Well I suppose for each person the answer to this question is different. I'll try my best to relate everything to our real life example as it in all reality is probably a typical situation for anyone seeking this life.
Elizabeth and I came from two different types of families but yet were brought together by a common love for God and an interest in homesteading. She had been raised in a family that gardened annually and that encouraged her activity in 4H. I on the other hand didn't become acquainted with providing for oneself till I was in my early twenties. I had a small collection of axes and saws that I had used to fell some trees on my fathers land in PA. I had truly expected that I'd be able to finish a cabin that I had started. We both brought different experiences and tools to the family.
Even with the tools that we brought into this marriage, we still find that a particularly large portion of our income is put towards homesteading tools and supplies, not to mention the space they take up. We have a room that is dedicated to crafts. It has two looms in it, one is full size and the other is about large enough to make things about the size of a place-mat. Both looms were gifts.
I encourage you to write down what direction you want to go in with regards to homesteading. It will greatly determine your budget. It will also determine what you do and don't need, and from that you will know what you will be purchasing in the future. I say the future because Elizabeth and I have been married for over six years and we are still acquiring the things we know we will need in the future (Like pressurized lamps and clothing material).
A lesson that many a homesteader learns the hard way is to buy the best quality that they can afford. Being cheap doesn't pay off in the end. We feel strongly that all homesteading tools should be heirlooms. The next generation does not need to struggle as much as we do. Not only that, but if you figure out how much money you spend replacing inferior tools annually, you quickly figure out that you could be greatly ahead had you simply purchased quality. The one exception to this that comes to mind is buying Snap-On Tools versus Craftsman. Unless you've got the money laying around, don't waste it.
The reality of the matter is that if you are going to liv this life of homesteading full-time, it will literally cost thousands of dollars. It's a life of passion that gives us much pleasure. So instead of spending a large sum of money on a TV, spend that money buying something you can use to make yourself money.
I know I've made it sound like alot of money, but when you consider the different directions in which one can go, the truth becomes evident. Many of us will acquire things for free and that furthers our ability all that much. It is quite possible in many places in the U.S. to find draft horses for free, people just can't afford the hay and feed, but then you have the cost of leathers and implements.
I by no means have gotten to that point, but I will admit I entertain the fantasy. This is a case where once you own land, the horse, and the items pertaining to the horse, you only really have to worry about the cost of the horse coming up again a dozen or so years down the road.
I'm struggling as it is to make my plane-making venture work. Machinery is not cheap. Yes you can buy a table saw used but you never know how the previous owner took care of it. With machines it's best to buy new and to try to get a warranty. That costs money. On the upside, it's probably a machine you will own the rest of your life. Don't buy cheap with the express intent of saving money. Buy quality with the intention of owning something for a lifetime. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the rewards will show themselves in time.
I'm not sure how well I helped you, my goal was to be honest. There is no way around the fact that any venture you take in life will cost money. Homesteading will be expensive. Plan ahead and use your money correctly.
I hope this helps.
Lord bless.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
2 Gallons of Real Cow Milk!
This is what real cow's milk looks like. The stuff they sell at the store in no way resembles this. Once you have tasted and handled real milk it will anger you what they try to sell you. They exploit your lack of knowledge. Basically the milk they sell at the store is milk that has had all the cream taken out of it, they use it to make butter and other products. When you drink this at home you keep the cream in it, it is what gives it it's depth of taste and nutrition. Without the cream this milk is not appetizing, though I would still sooner drink it than what they sell at the store.
The arrow shows you where the division between the milk and the cream is.
Typically I shake the container before I pour a glass. Otherwise the first glass can taste like liquid butter, quiet a funny experience for a newbie. If you are a skinny guy like me and are trying to gain weight, this is the stuff you want to drink. It tastes great, is much cheaper than weight-gainer, and is also much much healthier for you.
This is supposed to be a one gallon jar, but it turns out to be a full five quarts. A quart of cream and four quarts of milk. It's a real nice treat every week. We consume about two of these containers a week. If we had teenage sons there would be no way that I'd be caught without a milk cow!
I've personally met the cow that gives us our milk, sadly her owners haven't given her a name.
She gives about 3-4 gallons a day they say. That's enough to satisfy her owners needs and pay for herself. We are currently paying 5$ a gallon container. To us it is more than a reasonable deal, especially considering that the cow is a Guernsey and that she is grass-fed not grain-fed.
We currently liv in the state of Arkansas where it is legal to purchase cow's milk from off the farm. I will never again purchase milk from the grocery store if I can avoid it. It is immoral that they try to call it milk. It is not milk.
I strongly encourage you if you are able to, to get ahold of some real milk. I've only had store bought milk my entire life. I grew up in Houston Texas. Don't buy the lies from the milk companies and big government that tell you real milk will kill you. It won't. If you're worried about it, just check the farms facilities and make sure that they practice proper hygiene. Be cautioned, some places do not practice proper hygiene, the burden lies on you to validate.
We made butter from a gallon we purchased. We'll be posting that probably later this week. We have plenty of pictures!
By the way, this is only our third week having real milk. We are still very new to it.
This is milk the way God intended it to be, unadulterated by man.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Pastors Of the Porters-An Invitation
We know that there are like believers out there. I know this, because we have met them. Granted those meetings were before we had this blog and also only in passing. You meet a lot of people as a truck driver.
Well, we need an individual or individuals that are willing to be our preachers. At this time, I do not feel that it is the will of the Lord for me to establish a home church and to lead it. I simply am not learned enough nor do I have a sufficient memory to communicate adeptly the ideas and their foundations that I have gleaned from the Word of God. I may be eloquent, but I am not where I need to be yet. I feel secure that there will be that time, it's just not now.
If you are an anabaptist pentecostal and are interested in leadership, please email us. Even electronic pastorship is appreciated.
porterhomestead@gmail.com
Lord Bless.
Well, we need an individual or individuals that are willing to be our preachers. At this time, I do not feel that it is the will of the Lord for me to establish a home church and to lead it. I simply am not learned enough nor do I have a sufficient memory to communicate adeptly the ideas and their foundations that I have gleaned from the Word of God. I may be eloquent, but I am not where I need to be yet. I feel secure that there will be that time, it's just not now.
If you are an anabaptist pentecostal and are interested in leadership, please email us. Even electronic pastorship is appreciated.
porterhomestead@gmail.com
Lord Bless.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Our Fiftieth Post!
I'd just like to say thank you to all our readers! Our last posting was our fiftieth. I honestly didn't imagine this day when we started this blog. I didn't know if we had enough to put on here. As time goes on we think of more and more things that we want to add!
We had misplaced our butterchurn and were just about convinced that one of us had put it in a box and taken it to the Good-Will. Fortunately I found it! It was in a box hiding on a shelf in the garage.
We are both very relieved, it is an heirloom from Elizabeth's family. We'll be using it soon to make butter.
We have a posting to make on some butter we've already made just using mason jars. It was a lot of fun and very simple. We were both very surprised by how much butter came from the cream, there was very little buttermilk.
Please if your enjoying our blog, vote on the home page and sign up for emails!
With you in the Lord
Michael and Elizabeth McCartan
The anabaptist pentecostals
We had misplaced our butterchurn and were just about convinced that one of us had put it in a box and taken it to the Good-Will. Fortunately I found it! It was in a box hiding on a shelf in the garage.
We are both very relieved, it is an heirloom from Elizabeth's family. We'll be using it soon to make butter.
We have a posting to make on some butter we've already made just using mason jars. It was a lot of fun and very simple. We were both very surprised by how much butter came from the cream, there was very little buttermilk.
Please if your enjoying our blog, vote on the home page and sign up for emails!
With you in the Lord
Michael and Elizabeth McCartan
The anabaptist pentecostals
Friday, October 25, 2013
Want To Join? What would your contribution be?
This posting is being written with the intention of provoking your interaction.
We'd like to hear what your contribution would be to the discussion of faith and culture.
I think to this point Elizabeth and I have made a fairly clear point of where we stand on our theology and our convictions.
We are curious about where you are with your walk with God and what brought you to our blog?
At this point we do not have a plot of land that we can liv off of, that won't happen for five to ten years, but when it happens for us, We are curious. Would you like to join?
We'd prefer families to purchase at least 10-20 acres. We'll let you know "where" when the time gets closer. We'll let you know this, land is selling there for 2,000$ an acre, a fair price.
If enough families commit there would surely be enough "sub" groups that everyone's ideological differences would be satisfied.
At this point the binding factors of our "preferred" community would be
1. horse and buggy
2. No electricity in the house
3. Electricity in the shop is fine for working men
4. Bi-weekly fellowship with like-believers
This means that every other week would be spent with a different community
5. Homeschooling for children
6. Men either work from home or with other men of the community
7. Higher education is not encouraged for women, unless they intend to remain unmarried
8. Higher education is only encouraged for men when there is no alternative.
9. Trades are encouraged above all else.
10. Women are encouraged to enjoy their life and to perfect the art of motherhood
Our Theological Establishment Is Founded On The Bible
the following statements are the theological foundation for our community
1. Weekly conversations on the Biblicality of our beliefs and convictions-this is a lot of fun to dive into, you learn so much that changes they way you look at the world.
2. We all believe in one God and that his name is Yeshua.
3. We are baptized in our Lord's name.
4.We Read from the Bible daily.
5. Legalism is heavily discouraged
6. We believe in water and spirit baptism
7. In situations where it is merited, we do believe in shunning.
8. There is to be MORE THAN one preacher.
There is more to the list than this, but that is why we need your input. This is only intended as a starting point.
I encourage you to contact me through email. I will respond.
And if you are comfortable with it, I would prefer to post your reply for others to read and comment on.
My email is Porterhomestead@gmail.com
Every individual brings a new and different dimension to a group. We all have different life experiences. We encourage discussion to move things forward. We are curious about what you would like to see in a community.
Having a community makes it much more simple for our children to find their future mate. Living states away makes things difficult for everyone, and many opportunities are lost as well. Not to mention the potential loss of a sense of identity.
Lord bless, We'll talk again later.
We'd like to hear what your contribution would be to the discussion of faith and culture.
I think to this point Elizabeth and I have made a fairly clear point of where we stand on our theology and our convictions.
We are curious about where you are with your walk with God and what brought you to our blog?
At this point we do not have a plot of land that we can liv off of, that won't happen for five to ten years, but when it happens for us, We are curious. Would you like to join?
We'd prefer families to purchase at least 10-20 acres. We'll let you know "where" when the time gets closer. We'll let you know this, land is selling there for 2,000$ an acre, a fair price.
If enough families commit there would surely be enough "sub" groups that everyone's ideological differences would be satisfied.
At this point the binding factors of our "preferred" community would be
1. horse and buggy
2. No electricity in the house
3. Electricity in the shop is fine for working men
4. Bi-weekly fellowship with like-believers
This means that every other week would be spent with a different community
5. Homeschooling for children
6. Men either work from home or with other men of the community
7. Higher education is not encouraged for women, unless they intend to remain unmarried
8. Higher education is only encouraged for men when there is no alternative.
9. Trades are encouraged above all else.
10. Women are encouraged to enjoy their life and to perfect the art of motherhood
Our Theological Establishment Is Founded On The Bible
the following statements are the theological foundation for our community
1. Weekly conversations on the Biblicality of our beliefs and convictions-this is a lot of fun to dive into, you learn so much that changes they way you look at the world.
2. We all believe in one God and that his name is Yeshua.
3. We are baptized in our Lord's name.
4.We Read from the Bible daily.
5. Legalism is heavily discouraged
6. We believe in water and spirit baptism
7. In situations where it is merited, we do believe in shunning.
8. There is to be MORE THAN one preacher.
There is more to the list than this, but that is why we need your input. This is only intended as a starting point.
I encourage you to contact me through email. I will respond.
And if you are comfortable with it, I would prefer to post your reply for others to read and comment on.
My email is Porterhomestead@gmail.com
Every individual brings a new and different dimension to a group. We all have different life experiences. We encourage discussion to move things forward. We are curious about what you would like to see in a community.
Having a community makes it much more simple for our children to find their future mate. Living states away makes things difficult for everyone, and many opportunities are lost as well. Not to mention the potential loss of a sense of identity.
Lord bless, We'll talk again later.
That Time Of Year Again.........
Last year I wrote about my peavance with the pagan day of halloween. This year I wanted to point something out to people that may think halloween is acceptable. It grieves me the number of churches that have a "trunk or treat" in the name of political correctness, I'll have no fellowship with that, nor will I greet them as our Word tells us to greet saints.
In what order do the holydays go?
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
So first people honor Satan with a day celebrating witchcraft and necromancy, not to mention lasciviousness and immorality.
After that, and only after that, we finally give God the thanks that he deserved long ago. Mostly by filling our mouths with calorie rich food. In all honesty it's more of a day for us than a day truly spent giving the glory to our Father.
And once everything has been done, we give God what Glory there is left and celebrate his birth. A holyday we are not commanded to honor, nor a day that resembles anything in the Word of God.
The word of God only tells us to honor Christ's birth.
If halloween is a "holiday/holyday, to what "god" is it holi/holy?
Isn't it just not that surprising that the English language changed the spelling of holy to holi. I'm just not that surprised. Man changed it to be "all-I-Day" and that is what many of the holydays are. Days that were initially intended to honor and glorify God. But nowadays are based in paganism and materialism-heathenism really. Between the sports and the parades on TV, how much glory really is given to Yeshua?
I understand if you want to observe days like thanksgiving or Christ's birth, what I encourage though is that you celebrate them on an arbitrary day and in a way inline with the Word of God. Cutting a tree and putting it in your house has it's foundation in paganism.
I'm not going to beat this dead horse. It's a conviction you either have and understand, or don't have and mock. Let me just finish by saying, Our god is a jealous God.
I pray this touches your heart. It touches mine yearly.
In what order do the holydays go?
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
So first people honor Satan with a day celebrating witchcraft and necromancy, not to mention lasciviousness and immorality.
After that, and only after that, we finally give God the thanks that he deserved long ago. Mostly by filling our mouths with calorie rich food. In all honesty it's more of a day for us than a day truly spent giving the glory to our Father.
And once everything has been done, we give God what Glory there is left and celebrate his birth. A holyday we are not commanded to honor, nor a day that resembles anything in the Word of God.
The word of God only tells us to honor Christ's birth.
If halloween is a "holiday/holyday, to what "god" is it holi/holy?
Isn't it just not that surprising that the English language changed the spelling of holy to holi. I'm just not that surprised. Man changed it to be "all-I-Day" and that is what many of the holydays are. Days that were initially intended to honor and glorify God. But nowadays are based in paganism and materialism-heathenism really. Between the sports and the parades on TV, how much glory really is given to Yeshua?
I understand if you want to observe days like thanksgiving or Christ's birth, what I encourage though is that you celebrate them on an arbitrary day and in a way inline with the Word of God. Cutting a tree and putting it in your house has it's foundation in paganism.
I'm not going to beat this dead horse. It's a conviction you either have and understand, or don't have and mock. Let me just finish by saying, Our god is a jealous God.
I pray this touches your heart. It touches mine yearly.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Grandparents, Be Thankful For Them
Everybody knows that parents are a necessary part of life for anyone growing up. Whether they be your birth-parents or even just legal-guardians. We've all had parental figures around us as we grew up instructing us as to what they thought we should do as life brought us a multitude of life-changing intersections.
Whether it be the decision of what occupation we should take up, or even, what do people do during their courtship years.
I grew up with two parents, my father is the quiet type and prefers to stick to his athletics and stock market interests. My mother on the other hand was a little more involved in my life. She would let me know when music I had purchased was too offensive for her to tolerate and when I should stay away from certain guys I had chosen as friends. She did what a mother was supposed to do. She made a delicious dinner every evening and we would all eat together, the entire family. She would clean the house and clean our laundry. She'd let us know if we let our room go too far and that we needed to clean it. I got my first job because of some stern encouragement from my mother. When she got a car to replace her van, she let me have the old car. I had a very fun youth because of it.
I like to think that I know my parents well. I know I don't know everything about them, or even a lot about them, but I like to think I know the things I should.
When it comes to my grandparents, I never really got to know either pair. Both grandfathers passed before I was old enough to understand who they were. By the time my mothers mother lived near us her health was so feeble that she really wasn't cognizant of who I was, she passed when I was ten or eleven. My fathers mother I knew a little better but I tried to keep quiet and keep my distance. She was unaffectionate and irritable. I tried to work around her quirks. I remember one time she took me on a small car trip around her town and showed me a sheep farm, she showed me a spring where the townspeople would fill up jugs. I cherish the few but deep memories I have of being with her. She lived about 22 hours from where we liv nowadays, so I only saw her very few times. She's passed on as well. Her house went to my aunts family, a piece of land went to my father.
I've never really been around friends that lived with or around their grandparents. But as I get older I wish more and more deeply as I go on that I had a pair of grandparents to fill that elderly niche that only grandparents can fill. They give us a deeper understanding of our heritage. They help us to understand ourselves and why some of us are writers and others of us musicians. I never really knew my grandparents, but I can truly say that I miss them. I miss them.
If all I can do is encourage you to enjoy and appreciate your grandparents, then that's what I'm trying to do. Granted you have the opportunity.
Grandparents symbolize honesty, virtue, and stability-in my opinion.
Through the years I've tried to find replacements for the grandparents I didn't know. I never really did have success. There's just no substitute for your own original grandparents.
My prayer is that in the event the Lord tarries till after I pass, that I be able to liv in a home filled with my grandchildren. I know that could be twenty-plus years from now, but it would fill my heart with joy. Every member of a home has a niche, every child, every teen, every adult. And every lesson we learn as we go through life's lessons in each of these stages, prepares us to be the grandparents that the Lord intends for us to be.
The purpose of life is to raise a better generation.
The meaning of life is to become the person it takes to raise that better generation.
Let the Lord mould you into the grandparent he needs you to be, today's and tomorrow's generation need people aware of the importance of altruism. It takes a lifetime to become that person, that's not an accident. It's his design.
I pray this posting brought peace to you and left you feeling edified. I pray God's blessings on your house, friends, and family. In the name of Yeshua, bless you.
Whether it be the decision of what occupation we should take up, or even, what do people do during their courtship years.
I grew up with two parents, my father is the quiet type and prefers to stick to his athletics and stock market interests. My mother on the other hand was a little more involved in my life. She would let me know when music I had purchased was too offensive for her to tolerate and when I should stay away from certain guys I had chosen as friends. She did what a mother was supposed to do. She made a delicious dinner every evening and we would all eat together, the entire family. She would clean the house and clean our laundry. She'd let us know if we let our room go too far and that we needed to clean it. I got my first job because of some stern encouragement from my mother. When she got a car to replace her van, she let me have the old car. I had a very fun youth because of it.
I like to think that I know my parents well. I know I don't know everything about them, or even a lot about them, but I like to think I know the things I should.
When it comes to my grandparents, I never really got to know either pair. Both grandfathers passed before I was old enough to understand who they were. By the time my mothers mother lived near us her health was so feeble that she really wasn't cognizant of who I was, she passed when I was ten or eleven. My fathers mother I knew a little better but I tried to keep quiet and keep my distance. She was unaffectionate and irritable. I tried to work around her quirks. I remember one time she took me on a small car trip around her town and showed me a sheep farm, she showed me a spring where the townspeople would fill up jugs. I cherish the few but deep memories I have of being with her. She lived about 22 hours from where we liv nowadays, so I only saw her very few times. She's passed on as well. Her house went to my aunts family, a piece of land went to my father.
I've never really been around friends that lived with or around their grandparents. But as I get older I wish more and more deeply as I go on that I had a pair of grandparents to fill that elderly niche that only grandparents can fill. They give us a deeper understanding of our heritage. They help us to understand ourselves and why some of us are writers and others of us musicians. I never really knew my grandparents, but I can truly say that I miss them. I miss them.
If all I can do is encourage you to enjoy and appreciate your grandparents, then that's what I'm trying to do. Granted you have the opportunity.
Grandparents symbolize honesty, virtue, and stability-in my opinion.
Through the years I've tried to find replacements for the grandparents I didn't know. I never really did have success. There's just no substitute for your own original grandparents.
My prayer is that in the event the Lord tarries till after I pass, that I be able to liv in a home filled with my grandchildren. I know that could be twenty-plus years from now, but it would fill my heart with joy. Every member of a home has a niche, every child, every teen, every adult. And every lesson we learn as we go through life's lessons in each of these stages, prepares us to be the grandparents that the Lord intends for us to be.
The purpose of life is to raise a better generation.
The meaning of life is to become the person it takes to raise that better generation.
Let the Lord mould you into the grandparent he needs you to be, today's and tomorrow's generation need people aware of the importance of altruism. It takes a lifetime to become that person, that's not an accident. It's his design.
I pray this posting brought peace to you and left you feeling edified. I pray God's blessings on your house, friends, and family. In the name of Yeshua, bless you.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Wisdom Of Attending College
I'll preface this post by saying that both Elizabeth and I have attended and graduated from college. In fact, she is currently finishing her MBA.
For us though, we view this as feeding the beast as a means to slay it. Elizabeth has many connections inside of her workplace that desire her to help. Her MBA will not only assist her in attaining these positions but also higher pay.
The higher pay is what is necessary to pay off the college she was expected to attend in the first place. College is the cure to the disease that it, itself creates-debt. This route does not and will not work for everyone. A lot of it goes down to where you liv, how your family supports you, who you know, and most importantly your organizational and work ethic. All of these have to work in just the right way. It's a very risk prone method of self-advancement.
I will not encourage my sons to attend college. I will however prepare them for life. Read THE TRADES OF MY SONS blog posting.
If Elizabeth and I had been raised in plain families, neither of us would have college debt at this point, and the both of us would be further advanced in our lives.
We have not always believed college to be a negative endeavor. It's only been with the current economic downturn that the negatives of college have become more and more obvious.
The only time I encourage college for an individual is when they have been guaranteed a job by someone they know very well, I.E. their father. Another stipulation that I encourage is that they know how the schooling will be paid for. And it's no shame to them if their father pays for it. And when I say "paid for", what I mean is, In-Full before the schooling is finished. NO debts or liabilities upon exciting the institution.
Here is a quote from a famous author.
"Students who acquire large debts putting
themselves through school are unlikely to think
about changing society. When you trap people in
a system of debt they can't afford the time to think.
Tuition fee increases are a disciplinary
technique, and by the time the students graduate,
They are not only loaded with debt,
but have also internalized the
disciplinarian culture. This makes
them efficient components of the
consumer economy."
-Noam Chomsky
I could continue on about how supposed "Christian" schools are teaching heretical ideologies and compromising the integrity of the family structure, but I trust that if you are reading this that you are already aware of that. It's a shame what state our educational system has found itself in from kindergarten to college.
I will say however that the college that Elizabeth is going to now, is actually worth it's name. They say they are Christian and they act and teach like it. I can't say the same for the college she went to for her bachelors. Granted her current school charges for that type of environment.
We fully expect that ten years from now that Elizabeth will be a stay at home mom, and that our families income will be earned by me.
For us though, we view this as feeding the beast as a means to slay it. Elizabeth has many connections inside of her workplace that desire her to help. Her MBA will not only assist her in attaining these positions but also higher pay.
The higher pay is what is necessary to pay off the college she was expected to attend in the first place. College is the cure to the disease that it, itself creates-debt. This route does not and will not work for everyone. A lot of it goes down to where you liv, how your family supports you, who you know, and most importantly your organizational and work ethic. All of these have to work in just the right way. It's a very risk prone method of self-advancement.
I will not encourage my sons to attend college. I will however prepare them for life. Read THE TRADES OF MY SONS blog posting.
If Elizabeth and I had been raised in plain families, neither of us would have college debt at this point, and the both of us would be further advanced in our lives.
We have not always believed college to be a negative endeavor. It's only been with the current economic downturn that the negatives of college have become more and more obvious.
The only time I encourage college for an individual is when they have been guaranteed a job by someone they know very well, I.E. their father. Another stipulation that I encourage is that they know how the schooling will be paid for. And it's no shame to them if their father pays for it. And when I say "paid for", what I mean is, In-Full before the schooling is finished. NO debts or liabilities upon exciting the institution.
Here is a quote from a famous author.
"Students who acquire large debts putting
themselves through school are unlikely to think
about changing society. When you trap people in
a system of debt they can't afford the time to think.
Tuition fee increases are a disciplinary
technique, and by the time the students graduate,
They are not only loaded with debt,
but have also internalized the
disciplinarian culture. This makes
them efficient components of the
consumer economy."
-Noam Chomsky
I could continue on about how supposed "Christian" schools are teaching heretical ideologies and compromising the integrity of the family structure, but I trust that if you are reading this that you are already aware of that. It's a shame what state our educational system has found itself in from kindergarten to college.
I will say however that the college that Elizabeth is going to now, is actually worth it's name. They say they are Christian and they act and teach like it. I can't say the same for the college she went to for her bachelors. Granted her current school charges for that type of environment.
We fully expect that ten years from now that Elizabeth will be a stay at home mom, and that our families income will be earned by me.
Revival, And What It Really Means
I've been to dozens of church gatherings commonly referred to as "revivals". These were exciting meetings with well spoken evangelists lifting up the congregation and chastising them when the Lord prompted them to. In these meetings there would be many more people than the congregation would typically hold. Many would be visitors, many would be family that were not committed, and others were people that had heard through word-of-mouth. In these meetings it was always exciting to see new people hear about what we knew about the Lord. We were full of fire and wanted everyone to know and have what we had and to see what the full word of God had to give.
I took a lot away from these revivals and was glad to attend them for years.
As I got older I began to realize that not everyone was taking away the same thing I was.
Everything has it's season. Everyone has their "down season". We all need to be lifted out of it, sometimes we are able to do it on our own, other times we need the encouragement of another brother. Hence the term revival, "To bring back to life".
For the two camps (believers and new believers) the change had from the revival would look two very different ways.
For the New believer, the change could be disorienting. A world of new emotions flowing around everything they have known their entire life. Looking at the world through the prism of "what is holy and what is not holy?" alongside thoughts of "now that I believe, what do I believe?". All of which should promptly be followed by a reading of the New Testament. Reading the Word is the foundation of our faith, and the fertilizer that helps us to grow in our youth. Every Christian has been there.
For those people that have been believers and have had a walk with God, a revival should simply bring back to life our depth of conviction, not only to witness but also to purge our lives of any immorality that we have allowed into it. Whether that be through the media or even immodest/immoral clothing.
To maintain our separation from the world the Lord gave us commandments and convictions. Convictions are simple truths we live our lives by that we feel are biblical. The general public may be oblivious to some of our more simple convictions that are truly insignificant, but do matter to our Lord on a personal basis. I am not here to tell you what convictions you should have, or even what half of my convictions are. Many I have had and lived with for so long that I am almost not even aware of them, they are my normal.
After attending revivals, I had new eyes for what was sin in my life. I looked at things and people I had allowed into my life with different eyes. Some things are best to be ridden of, other things we have in our life, we have to tolerate against our will. The same goes for people. Sometimes in order to have a closer walk with God, we have to say farewell to people that we know are not healthy for us to be around. Other times, we have to adjust the way we interact with those that we have to be around.
After years of having attended revivals, my disappointment came from seeing the parable of the sower illustrated. It hurt to witness people come to know God but then deny him the next day.
We all walk our own walk with our Lord, and we are all on different levels with him. Don't give up and don't be discouraged. Be revived in your walk. Be firm. Count it all joy.
If you have any questions or need any support, we are here for you.
I took a lot away from these revivals and was glad to attend them for years.
As I got older I began to realize that not everyone was taking away the same thing I was.
Everything has it's season. Everyone has their "down season". We all need to be lifted out of it, sometimes we are able to do it on our own, other times we need the encouragement of another brother. Hence the term revival, "To bring back to life".
For the two camps (believers and new believers) the change had from the revival would look two very different ways.
For the New believer, the change could be disorienting. A world of new emotions flowing around everything they have known their entire life. Looking at the world through the prism of "what is holy and what is not holy?" alongside thoughts of "now that I believe, what do I believe?". All of which should promptly be followed by a reading of the New Testament. Reading the Word is the foundation of our faith, and the fertilizer that helps us to grow in our youth. Every Christian has been there.
For those people that have been believers and have had a walk with God, a revival should simply bring back to life our depth of conviction, not only to witness but also to purge our lives of any immorality that we have allowed into it. Whether that be through the media or even immodest/immoral clothing.
To maintain our separation from the world the Lord gave us commandments and convictions. Convictions are simple truths we live our lives by that we feel are biblical. The general public may be oblivious to some of our more simple convictions that are truly insignificant, but do matter to our Lord on a personal basis. I am not here to tell you what convictions you should have, or even what half of my convictions are. Many I have had and lived with for so long that I am almost not even aware of them, they are my normal.
After attending revivals, I had new eyes for what was sin in my life. I looked at things and people I had allowed into my life with different eyes. Some things are best to be ridden of, other things we have in our life, we have to tolerate against our will. The same goes for people. Sometimes in order to have a closer walk with God, we have to say farewell to people that we know are not healthy for us to be around. Other times, we have to adjust the way we interact with those that we have to be around.
After years of having attended revivals, my disappointment came from seeing the parable of the sower illustrated. It hurt to witness people come to know God but then deny him the next day.
We all walk our own walk with our Lord, and we are all on different levels with him. Don't give up and don't be discouraged. Be revived in your walk. Be firm. Count it all joy.
If you have any questions or need any support, we are here for you.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Upcoming Posts
We recently took a photo of our 5 quart jar of real cows milk and quart jar from that was almost all the way full of cream alone. I could talk about that for a while, but that will be it's own post.
The things we have learned to do with milk just completely change the way you look at milk products from your grocery store, it's all fake and it's a deep disappointment. If we ever run out of real milk I will not handle it very well. We currently use two gallons a week, we are seeing if we can increase it to three but that depends on the seller. Prayers to Yeshua about that.
Pretty soon Elizabeth will be trying to sew again. I'm eager to bring out her sewing machine and table.
I may try to get a video of my piano playing on here. Just for fun.
Our seed garlic came in the mail! Photos are in order. We still need to figure out where it is going!
Our craft room is getting organized! Our guest bathroom closet became an impromptu book case!
We've got a photo of that too, it actually looks nice!
Elizabeth also found a neat article about matching material for patterns involving plaids. I'm happy to hear this. I'm looking forward to seeing them on Abigail.
I Pray the Lord bless you and that you are found in the grace of our savior Yeshua.
The things we have learned to do with milk just completely change the way you look at milk products from your grocery store, it's all fake and it's a deep disappointment. If we ever run out of real milk I will not handle it very well. We currently use two gallons a week, we are seeing if we can increase it to three but that depends on the seller. Prayers to Yeshua about that.
Pretty soon Elizabeth will be trying to sew again. I'm eager to bring out her sewing machine and table.
I may try to get a video of my piano playing on here. Just for fun.
Our seed garlic came in the mail! Photos are in order. We still need to figure out where it is going!
Our craft room is getting organized! Our guest bathroom closet became an impromptu book case!
We've got a photo of that too, it actually looks nice!
Elizabeth also found a neat article about matching material for patterns involving plaids. I'm happy to hear this. I'm looking forward to seeing them on Abigail.
I Pray the Lord bless you and that you are found in the grace of our savior Yeshua.
We are Anabaptist Pentecostals
It's been several years since Elizabeth and I last stepped into a pentecostal church. Ever since then we have been conflicted about how we identify or should identify ourselves. We are plain and we are pentecostal with a little "p". My laptop keeps trying to uppercase the "p" so forgive me if I miss one, I am not that vain.
It's frustrating to know that there is more than one congregation in the local area that we agree with biblically but disagree with "culturally". It's weird here in the U.S. We are so removed from what people identify as culture in other countries that we can't identify what culture is in our own country.
I think the main reason for this is that we are taught in school that we are to be accepting of everybody and everything and that no one is ever wrong and that all people are always right. So all ideas and concepts that seem unique at first eventually get blended into the broad picture that is the U.S. landscape.
It's hard for me to communicate what I feel and am trying to say.
At the core of it, I am really just repeating what I have said before. Take a look at A READER'S EMAIL post. Good churches are still out there.
We are Anabaptist and pentecostal.
We are not ostentatious.
We are not Materialists.
Our sense of identity does not come from the media.
We liv separated and are a peculiar people.
Our walk with God is not focused on us but rather our families and our friends. We are here to encourage and edify them, for the strengthening of our community.
Since we walked away from our pentecostal congregation we have struggled with our identity.
People will ask us "what we are". We both just look at each other and say "plain pentecostal" but that really doesn't say everything for us.
People will push us further and say, "But what are you?" To which we finally just gave in and started calling ourselves Porters. A porter is a person that opens a door. And that's kind of how we view ourselves. We see it as having the best of both worlds. We are pentecostal yes, but it's not the centerpiece of our entire walk with God. There are 65 other books in the word of God than just the book of Acts, and 1st Corinthians 14.
"Both worlds" meaning that we have the joy of the Lord matched with the pleasure of simple living.
The sad reality that many people familiar with the Anabaptists groups are aware of, is the depression that is abundant in those groups. When individuals don't have the liberty to express themselves in various ways, depression will follow. Whether that be through playing musical instruments, or designing clothing to their own preferences. If we go about this world always concerned with satisfying other peoples ideas of what we should be, we ourselves will never be satisfied. A sincere deep walk with God matched with striving to utilize all the talents he gave us, will bring all the satisfaction he designed us to have.
For us, saying that we are pentecostal is an overstatement, the kind of thing that should be understood when we say that we are Christian. However being as the majority of modern Anabaptist are not pentecostal, the simple act of clarifying becomes relevant.
This week we have finally decided.
We are comfortable with being called one of two things.
"Anabaptist Pentecostal" or "Porter".
I don't feel comfortable being called a "plain pentecostal" anymore. My identity is deeper than a single aspect of my walk with God. The single word "anabaptist" has the deeper meanings that more strongly convey where my family is coming from.
By calling ourselves Anabaptist Pentecostals, we feal firm and established. Finally separated from our roots from years ago.
It was difficult back then to try to communicate to them
(the formal pentecostal church with a big P) why and how we didn't see things eye to eye. Their understanding of the Anabaptist was only what they saw on the surface or on the TV in their living room. They hadn't heard or read any of the theological ideas that establish the foundation of anabaptist ideology.
Honestly, I'm not sure where that conversation could start with the Pentecostals nowadays. The separation that once existed is now fading away with every generation that passes. The media is so deeply imbedded in everyone's life that it has become normal to just accept it. And that media establishes the culture of the youth. It undermines and rewrites what culture the parents try to instill in their child.
Being afraid to stand-out in a crowd has also cost the church it's identity. We call them Christians in camouflage. Sure you might notice them if you had belonged to them at some point, but otherwise they would just blend in to any other scene in America. They would look no less out of place in a bar than they would just leaving meeting. I couldn't speak so harshly if we hadn't left them years ago.
I'll leave you with these last words.
Regardless of your age and standing with your family or church, don't be afraid to liv separated and holy. It is our father we answer to, not our family members or our church. To reestablish separation, there has to be a first person to do it. Let it be you. From the clothing you wear, to the places you will and won't go. Start a home church, even if it's in an apartment. God bless! It's a difficult road, but the Lord blesses us abundantly for being faithful! We started this walk 6 years ago and we are still going. We are not where we want to be yet, but in time we will get there. Our children will be blessed with our support and direction. Think of your children as well : )
It's frustrating to know that there is more than one congregation in the local area that we agree with biblically but disagree with "culturally". It's weird here in the U.S. We are so removed from what people identify as culture in other countries that we can't identify what culture is in our own country.
I think the main reason for this is that we are taught in school that we are to be accepting of everybody and everything and that no one is ever wrong and that all people are always right. So all ideas and concepts that seem unique at first eventually get blended into the broad picture that is the U.S. landscape.
It's hard for me to communicate what I feel and am trying to say.
At the core of it, I am really just repeating what I have said before. Take a look at A READER'S EMAIL post. Good churches are still out there.
We are Anabaptist and pentecostal.
We are not ostentatious.
We are not Materialists.
Our sense of identity does not come from the media.
We liv separated and are a peculiar people.
Our walk with God is not focused on us but rather our families and our friends. We are here to encourage and edify them, for the strengthening of our community.
Since we walked away from our pentecostal congregation we have struggled with our identity.
People will ask us "what we are". We both just look at each other and say "plain pentecostal" but that really doesn't say everything for us.
People will push us further and say, "But what are you?" To which we finally just gave in and started calling ourselves Porters. A porter is a person that opens a door. And that's kind of how we view ourselves. We see it as having the best of both worlds. We are pentecostal yes, but it's not the centerpiece of our entire walk with God. There are 65 other books in the word of God than just the book of Acts, and 1st Corinthians 14.
"Both worlds" meaning that we have the joy of the Lord matched with the pleasure of simple living.
The sad reality that many people familiar with the Anabaptists groups are aware of, is the depression that is abundant in those groups. When individuals don't have the liberty to express themselves in various ways, depression will follow. Whether that be through playing musical instruments, or designing clothing to their own preferences. If we go about this world always concerned with satisfying other peoples ideas of what we should be, we ourselves will never be satisfied. A sincere deep walk with God matched with striving to utilize all the talents he gave us, will bring all the satisfaction he designed us to have.
For us, saying that we are pentecostal is an overstatement, the kind of thing that should be understood when we say that we are Christian. However being as the majority of modern Anabaptist are not pentecostal, the simple act of clarifying becomes relevant.
This week we have finally decided.
We are comfortable with being called one of two things.
"Anabaptist Pentecostal" or "Porter".
I don't feel comfortable being called a "plain pentecostal" anymore. My identity is deeper than a single aspect of my walk with God. The single word "anabaptist" has the deeper meanings that more strongly convey where my family is coming from.
By calling ourselves Anabaptist Pentecostals, we feal firm and established. Finally separated from our roots from years ago.
It was difficult back then to try to communicate to them
(the formal pentecostal church with a big P) why and how we didn't see things eye to eye. Their understanding of the Anabaptist was only what they saw on the surface or on the TV in their living room. They hadn't heard or read any of the theological ideas that establish the foundation of anabaptist ideology.
Honestly, I'm not sure where that conversation could start with the Pentecostals nowadays. The separation that once existed is now fading away with every generation that passes. The media is so deeply imbedded in everyone's life that it has become normal to just accept it. And that media establishes the culture of the youth. It undermines and rewrites what culture the parents try to instill in their child.
Being afraid to stand-out in a crowd has also cost the church it's identity. We call them Christians in camouflage. Sure you might notice them if you had belonged to them at some point, but otherwise they would just blend in to any other scene in America. They would look no less out of place in a bar than they would just leaving meeting. I couldn't speak so harshly if we hadn't left them years ago.
I'll leave you with these last words.
Regardless of your age and standing with your family or church, don't be afraid to liv separated and holy. It is our father we answer to, not our family members or our church. To reestablish separation, there has to be a first person to do it. Let it be you. From the clothing you wear, to the places you will and won't go. Start a home church, even if it's in an apartment. God bless! It's a difficult road, but the Lord blesses us abundantly for being faithful! We started this walk 6 years ago and we are still going. We are not where we want to be yet, but in time we will get there. Our children will be blessed with our support and direction. Think of your children as well : )
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Going To Be A Mom?
“Must have” lists are all over the internet and now I’m adding mine to the list! I recently had a soon-to-be grandma ask me for advice and this is what I sent her:
Baby Hygiene:
- Q-tips for belly button and ears
- Antibiotic salve
- Diapers (approx. 24 if using reusables). We’ve had no rashes with using the reusables and no need of powders.
- Wet wipes
- Soap – some kind of natural soap like Dr. Bronner’s – we use this on Abigail and have had no troubles with flakey skin. No baths the first week. You can use this on their hair, too. The less products you use on them, the better.
Feeding:
- Bottles, bottle brush, bottle warmer (even if breastfeeding)
- Breast pump – insurance covers this now
- If she is going to do formula, they have machines that mix the formula and water for you J
Entertainment:
- Bath toys
- Blocks, squeekies, things that crinkle
- Bouncers are nice but they outgrow them in about four months.
- What I wish we had was a swing that plugged-in. These are pricey (about $130) but I’ve seen them on craigslist for about $75. Some swing side to side as well as back and forth.
- Pack and play for Grandma’s house. We just use some rubbery mats from Sam’s Club (approx. $20) on our living room floor covered with a fleece blanket. When the blanket gets dirty, just throw it in the wash J Once the baby starts crawling, they don’t like pack and plays so much…may be good for naps, though.
Clothing/Other:
- Onesies – just a few newborn sizes. Abigail used those for about a month (she was 8 lbs 6 oz). Onesies are great for at home. If you go out and want to cover their legs, they have little leg warmers
- Receiving blankets and some larger blankies
- Bath towels (you can use regular towels and washcloths)
- Car seat
- Baby carrier. Spend the money on a good one. No front-facing ones – some cause hip dysplasia. We have an Ergo Baby that I bought used and it is working out really well for us.
Diaper bag:
- Get a rectangular one with an open top and rigid sides
- Changing pad
- Diapers
- Bag for dirty ones. I have a reusable zippered wet bag but sometimes I just use Walmart bags
- Wet wipes
- 2 sets of extra clothes
- Blanket
- Food if applicable or nursing cover
Things to consider before the birth: Vitamin K shot and eye drops. If you want the Vitamin K, I would recommend requesting the oral dosage. You may opt out of both if desired but will need to watch the hospital staff even after signing the exemption paperwork. Request that the umbilical NOT be cut until after it has quit pulsing. The blood needs to drain from the placenta into the child. Approximately 32% of its blood is in that placenta and it only takes a few minutes to drain. Don’t let the doctor or staff talk you out of this.
After mommy-care: Comfortable nightgowns, slippers, warm healthy foods that are easy to heat up. Herbal sitz baths. NO VISITORS the first two weeks unless she wants them. I can’t tell you how many people said they were only going to be there for twenty minutes and stayed for hours. Then they rang the doorbell a hundred times and went over to wake the baby up even though I just got her to sleep. Visitors are just plain exhausting!
But my best piece of advice is that she should trust her mommy instincts and she will do great! The “fourth trimester” is definitely the most enjoyable. Abigail has been such a blessing in our lives and I can’t imagine life without her now. Yes, the housework is more difficult to get done now but time spent with her is time well spent. At five and a half months, she is rolling from one end of the bed to the other, making new sounds everyday and is fascinated by our dog. Next month will bring even more great accomplishments!
As a side note for my blog readers, Michael often says that “The purpose of life is to raise a better generation.” I didn’t understand that before we had children but it is true. My prayers for Abigail are not for college and fame of this world, but to find happiness and joy in being a Proverbs woman. When we are right with God, blessings will follow.
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