Again I'm Analyzing Time

The value of time is one of those things that I just keep considering.  I don't want to obsess over the topic, but in the reality of this world, the way we use our time is the only thing that is really exclusively within our own control.  The past three and a half years has been a time of coming to a greater understanding of this gift from our Creator, that we spend, often with little thought and great abandon.

Our days are numbered.  Y'hshuwah spoke succinctly about how much in life we can't control and how little we can actually change, and yet the way we spend the time we're given is within our control.  In looking back, I have obviously made some poor investments when it comes to how I spent my time.  I don't want anymore of that!  I'll be 57 years old in a few weeks and I'm taking inventory.  I've invested time in relationships that dead-ended.  I've invested time in projects that were unnecessary, as well as projects that need to be completed.  I'm not a procrastinator, but there have been a couple of rather lengthy projects that have taken some extensive time, now nearing completion.  HalleluYah!

The last few weeks of social media, I found myself feeling that my time could be better spent, and when I return, that is the plan.  The "randomosity" of social media took it's toll on my direction and accomplishment in the past few weeks.  That's not to lay the blame away from my own responsibility, but rather to recognize that it must be managed.  I was attempting to be far more interactive than I am, and I was also trying to protect private alternative health information.  Just in my very short break, two ideas have come to mind to address both concerns.

As to my attempt to be interactive, I'm an introvert and I've been led to establish this place for folks who will gather in community, as well as encourage others who have been led to do the same.  I have not been led to establish this place for folks who see the calamity coming but are still dependent upon the system, while scoping out a place to go when society collapses.  Abba did not call me to prepare a place for those who are aware of prophecy but are not preparing.  That same time and effort is to be used to encourage other homesteaders, square foot gardeners, and folks raising chickens in the city.  No more time spent listening to why something can't be done!

Abba is definitely leading me to help others in seeking alternative health modalities and deliverance.  He's enabled me to be available by internet, while offering the information outside of mainstream social media.  I'm still working on some of the details, but it is coming along and certainly worth the time being spent.  Abba has blessed me with information that must be shared in the Name of Y'hshuwah.

Not to be a Lot's wife, but in looking back over the last 3 1/2 years, I wouldn't be ready or able to do what lies ahead, had I continued to invest time and effort on what is not part of the plan.

Time and Taxes

This past week has been very trying.  A great deal of time invested seemed to just explode and implode overnight.  Suddenly, everything had changed.  As I thought about it and pondered the circumstances, I realized, going over it in my mind, seemed parallel to taxes.  Time spent, is just that, spent.  It won't come back, it's gone.  Now to rehash in our mind, too many times, is just more time spent on time that we can't get back.  It's also time spent that will not change the circumstances.  There are serious things going on in the world and a few angry words by a few folks really should not be at the top of the priority list.

As I came to this understanding, I became concerned.  I had reached out to a few people in friendship and others who had privately voiced some struggles and frustrations, and although I thought I was always very clear about what I believe and where I stand, there were suddenly very divisive issues.  I'm responsible enough to know when there seems to be a problem with several at once, I may be the common denominator.    I tend to be a pretty strong, stoic type woman, so when I realized I could just quit questioning what had transpired in several situations, and go on with life, I asked Abba if I was becoming calloused.   

Although I can be a tough cookie and rather socially awkward, I do have a compassionate heart.  I didn't want to become hardened with all the interactive circumstances.  Abba showed me it was not callousness, but a strengthening of the armor.  We use the phrase iron sharpening iron in a rather cavalier manner.  The time already invested in friendship or outreach was time invested in others in the Name of Y'hshuwah and that was as it should be.  It was the rehashing in my own mind that would lead to problems.  By "taxing" the circumstances, we may find ourselves feeling more invested than we actually were.   In rehashing the events, we may give our own contribution a higher value than we should.  We don't know how we ultimately affect the lives of others, or the long range effect they may have on us.

Giving our time to reach out in the Name of Y'hshuwah is what we are called to do.  Responding to accusations impulsively is clearly wrong, but continual rehashing and questioning is adding a tax that is not needed, and may hinder a restoration.      

An Odd Experience For Which I'm Thankful

I've been truck shopping.  I wasn't looking for anything new as that puts me in sticker shock, and I didn't want payments.  Since my shopping budget is somewhat limited, I'm primarily looking on used vehicle lots and perusing craigslist.  The very first lot on which I stopped, delivered a predicament I was certainly not expecting.

I had a basic idea of what I was looking for, but maintained some flexibility.  I knew I didn't want a Ford or a Dodge.  I'm a GMC girl, so that narrowed the search down considerably.  Silverados have always been a favorite of mine.  Although I've never owned one, I did drive one back in my Funeral Director days working coroner cases.  I liked the feel of the truck back then, and so the memory has stayed with me, all these years later; but I was open to a GMC Sierra.  I was also willing to consider looking at an Avalanche or Escalade.

Having been introduced to the owner of one of the used car dealerships, I thought I'd visit his place first.  Right in front of his building sat a big charcoal Avalanche.  It was the body style with a bed, so I went over to check it out.  As I opened the driver's door, I was met with the intensity of car dealer cologne and immediately knew he was driving this vehicle.  It had a nice black interior, but that was all I took in before I was met with a voice booming from the door.  "That's not for sale.  I'm driving that!"  I stepped away from the vehicle and closed the door in somewhat disbelief.  I looked his way and he proceeded to tell me what a great vehicle this was, but he wasn't ready to sell it.  He'd be getting more in like it.

Suddenly, strange thoughts were swirling in my head.  The vehicle was too great to sell at this time?  Made me wonder what would be the issue that made him decide to sell it.  Which then led to the next question regarding the condition of the ones he was willing to sell.  Obviously, I read a great deal into his reluctance to sell the vehicle I was interested in, but . . .   Here it is, January on a used car lot, and the owner won't sell this vehicle.  So, I moved on, with no plans of returning.  As I went to several lots, there was always the offer for me to settle on something other than my first choice, at basically the top of my shopping budget.  Nothing was setting right, but by the same token, I really was in no rush.  I can haul goats in the Uplander and the calves aren't going anywhere until next fall, so . . .


I found myself on a car lot a distance outside of my usual stomping grounds.  On that lot, not only was there a Silverado, but it wasn't even at the top of my shopping budget, and . . . it really was a one owner truck!  Before the test drive, I could tell by the interior, it had been taken care of.  So, with that observation  and an awesome test drive . . . YHWH willing, I'll be picking up a used, 'new to me,' Chevy Silverado this week.  It appears to be exactly what I was looking for.

Flocks and Herds

Sometimes in all the hoop-ti-la of this American economy, it's easy to forget that Scripture does address earthly wealth, even confirming earthly wealth is not necessarily evil, but can actually be a blessing.  There are two things we tend to overlook or equate that Scripture portrays differently.   Scripture refers to land, herds, and flocks as wealth.  Abraham even had silver.  Paul wrote, telling Timothy, it was the love of money that is the root of all evil, which says, it's about our attitude and priority rather than money, itself.   Various believers have major debates about degrees of wealth, while the fact of the matter is, by comparison, most Americans have a standard of earthly wealth far above much of the rest of the world.

When it comes to actual cash, I would not be considered a wealthy woman.  I don't have a huge nest egg saved or a big pension plan.  Just between you, me, and the fence post, I don't have a 401K, either.  I've mentioned selling what I did have in the Stock Market to invest in four legged stock, which brings me to the latest development in the flocks and herds.  Last week, Buddy Buck headed to the auction.  I included a "play by play" of his departure in last week's edition.  Well, the check from the auction house arrived.  Although the amount is nearly three times what I paid for Buddy, that's not the real measure of wealth by any means.

 Within the next six to ten weeks, Abba willing, Buddy's offspring will begin making their appearances.  If each doe has only one, which would be an unusually low average, the herd will double.  Not to count my goats before their hooves hit the ground, but twins are quite common and triplets come along with some degree of regularity, as well.  The head count of offspring isn't really where the wealth is determined here in the Land of Goshen.  The herd being doubled in size would not be practical to keep, so the majority of the young will be sold.  With the sire now off the place, I will be able to keep choice does and for the price of three kids, I'll be able to buy two young calves, but that's not really the wealth.  The wealth, in my understanding is what is perpetual.   When the does freshen, regardless of the number of kids, the fresh milk is flowing.

Fresh goat's milk is so much more valuable than money.  I, of course, drink it, but I also use it to make cheese and soap.  I cook with it and can it.  Goat's milk makes wonderful kosher ice cream and so far it's raised some really nice beef.  It seems every year someone has needed some goat's milk to nurture a hungry little mammal of some sort.  Nanny goats can raise their young, plus provide for all the rest of this as well.  One goat would be hard pressed to provide for this many needs, but a herd provides quite well.  I try to refrain from milking the first time moms as their young belong to YHWH, so unless there is an emergency, I try to make sure those kids get all the milk.

As I think of the shepherds of Bible times right up to now, the increase of flocks and herds is clearly an earthly blessing from our Creator.

Purchasing Power

By nature, I'm not a shopper.  I do give Abba glory for His provision and am grateful for the creativity in which He has blessed me, but I hated shopping long before I was a servant of the Most High.  Perhaps He blessed me with the gift of improvisation, because of my disdain for shopping.  At any rate, most of the purchases I do make, are business related, so it's mail order, internet, or auction.  Even though it's not a mall or brick and mortar, it's still shopping.

I've caught on to something that I'd like to share, though.  When I place an order, it seems within 24 hours I'm offered a coupon for something I just purchased, but the coupon has a very limited time frame.  I have a recent example and I'm so thankful I listened to Abba as I was placing my order.  I'm getting ready to make new catalogues for The Land of Goshen, so new color toner was in order.  I was going to purchase all four colors and a new drum, as it's gone long past it's paper count.  I felt a check in my spirit as I was adding toners to the cart, so I removed all of them except the one that actually tripped the warning on the printer.  The order was large enough to qualify for free shipping, but just the basic replacements.  I knew it would get me through label making, but not completion of the catalogues.

True to form, with my order confirmation, I received a coupon for 20% OFF of my next order of toner, but . . . the offer was only good for 3 days.  Tricky, they are!  So, having removed most of the toners off of the first order, I then proceeded to place that order and saved quite a bit of money in doing so.  Internet shopping has sort of become like a sport.  I've also learned to do a few google searches for specific items, a couple days before I actually intend to make a purchase.   And the coupons roll in.

I am not thrilled with being tracked and I'm certainly not agreeing to a great deal these days, but I have determined to make the best of the situation.  If Google chooses to track my product searches, and retailers pay to track my cookies or whatever happens, I can't change it; but I can work with it and let it work for me.

It's Impossible to Fall Out of Debt

As the Gregorian calendar year concludes this week, many think of resolutions.  I don't think so much of resolutions as that feels like the ticket to a let down, and the first Biblical calendar month is in the spring.  I do consider two things this time of year, however; that seem a bit like a resolution.  I keep the standard business year regarding profit, loss, and taxes, so I do make certain economic assessments at this time.  The other thought is in regard to weight management . . . It's not a New Year's resolution so much as I know, I do not want to begin the Biblical year 20 pounds heavier, so I resolve to maintain my weight.  Enough about that, back to the economic assessment.

Being self-employed, I don't receive a tax refund, so figuring my taxes isn't as exciting as it is for many.  Mine are more a matter of just getting it done and behind me for the year.  For those who will receive a tax refund, the figuring begins as soon as the W2s arrive.  This year's refund could be a new economic start for some.  The tax refund may not eliminate all the financial issues, but for many it's a substantial amount of money that can be used to eliminate a debt or put toward an investment.  The tax refund is not part of the regular budget!

Americans have been programmed to believe we must borrow our way into the American dream.  I speak from experience on this following statement.  One has to remain asleep to keep a dream alive!  We can fall into debt, but we cannot fall out of it.  We must determine to become debt free.  The Bible does refer to debt and it's not mentioned as sin, but rather servitude.  Proverbs tells us the borrower is servant to the lender.  That applies to credit cards, banks, payday loans and cash for car titles.

Banks have more fees and the feds' printing presses have slowed, so the "cost" of money is going to go up.  Meanwhile downtown businesses have not been restored.  Construction is not booming in the suburbs, and many who lost their homes in this great recession, continue to be homeless.  The only restoration that we have really seen is the Stock Market and we already know, the fat cats don't lose their footing when the house of cards collapses.  The folks in Washington seem to weather economic storms well, also.  What's left of the Middle Class has hung on, but it wouldn't take much of a shift to reduce that class to the chasm between the elite and the impoverished servants.  Congress very recently passed legislation for further protection of the banking industry.  Another economic issue is on the horizon . . . Debt will be a hindrance.

Energy

This issue has been addressed before here at the Goshen Gazette, but this time of year it bears repeating.  Many, many folks are just feeling drained, stressed, and exhausted.  Tis the season . . .  The days are short, the nights are long, and for most, the month outlasts the money.  As if those variables weren't enough, we humans seem to live to bring disharmony and share dysfunction, while calling it celebration.  We can wear ourselves out!

As I thought of the lifestyle I used to have, I am so thankful for the change Abba has brought.  I've known for years, when it comes to tithing on earnings, a person can do a lot more with a blessed 90% than with 100% in disobedience.  Now, I've applied that to time and energy as well.  We've discussed the daily time tithe, and to be honest, not all days go as abundantly as others, but I'm realizing this same principle applies to my energy!  The way I spend my energy completely determines my level of exhaustion or exuberance.

Before following Messiah, my career involved frequently being on call.  That translates to often working Sabbath, but definitely being available for work 24/7 some weeks.  I'm still available 24/7, but only 24/6 for business.  Sabbath is reserved for Abba, Y'hshuwah, and rest.  Sometimes I am blessed to fellowship and sometimes there is an ox in the ditch, but there are no plans of work and certainly no buying or selling.   That alone has made all the difference in my health.

As the pressures of holidays feel like a vice this coming week, be sure to take the time tithe with Abba.  Meet Messiah in "the garden" and be renewed.  Regardless of what you celebrate or don't celebrate, even the grocery stores have an anxiety buzz about them as shoppers prepare for gatherings, or simply choose to take advantage of a few sale items.  Stress is just higher this time of year, so energy wanes more rapidly.  Our Creator is the only source of renewed energy, and cutting oneself off from Him to embrace the traditions of man will actually be draining.

I have found myself starting to give into a few ideas of holiday dread, but as I realize what I'm doing, I determine in my heart and mind to walk out II Corinthians 10:4-5 with Philippians 4:8

 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through G-d to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of G-d, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah;

    

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It's amazing how many stressors simply fly out of my thoughts as I implement these passages.