Randall, I do both also. I suppose you are talking about sin involving usury, but unfaithfulness and pride are great foes. I appreciate your wisdom.

Pastor Tom, did you get a “tom” yet… pun very intended. :o)

Matt

It’s still the never-ending winter here in the west. 48 degrees forecasted for a high today and snow flurries off and on. I plowed up a 2′ by 20′ strip of lawn and planted some salad veges anyway. They should do fine, even though last frost around here is usually about the end of May.

Matt,

It’s better to live a slave then to actively sin against the Lord. I’ve started reading Mooney’s ‘Usury’ book and I’m starting to realize that I am both; a slave and a sinner. I’ve justified a lot over the years by a mis-reading of the parable of the talents. I don’t know how I’ve missed the correct interpretation all this time. God have mercy.

Missouri Rev.

Good hunting. Keep us posted.

Its always good to hear from you. Life on the farm is good, but don’t get to thinking that I’m any less a slave than you. Its a different kind of slavery for sure, but without a close knit covenanted community of believers, living “on a farm island” is not a utopia either. The important thing is realizing that and then doing something about it. In many ways we are less beholden to the world and her pagan ways, but we are not free and clear of that either. Life on the farm has some very good advantages that I am thankful for, but I’m as much on the “agrarian journey” as anyone else. We are all in it together and by God’s grace we will pass on “a good start” for our children to build on. I trust all is well with you and yours and that Stacy is doing well with her pregnancy. You all are in our prayers.

Man, I love these kind of posts. It is inspiring to hear what goes on in a free man’s life on the average day on the farm. Still plugging away down here. I think we are making some progress digging our way through the cement walls of Babylon working on our escape. My biggest problem is that I’m impatient and do not like the idea that it may not happen in my generation. I guess thats more selfish than generational, but it aches my heart to be a slave sometimes. Being blessed with a good boss, makes things much easier though… then again, it also makes me more complacant.

Speaking of my boss, who is more a friend than a boss. He went to a nearby farm to buy four Jersey mix steers for his boys (ages 9 &6) to raise to sell for slaughter. They have had them in racks in their backyard for a few weeks now, letting them out daily to walk and are almost ready to put them out on grass. Anyway, the farmers they bought them from dairy for Organic Valley Co-op. Chris was extremely impressed with their organic operation and is very interested in learning more. He raises black Angus, but his model, as for now, is more corporate ag style. Meeting these people may do him some good, though. When he went out to their farm, they were just receiving their new mower. When they told him they needed it for a write off, his jaw dropped. He had never heard of farms needing a write off. Well, being a good capitalist, he is now very interested in organic. Today, though, I overheard him talking to his wife about the milk they’ve been feeding the calves, which is also organic and the overall health of the calves. He said “maybe there is something to this organic thing after all”.
That statement may not seem like much to you average reader, but it is a huge step in the right direction.

Sorry about the rambling, Scott. All this to say, thanks for your dedication in letting the wannabes like me into your daily goings on.

In Christ,

Matt