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The wonderful life the Lord Jesus has blessed us with
Apr. 8, 2008
Getting Busy on Spring Days
"RecyCOOP"
Here's our "state of the art" chick coop made almost strictly from recycled pallets. We try to save money anywhere we can (a penny saved, is a penny earned, right  ) and a good way to save is to use recycled materials when possible. Estimated cost of coop: 2.00 (for screws and nails) The coop has two sides. One side for our Rhode Island Reds (5), Barred Rocks (5), Buff Orpingtons (6), Red Sex-links (5), and Americaunas (16) and the other side for the Cornish Rock broilers that we will butcher in about 4 weeks. The reason the Cornish Rock broilers have to have a separate side is because they have a special feeding schedule due to their rapid weight gain in a short amount of time. They are not allowed feed for 12 hours each day so they won't gain toooo much weight toooo fast. If they were to gain too quickly, they would be at risk for heart attacks.
"Need the oil changed on the ol' bus??? Get the 10 year old to do it!"
Pappy announced to the boys that it was time for one of them to change the oil. He was actually talking to the older boys, but Son3 was the one that started gathering all the needed items. He wanted to do it by himself. He's done it before with Pappy's help and he was sure that he could do it by himself. Sure, why not? Pappy had him tell him each step just before he went to it, so he basically did it all by himself. He did a great job! Praise the Lord. It is such a blessing to see my young men growing up.
 
"Our 20.00 solution"
In order to save space, Pappy, Son2, Son3 and I built this really nice loft bed for Big Sis to go over Baby Girls' bed. We opted to use new wood because it looks nicer, it's easier to work with for this type of project and it was still inexpensive. We estimate this project to have cost about 20.00, athough we only actually spent about 12.00 because we already had some of the materials that we needed to make this job a smashing success. Big Sis just loves her new loft bed!
"Mulching the garden"
We were praying that the Lord would provide us with plenty of hay or straw this season for mulching and that he did! We are truly thankful for this wonderful gift!
"Son3's Squarefoot/No Work organic garden"
Son 3 has been re-reading both Square Foot gardening (SFG) and the No Work Organic Garden (NWOG) in his spare time. He decided to try to plant a couple of things early using the advise he read in the NWOG book. He planted seedlings (beans, I think) that he germinated inside a couple of weeks ago and mulched them well. We'll see how his little experiment turns out. He also intends to use some of the techniques he learned from SFG a couple of years back, namely, close space growing.
Well, that's all for now! Love to you all in the name of Jesus! 
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Apr. 3, 2008
Quick update
 The chicks are doing well, the dogs were captured (long story) and now they are all back home safe and sound (I'll try to post about what happened to them next time), the goat search is on, the garden is waiting....
And that's just the stuff outside! LOL...
Inside, we have been working to switch many rooms around to best serve our needs, there was MUCH work to do in this area, lessons are coming along, laundry is behind... I think the house will be in order by the end of this week (at least I *hope* it is!!! )
Pappy's business is being blessed. He currently has two contracts that pay well. Still praying about doing the farmers market as well. 
more to come... |
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Mar. 25, 2008
CONTEST
| Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!
This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.
This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.
To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/ and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff! |
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Mar. 24, 2008
Spring is HERE!
Ah Spring, how I love Spring,
the flowers are blooming and the birds, they do sing.
The air is now warmer and the chill chased away,
now all my little ones may run out to play.
The dirt is not frozen nor yet full of weeds
Easy to prepare our garden for seeds.
Spring, what a blessing the Lord has blessed
After the cold frozen winter's rest
Tis time to start working outside to prepare,
for the rest of our "blessed of the Lord"... year.
We are so excited that Spring is finally here! We got some more of our square-foot garden (SQG)plank made today after Pappy and Son 1 came home from work. By the way, for those who like contests, Mel (the author of SFG) has been holding a contest for public, private and the home educated. The last couple of years it has been won by homeschooling families (what else is new). I guess they caught wind of it... and that was that. I almost feel sorry for the pubic educator who tries to enter his/her class in this contest. I mean, it's against all odds for them to win. They only have what, 45 mins a day (give or take some minutes), 5 days a week (providing there is no holiday) to concentrate on this project. I almost seems unfair for homeschoolers to be allowed to enter... BUT of course it's fair! Is it our fault that we have more time to devote to projects like these??? ANYWAY, if you are going to enter the contest, you'd better mosey on over to Mel's site because the deadline for reg. is April 25th. Follow the link above for full details. Here's some SFG photos:
 
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Mar. 24, 2008
Push the "Save As Draft" button
Have you ever written a great post only to have the whole thing erased because you failed to save it and by some glitch of some sort the screen goes away??? What was one of the first things you were taught when it comes to using a computer or a word processor with a computer like brain??? Was it not to be SURE to save your work from time to time??? (Pushing the save button now) Ah, that was so easy and painless, it only took a couple of seconds! Now the first portion of this entry can never be erased! (Pushing the save button now).
I tell you, you would have thought that I would have learned my lesson by now. I myself am always chiding the children "don't forget to save your work, it would be terrible if it were all to be erased now, after all the hard work you've done... yada yada yada". WHY would I not save MY own work??? (Pushing the save button now).
I shall attempt to rewrite the post that just got erased, which is why, by the way, you, my friend are now reading a post about "saving one's work". Please, the next time you are blogging or doing any work on your computer or processor, DON'T FORGET TO SAVE YOUR WORK! (Pushing the save button now). |
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Mar. 17, 2008
A break to honor a loved one
Today we took a little break from the busyness of life in order to honor and attend the home going of a dear sister in Christ. I am so sadden by her departure. Not because we were very close, but because I never had the chance to get very close. I didn't get the "years" with her that many of her loved ones got. Even though we were not very close she touched my life and was always a good example to me. I suppose she will continue to be that good example even though she is not here with us physically. I will miss hearing her pray during the prayer time in our meetings. I will miss her smile and greeting. I will miss her asking me how me and my family are. I'll miss seeing her quietly move about serving others. I will miss her.
The home going service was a beautiful one. She was a true "Proverbs 31" woman and as such, her children arose up, and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praised her (vs. 28). May her witness forever remain in the forefront of the minds of those who knew her.
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Mar. 15, 2008
Propagating Plants
  In our efforts to get a jump on this year's growing season we thought it would be neat to experiment a little with propagating by planting cuttings. Over the next week we plan on trying to propagate several organic herbs that we bought from Trader Joe's
We hope to report on our findings as soon as we have success or failure (we are praying for the former). |
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Mar. 14, 2008
Starting Seeds
   We started some seeds today. 36 seeds were planted.
Melon, two types of tomatoes, Cucumbers, Watermelon, and Zucchini. I'm too tired to type any more, plus I just got some very sad news.... I'm going to sleep now.  |
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Mar. 14, 2008
The fun starts now!
Mar. 12, 2008
Granola time!
Our family really likes crunchy granola! I like to make large batches of different kinds. Today, I whipped up many different "flavors". Since I have been making granola for a long time, I don't use a recipe, I just use "about this much of this".
Today I used:
Oats (of course), Vegetable Oil, Raisins, Dried Pineapple, Banana Chips, Walnuts, Almonds, Cranberries, Black Currants, Pumpkin Seeds, Cherries, Sunflowers seeds, Cashews, Cinnamon, Flax Seed, Honey, Maple Syrup, and Brown Sugar (in some batches). I used unsulfured dried fruit (organic when possible) and I try to use raw seeds too (again organic when possible). YUM! |
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Mar. 11, 2008
Some of our seeds have arrived!!
Some of our seeds have finally come! We are planning to begin starting a portion of them beginning tomorrow and then once weekly there after. Here's what Pappy ordered that has arrived so far:
- Blue Lake Bush Beans
- Nantes Carrots
- Nutri-Bud Broccoli
- Sweet Marketmore Cucumber
- Gourmet Blend Lettuce
- Paris Island Romaine Lettuce
- Walla Walla Onions
- Renegade Spinach
- Dark Green Zucchini
- Crimson Sprinter Tomatoes
- Chadwick Cherry Tomatoes
- Roma Tomatoes
- Hales Best Jumbo Melon
- Sugar Baby Watermelon
- True Gold Sweet Corn
The seeds came from Garden's Alive and are all organic. We plan to save seeds this year to avoid having to buy again next year.
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Mar. 10, 2008
Two days in a row!
Well what do you know, two days in a row! :)
What did we do today.... well, let's see, we met with our insurance agent to finalize Pappys' contractors insurance policy. Now we only need to fax all of our paper work to the company he will be sub-contracting for. I suppose I'll do that after I'm finished here. After meeting with the agent, we went to our local grain and seed store to get the chickens some mesh and some chick starter for the chicks that are soon to arrive....
Speaking of chicken, apparently, according to a Dallas newspaper food prices are going up. Chicken is up 10% and eggs 30% compared with the year before, and it's supposed to rise even more due to, you guessed it, gas prices (basically). Feed prices went up as well (over a dollar per 50 lb bag). I'm glad we will, Lord willing, be able to grow much this year!
Okay, back to our day. After picking up the feed, we went to a place that we like to call "Dumpster Dive". Actually, it's the Goodwill Outlet. That's right, those of you who have never heard of this store, there is an even CHEAPER thrift store... who knew? LOL Before we moved here, two and a half years ago, I had never heard of an even thriftier thrift store! LOL Now we have a love/hate relationship with this local money saver. Now, why would we hate a thrift store, you may wonder. Well, if you remember the first sentence of this paragraph, you will remember that we call this gem of a store "Dumpster Dive"... and with reason. It really feels like you are dumpster diving....you know, picking though trash! I wish I had a picture of this place... no wait, better yet, I wish I could show you a video of how this place operates. Especially when they bring out new bins... on second thought, I'm glad I don't have a video to show you all.... it's really kind of scary  ! People "bum-rushing" the bins like they haven't eaten in days and their only meal is located in those bins. Some of the people act like their life depends on finding something good in the bins.... and really to an extent, I guess it does... well, not their LIFE, but their livelihood. I guess many of the "regulars" there buy to resale at a huge profit (ebayers, I'm assuming).
Picture a building full of waist high 8' x 4' bins. There are about 10 rows with between 8 and 16 bins per row. In each large bin there are smaller bins all filled with what I like to call "another man's treasure". It is your job as the shopper to hunt for that treasure. Your reward? A cheap (fill in the blank) . There are also other departments. Clothes, Shoes, Appliances, Electronics etc. This store is very dusty! You can not shop here 5 mins without getting residue on your hands! Smart shoppers wear gloves (I'm serious!). While I don't really care for all the dust, I do care for the DEALS! Here's a quick list of deals we have gotten from this store:
- +100.00 Juice man juicer (with wide mouth), new condition 2.00
- 15.00-20.00 children's workbooks, new condition .29
- 5.00-60.00 adult books, new-good condition .50-1.00
- 20.00-50.00 Little Tykes toys 1.00
- 15.00-30.00 games 1.00 (today we got a game that I ALMOST bought new... only I couldn't find it in any store. Othello... perhaps it's discontinued?)
We've gotten much much more but who has the time to list EVERY good deal they have gotten.... well, I suppose some people do, especially when it is their business to (you know, those frugal websites...).
Okay, see this is why I don't blog everyday... I just remembered... I just love to go off on little rabbit trails. I have probably lost most of my readers by now LOL. Where was I? Insurance agent, chick feed, Dumpster Dive... ah yes, after our trip to the store, we went home to a supper of spaghetti and fresh spinach! I like to throw something in the crock when we are going to be away for most of the day, that way supper is supper easy (and supper delish!).
Now everyone is asleep, save Pappy and I, and we aren't too far behind the rest. I still need to wrap somethings up before I retire, so I'd better end this little blog entry here. Perhaps we will have some pictures to share when the chicks arrive! Goodnight! |
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Mar. 9, 2008
Update: Current Projects
Current Projects are as followed:
- New chick arrival scheduled for 3/15/08- Sixty chicks to arrive! Twenty meat birds for butchering in eight weeks and forty layers for eggs for us and to sell or bless others with.
- Organic seeds to arrive the week of 3/9/08- Seeds will be started immediately to get a jump on the growing season. We hope to participate in our local farmers market, though we are not certain that we will.
- We are planning to close space grow this year so we want to make walk ways out of wood pallets that we have. This will keep weeds down and help remind the little ones not to step in our growing space.
- Articles, Stories and assignments due 3/15/08 for outreach magazine- Pappy has decided that we should put out a little magazine as encouragement for our loved ones (quarterly). The first issue is to be sent out at the end of March.
- New account for our family home based business is to start the week of 3/9/08- The Lord Jesus has blessed us with a new account for which we are VERY thankful for!
- Bee hives need to be made. We want to catch swarms this year instead of buying. Out of the two swarms we had last year only the one we caught survived the whole summer/fall season. So far they look good (last we checked). We are praying that they survive the winter.
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Jan. 16, 2008
What happened to all the "farm" stuff???
We must tell all who waited and waited to see pictures, videos and the like that we are sorry!!! We have just been so busy doing other things that this little ol' blog site just gets pushed to the side!
We also had a little computer break right after the last post. We totally put our computers away. No internet or schooling via computer did we do during that time. It was refreshing! I am looking forward to doing that a couple times a year at least.
I am on one of our computers that doesn't have any pictures or video clips on it, so I can't post anything fun this time. Just wanted to let the couple of people that read our little ol' blog know what was what! :)
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you all this year, for His glory!
theJfamily |
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Dec. 16, 2007
On the ministry of music....
I was recently reading a little article about christian music. The author was relating to the readers how they loved to listen to different types of christian music and about how sad it is to them that music can divide brothers and sisters in Christ. The columnist went on to list their many favorite mainstream "christian artist." This dear one made no mention that most well known "ministers of music" do not seem to have their ministry lined up with the Word of God. Perhaps the creator of the article had never thought about rather or not some of these ministries are true ministries of Jesus.
If our example is Jesus, and indeed it is, then it would stand to reason that all of our ministry would resemble that of Jesus' (in the Spirititual sense). Sadly, many in the "Music Ministry" (or perhaps I should better call it the Music Industry) do not seem to fashion their ministry as Jesus did. If you wonder what we could be thinking, please read on.
Let's see, where should we begin, let's begin with Jesus. What did His ministry look like? Well, first of all His ministry was not costly in fact it was free. What did He tell His disciples to do when He sent them out?
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matt. 9:6-9
Then later when He commissioned all of his disciples (us too!) to
...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.(Mark 16:15), there was no added "and be thou sure to chargeth hitherto what ye thinketh ye are worth... or asketh thou a fee to covereth costs".
Jesus, Himself did not charge for His Gospel NOR did he charge money for any aspect of His ministry. Sadly, many brothers and sisters are charging money for the gospel they are giving. As a side note, we were wondering what drunk would pay +20.00 to go to a christian concert? Most would probably rather spend their $20 at the local bar. Ah yes, we know, we know.... these music ministers are ministering to the brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a ministry of encouragement, someone might interject. Well, we suppose that could be true, however we guess it's only the brothers and sisters who can afford their encouragement that they minister to. Sad.
No, Jesus did not charge folks, quiet the opposite.
What did He do when his disciples suggested that He send people away so that they could go buy their own food?
"And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets." (Luke 9:11-17)
But these music ministers can not afford to pay to rent out huge halls all by themselves, some might quip. Maybe not, however if they can not afford to pay for them personally or private donations do not cover the costs, perhaps they should not hold the concert in the hall. What are all these Church meeting buildings for? Can not they hold a meeting or concert in them and sing their encouragement? Ah yes, we know, some do *sometimes*.... why not all the time? Perhaps if they can afford none of these options (sadly enough, even some "Church" groups charge for the use of their building...yes yes, someone has to pay for the lights... and far be it from us to expect that the Lord will provide)... IF they can not afford these options, peradventure they could 1. Minister out in the open, the way Jesus did (no overhead costs there) 2. or house to house as the first believers did 3. or provide it over the internet (we have a link just as such at the end of this little entry) 4. or consider that maybe the Lord does not want them ministering in this way at this time.
We were also wondering why so many so called christian music "artist" seem to look and sound just like the world. When the world changes their fashion or sound, these artist change theirs to line up with the worlds, some even going so far as to look immodest. (1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.)
I, (MaMaMia) recently read a secular article from a major news paper in which the writer conveyed his experience at a christian concert. In his conclusion, he wrote that if he had not known before hand that it was a christian concert he might have left the concert none the wiser. This concert was so filled with worldliness that there was no witness to be seen by a sinner in need of repentance. Truly sad. Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
If a music minister yolks together with a secular producer or "label" would that not be a believer yolking with unbelievers?
Some years ago, we heard a certain popular "rap music minister" pose this question "Ask yourself, are you in it for the ministry or in it trying to make a little loot (slang for money) ballin' (slang for making money, usually in an illegal way) up off this industry." So, translated, that would basically be "Are you a music minister to serve the Lord or are you just trying to make some quick money." Pappy and I think that this is an excellent question, unfortunately, this man's music has slowly been changing from "all out for Jesus" to "all out for" what, we have no idea. The last time we heard music made by him there was not a mention of Jesus on his whole cd (sidenote: since we have not listened to rap in many years, we will say that perhaps this brother has seen the error of his ways and is now trying to praise the Lord with his music, who knows?) The point we wanted to make is that this is very common in the music ministry-industry. The first cd the artist comes out with seems to really praise the Lord, but each cd after seems to get a little further from the Lord as it's center making it a little more sell able and perhaps drawing the artists' "fans" astray in the process. Could this be the result of yolking with unbelievers? And would you believe that when asked some go so far as to proclaim that they were never a Christian band to begin with, they are artist that happen to be christians. HUH?
But they are ministering to LOTS of people, some will cry. No doubt they are ministering to people, the Lord Jesus can use ANYTHING. However, please bare with us as we rehearse a little scenario for you. Suppose a man is in Bar XYZ where there are unclothed ladies dancing. He fancies himself to be enjoying an alcoholic drink and dancing women. He overhears a conversation about God making him think of his upbringing in a Christian family. He is instantly convicted by the Holy Spirit that what he is doing is wrong. He leaves, goes home and in tears repents and begins to follow Jesus. Praise God! God can use anything! Upon hearing a testimony like this, would you now suggest to those who have not repented that they go to Bar XYZ because God can use anything and other unrepented sinners may get delivered there too? NO. You don't suggest a broken (sinful) system to someone hurting and in need of repentance! Apples and Oranges some may be thinking.... perhaps you should start from the beginning of this entry?
We could go on, but this entry is getting long enough as it is. What we would like to suggest to the Chruch (no, not the building.... the people! We are the Chruch!)... what we would like to suggest is that if you are in need of comfort or encouragement and would like to receive that encouragement via music, please get it from your local body. If for some reason you are not able to get it from there, please follow this link: Free Godly Christian Music This site has LOTS of free quality music for encouragement from brothers and sisters who have a testimony of deliverance by our Lord Jesus. They do not charge money for their music but would rather truly minister, the way our Savior did. Freely they have received and freely they give.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you all, we pray!
We are editing to add a comment and response from one of our readers:
Dear Sister momboys2,
Thank you for taking the time to read our little article and posting a positive comment.
You said
"...As far as getting paid - what about preachers? They get paid. Unfortunately we have to have money to live in this world. Even Paul had to make tents to support himself. As the mom of a musician, I know how much money it takes just to purchase one guitar and an amp, and all the stuff that goes along with making music. We all get paid to do what we do. Making money is not the problem. It's how you use it and what message you're spreading that matters."
We are sure that Paul received many donations to cover the costs of the ministry Jesus gave him, however there is no evidence that he received a salary as many (not all) preachers do today for preaching. Like you said, Paul had to make tents to support himself... he did not trust in a salary in exchange for preaching the Gospel. And again, lets look at Jesus' ministry, did He have a salary to preach His Gospel? How did He live without a salary? Donations and perhaps by working? Those "called to the ministry" should understand that they are no different then any other in the body... for we are all called to the ministry! Should we all get paid for each thing we do for Jesus?
We are not against donations (or tithes). No, quite the opposite. However, if after the donations one gets they can not cover their cost of living, which should be simple, not the extravagant lifestyle of the "American dream", perhaps they could 1. ask the LORD to provide their need 2. get a job as the Apostle Paul did.
We are kind of wondering why "the Church", in general, is paying someone b$g money to read the Bible to them in the first place. Where is that prescribed in Scripture? We are not saying that it is a sin to receive a salary as a pastor/preacher, just that we don't see that way of life written of in the Scriptures. Jesus didn't live like that... and as a matter of fact He told one man, when that man said that he would follow him where ever he would go, " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matt. 8:20 What??? No house in the Suburbs? (disclaimer: we are not saying that one is sinning by living in the suburbs. ;) )
We believe that the Spirit of this Scripture is that Jesus would not be dependent on the system of this Earth. We can not be dependent of the system of this culture/Earth either. We have to be dependent on the Lord Jesus.
Yes, things cost money. However if all is the Lord's, and indeed all is His, then we need not worry about the money aspect. The Lord will provide. Maybe by donations or by way of a job that He has provided his servant to work. Nonetheless, when one puts a price tag on something, they are by that very nature excluding someone, which Jesus did not do. And there is the potential for one to fall into the grave sin of the love of money. We have seen where ministers start off small and seemly dedicated then over years build "an empire" and now seem bent on making sure they "bring in the numbers" that their offering plates be filled. We are inclined to think that that minister did not intend to fall into sin in that manner when they first started off.
We know of believers who have spent less then $1000 for all of their music equipment, including production items. Cd's are VERY cheap and easy to reproduce in this day and age. Plus, there are many FREE web sharing rings, and other low/no cost ways to share their encouragement. What person can't get a job to make enough money to sponsor the ministry that the Lord has given them with the help of the Lord? Additionally, there is such an abundance of STUFF in America, that one would probably have little problem finding other believers to donate most of what is needed for ministry, or unbelievers for that matter... ever heard of FreeCycle ? Moreover, even if one did not live in America, can not the Lord provide? We see no reason or excuse for so many to be getting overly paid for what they deem "their ministry".
We too are the parents of musicians and we would be HORRIFIED should our children try to make money spreading the Gospel. Here is our encouragement to our children. They should never charge a set price for any encouragement they give in Christ. Whatever donations, if ever any, they receive, should be put back into the ministry. They should work with their hands (get a job) to support themselves. The only exception we can see, presently, would be *IF* (and this is a slim if) some brothers and sisters should give donations FOR the sole reason of their support and then only what they *NEED* should be taken from those funds. AND, of course, that situation would be one that would require much prayer before entering into.
We thank you again for your comment and may the Lord Jesus continue to bless and keep you and your family for His glory!
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Nov. 25, 2007
How to catch and hive a swarm....
We started out with one hive this spring, then we were blessed with being able to capture a natural swarm, enabling us to start our beekeeping venture with the two hives that we had wanted to begin with. The clip below is a quick intro to catching a swarm and hiving it. We are hoping to have a more informational documentary on the beekeepers year available in 2008.
Incidently, the local swarm that we caught was the hive that survived, our $80.00 imported (from Alabama) swarm died out, probably due to the queen dying and the workers not producing another queen quick enough (and we didn't notice so we couldn't requeen... Amateurs! LOL  ).
Keeping bees has been an informational and fun learning expereince. We are hoping to continue and expand! We encourage all who are interested to try your hand at it, even if you live in the city! Many beekeepers live in the city! ;)
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Nov. 15, 2007
Catching up!
The next several entries will be all about the projects that we worked on this past summer! We had lots of little adventures this year. You will be introduced to our chickens and you will find out all about how we built their winter coop for very little. A profile of a beekeepers year is also on our agenda to be presented. Our garden (or lack there of) and information about the fall prep and our plans for next year are to be included. We are praying that we will be able to add plenty of pictures for your viewing pleasure! ;)
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Nov. 3, 2007
Okay....
Mar. 15, 2007
Update....
Wow, I haven't written anything since Jan. We were having some issues with our computer and so I just sort of fell off the "blog"wagon. LOL
Let's see, what's new.... uhmmmm.... well, our bees are ordered! Yes, this summer we will be stepping into the wide world of bee keeping, and a wide world it is. They have all sorts of gadgets and doohickies out now a days for the modern bee keeper. We, however don't have the wallet for all the newest what-cha-ma-call-its out there, so we'll be starting off with just a standard outfit and bees. We ordered and received bee suits last week and the rest of our outfit should arrive next week. It will consist of:
- 2 Hive Bodies with Pierco Frames to fill them
- 2 Medium Supers with Pierco Frames to fill them
- Bottom Board
- Entrance Reducer
- Heavy Duty Galvanized Telescoping Cover
- Inner Cover
- Polystyrene Hive Top Feeder
- Varroa Screen/Monitoring Tray
- Hard Plastic Helmet
- Round Tie-down Veil
- Stainless Steel Smoker with Heat Shield
- 10" Hive Tool
- Beginning Beekeeping Book
- Ventilated Leather Gloves
Our swarm of bees and queen will be shipped next month around the 14th. Son1 and Pappy had an enjoyable day yesterday as they attended bee school (a beekeepers convention). They learned a lot and came back with honey treats for us all. So, as you can see we are busy preparing for this new project. You all can pray for us as we undertake this new venture! |
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Dec. 24, 2006
Pappy's Family Photo Video Album
Pappy here, I made this family photo video to preserve memories for my family and friends. I want to encourage all you fathers out there to get involved with your family. The Word of God instructed the children of Israel to teach their children diligently about Him, when they sat around their house, walk by the way ,in the morning and in the evening (Deut. 6:7). That instruction extends to us as well. We need to be there for our children. We need to be the ones teaching our family. Also, God made our wives to be a helpmeet for us. Please husbands do not make their job hard or unbearable. Help them to help you. Be kind to your wife. Help your wife with your children when you can. Love your wife. If you would like to make a family photo video, like the one that I have made, you can find free software at the mircosoft website. It is very easy and fun to use (let your children help you make it).
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