Last spring, I was speaking with one of my daughters about my latest off grid project. I told her the original milking parlor has now become the "Power House" and a new milking parlor was established.
A couple of weeks ago, a grid power line came down, so we found ourselves without power, but the wind was amazing! Now, there isn't enough battery storage, yet to maintain being fully off grid, but the wind was a definite bonus that night. As a matter of fact, even with a small battery bank, Adonai provided enough wind to keep the entire house functioning at full capacity, including the heat pump! All of this took me back to that conversation I'd had with my daughter, months earlier.
As we were awkwardly chatting as that is our established pattern, I was grasping for a topic and that's how the new Power House project came up. Now in looking back, our conversations are nearly always about what the kids are doing, what I'm doing, and who/what she is analyzing . . . This conversation was no exception. I told her about a bigger turbine, having the big boom truck set the pole, etc. then just casually included. "All we need now is a $1000.00 worth of batteries and we're set." She immediately interjected that a thousand dollars worth of batteries seemed expensive. I just dismissed it as her usual disparaging comments and went on with life, but now in taking note of my electric bill and knowing I was fully powered up when the line came down, I feel pretty blessed to have spent that $1000 dollars the way I did.
Now, comparing my expense to her lifestyle, I'm thinking this $1000.00 was an actual investment. Adonai willing, the batteries will last for years, whereas $1000.00 in her hand, I don't think covers the monthly rent. I realize things in this world are temporal, but as long as we are in this world, I don't think there's anything wrong with making some investments that will last, even if we are looking at temporary verses eternal. I'm thankful to have no mortgage and no rent, but my house and lifestyle would not be good enough for many. That's okay, it's more than good enough for me.
As I thought of being able to switch over to our off grid power and how truly blessed I am. I continued to see clients, do laundry, and as mentioned previously, enjoy a warm house. And the great thing about investing rather than rent is the differing perspective on temporal. Apparently, for my daughter, it's all temporary, so there is no need to consider long term purchases or investment, but from my perspective, rent removes the "temporal" option. If a person wants shelter and is choosing to rent, that option seems more like bondage, to me.
If I live another 25 years, as far as housing goes, all I have to concern myself with is maintenance and taxes. If I were paying rent, that concern would be quite pricey, not to mention potentially ever increasing. Now, as I can afford it, I like to add to the battery bank. It was nice to know, with offgrid power I could still offer care, comfort, refreshments, and if the power grid shutdown had been wide spread, several of us could have weathered it fairly comfortably together. Everything in this world is temporal, so why pay for it for a lifetime?
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Your Call is Important
When did ministry become a money making career for so many? I realize back when our society in general was more religious, rabbis and pastors were dealing with congregants nearly every day. Although rabbis often had their own homes, many pastors lived in the parsonage. Even with rabbis living in their own homes, the Jewish community was established for all be within walking distance of the synagogue on Shabbat. Parsonage, for all practical purposes has become an archaic term.
Much of the ministry in America has become politically and economically powerful with ministers living large and rabbis being quite influential. I'm not suggesting for a moment that servants of YHWH should live like squirrels in winter, not at all, but the reality of the matter is pretty simple. If the religious organizations were actually fulfilling their true purpose, a 501c3 would be unnecessary. Taking care of widows, orphans, and veterans would probably keep most religious organizations quite busy, and certainly below any tax bracket. Actually working in our specified call would eliminate a great deal of unnecessary travel and activities that are truly "uncalled" for. A great many false prophecies and teachings would be eliminated if folks actually walked and worked in their call.
Now, does that mean a pastor should not give a call to repentance and wait for the evangelist? Absolutely not, but it does mean a pastor doesn't need to be jet setting all over the world, if he is called to shepherd a flock. Evangelists and prophets should probably be the ones doing most of the traveling, and teachers should be teaching by example first, and words second! Apostles are trailblazers and missionaries, so they are usually led to establish, then outreach in meeting the needs around them, but also to welcome and work with the other four offices of ministry.
Not that I am claiming to have all the organization or administrative answers, but the duties of the five offices are explained throughout Scripture. There's no need for so much overlap and confusion, and no need for anything to be going undone. And as for widows, orphans, and folks in need, every child of G-d is called to meet those needs when they become aware of them. I do believe it would be amazing for all five calls to be working together in ministries. I continue to pray for that, here and in other areas as well.
It's time for pastors to tend the flock and live within respectable means. It's time for teachers to realize the best lesson is a good example. It's time for prophets to sound the warnings and evangelists to tell the whole Gospel which includes Torah obedience, and it's time for folks to get results from apostles and elders without the need of hospitals. A 501c3 is completely unnecessary and ministry should not be a business!
Much of the ministry in America has become politically and economically powerful with ministers living large and rabbis being quite influential. I'm not suggesting for a moment that servants of YHWH should live like squirrels in winter, not at all, but the reality of the matter is pretty simple. If the religious organizations were actually fulfilling their true purpose, a 501c3 would be unnecessary. Taking care of widows, orphans, and veterans would probably keep most religious organizations quite busy, and certainly below any tax bracket. Actually working in our specified call would eliminate a great deal of unnecessary travel and activities that are truly "uncalled" for. A great many false prophecies and teachings would be eliminated if folks actually walked and worked in their call.
Now, does that mean a pastor should not give a call to repentance and wait for the evangelist? Absolutely not, but it does mean a pastor doesn't need to be jet setting all over the world, if he is called to shepherd a flock. Evangelists and prophets should probably be the ones doing most of the traveling, and teachers should be teaching by example first, and words second! Apostles are trailblazers and missionaries, so they are usually led to establish, then outreach in meeting the needs around them, but also to welcome and work with the other four offices of ministry.
Not that I am claiming to have all the organization or administrative answers, but the duties of the five offices are explained throughout Scripture. There's no need for so much overlap and confusion, and no need for anything to be going undone. And as for widows, orphans, and folks in need, every child of G-d is called to meet those needs when they become aware of them. I do believe it would be amazing for all five calls to be working together in ministries. I continue to pray for that, here and in other areas as well.
It's time for pastors to tend the flock and live within respectable means. It's time for teachers to realize the best lesson is a good example. It's time for prophets to sound the warnings and evangelists to tell the whole Gospel which includes Torah obedience, and it's time for folks to get results from apostles and elders without the need of hospitals. A 501c3 is completely unnecessary and ministry should not be a business!
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Just Right
Life on the homestead is changing a bit. It certainly appears to be for the better. A few weeks ago, I mentioned investing in more off grid power. With that plan came a cost. A "power house" would be needed for the battery bank. It only made good sense to have it near the house and near the power pole, until we get the full battery bank accumulated. The option to switch on and off grid seems right for now. So, the obvious solution meant I would have to give up my milking parlor for this project. My milking parlor is pretty special. I had it built to specs and even received the bonus of a custom paint job at no additional charge, since I was also ordering a chicken house as well. I can operate a hammer and nails, for small jobs and repairs, but when it comes to actual buildings, I prefer to contract a carpenter. So, in moving forward in this power project, the milking parlor would become the powerhouse.
That meant a new building and I'm still no better at carpentry now, than I was six years ago. I prayed about it and saw two buildings in a dream or vision. One was just like the milking parlor only the paint was reversed. The building was dark green with white trim. The other building was smaller, and lighter green with a green shingled roof. I didn't notice whether the trim was the same color or not. When I got up I could still clearly see those two buildings and considered my need, as well as placement. In full confession, I wanted a smaller building because my milking parlor that was going to be exclusively mine, ended up shared . . . The other consideration pertained to the location and I didn't want a large building blocking the view from my office window. I do not make investments lightly and I knew this would involve a considerable cost, as well as being fairly permanent in location.
The next trip to town involved going by the place I'd bought the milk parlor. The very first building on the lot was exactly like the milking parlor, only reversed colors, BUT no windows and a rather large price tag! Adding windows is my "speed" of carpentry, but the price was discouraging. I went by a couple of other places with buildings on their lots, but just didn't see anything else like what Abba had shown me. Trying to get home before it rained, I finished up town business and headed toward home. Less than six miles from home, on the side of the highway, sat a little light green building with a phone number on it. I hadn't noticed that building on the way to town . . .
Later that evening after chores, I called the number, the gentleman quoted me a price I could hardly believe. I then asked if that price would include delivery. These builders usually do deliver, but it's frequently an added fee. When I told him my location, he said he'd do it for the price he quoted. The deal was made at that moment. He said the forecasted rain might be a problem, but he'd get it here as soon as he could. The next morning, which was Tuesday, it was raining. Before noon Wednesday, my new little building the future milking parlor was in place, leveled and paid for. A 6' X 8' building, 16" centers, 4' double door, all for a fourth of the price of the other building! Abba gave me a choice, and there was no need to rush. He worked it out "just right."
That meant a new building and I'm still no better at carpentry now, than I was six years ago. I prayed about it and saw two buildings in a dream or vision. One was just like the milking parlor only the paint was reversed. The building was dark green with white trim. The other building was smaller, and lighter green with a green shingled roof. I didn't notice whether the trim was the same color or not. When I got up I could still clearly see those two buildings and considered my need, as well as placement. In full confession, I wanted a smaller building because my milking parlor that was going to be exclusively mine, ended up shared . . . The other consideration pertained to the location and I didn't want a large building blocking the view from my office window. I do not make investments lightly and I knew this would involve a considerable cost, as well as being fairly permanent in location.
The next trip to town involved going by the place I'd bought the milk parlor. The very first building on the lot was exactly like the milking parlor, only reversed colors, BUT no windows and a rather large price tag! Adding windows is my "speed" of carpentry, but the price was discouraging. I went by a couple of other places with buildings on their lots, but just didn't see anything else like what Abba had shown me. Trying to get home before it rained, I finished up town business and headed toward home. Less than six miles from home, on the side of the highway, sat a little light green building with a phone number on it. I hadn't noticed that building on the way to town . . .
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Counting the Costs
To a certain extent, life is an equation and balance is the goal. I'm not talking about salvation, here, as there is no way in the world any of us could balance out the price that was paid for us. I'm speaking of the practical application of navigating through this imperfect world without compromising our values. Coming to grips with an exchange, if you will, to reach the goal in Abba's Plan for our life. I really hadn't considered the emotional cost of spiritual service to Him in this call He has placed upon my life. We all speak of being willing to die for Messiah, so apparently we've counted the physical costs, but what about the cost on an everyday basis, that of dying to self, while still being physically alive.
The main cost that I continue to stumble over is the rejection. I'm handling it better, but I still don't like rejection. Rejection hurts my feelings. As a homesteading, obedient believer I've been called some horrific things, been told off in no uncertain terms, cussed out, and been disinvited to more than one family gathering. I've come to understand two things in this, well hopefully more than that, but two very distinct choices I make at these times. One is, I truly do not want to do anything to be deserving of the treatment I've received, and two, I no longer falsely apologize to "keep the peace." Sometimes silence and a good distance is peace!
My refusal to be manipulated and controlled by some has resulted in these folks with obvious control issues calling me controlling. It seems closed minds and open mouths are often traits in the same body! In having my mind healed, perhaps I'm a bit more sensitive to the emotional costs of following Messiah. My intelligence is what it is, but having been made whole, mentally, the full emotional picture is not always so pretty. There are days, I seriously have to keep my mouth shut and count the costs. I'd like to think I'd face death for my faith. I've said as much, as well as hearing many others speak the same, but this daily dying to self seems to revolve mostly around emotions, behavior, and the tongue.
In seeking Abba, I am gaining wisdom as I count the costs. Much of the rejection comes from people I truly would not be able to maintain a pleasant long term relationship with, anyway. I watch their lifestyle and demands and realize their rejection of me made it much easier on me, but their rejection of truth truly makes my heart sad. I don't want anyone to reject Messiah and I certainly do not want to be a poor example of what it is to follow Him. In counting the costs, the stakes are high, of eternal consequences. Navigating through this world clearly requires self-control in exchange for "the last word." I think of that list in Galatians 5, as I count the cost. The works of the flesh are so closely aligned with ego and "self-worth" and have no place in a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit.
For some, the costs may be materialistic, and for others, we can see by the headlines, the cost truly is their physical lives. For now, here in America, the costs don't seem too far beyond emotional pain and some difficult employment choices, but we are still called to count those costs which amounts to dying to self. Our Heavenly Father created us to have emotions, but He also gives us the power to starve and overcome the destructive emotions and the grace to feed the healthy ones.
The main cost that I continue to stumble over is the rejection. I'm handling it better, but I still don't like rejection. Rejection hurts my feelings. As a homesteading, obedient believer I've been called some horrific things, been told off in no uncertain terms, cussed out, and been disinvited to more than one family gathering. I've come to understand two things in this, well hopefully more than that, but two very distinct choices I make at these times. One is, I truly do not want to do anything to be deserving of the treatment I've received, and two, I no longer falsely apologize to "keep the peace." Sometimes silence and a good distance is peace!
My refusal to be manipulated and controlled by some has resulted in these folks with obvious control issues calling me controlling. It seems closed minds and open mouths are often traits in the same body! In having my mind healed, perhaps I'm a bit more sensitive to the emotional costs of following Messiah. My intelligence is what it is, but having been made whole, mentally, the full emotional picture is not always so pretty. There are days, I seriously have to keep my mouth shut and count the costs. I'd like to think I'd face death for my faith. I've said as much, as well as hearing many others speak the same, but this daily dying to self seems to revolve mostly around emotions, behavior, and the tongue.
In seeking Abba, I am gaining wisdom as I count the costs. Much of the rejection comes from people I truly would not be able to maintain a pleasant long term relationship with, anyway. I watch their lifestyle and demands and realize their rejection of me made it much easier on me, but their rejection of truth truly makes my heart sad. I don't want anyone to reject Messiah and I certainly do not want to be a poor example of what it is to follow Him. In counting the costs, the stakes are high, of eternal consequences. Navigating through this world clearly requires self-control in exchange for "the last word." I think of that list in Galatians 5, as I count the cost. The works of the flesh are so closely aligned with ego and "self-worth" and have no place in a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit.
For some, the costs may be materialistic, and for others, we can see by the headlines, the cost truly is their physical lives. For now, here in America, the costs don't seem too far beyond emotional pain and some difficult employment choices, but we are still called to count those costs which amounts to dying to self. Our Heavenly Father created us to have emotions, but He also gives us the power to starve and overcome the destructive emotions and the grace to feed the healthy ones.
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