeling before Jesus Christ. After that, everything else will just take care of itself.
Remember, we never have to go it alone, Christ is always there for us.
I know he is not in favor of secession, and he is just pandering to us extremists, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, to which I can say I am proud to be one if being an extremist means being a Bible believing, Constitution supporting, gun rights supporting TEXAN. The nerve of these people.
I say send most of the current Texas politicians to live elsewhere, we'll be better off without them when the time comes for us to go it alone. This nation has abandoned its founding. Trust me, a Republican will not help us get it back. It starts with us, and it starts by kneeling before Jesus Christ. After that, everything else will just take care of itself.
Remember, we never have to go it alone, Christ is always there for us.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Evil in the World
A recent poll by the Barna Group found that 60 percent of professing Christians don't believe in the existence of Satan.
I say, what?
How can someone see the evil in the world and not believe the devil exists? More importantly, and even more worrisome is the fact that people are reading the Bible, God's holy word, and claiming Christ's name for themselves and then dismissing it as a well-written story.
Folks, remember what Christ said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" — Matthew 7:22-23
The poll also stated most Christians do not believe the Holy Spirit is a living force.
The man behind the poll had these chilling words to say, "Most Americans, even those who say they are Christian, have doubts about the intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world," commented George Barna, founder of The Barna Group and author of books analyzing research concerning America's faith.
"Hollywood has made evil accessible and tame, making Satan and demons less worrisome than the Bible suggests they really are," he said. "It's hard for achievement-driven, self-reliant, independent people to believe that their lives can be impacted by unseen forces."
Unfortunately, as Christians we have failed to take ourselves out of the world and instead we have let the world shape our thoughts and our beliefs. The Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and is not moved by the whims of the world. People should realize that before it's too late, because to not means there is hell to pay.
From that poll, though, there was something that made me weep and pray for this country, because I know the end is coming soon.
The poll found that 39 percent of professing Christians believed that Christ sinned at some point in his life.
Our Lord God, who knew no sin, was perfect in all respects. He had to be or his sacrifice on the cross was for nothing.
If nearly 40 percent of Christians out there do not believe Christ, God incarnate, was not without sin, then where is their hope of salvation?
May God have mercy on us all for our lack of faith.
For those who put their faith in the infallible hands of Jesus, then look up, our redemption draweth nigh.
I say, what?
How can someone see the evil in the world and not believe the devil exists? More importantly, and even more worrisome is the fact that people are reading the Bible, God's holy word, and claiming Christ's name for themselves and then dismissing it as a well-written story.
Folks, remember what Christ said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" — Matthew 7:22-23
The poll also stated most Christians do not believe the Holy Spirit is a living force.
The man behind the poll had these chilling words to say, "Most Americans, even those who say they are Christian, have doubts about the intrusion of the supernatural into the natural world," commented George Barna, founder of The Barna Group and author of books analyzing research concerning America's faith.
"Hollywood has made evil accessible and tame, making Satan and demons less worrisome than the Bible suggests they really are," he said. "It's hard for achievement-driven, self-reliant, independent people to believe that their lives can be impacted by unseen forces."
Unfortunately, as Christians we have failed to take ourselves out of the world and instead we have let the world shape our thoughts and our beliefs. The Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and is not moved by the whims of the world. People should realize that before it's too late, because to not means there is hell to pay.
From that poll, though, there was something that made me weep and pray for this country, because I know the end is coming soon.
The poll found that 39 percent of professing Christians believed that Christ sinned at some point in his life.
Our Lord God, who knew no sin, was perfect in all respects. He had to be or his sacrifice on the cross was for nothing.
If nearly 40 percent of Christians out there do not believe Christ, God incarnate, was not without sin, then where is their hope of salvation?
May God have mercy on us all for our lack of faith.
For those who put their faith in the infallible hands of Jesus, then look up, our redemption draweth nigh.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A new type of forage
After talking with Bill Bretherick with East Texas Seed Co. in Tyler earlier today, I want to let you know about a new forage legume they are marketing which was developed by Auburn University. It is called, AU Grazer, a sericea lespedeza. A long name, but what it basically is is a summer legume that can be grazed or baled.
There will be more information in next week's Farm & Ranch News, but it is worth checking out. Oh, and for the goat raisers out there, the forage also fights internal parasites, which also can be a bonus for cattle raisers. It was mentioned in the Goat Gossip column in last week's Farm & Ranch News and we will expand it some.
For more about AU Grazer, a sericea lespedeza, contact East Texas Seed Co. at 800-888-1371 and they can tell you where you can get this "Poor man's alfalfa," as Mr. Bretherick called it.
There will be more information in next week's Farm & Ranch News, but it is worth checking out. Oh, and for the goat raisers out there, the forage also fights internal parasites, which also can be a bonus for cattle raisers. It was mentioned in the Goat Gossip column in last week's Farm & Ranch News and we will expand it some.
For more about AU Grazer, a sericea lespedeza, contact East Texas Seed Co. at 800-888-1371 and they can tell you where you can get this "Poor man's alfalfa," as Mr. Bretherick called it.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Gone for a while
Christina and I will be taking a few days off, but we will be back next week.
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Wayne
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Wayne
What's going to happen next
It was shocking, but I shouldn't say surprising when Barack Obama all but nationalized General Motors and Chrysler Corp. on Monday.
To see these venerable, if not troubled companies, became the latest object of the new president's quest. I am sure once the hand of government comes to bear on these companies they will not be long for this world.
If you think I'm bitter, then you are right. It appears, no check that, the government is taking control over every part of this nation and of our lives. The federal government is dictating we all switch to fluorescent light bulbs, and after 2012, we will no longer be able to buy or even own incandescent light bulbs. There is H.B. 875, which is nothing more than a bald attempt to control this nation's food supply. The consensus right now is the bill will not even make it out of committee, but what about next year or the year after that. Give it time and it will come to pass.
Here is another tidbit of information, the country's new education secretary, Arne Duncan, who came to Washington after being superintendent of Chicago schools, is proposing mayors take control of big city schools in urban areas.
Folks, Chicago schools are not known for being high performing institutions of learning. In fact, they were some of the most violent places in the country. Keeping fathers at home with their families would go farther than education initiative from Washington ever could.
It begins with the family, not the government. The government will only screw it up.
Just try and think, what has the government ever touched and made better? If you can think of something I am begging you to let me know. When the government gets involved things will only get worse, and I sure don't trust any elected politician to run anything, much less a public school system.
How about this, get rid of the politicians, let the educators discipline the children from Kindergarten on up. If the students don't pass, then make them learn a trade and not push them through a school and declare they are ready to enter society.
I could be wrong, most of the time I usually am, but I still have a better track record than the government.
To see these venerable, if not troubled companies, became the latest object of the new president's quest. I am sure once the hand of government comes to bear on these companies they will not be long for this world.
If you think I'm bitter, then you are right. It appears, no check that, the government is taking control over every part of this nation and of our lives. The federal government is dictating we all switch to fluorescent light bulbs, and after 2012, we will no longer be able to buy or even own incandescent light bulbs. There is H.B. 875, which is nothing more than a bald attempt to control this nation's food supply. The consensus right now is the bill will not even make it out of committee, but what about next year or the year after that. Give it time and it will come to pass.
Here is another tidbit of information, the country's new education secretary, Arne Duncan, who came to Washington after being superintendent of Chicago schools, is proposing mayors take control of big city schools in urban areas.
Folks, Chicago schools are not known for being high performing institutions of learning. In fact, they were some of the most violent places in the country. Keeping fathers at home with their families would go farther than education initiative from Washington ever could.
It begins with the family, not the government. The government will only screw it up.
Just try and think, what has the government ever touched and made better? If you can think of something I am begging you to let me know. When the government gets involved things will only get worse, and I sure don't trust any elected politician to run anything, much less a public school system.
How about this, get rid of the politicians, let the educators discipline the children from Kindergarten on up. If the students don't pass, then make them learn a trade and not push them through a school and declare they are ready to enter society.
I could be wrong, most of the time I usually am, but I still have a better track record than the government.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
More preaching
I will continue to comment on how Christians are not to be a part of this world.
During these rough times so many people are looking for answers. They elected a politician who promised hope and change. They look for banks, advisers and others to help solve their problems. It seems society is at a point where people will follow any thing if they think it will help them get ahead in this life.
The plain and simple truth is the world does not hold any answers — at best it only creates more questions.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." — 1 John 2:15
Tough words from old John. I am sure there are people out there who think John is the apostle of love, but don't forget the name Jesus gave to John and his brother James — Sons of Thunder.
The command from John here is clear and simple, "do not love the world or anything in the world."
Now I don't think John means we have to walk around with a sour look on our face telling everybody they are going to hell because they like to eat peaches.
The problems arise when we place the priorities of the world over our relationship with God. Problems arise when we seek answers that are not God's answers. Problems arise when we refuse God in order to take our place in the world.
We must realize what the world is, let's let John tell us.
"For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." — 1 John 2:16-17
Riches mean nothing. Possessions mean nothing. The world's opinion of us means nothing. The only thing that means anything at all is our belief on the Lord Jesus Christ.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? — Matthew 16:25-26
Can you bargain with God. Remember the old adage, "What do you get for a man who has everything? We don't have anything God wants, but still, he offers us the gift of life and that is through his Son Jesus Christ.
That is our ticket out of the world, but why do we, even those of us who are saved, look to the world and spend so much of our time obsessed with how to get from day to day.
We must remove our thoughts and minds and hearts from this evil place and look solely to Christ.
In the end, there really is no alternative.
During these rough times so many people are looking for answers. They elected a politician who promised hope and change. They look for banks, advisers and others to help solve their problems. It seems society is at a point where people will follow any thing if they think it will help them get ahead in this life.
The plain and simple truth is the world does not hold any answers — at best it only creates more questions.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." — 1 John 2:15
Tough words from old John. I am sure there are people out there who think John is the apostle of love, but don't forget the name Jesus gave to John and his brother James — Sons of Thunder.
The command from John here is clear and simple, "do not love the world or anything in the world."
Now I don't think John means we have to walk around with a sour look on our face telling everybody they are going to hell because they like to eat peaches.
The problems arise when we place the priorities of the world over our relationship with God. Problems arise when we seek answers that are not God's answers. Problems arise when we refuse God in order to take our place in the world.
We must realize what the world is, let's let John tell us.
"For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." — 1 John 2:16-17
Riches mean nothing. Possessions mean nothing. The world's opinion of us means nothing. The only thing that means anything at all is our belief on the Lord Jesus Christ.
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? — Matthew 16:25-26
Can you bargain with God. Remember the old adage, "What do you get for a man who has everything? We don't have anything God wants, but still, he offers us the gift of life and that is through his Son Jesus Christ.
That is our ticket out of the world, but why do we, even those of us who are saved, look to the world and spend so much of our time obsessed with how to get from day to day.
We must remove our thoughts and minds and hearts from this evil place and look solely to Christ.
In the end, there really is no alternative.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Catching up Time
Finally we are just about caught up with our gardening at the house.
Over the weekend we got some corn planted along with some beans.
In the small garden near the house we planted tomatoes, squash, peppers, some radishes and greens. It's a little late on those, but hey, we got them in. We still have some greens from last fall going so everything is looking good in that respect.
In the small garden we completely covered it with pine straw. Pine straw makes an excellent mulch, just check the pH every hear to make sure you are not adding too much acidity to the soil. If you are, just add some lime in the fall and winter months and everything should work itself out fine.
It's a lot of fun growing a garden. Christina and I are getting to do it together this year. Last year I was mostly on my own as she was expecting our little girl, who at just 8 months old is getting to spend quite a bit of time in the fields. Hopefully she will catch the gardening bug when she gets older. We could use another hand on the place.
Gardens are much more than a hobby, if things get worse, they will prove to be a necessity.
I know the past couple of weeks the stock market has been on the rise, but things still aren't good out there and it is only wise to trust God and go it alone rather than trust the inventions of man to save us.
Now, back to gardening, I highly recommend mulching, because it serves two purposes — it conserves water and cuts down on weed pressure. Two important things here in East Texas.
That's it for now, until next time.
Over the weekend we got some corn planted along with some beans.
In the small garden near the house we planted tomatoes, squash, peppers, some radishes and greens. It's a little late on those, but hey, we got them in. We still have some greens from last fall going so everything is looking good in that respect.
In the small garden we completely covered it with pine straw. Pine straw makes an excellent mulch, just check the pH every hear to make sure you are not adding too much acidity to the soil. If you are, just add some lime in the fall and winter months and everything should work itself out fine.
It's a lot of fun growing a garden. Christina and I are getting to do it together this year. Last year I was mostly on my own as she was expecting our little girl, who at just 8 months old is getting to spend quite a bit of time in the fields. Hopefully she will catch the gardening bug when she gets older. We could use another hand on the place.
Gardens are much more than a hobby, if things get worse, they will prove to be a necessity.
I know the past couple of weeks the stock market has been on the rise, but things still aren't good out there and it is only wise to trust God and go it alone rather than trust the inventions of man to save us.
Now, back to gardening, I highly recommend mulching, because it serves two purposes — it conserves water and cuts down on weed pressure. Two important things here in East Texas.
That's it for now, until next time.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
More on the disaster brewing concerning farmers
Though I have never met him in person, I would consider Ray Gano a friend of mine. Ray has dedicated his life to studying prophecy and showing how it fits into our lives. The time in which we are living is running short and we need watchmen like Ray and his family. Ray and his wife and family live on a ranch in Central Texas, occupying until the Lord returns for his church. Read his commentary concerning the Food Safety Modernization Act and see if it doesn't send chills down your spine.
May we all pray that Jesus will return for us quickly.
Wayne
H.R. 875 Rides A Black Horse
Updated 03-20-09 12:41 AM CST
United States Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has proposed legislation, H.R. 875, which would literally prohibit Americans from raising food for themselves, their families, or even for their animals, without the national government's permission!
H.R. 875, the so-called Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (FSMA) sounds innocent enough at first blush, with language purporting to "protect the public health by preventing food-borne illness, ensuring the safety of food, improving research on contaminants leading to food-borne illness, and improving security of food from intentional contamination, and for other purposes." In reality, the FSMA is an extensive and all-controlling abomination that must be stopped!
The FSMA mandates registration of every "food production facility," which the bill defines as "any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation;" and every "food establishment," which the bill defines as "a slaughterhouse..., factory, warehouse, or facility owned or operated by a person located in any State that processes food or a facility that holds, stores, or transports food or food ingredients."
In the last several months I have been seeing a drastic increase in the cost of food. Milk is sitting at $4.25 a gallon, Cheese has gone up $2.00 for a quarter pound block and butter is sitting at $4.65 a box.
Folks, we are coming to the end of the age. We are beginning to see the foundations that have been put in place, start to take effect.
During the tribulation we know that food will become scarce and the cost will sky rocket.
We read in Revelation 6:5-6…
Revelation 6:5 – 6 (KJV) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Christ himself stated..
Matthew 24:8 (KJV) All these are the beginning of sorrows.
In this Christ was speaking of wars, rumors of wars, false Christ’s, earthquakes, famines, pestilences. He was speaking about now, the end of the age.
Matthew 24:7 (KJV) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
When one does a study on this verse we learn that he is using verbiage which equates to that of a woman about to give birth, or the birth pangs as it is commonly stated.
Birth pangs do not slow down, ask any mother, she will attest to the fact that they increase in strength and timing. They get harder and more painful as well as coming more frequently.
That is exactly what we are seeing today, read on…
Forget Oil, the New Global Crisis is Food
BMO strategist Donald Coxe warns credit crunch and soaring oil prices will pale in comparison to looming catastrophe.
A new crisis is emerging, a global food catastrophe that will reach further and be more crippling than anything the world has ever seen. The credit crunch and the reverberations of soaring oil prices around the world will pale in comparison to what is about to transpire, Donald Coxe, global portfolio strategist at BMO Financial Group said at the Empire Club's 14th annual investment outlook in Toronto on Thursday.
"It's not a matter of if, but when," he warned investors. "It's going to hit this year hard."
Mr. Coxe said the sharp rise in raw food prices in the past year will intensify in the next few years amid increased demand for meat and dairy products from the growing middle classes of countries such as China and India as well as heavy demand from the biofuels industry.
"The greatest challenge to the world is not US$100 oil; it's getting enough food so that the new middle class can eat the way our middle class does, and that means we've got to expand food output dramatically," he said.
The impact of tighter food supply is already evident in raw food prices, which have risen 22% in the past year.
Source - http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=213343
In this article Mr.Coxe is pointing out the production of biofuel / biodiesel is one of his primary concerns. If you do not know, biofuel / biodiesels are produced by using corn, wheat, sugar beets, ect. Many of the grains and produce used to make biofuel / biodiesel is also the same thing we use to feed the livestock thus promoting a healthy food supply.
Living here on the Gano Ranch, we have seen this directly as well as having an effect on us as these prices go up. In fact this was my main topic for this week’s Prophezine’s This Week In Bible Prophecy Show.
Watch Now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbDntNOq3G0
We have noticed the cost of our chicken feed going up and even our dog food, which is also predominately made from grains.
With the continued cost of rising livestock feed going up, the products such as meat, diary, poultry and eggs are also going up.
Soon the rule of supply and demand will impact us. But which demand will win out? Will the demand to run our machinery win or will the demand to feed our livestock win.
No matter what, in the end, we learn that food will become scarce.
Read HE RIDES A BLACK HORSE Here>>>
http://www.prophezine.com/PZArticles/HeRidesaBlackHorseByRayGano/tabid/679/Default.aspx
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Disturbing information
I read something quite disturbing today about the government's attempt to control the nation's food supply.
I will have more later, right now all I have is knee-jerk venom for what this administration is trying to do to private landowners and producers.
In essence, all farms will have to be numbered (recall National Animal Identification System) and all products leaving the farm (animal, vegetable and mineral) will be subject to inspection by the federal government. I am assuming this will also include environmental impacts and practices.
Beware of what's coming around the bend. I will more for you very soon.
I will have more later, right now all I have is knee-jerk venom for what this administration is trying to do to private landowners and producers.
In essence, all farms will have to be numbered (recall National Animal Identification System) and all products leaving the farm (animal, vegetable and mineral) will be subject to inspection by the federal government. I am assuming this will also include environmental impacts and practices.
Beware of what's coming around the bend. I will more for you very soon.
Come out from the world
I think as Christians it is high time we truly begin to separate ourselves from this world.
It's easy to say, in fact we have been saying it for 2,000 years, but it is even more important now as society around us becomes more perverse by the minute.
The U.S. has quit being a God fearing nation and is quickly becoming a God hating nation, so we must come out from the world as James said.
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." — James 4:4-6
Notice the first thing James called the people who try and take part in the world, he called them adulterous. The definition of adultery is the voluntary relations between a married person and someone who is not his or her spouse.
Just a few years before James wrote this letter, Jesus had similar words for the people of Israel.
"An evil and adulterous nation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah. And he left them and went away." — Matthew 16:4
Here is what John Wesley said on the matter of that same verse.
"A wicked and adulterous generation — Ye would seek no farther sign, did not your wickedness, your love of the world, which is spiritual adultery, blind your understanding."
By taking part in the ways of the world, we are cheating on God. There is no other way around that.
Everything that goes on in the realm of this world stands in stark opposition to God and the gospel of Christ.
If some impartial being came here and observed us for just a normal day, not a Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, would he be able to tell who was a Christian and who wasn't? Just because we claim the name of Christ does not mean we are in Christ. Do you get my point?
I am a big Houston Astros fan, but that doesn't mean I'm invited to take the field with the team. The same way with being a Christian. There are a lot of folks out there who like what Jesus had to say, but they will not accept what He did for them. They are not willing to leave this corrupt world behind for the free gift Christ offers us, paid for with his blood.
I wrote a few days ago that we cannot have dual citizenship. I am hitting on this topic again. Yes, it's fun to play politics and dream about how we would like to see things change. It is right for us to pray for this country, its leaders, and to pray that we would all turn back to God, it is right to vote and to exercise our other freedoms endowed to us by our Creator. But when we put this system of man in front of Jesus, even if we think we are accomplishing good, then we are committing adultery. We have to keep things in context. Christ comes first.
Peter called Christians "strangers in the world."
That is what we are, we should be recognizable by our actions. There should be no doubt in whose service we find ourselves.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against you soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." — 1 Peter 2:9-12
We must all send our forwarding addresses to the world. Those in Christ are not long for this corrupt place, but before we go, let's take as many as we can with us, all we have to do is tell what Christ did and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
It's easy to say, in fact we have been saying it for 2,000 years, but it is even more important now as society around us becomes more perverse by the minute.
The U.S. has quit being a God fearing nation and is quickly becoming a God hating nation, so we must come out from the world as James said.
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." — James 4:4-6
Notice the first thing James called the people who try and take part in the world, he called them adulterous. The definition of adultery is the voluntary relations between a married person and someone who is not his or her spouse.
Just a few years before James wrote this letter, Jesus had similar words for the people of Israel.
"An evil and adulterous nation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah. And he left them and went away." — Matthew 16:4
Here is what John Wesley said on the matter of that same verse.
"A wicked and adulterous generation — Ye would seek no farther sign, did not your wickedness, your love of the world, which is spiritual adultery, blind your understanding."
By taking part in the ways of the world, we are cheating on God. There is no other way around that.
Everything that goes on in the realm of this world stands in stark opposition to God and the gospel of Christ.
If some impartial being came here and observed us for just a normal day, not a Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, would he be able to tell who was a Christian and who wasn't? Just because we claim the name of Christ does not mean we are in Christ. Do you get my point?
I am a big Houston Astros fan, but that doesn't mean I'm invited to take the field with the team. The same way with being a Christian. There are a lot of folks out there who like what Jesus had to say, but they will not accept what He did for them. They are not willing to leave this corrupt world behind for the free gift Christ offers us, paid for with his blood.
I wrote a few days ago that we cannot have dual citizenship. I am hitting on this topic again. Yes, it's fun to play politics and dream about how we would like to see things change. It is right for us to pray for this country, its leaders, and to pray that we would all turn back to God, it is right to vote and to exercise our other freedoms endowed to us by our Creator. But when we put this system of man in front of Jesus, even if we think we are accomplishing good, then we are committing adultery. We have to keep things in context. Christ comes first.
Peter called Christians "strangers in the world."
That is what we are, we should be recognizable by our actions. There should be no doubt in whose service we find ourselves.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against you soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." — 1 Peter 2:9-12
We must all send our forwarding addresses to the world. Those in Christ are not long for this corrupt place, but before we go, let's take as many as we can with us, all we have to do is tell what Christ did and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Shootings and their cause
With the shooting and killing of 12 people in South Alabama; five people hurt by gunfire in Gonzales and 15 killed by a gun-toting teen in Germany, and the shootings at an Illinois church there will be a new push to outlaw firearms in the U.S., including probably some stealthy attempts by the White House to limit gun ownership.
The problem is folks, guns didn't do any of the killing, they were just the instrument chosen in these deadly rampages. It was the evil will of men that ended these lives.
The cause, sin and the rejection of the one God sent to cleanse the world from sin — His son Jesus Christ.
If any one doubts we are in the end times, I challenge you to do nothing more than glance at the news on the Internet and see for yourself. Now, talking about the end times, here is what our Lord and Savior had to say on the matter.
"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." — Matthew 24:10-13
Because of iniquity (sin) the love of many shall wax (grow) cold.
There no longer is any regard to others. Sure, the liberals claim compassion when they steal our money and give it to others, but it is nothing more than a means of control.
There is no respect as we look out for ourselves at the expense of everything else around us.
No, Jesus is right, as always, these are dire times indeed as we see the world unraveling around us.
As Christians, many of us find the love we have growing cold if we fail to keep Christ at the center of our lives. Divorce rates among professing Christians are about the same as the rest of society.
But back to Jesus' Olilvet discourse. In verse 10, Jesus said, "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
Doesn't that sound like a snapshot of modern society. Many shall be offended. We can't turn on the TV these days without someone saying they were offended by a word, statement, picture or something like that. The worst part is, most folks are claiming the Word of God as the biggest offense.
I guess the old saying, "The truth hurts," really rings true. In this age of tolerance, though, the biggest things we see happening is hate.
While Christians are called hateful for being against homosexuality and other instances of ungodly behavior the vitriol spewed against us is simply called free speech.
Definitely we live in an upside down world,but there is good news.
Christ is the remedy for the sick. He can save us from a sin-imposed death sentence — just trust him.
Judgment is coming soon folks, I pray you all choose Christ instead of the god of this doomed world.
I would like to leave you with the words from one of my favorite hymns, "Only Trust Him."
"Come every soul by sin oppressed;
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.
For Jesus shed His precious blood
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.
The problem is folks, guns didn't do any of the killing, they were just the instrument chosen in these deadly rampages. It was the evil will of men that ended these lives.
The cause, sin and the rejection of the one God sent to cleanse the world from sin — His son Jesus Christ.
If any one doubts we are in the end times, I challenge you to do nothing more than glance at the news on the Internet and see for yourself. Now, talking about the end times, here is what our Lord and Savior had to say on the matter.
"And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." — Matthew 24:10-13
Because of iniquity (sin) the love of many shall wax (grow) cold.
There no longer is any regard to others. Sure, the liberals claim compassion when they steal our money and give it to others, but it is nothing more than a means of control.
There is no respect as we look out for ourselves at the expense of everything else around us.
No, Jesus is right, as always, these are dire times indeed as we see the world unraveling around us.
As Christians, many of us find the love we have growing cold if we fail to keep Christ at the center of our lives. Divorce rates among professing Christians are about the same as the rest of society.
But back to Jesus' Olilvet discourse. In verse 10, Jesus said, "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
Doesn't that sound like a snapshot of modern society. Many shall be offended. We can't turn on the TV these days without someone saying they were offended by a word, statement, picture or something like that. The worst part is, most folks are claiming the Word of God as the biggest offense.
I guess the old saying, "The truth hurts," really rings true. In this age of tolerance, though, the biggest things we see happening is hate.
While Christians are called hateful for being against homosexuality and other instances of ungodly behavior the vitriol spewed against us is simply called free speech.
Definitely we live in an upside down world,but there is good news.
Christ is the remedy for the sick. He can save us from a sin-imposed death sentence — just trust him.
Judgment is coming soon folks, I pray you all choose Christ instead of the god of this doomed world.
I would like to leave you with the words from one of my favorite hymns, "Only Trust Him."
"Come every soul by sin oppressed;
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.
For Jesus shed His precious blood
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.
A Welcome Sight
The rain falling over East Texas today sure is a welcome sight and an answer to my prayers and I know of a lot of others out there.
Let us continue to pray God will bless us and that we will remember where those blessings originate.
Let us continue to pray God will bless us and that we will remember where those blessings originate.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Dual citizenship
I got a call from a sweet woman the other day. She had a few complaints about me, but not many.
Her main complaint was I was a little rough on the country's new president and I wasn't giving him a fair chance.
The woman said she voted twice for George Bush because she didn't like the policies of Al Gore or John Kerry.
I told her I wasn't a big George Bush fan either. I guess I don't fall in the "Republican" category. To me, the party has lost its way and it is nothing more than a less aggressive form of the Democrats.
I know, I know, there are major differences between the two parties, but there are many in the GOP who are in favor of moving more to the left, changing the party's stance on abortion, gay rights and all the other issues many right-minded Americans find repugnant.
There are many things I cannot stand about both parties, and that includes their constant intrusion into our lives. They have completely ignored the Constitution, a document meant to protect the people from the government, not to confer power on the government.
We have much to fear from the people in power of both parties.
Now, back to this woman who called me. She couldn't support Gore or Kerry, but she thinks Obama is worthy of my support.
Barack Obama is Gore and Kerry on steroids, plus he has much of the media in his corner, along with the millions of people who voted for him. He is a formidable opponent indeed.
I was told that instead of criticizing him I should pray for him like the Apostle Paul told the church to do.
I told her that is correct, but we also owe allegiance to God and not to man.
Now, today, I make this declaration and I urge all of you out there to join me.
While I am a resident of the United States, I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. My allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ alone, any other and I have betrayed Him and his sacrifice on the cross.
Yes, we are to pray for our leaders. I do, I pray that God changes the heart of Barack Obama who supports unfettered access to abortion, destroying the basis of human life under the guises of stem cell research. I pray that he will change his heart and convince him it is in this country's best interests to give our unflinching support to Israel. These are issues I am concerned about, and they are issues with which I stand in stark contrast with this president.
Those are my prayers, but when folks quote Paul about praying for leaders and obeying authorities we must remember Paul preached the gospel, something that was against the law in the Roman empire under Nero and other Roman emperors.
When we are told to offer this support to our leaders, this verse is often forgotten.
"Then they (Sanhedrin) called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God." — Acts 4:18-19
This is not a license to break the laws of men, but it is a call to action to follow God when the laws of men go against the laws of God.
We are at such a cross roads. Choose this day whom you will serve.
Are you trying to hold dual citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven and in the United States of America, or are you willing to serve God above all others?
There is no inbetween. Pray for your leaders, but above all else, remain in the will of God.
Her main complaint was I was a little rough on the country's new president and I wasn't giving him a fair chance.
The woman said she voted twice for George Bush because she didn't like the policies of Al Gore or John Kerry.
I told her I wasn't a big George Bush fan either. I guess I don't fall in the "Republican" category. To me, the party has lost its way and it is nothing more than a less aggressive form of the Democrats.
I know, I know, there are major differences between the two parties, but there are many in the GOP who are in favor of moving more to the left, changing the party's stance on abortion, gay rights and all the other issues many right-minded Americans find repugnant.
There are many things I cannot stand about both parties, and that includes their constant intrusion into our lives. They have completely ignored the Constitution, a document meant to protect the people from the government, not to confer power on the government.
We have much to fear from the people in power of both parties.
Now, back to this woman who called me. She couldn't support Gore or Kerry, but she thinks Obama is worthy of my support.
Barack Obama is Gore and Kerry on steroids, plus he has much of the media in his corner, along with the millions of people who voted for him. He is a formidable opponent indeed.
I was told that instead of criticizing him I should pray for him like the Apostle Paul told the church to do.
I told her that is correct, but we also owe allegiance to God and not to man.
Now, today, I make this declaration and I urge all of you out there to join me.
While I am a resident of the United States, I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. My allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ alone, any other and I have betrayed Him and his sacrifice on the cross.
Yes, we are to pray for our leaders. I do, I pray that God changes the heart of Barack Obama who supports unfettered access to abortion, destroying the basis of human life under the guises of stem cell research. I pray that he will change his heart and convince him it is in this country's best interests to give our unflinching support to Israel. These are issues I am concerned about, and they are issues with which I stand in stark contrast with this president.
Those are my prayers, but when folks quote Paul about praying for leaders and obeying authorities we must remember Paul preached the gospel, something that was against the law in the Roman empire under Nero and other Roman emperors.
When we are told to offer this support to our leaders, this verse is often forgotten.
"Then they (Sanhedrin) called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God." — Acts 4:18-19
This is not a license to break the laws of men, but it is a call to action to follow God when the laws of men go against the laws of God.
We are at such a cross roads. Choose this day whom you will serve.
Are you trying to hold dual citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven and in the United States of America, or are you willing to serve God above all others?
There is no inbetween. Pray for your leaders, but above all else, remain in the will of God.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Back from a few days off
Back to work now after a few days off and hopefully there is a welcome sight over the horizon — rain.
Boy do we need it. I had planned on planting corn a week ago, but the ground was so dry I decided just to wait. So, if we get a good rain I will get it in the ground. Christina called Accuweather and talked with them and they said East Texas could expect up to three inches of rain.
I promise I won't turn any rain down, even if it means we have to suffer through some cooler temperatures for a few days.
On the homefront, we are building a cabin by a nearby creek to spend some quiet weekends talking to catfish and getting away from it all without having to go too far away. It will be a rough cabin and we are looking at putting solar panels on it to run a few lights and maybe a fan on those still lights.
Hopefully we can get off the grid, but still enjoy a few amenities.
I have a lot to say about what's going on in the country, but I will save that for tomorrow.
Boy do we need it. I had planned on planting corn a week ago, but the ground was so dry I decided just to wait. So, if we get a good rain I will get it in the ground. Christina called Accuweather and talked with them and they said East Texas could expect up to three inches of rain.
I promise I won't turn any rain down, even if it means we have to suffer through some cooler temperatures for a few days.
On the homefront, we are building a cabin by a nearby creek to spend some quiet weekends talking to catfish and getting away from it all without having to go too far away. It will be a rough cabin and we are looking at putting solar panels on it to run a few lights and maybe a fan on those still lights.
Hopefully we can get off the grid, but still enjoy a few amenities.
I have a lot to say about what's going on in the country, but I will save that for tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Results are In
For the past week I had a poll on this blog asking folks if they thought the stimulus package will work.
There were four answer options:
• Yes, immediately
• Yes, but it will take time
• Never in a million years
• Don't know
The votes are in and the results are overwhelming. An eye-popping 13 people voted in this highly, extremely scientific poll with all 13 votes falling into the "Never in a million years" category.
Now I know the people who would enjoy reading this blog do not represent a broad cross section of the makeup of this country. What I do try to do is reflect common sentiments in East Texas.
Around here, we are highly skeptical of government being able to fix our problems, and we also are highly skeptical of some Chicago Yankee sitting in Washington trying to tell us what to do.
That stick won't float in these creeks.
If you want to get into our good graces come at us explaining how government is going to get out of our lives. Tell us how government is going to leave us alone and let us do what we please the way we please. Tell us the truth. Tell us our Social Security money won't be there when it comes time for us to retire. Tell us Texas is the greatest state in the Union, and because of that we get to go it alone now with no hard feelings.
If they would tell us that, then and I promise them I might send them a Christmas card.
There were four answer options:
• Yes, immediately
• Yes, but it will take time
• Never in a million years
• Don't know
The votes are in and the results are overwhelming. An eye-popping 13 people voted in this highly, extremely scientific poll with all 13 votes falling into the "Never in a million years" category.
Now I know the people who would enjoy reading this blog do not represent a broad cross section of the makeup of this country. What I do try to do is reflect common sentiments in East Texas.
Around here, we are highly skeptical of government being able to fix our problems, and we also are highly skeptical of some Chicago Yankee sitting in Washington trying to tell us what to do.
That stick won't float in these creeks.
If you want to get into our good graces come at us explaining how government is going to get out of our lives. Tell us how government is going to leave us alone and let us do what we please the way we please. Tell us the truth. Tell us our Social Security money won't be there when it comes time for us to retire. Tell us Texas is the greatest state in the Union, and because of that we get to go it alone now with no hard feelings.
If they would tell us that, then and I promise them I might send them a Christmas card.
Monday, March 2, 2009
When will it stop?
As the Dow plunged below 7,000 today and I read the reports coming out of New York and economists from around the country, you can almost hear the panic in their voices. They don't know where the bottom is and they do not know how bad things are going to get. I am not as smart as the experts are and I sure don't know how things are going to turn out. If I did I guess I wouldn't have to be a reporter for a living.
I know people are scared, but what good does it do. There have been a lot of people who blame the media, Washington, banks, lenders and a whole bunch of other folks for the problems out there, but the blame should lie on all of our shoulders.
I am not trying to be diplomatic, just truthful. We all bought into the, "we have to have it now, so let's mortgage everything to get it," attitude. Now it is coming back to haunt us.
The government is no help. These massive spending plans coming out of the Obama administration and begun by the Bush administration are only pouring gasoline onto the flames and I'm afraid eventually the chickens are going to come home and roost from all of this money the government is pulling out of thin air and burdening us with for generations to come. It is definitely apparent the nation's investors don't have a lot of faith in the plans this new Socialist government is putting forth.
There is an answer, though few now will believe it, and that is Jesus Christ.
Trillions of dollars will not fix the problem, but sincere repentance before the cross of Christ will put us on the road to redemption.
It may not solve our financial woes, but they are only temporary — Christ is eternal.
I know people are scared, but what good does it do. There have been a lot of people who blame the media, Washington, banks, lenders and a whole bunch of other folks for the problems out there, but the blame should lie on all of our shoulders.
I am not trying to be diplomatic, just truthful. We all bought into the, "we have to have it now, so let's mortgage everything to get it," attitude. Now it is coming back to haunt us.
The government is no help. These massive spending plans coming out of the Obama administration and begun by the Bush administration are only pouring gasoline onto the flames and I'm afraid eventually the chickens are going to come home and roost from all of this money the government is pulling out of thin air and burdening us with for generations to come. It is definitely apparent the nation's investors don't have a lot of faith in the plans this new Socialist government is putting forth.
There is an answer, though few now will believe it, and that is Jesus Christ.
Trillions of dollars will not fix the problem, but sincere repentance before the cross of Christ will put us on the road to redemption.
It may not solve our financial woes, but they are only temporary — Christ is eternal.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Sad Day for all of Us
The world had to bid a sad farewell to Paul Harvey today.
His voice coming across the radio airwaves seemed to make sense out of chaos. I always thought of him as a voice of common sense in a snooty news world.
Paul Harvey was like one of us.
A day wasn't complete unless I got to hear, "The Rest of the Story" when I was growing up, a segment he began in 1976. Harvey had been delivering information to America since 1951 for the ABC News Radio Network.
Though his radio appearances have been sporadic of late, radio will never be the same without him. We will miss you Paul Harvey.
It also was a sad day around the Stewart household as we lost our 15-year-old Basset Hound Matilda. She was a good friend and will be missed, but all things have an ending, even a loving and loyal dog like Matilda.
We'll see you in the morning Pig.
His voice coming across the radio airwaves seemed to make sense out of chaos. I always thought of him as a voice of common sense in a snooty news world.
Paul Harvey was like one of us.
A day wasn't complete unless I got to hear, "The Rest of the Story" when I was growing up, a segment he began in 1976. Harvey had been delivering information to America since 1951 for the ABC News Radio Network.
Though his radio appearances have been sporadic of late, radio will never be the same without him. We will miss you Paul Harvey.
It also was a sad day around the Stewart household as we lost our 15-year-old Basset Hound Matilda. She was a good friend and will be missed, but all things have an ending, even a loving and loyal dog like Matilda.
We'll see you in the morning Pig.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Telling the Story
A couple of months ago my wife and I bought a piano as we decided we needed to learn a little music to help our 6-month-old daughter have a more well-rounded life.
The thing is, neither me, nor my wife, knew how to play a piano. We got a great deal on a beautiful console-type piano from a wonderful farming family in Latexo.
With some help from my mom, who knows how to play the piano, and some lesson books she gave us and some we bought for ourselves, we are slowly playing notes that can resemble a song now and then.
I was able to buy a book last week that had an assortment of hymns in it, including my favorite hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story."
"I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do."
For those who grew up in the country churches around here, I am sure you know the song well, and it has been in my heart ever since I was a child.
The words to the hymn are from a poem written by Katherine Hankey in 1866. Actually the poem was in two parts, the first part asking about who Christ was and the second part of the poem answered the first poem's question. The poem was called, "The Old, Old Story." Part one was called, "The Story Wanted," while part two was called, "The Story Told."
That's what Christ is. For those who don't have Christ in their lives, they want him and their soul longs for Him. They need that story, whether they realize it or not. But, after we have Christ, we are charged to do the telling.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
The days of this world are getting short. We have a purpose, and that is to serve God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. Fulfill that purpose and share the free gift God offered to all — that is the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross and through his resurrection, we can spend eternity with our Savior.
Now, isn't that a story worth telling.
The thing is, neither me, nor my wife, knew how to play a piano. We got a great deal on a beautiful console-type piano from a wonderful farming family in Latexo.
With some help from my mom, who knows how to play the piano, and some lesson books she gave us and some we bought for ourselves, we are slowly playing notes that can resemble a song now and then.
I was able to buy a book last week that had an assortment of hymns in it, including my favorite hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story."
"I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do."
For those who grew up in the country churches around here, I am sure you know the song well, and it has been in my heart ever since I was a child.
The words to the hymn are from a poem written by Katherine Hankey in 1866. Actually the poem was in two parts, the first part asking about who Christ was and the second part of the poem answered the first poem's question. The poem was called, "The Old, Old Story." Part one was called, "The Story Wanted," while part two was called, "The Story Told."
That's what Christ is. For those who don't have Christ in their lives, they want him and their soul longs for Him. They need that story, whether they realize it or not. But, after we have Christ, we are charged to do the telling.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
The days of this world are getting short. We have a purpose, and that is to serve God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind. Fulfill that purpose and share the free gift God offered to all — that is the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross and through his resurrection, we can spend eternity with our Savior.
Now, isn't that a story worth telling.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Fun Time
There is nothing I like more than things from the past.
I got to experience a lot of those things Wednesday morning at the home of Mark and Sandra Ham of Tennessee Colony as they hosted the Cedar Creek Model A Club at their home.
The old Model A's were something to behold shining beneath the East Texas sun. I was all I could do to keep from jumping in one and driving it home, but my conscience got the better of me so I decided to leave them for the people who have spent countless hours restoring them to their former glory, and for many cars, they are better now than they were 80 years ago.
Please visit the Herald-Press photo gallery on the H-P Web site to get a closer look at all of the cars that were there.
I got to experience a lot of those things Wednesday morning at the home of Mark and Sandra Ham of Tennessee Colony as they hosted the Cedar Creek Model A Club at their home.
The old Model A's were something to behold shining beneath the East Texas sun. I was all I could do to keep from jumping in one and driving it home, but my conscience got the better of me so I decided to leave them for the people who have spent countless hours restoring them to their former glory, and for many cars, they are better now than they were 80 years ago.
Please visit the Herald-Press photo gallery on the H-P Web site to get a closer look at all of the cars that were there.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Attention all Farmall lovers
For the Farmall folks out there I have a question.
I have a Farmall Super C with some hydraulic issues. The pump works great, but leaks like a sieve back into the oil pan. I've been told that it needs some new seals, anybody with any other suggestions out there just let me know.
The new price for those pumps, from what I've seen runs from between about $350 to nearly $700.
I have a Farmall Super C with some hydraulic issues. The pump works great, but leaks like a sieve back into the oil pan. I've been told that it needs some new seals, anybody with any other suggestions out there just let me know.
The new price for those pumps, from what I've seen runs from between about $350 to nearly $700.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Revenge will Make Your Stomach Hurt
As a Christian, it's easy for us to look down on other folks.
We'll tell ourselves, "Look at the way they are living their lives, I am glad I'm better than that."
I will admit, that thought has popped into my mind many, many times. I am as guilty as the Pharisee in this parable.
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I an not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." — Luke 18:9-12
I mean, it feels good to feel like that, but pay heed to the words of Christ, which can cut you to the core.
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." — Luke 18:13-14
That's a tough pill to swallow, I know, but we are vile creatures to say the least. Even in something noble we may do, we seek our advantage and try to remind others of what we have done.
There's another aspect of this as well. Many times we look at people getting away with things. When we find ourselves in the economic climate we are in, it's easy to look at people who haven't put their faith in the Lord seemingly getting ahead in life, living the life of luxury.
We see them and we burn in anger. We know they steal from the people around them, yet the arm of justice cannot touch them.
We see men of power, people in high places, neglect the commandments of God and serve at the later of Baal. We want them to pay and we want to see it Now! At least I do, but there again, God has a purpose I don't understand.
There must have been similar circumstances for the church in Thessalonica, as much as we can glean from the inspired words of the Apostle Paul.
"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perserverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well." — 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
Alright, glad to hear it. It's about time.
Hold on a minute now, and let's finish what Paul was saying.
"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." — 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
That kind of throws a wrench in our plan for revenge.
There is hope for the worst of sinners and believe me when I say I am one. We must always remember the mercy of our God.
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:8-9
Oh how we long to see the wicked get what's coming to them, but let me tell you this folks, without Christ we will all get what is coming to us — there simply is no escaping it.
There is one unpardonable sin in this world; and that is not accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
God hates sin, but the blood of Christ will cover all others if we only accept it.
There are a lot of folks out there who don't want to admit that. They will say there are many ways to God, but it isn't so.
Jesus calls everybody to him. For the ones who don't come, they will be punished, but we shouldn't relish that for anybody.
Instead of wishing doom upon them, pray for them that they might come to Christ and experience true life. You never know, that one person might be the one where God says that's enough Son, go and gather your bride.
Oh how I long for that day to be with my Savior. I may be tomorrow or it may be in a hundred years, but I believe with all of my heart Christ is coming for us soon. Are you ready?
We'll tell ourselves, "Look at the way they are living their lives, I am glad I'm better than that."
I will admit, that thought has popped into my mind many, many times. I am as guilty as the Pharisee in this parable.
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I an not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." — Luke 18:9-12
I mean, it feels good to feel like that, but pay heed to the words of Christ, which can cut you to the core.
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." — Luke 18:13-14
That's a tough pill to swallow, I know, but we are vile creatures to say the least. Even in something noble we may do, we seek our advantage and try to remind others of what we have done.
There's another aspect of this as well. Many times we look at people getting away with things. When we find ourselves in the economic climate we are in, it's easy to look at people who haven't put their faith in the Lord seemingly getting ahead in life, living the life of luxury.
We see them and we burn in anger. We know they steal from the people around them, yet the arm of justice cannot touch them.
We see men of power, people in high places, neglect the commandments of God and serve at the later of Baal. We want them to pay and we want to see it Now! At least I do, but there again, God has a purpose I don't understand.
There must have been similar circumstances for the church in Thessalonica, as much as we can glean from the inspired words of the Apostle Paul.
"Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perserverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well." — 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
Alright, glad to hear it. It's about time.
Hold on a minute now, and let's finish what Paul was saying.
"This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." — 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
That kind of throws a wrench in our plan for revenge.
There is hope for the worst of sinners and believe me when I say I am one. We must always remember the mercy of our God.
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:8-9
Oh how we long to see the wicked get what's coming to them, but let me tell you this folks, without Christ we will all get what is coming to us — there simply is no escaping it.
There is one unpardonable sin in this world; and that is not accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
God hates sin, but the blood of Christ will cover all others if we only accept it.
There are a lot of folks out there who don't want to admit that. They will say there are many ways to God, but it isn't so.
Jesus calls everybody to him. For the ones who don't come, they will be punished, but we shouldn't relish that for anybody.
Instead of wishing doom upon them, pray for them that they might come to Christ and experience true life. You never know, that one person might be the one where God says that's enough Son, go and gather your bride.
Oh how I long for that day to be with my Savior. I may be tomorrow or it may be in a hundred years, but I believe with all of my heart Christ is coming for us soon. Are you ready?
Potatoes Finally in the Ground
Most folks around here tell you to plant potatoes on Valentine's Day. Well, I just came in under the wire as I covered them up just before dark on Saturday.
Now I have to play a waiting game for a few weeks now before I head back out to the big garden.
According to the East Texas planting guide, which you can find on here, we can start planting sweet corn on March 1.
Some say its a bit early, others say its fine. I have planted on that date before and haven't had any trouble. Of course two years ago we got a heavy snow on Easter, it didn't bother the corn, though.
The plan is to Merritt sweet corn and G-90 sweet corn. The Merritt will be for canning and the G-90 for eating.
The G-90 is a bi-color corn with a high sugar content. It tastes great right off the cob and I love to grill it, but when it comes to canning, the extra sugar in the corn will turn it brown when exposed to the heat of the pressure cooker.
Merritt corn, while not quite as sweet as G-90, is still sweet and holds up better to the canning process.
Also, I will plant some yellow dent later. It will probably be in April before it gets in the ground.
The beans will go in mid-March and the peas in April.
Back to the corn. In case you are wondering for the early planting date, I would like to familiarize you with the corn earworm.
It is the little worm that gets into the end of an ear of corn and feeds on it before drilling a hole out of the husk and falling to the ground to turn into a moth.
For us country folk the worm in the ear of corn is no big deal, but try and sell a worm to city folks and see what kind of look they will give you.
Anyway, planting early will cut down on some of the worm damage. It also keeps your corn from going through as much of the hot and dry Texas summer.
Until next time.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sawmill Work Continues
Readers of the East Texas Farm & Ranch News will know that I love sawmills.
I have one and am trying to build another; kind of a hybrid between a band sawmill and an old circular mill with the traveling carriage.
Work is progressing, slowly but surely. I recently procured the bandwheels off of eBay. They should be in next week sometime. That will go a long way.
I am still working out the details for the carriage motor. I haven't completely decided if I am going to use a hydraulic motor, or rig up a hydraulic transaxle.
The hydraulic motor will take a hydraulic pump, the motor, a reservoir and a valve. The hydraulic transaxle will take a belt pulley.
It seems simple, but I'm not through studying it yet. If anybody has any recommendations, feel free to let me know.
I have one and am trying to build another; kind of a hybrid between a band sawmill and an old circular mill with the traveling carriage.
Work is progressing, slowly but surely. I recently procured the bandwheels off of eBay. They should be in next week sometime. That will go a long way.
I am still working out the details for the carriage motor. I haven't completely decided if I am going to use a hydraulic motor, or rig up a hydraulic transaxle.
The hydraulic motor will take a hydraulic pump, the motor, a reservoir and a valve. The hydraulic transaxle will take a belt pulley.
It seems simple, but I'm not through studying it yet. If anybody has any recommendations, feel free to let me know.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fighting for the Gospel
As Christians, we are under constant attack. The world hates those who have the name of Christ written upon them, yet, there are few who fight back against those who seek to demean the truth, which is Jesus is Lord.
We could do a lot to show the world the light of Christ just in the way we live without even speaking a word, but it seems we're not really interested in living a life like that.
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God." — Philippians 1:27-28
A note from the NIV study Bible has this comment about verse 28: "Persistent opposition to the church and the gospel is a sure sign of eventual destruction, since it involves rejection of the only way of salvation. By the same token, when Christians are persecuted for their faith, this is a sign of the genuineness of their salvation."
See the words of Christ to the church of Smyrna.
"These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." — Revelation 2:8-11
Seeing the words of Paul and the words of Christ should convince us not to be timid when it comes to the gospel.
The time is coming folks when being a true believer in Christ will be akin to being a criminal in this country. It may not be that far away, but take heart, because as Christ said, our faith will give us the crown of life.
I cannot promise to be as brave as Paul and the other apostles, but I know the Holy Spirit will give me the strength I need when I need to proclaim his name above all names.
As Christians we are tasked with spreading the gospel, not sitting in comfortable buildings. When we grow in Christ then we can stand what the devil throws at us.
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." — Philippians 1:29-30
Here are some encouraging words from Christ: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." — Matthew 5:11-12
I encourage everybody to stay strong, and for the young Christians out there to get strong, in the Word. Only through the study of Scriptures can we counter what the World throws at us.
There is no way of knowing how tough the times we are in will get. The economy may rebound in a few months and the true church will go through a period of revival; but we may also go through a long and deep economic struggle and our ability to share the gospel and the true word of God with others will be limited.
My money is on the second one, but don't let some hard times and the laws of man keep us from spreading the Word of God.
We must choose whom we serve.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
We could do a lot to show the world the light of Christ just in the way we live without even speaking a word, but it seems we're not really interested in living a life like that.
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God." — Philippians 1:27-28
A note from the NIV study Bible has this comment about verse 28: "Persistent opposition to the church and the gospel is a sure sign of eventual destruction, since it involves rejection of the only way of salvation. By the same token, when Christians are persecuted for their faith, this is a sign of the genuineness of their salvation."
See the words of Christ to the church of Smyrna.
"These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death." — Revelation 2:8-11
Seeing the words of Paul and the words of Christ should convince us not to be timid when it comes to the gospel.
The time is coming folks when being a true believer in Christ will be akin to being a criminal in this country. It may not be that far away, but take heart, because as Christ said, our faith will give us the crown of life.
I cannot promise to be as brave as Paul and the other apostles, but I know the Holy Spirit will give me the strength I need when I need to proclaim his name above all names.
As Christians we are tasked with spreading the gospel, not sitting in comfortable buildings. When we grow in Christ then we can stand what the devil throws at us.
"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." — Philippians 1:29-30
Here are some encouraging words from Christ: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." — Matthew 5:11-12
I encourage everybody to stay strong, and for the young Christians out there to get strong, in the Word. Only through the study of Scriptures can we counter what the World throws at us.
There is no way of knowing how tough the times we are in will get. The economy may rebound in a few months and the true church will go through a period of revival; but we may also go through a long and deep economic struggle and our ability to share the gospel and the true word of God with others will be limited.
My money is on the second one, but don't let some hard times and the laws of man keep us from spreading the Word of God.
We must choose whom we serve.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Gardening Continues
Broke up about an acre of ground over the weekend, got about another acre to go; hopefully the old tractor will hold up through the work. The potatoes are cut up and will be ready to plant in a day or two. The rain has been a welcome sight. Prayer can go a long way.
The potatoes are going into the big garden. In a smaller garden near the house, onions are getting ready to go in the ground, along with some radishes and greens. In a few weeks, right around Easter we'll put in some tomato plants and our peppers along with some squash a couple of weeks earlier.
As for the big garden, that's where the potatoes are going. In a few weeks we'll plant the sweet corn and beans. Not long after that we'll plant some peas and field corn. Something new we'll try this year is sweet sorghum. We make cane syrup, so hopefully we'll get a chance to make some sorghum syrup — we'll see.
We have some cabbage that's just about ready we managed to nurse through the winter.
That's it from the garden for now.
The potatoes are going into the big garden. In a smaller garden near the house, onions are getting ready to go in the ground, along with some radishes and greens. In a few weeks, right around Easter we'll put in some tomato plants and our peppers along with some squash a couple of weeks earlier.
As for the big garden, that's where the potatoes are going. In a few weeks we'll plant the sweet corn and beans. Not long after that we'll plant some peas and field corn. Something new we'll try this year is sweet sorghum. We make cane syrup, so hopefully we'll get a chance to make some sorghum syrup — we'll see.
We have some cabbage that's just about ready we managed to nurse through the winter.
That's it from the garden for now.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Planting Time
Preparation for the spring garden began in December this year.
With my old John Deere A, we started breaking ground, this time in an area surrounded by hog wire. I don't want to repeat the losses we had last year do those critters.
Hopefully I'll have potatoes in the ground by this time next week and maybe a few greens.
If you are planting a garden out there, I would love to hear from you and maybe we could share some thoughts and ideas.
Christ: The Complete Package
As Christians, we must always look to the object of our worship, which hopefully for all of us is Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of politicians out there and even people who call themselves Christians who are willing to compromise. They are willing to say there are other ways to heaven. They are willing to allow other doctrines into their hearts. They are willing to exchange the word of God for the words of men.
All of that leads to ruin.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." — Colossians 1:15-20
This brief passage reminds me of the opening of John's gospel.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but darkness has not understood it." — John 1:1-5
Christ was not a philosopher; he was not a preacher; he was not just a good man. Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Universe. He is God.
From this working foundation, we can begin to prepare ourselves for battle against the forces of the world.
Jesus brings peace for those who call upon his name, namely, Jesus brings reconciliation with God through the remission and forgiveness of our sins.
Now, for those who do not accept what Christ has to offer, they have anything but peace.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." — Matthew 10:34-39
As followers of Christ, we are swimming against the current of the world. The world will call us old fashioned, backward, radical and bunch of other names that don't sound real nice, but we must stand firm and do battle against them, but fight with what God has given us.
On the billboard of Crockett Road Church of Christ in Palestine it aptly says this week to "Fight like a man, get on your knees."
That is how we do battle. We pray for our enemies and ask that God will open their hearts so they may proclaim Jesus is Lord.
Their very soul depends upon it. The fate of the world depends on it.
The time for Christ's return is drawing very near. It doesn't take a prophecy scholar to see the events unfolding in the world today are drawing us closer to Christ's return.
It could be tomorrow or it could be in 30 years, but don't place a sucker's bet on the fact Christ won't be coming back for his church.
Knowing this, the followers of Christ have an obligation to put our churches back on the path of Christ. To shy away from inclusiveness of other beliefs.
Folks, Christ is inclusive, because all who will call upon his name can be saved, he does not discriminate. What turns people away is telling them there are other ways. Just remember John 14:6
Christ died for the world.
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." — Colossians 1:22-23
I don't see other so-called gods out there doing that. The world is saved through the blood of Christ — nothing else.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Welcome to my blog
This is something new to me, so I hope all of you bear with me as I welcome you to my blog.
In it I will be talking about farm life, politics and the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ. I will welcome comments and encourage you to leave your own thoughts.
Come back often as we look at the world around us here in East Texas.
Wayne
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