goat story

Lucy was being very uncooperative with me at milking time, not coming to her name and making me catch her, as she does at different intervals . The Lord told me early in the day to try to make friends with her, so I hurried and got a little alfalfa hay ,which Lucy likes, I tried to appeal to her as I opened the door to let the goats out into the yard.Now goats have a certain walk , especially dominant does, when they're being rebellious, or dominant, or stubborn, they flare their ears back a little, and arch their back, and high step, and well, flounce… acting superior and arrogant. This is what Lucy was doing as she walked away from me, knowing I had hay, she would rather be stubborn, as I cast it after her, seeing she wouldn't stop for me ,and all the other goats swarmed in to accept the peace offering. I realized how like people they are. People who the Living God has reached out his hand to, not want wanting anything from them, offering them a gift, the free gift of Salvation, eternal life with him, something good , and they just walk away from him and his gift to his son Jesus Christ. They act rebellious, and stubborn, and arrogant, and act like his offer is nothing to them, or something foul to be refused. How sad for God to be treated so when he has done nothing but to offer his best , how sad for the people that they miss out on the greatest gift they ever could have had . Hebrews 2:3 poses the question now how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? And again and Revelations 3:20 behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me. 

Goat story

We were out of hay today and the Lord was showing me that when we are in hardship , we obey. Lucy, our herd Queen who is10 Years old does not come when she's called to be milk, is eager now to come, because she needs what I have to offer. Her desperation forces her obedience and her willingness to obey. 

Goat story

We were out of hay in the morning, I only had a little bit and I asked the Lord where we should give it and to which animal pen. He answered and told me to give it to the baby goats. I went about my business and here comes my sister saying we have money for a bale of hay, she was going to pick it up now. So I think ,well I don't need to give the baby goats that little bit of hay. I'll wait a few minutes till she gets back to give a full portion to the baby goats and I'll give that little bit to the ram so I can clean his pen safely, while he's distracted. Then I realized suddenly that the Lord was trying to teach me just because circumstances change doesn't mean you don't have to obey. He told me to give that hay to the goat kids, so I should give it to the kids whether or not more hay was coming. Our obedience should not depend upon change in circumstance, you still should obey even if things change in the middle of that obedience . So I took the hay over to the kids as he asked knowing the lesson was a valuable one. And while in this instance things turned out okay and my sister came home with the hay. There were times when we would go to buy hay and the hay was not available for purchase.

Goat story

I skipped Cheyenne's turn at grain because she wasn't in milk and every time I let another doe come out for her grain and to be milked Cheyenne kept popping her head over the door, trying to have her turn. Finally I let her come out and have some grain and the Lord said in a quiet reprimand for having made her wait through everyone else's turn when technically she was second in line“ deal with things at the time, when it's easier, otherwise it will just continue to come. "

Goat story

Our herd Queen Lucy was mad at me for 3 days because we had run out of the grain she normally eats during milking , and so she would not come out to get milked, making me go in and get her instead .After that time of shortage ,even though we then had her usual grain , she still didn't trust me , and made me chase her to put her on the stand to be milked . Today before milking as I was looking in the pen at Lucy and thinking of our quarrel,the Lord said "Give her a little Alfalfa " so I took a handful and tried to give it to her to make friends and restore the relationship of trust, and she wouldn't even look at it , but put her head in the air and high stepped out of the barn to get away from me. A few minutes later I gave the girls their a little nibble of morning hay , just enough to break their fast , which gives the grain something to hold on to in the rumen stomach , so it doesn't run through the digestive system and do them no good. The Lord said to me "try again with Lucy" so I took a little hay and held it out to Lucy , who had just come in the room , and she looked shocked and backed up a step. So I put the hay down in front of her and left ,defeated and supposing I had made no progress with her and she would run from me at milking time. So I gathered up my milk pail and I brought it in and I milked the first goat in the line, the other herd queen, and when I was nearly finished, knowing it would now be her turn , Lucy stood up , looked over the gate at me , her long pendulous white ears dangling. I dared to hope perhaps.... I put the other doe away, opened the main gate , called Lucy's name , she came out just like she usually did . I realized sometimes when we make an overture of kindness , or say a word about the Lord to someone , or give the gospel message to a lost sinner, and they don't seem to listen, or even to hear, it seems to have no impact whatsoever. We can grow discouraged , however sometimes it makes a greater impact than you realize and you see no results just that minute, but later on it has a far greater effect than you may have supposed.

Goat story

We were low on grain, I thought to myself I'll have to ration it, the Lord says to me that I should give everyone a half ration except Sophie , who gets a full ration.Kaya and another goat who are difficult to work with get a three-quarter ration and he doesn't say anything about treats so I give everyone a treat like normal when they got off the stanchion. So I gave everyone their treat and when I got to Maya who was the last goat in the line, I can see that her exact half ration is left, and I wanted to measure anyway. The Lord said to me, "Do you really need to measure it?” I said , “no Lord I trust you, it is her exact half ration.” He says to me that he works everything out exactly as it should be, not just some things , all things. He is in complete control i e. we're not mistaken in what we said to our farmer friend about his control over nature in our lives. I then looked down and saw there was a bunch of flies in my milk, and he says to me "you didn't put the lid on,flies got in because you didn't put the lid on, reading the Lord's word is putting the lid on so that the flies don't get in , standing strong and being confident of God's word makes doubt and impurity unable to get past you or fool you.

Goat story

As I was cleaning in the goat barn , I was thinking of how expensive it is to do what we're doing , to keep the sheep and goats alive with hay at $30 a bale , and the Lord said I don't want you to count the cost , I will count the cost. A moment later he said " It is expensive, it costs everything. "I realized even as we put every penny into the animals and their upkeep , he puts everything into us , into our being able to live. We as Christians cost him everything, even his very life on the cross, he has everything invested in us as well.

Goat stories

I sometimes let the girls out to graze while I clean the yard and before they go out , I usually go out ahead of them and pick up any poisonous mushrooms that might have bloomed in the night As I did this , I thought of our heavenly father who goes out ahead of us and makes our path straight, clears our way, and prepares our table.

Goat story

After the huge stock market drop yesterday of 580 points I was worried about the Coronavirus shemitah and what it might mean for us, I worried about provisions , etc. I had been home canning some fruits and vegetables yesterday because I had to, but suddenly in the face of a possible economic disaster looming I was doing it with a greater urgency and motive. I was milking in the barn and the Lord said " Go light on the goats grain " so I did, our goat Cherokee was part way done, and could see the grain was getting to be less, she squatted on the milk pail .Being concerned about "the provision" she became so I could not work with her and do anything with her and I had to hold her by her ear the rest of the milking both disciplining her and keeping her away from the provision she was so very concerned about losing. Though it was right there and she could see it, the Lord then warned me not to become so he cannot work with me and handle me to do anything with me.

Goat story

I had just finished up cleaning in the kid pen when the frying pan gong went. We had set up a frying pan and a striker to hit it with at the front of the property for customers to ring to let us know they need help as we are not always within sight . At once upon hearing the gong I realized that I had left all sorts of things undone. Kai and Cherokee, two of our goats who were being fattened on Alfalfa to prepare for pregnancy were eating in the chute and closed in away from the herd. The chickens were still locked up and the baby goats I had just cleaned still needed to be fed. If this customer took a long time or was a friend who came to visit I thought ,this could be really bad . I felt panicked at all I had left undone, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it now. As I walked up to the top of the hill where the customer was waiting outside of his car I could see he was counting out cash and felt relieved knowing he was only here to buy eggs and the exchange would just be a minute or two. On my way back from selling the two dozen eggs to him ,the Lord showed me how the circumstance related to eternity. When the big gong goes ,whether the Rapture comes or we are taken in death ,we need to make sure that we have not left things undone .That we have not left our eternal destination undealt with by refusing to accept the free sacrifice of Christ on the cross ,our only path to heaven. If we are saved ,are there’’ goats’’ that we know that we haven't helped out of the chute? Are there family members or friends we should have witnessed to and helped show them God's plan of salvation by way of his son? Is there sin in our lives that we have not dealt with? Are there things that would be displeasing to the Lord? I heard a saying once that you should never go anywhere or do anything you wouldn't want to be doing when Christ comes back for his church. This is a good policy in case of rapture and in case of death. Is there anything in your life today that is undone that would be a problem for you if the great gong in the sky sounded out right now? An interesting note: everything that was undone had to do with the goats, the sheep were ready and eating and clean.

Therefore be also ready for in such an hour as you think not the son of man cometh ,blessed is the servant from his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing Matthew 24 44 to 46

Behold now is the accepted time behold now is the day of salvation. 2nd Corinthians 6:2

Watch and Pray Mark 13:32 -37

Goat story

I was nearly finished cleaning in the goat barn and I had forgotten I still needed to clean the kids room where the kids are shut away from their mother .On my way out of the main room I told the girls we were going to go graze and the whole herd thundered out of the door into the yard knowing just what I meant. I realized on my way by I must clean that last room and the goats seeing it once that I did not emerge from the barn as usual to take them grazing, began to roam around the yard and scream and complain and some of them came back in and started picking up pieces of hay off the floor ,complaining all the time because I said they were going grazing and then I didn't take them straightaway. I realized then that this is how we can be when we lean on the promised coming of our Lord and grow weary and impatient . We soon begin to complain and finally decide the Lord must not be coming at all and forget to look for him. We then go our own way and fall into sin, consuming those things which are dirty in the absence of what we thought would happen.

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude1:18

 Goat story

I had shut Cherokee and Kai in the chute to get a little extra alfalfa hay to fatten them up before they got pregnant again. I left them there while I finished cleaning and feeding the sheep and kids in the kids pen. Cherokee started having a fit in the chute wanting out and would not calm down and eat the hay despite it being her favorite. She was crying to get out and jumping against every wall trying to find a way to escape and looking at me and asking me for out. I realized it that their behavior was much like our own during hard circumstances when we feel trapped and upset and just want out of the uncomfortable place the Lord has put us in. I realized there is a better way to go through hardships. The Lord has put us here with as much spiritual food as we can eat as well as physical food and rather than going crazy trying to get out of our situation we need to just relax and eat the food of the word and God's comfort that he has given to us and learn and grow from the situations and get the most out of it we can ,knowing it will not last forever and that every trial has its end.

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusts in him Psalm 34:8

Goat story

I was cutting out the sod out of the kids pen having discovered they were eating the contaminated grass and making themselves sick by it . I was going to take out the sod later on when the Lord said to me "Take the grass especially from around the edges that's where it is the dirtiest . " I saw it once what it was in the spiritual. The edges of our lives ,the corners of our lives are where we push sin and try not to think of it,when instead it needs to be removed .Because just hiding it in the corner or sweeping it under the rug does not solve the problem. You must deal with sin and repent of it and stop washing the outside of the cup. The Lord then told me I must remove the sod now ,because it doesn't do any good to scrape the bad stuff out and then leave it lie to the munch on later. In the same way when sin is shown to us ,when it is rooted out as it were , we need to acknowledge it ,then remove it by a confession and repentance to God. Then afterward we need to fill our lives with good things so there's no place for the bad.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation Matthew12:43

Goat story

I was working out in the pouring rain and one of the bucks saw me and from his little cozy house ,he stuck out his head and yelled at me wanting someone to feed him. I thought about it how we are out there having to work in every kind of weather, laboring for the good of our little farm animals, that I have to leave my cozy little house in order to do what's best for them. It suddenly occurred to me as I pushed the wheelbarrow away and watched Joseph going back in his house the Lord brought to my mind how Jesus had had to leave his cozy little house, where he was a king and come down to this miserable old world to die for us so that we could be saved, which was what was best for us!

Goat story

Yesterday when I came down in the morning I saw the whole goat yard was full of fallen leaves. I thought ,the goats are going to be so excited to see that, because leaves are their favorite thing. This morning when I came down, the goat yard was completely empty of leaves. Not one fallen leaf overnight ,and I immediately began to puzzle over it, why the Lord would send such a bounty one day and nothing the next. I at once thought of our own lives and how our finances can be up one minute, with an overabundance, and the next minute down. Our income, which is always extremely variable because of the nature of our business, can be abundant or completely stagnant and flat. The Lord explained to me ebb and flow of tide, fluctuation of fortune, and even falling leaves all work in natural rhythm. They are all the same. The tide washes in and brings the treasures it holds and retreats taking them back. The wind blows, leaves fall, tourists come and spend money or something sells online.A $100 bill comes in the mail from an anonymous source. But while we rejoice in a windfall, we can't be knocked down by a lack of one. While the goats were happy and excited to see the fallen leaves they didn't really seem to be shaken by the empty yard. They still burst out into it when the barn door was open, with just as much excitement as if the yard was full of good things. They were enthusiastic for life whether it brought them good or ill.

If riches increase, said not your heart upon them Psalms 62:10

Goat painting story

A lady came with her two granddaughters and looked at all the animals for over an hour. I took them into the studio and let them look around. I already knew by her manner grandma was not going to buy the grandkids anything. So I told them they could each pick out a goat painting. I gave them each a bar of goat milk soap and a dryer ball kit and a little girl came up to me and offered me a penny. “ Oh, where did you get that?” I asked, thinking maybe she found it on the floor. “ I don't know.” she answered. Seeing then it was her own and that it was all the money she likely had I said, “ No honey you keep it.” “ No, I just want you to have it for the animals.” she said “ It isn't much, it's only a penny.” she noted softly. Grandma jumped in immediately and said when you have a penny, you can add more pennies, soon it's 5 pennies, then a dollar and enough to buy something. I thanked her sweetly and kept the penny .Later on as we were badly in need of feed, amounting as I noted to nearly the same dollar value that I had given the little girls in merchandise. I thought maybe the Lord would give us feed money and replace the cost of the goods given in charity to those children, though at the time that was not in at all in my mind. The next day He gave us the feed money we needed, but brought a scripture to mind.

 Cast your bread upon the water for Thou shalt find it after many days Ecclesiastes 11:1

and He emphasized to me the words many days, and showed me how many people want reward immediately, not tomorrow, or in heaven. but they want their reward right now and later won't do. Well we did in fact get our feed money all be in two different portions and having to go back to town minutes after returning from town as more money came in in order that the animals shouldn't have any lack. The reward in this particular instance was the penny. the penny with its goodwill ,charity ,and blessing that came with it from that precious, generous ,humble little girl.

Goat story

I was out cleaning the goat yard and the Lord spoke to me as He often does during such a long and monotonous task .He said ''What if I told you there was a customer up there right now? " I put down my tools, left the pen, and went to check ,but there was no customer. When I came back I picked up my tools again and the Lord continued " People are only willing to listen to me and obey me quickly when they can clearly see a benefit for themselves. I want you to listen to me and obey me for just the sake of obeying me. Even when you can't see a benefit or reward. Do you expect your dog to obey you even with no reward?'' '' ''Yes Lord.'' I answered.'' In the same way it is vital that you are willing to listen to me and obey me quickly all the time not just when you see a benefit for yourself.'' the Lord finished.

Goat story

When we milk our goats we milk them in the same order every time according to their rank in the herd, calling each by their name when their turn comes to be milked. I had been observing that the herds smallest goat Ellie had been fighting with everyone, being a general bully while waiting for her turn in line to be milked. She was challenging even high-ranking does and particularly beating up her half sister who was lower in rank than her. We decided that she was perhaps frustrated with her position in the milking line ,which was third to last, just above her sister and the first freshers, those who were milking for the first time this year. So we decided to move Ellie up in rank a lot, placing her above all of her peers and third from the herd queen. Her attitude adjusted immediately. She stopped challenging those she could never win against and bullying those who were already beneath her in rank and there seemed to be peace in the herd.

As shepherds to our goats we must bring peace through discipline to the herd. Sometimes that means chiding a doe for being too aggressive, sometimes that means moving a doe up in the ranks in order to keep the peace. As much as we can ,we try to judge fairly and do what is best for the herd as well as for that individual in particular. Even if that means promoting a doe that may or may not deserve to be promoted on her own merits in order to do what is best for them all.

For promotion cometh neither from the east nor the west nor the south but God is the judge, He putteth down one and setteth up another. Psalms 75 :6 - 7

Goat story

I had been in the sheep barn and went from there to the goat barn. When we go between pens we always rinse our rubber boots in order to avoid cross contamination which helps to keep down any kind of possibility of spread of germs and disease. But this time I had forgotten and I didn't realize it that I had until I had already stepped into the goat barn. I sort of shrugged it off and decided to go ahead and clean the one room while I was there and forget about rinsing my boots. The Lord immediately corrected me and told me that “ when you realize you've made a mistake, don't continue on in that mistake, but stop right there, and try to amend it.” So of course I just went ahead and finished what I was doing anyway. But all while I did so I was keenly aware of every single step I took and every turn I made that could be grinding in sheep mud, which is not mud by the way ,into the goats board floor. I observed as my conscience finally got to me and I feeling guilty, rinsed my boots before I entered the rest of the barn, that life would be very much easier for us all if we stopped right where we were as soon as we walk through a door we should not have walked through and went right back out instead of deciding, since we're already there, to go ahead with what we were doing.

Goat story

The goats were out grazing and Huckleberry our little wether went out into the No-No Zone beyond the fence. Because goats are very good at escaping fences and finding mischief I told him to “get out of there" which is my command that I use when they have squeezed into a No-No Zone and which usually works. But he is a particularly stubborn little goat and did not heed my warning. He did not heed my calling either when I called them in for their soaked alfalfa pellets, which is a treat to them, he just kept chomping away on graze and brush. All the other goats came in and I locked the gate so they did not get back out. After a while , here comes little Huckleberry crying at the gate to be let in and trying to squeeze under the fence. The Lord told me to leave him out there while the girl goats ate their alfalfa pellets, so that he had to experience watching them as a consequence of his disobedience to his bad behavior. The Lord explained to me that the little goat for a season was enjoying his little life outside the boundaries of what was permissible and seemed to have no consequences to his actions, but that ultimately there was consequence as everyone else was called in for reward and he was locked outside of the gate. In the same way, in this life it seems that people who are doing wrong breaking all the rules, living life as they see fit . These people seem never to gain anything of consequence for their own actions. But ultimately when “ the herd” is called in whether in death or in the Rapture of the church, those who have spent their life living just as they please will find themselves “ locked out of the gate’’. Their only reward being an earthly reward which perishes instead of a heavenly reward which is eternal.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed with in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus which was laid at his gates, full of sores, and begged to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table, moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and seeing Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue for I am in torment in this flame. But Abraham said Son, remember that thou in this lifetime received this thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. and besides all this, between us and you there is a great divide fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ,neither can they pass to us, that would come from there, then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, but that thou would have sent him to my father's house: for I have five brethren that he may testify unto them, lest they also should come into this place of torment. Abraham said to him, they have Moses and the prophets let them hear them. and he said, nay father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. and he said unto him if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.

Luke 16 :19 - 31

Goat story

When the goats are out grazing, several of them have to test their limits. There are certain places I don't want them to go, like over by the chicken pen because they will smash down the wire ,or onto the neighbor's property because it is a slippery slope there and they may end up grazing on the lawn. Certain goats always go there. Maya was one of those certain goats and Maya cannot be warned off very easily. Today she went over by the chicken fence and I shouted at her to “ get out of there’’ in the same command and tone that I used to get the goats out from the room in the barn so I can clean and feed them. She paid no attention but just kept eating leaves, then I picked up the garden hose. Now when most of them see me pick up the garden hose, they obey and some of them make me spray it in their direction to warn them off. But Maya, Maya waited to move until she felt the water spray her . In the same way the world leaves warning after warning unheeded until at last judgment falls and they can feel its full effects.

And that knowing the time, that it now high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our Salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent. The day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put you on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:11 through 14

Goat story

The Lord told me to short the kids on their alfalfa and reluctantly I did . They had their grass hay just not their high protein alfalfa. Later as I was passing by the pen and they were looking out at me and crying the Lord said'' Do you see ? When you don't give them enough ,then they look to you''

Likewise when we suffer lack ,we look to the Lord, lean on him, depend on Him. After having illustrated this point to me the kids got their full ration of alfalfa as I didn't know we were going to move other kids over there with them an hour or so later and they were then given their full portion to help them in the transition. So that they were neither shorted nor overfed because of what the Lord had me do. Sometimes we don't always get to know why the Lord tells us to do something. Sometimes we only get to know it later.

Goat story

We were out of hay and I was struggling with submission and obedience to the Lord. The Lord wants us to stay in the sheep and goat business and I pondered that we need out of it as I listened to the crying goats who were hungry. Then I realized just because things get hard and it's hard to see and hear them in need doesn't mean I am allowed to disobey the Lord, not to follow the Lord. What if someone was torturing my sister in the other room until I agreed to quit preaching the gospel ?Which is a very true analogy because the animals are our ministry ,it is how we draw people in to preach the gospel to them . Would I, because of her upset agree not to preach the gospel ,denying Christ perhaps? You have to keep doing what the Lord told you to do and gave you to do even when it's very hard.We were out of hay not a day when the Lord provided what we needed.

Goat Stories

I was out cleaning the goat yard , which , some days can be quite daunting , I had been cleaning a while and I looked around me , and I thought , it doesn't matter how long I clean , it never ends . The Lord spoke to me and asked me the obvious question . Did you ever notice that no matter how hard you try to get the goat yard clean there is always more ? Why yes Lord I had noticed that , I answered laughing . "Well this is what it looks like when you try to clean yourself by yourself ... You scrape and scratch and rake at the sin in your life , but all you can ever do is to scratch the surface . This is why you need me to get truly clean " Only the Lord can clean us , we cannot clean ourselves , it is only through salvation .

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:25-27

Goat story

I had let the goats out to graze and they had all migrated toward one of the two no no zones. One is behind the chicken pen. They stand on the wire and smash it down ,there by illustrating why you never want to fence a goat in chicken wire. The other no no zone goes around a section of fence and onto the neighbor's property. It was toward the latter that they were moving when I told them the command I taught them which is ‘’get out of there!” which usually makes them leave the No-No area before they get in worse trouble. This time however ,they followed one of the goats in because goats watch one another to see if the offending goat is going to get in trouble or have a consequence to its bad behavior before they will follow them in turn. When they saw I did not at once nip the behavior in the bud they all followed suit and violated the No No boundary supposing there would be no consequence.

In like manner people behave ,they look around at all the sin and sinners in the world and see that they seem to be getting away with it .So they also sin more , supposing there is no consequence and will be none.However had they been mindful of the Eternal consequences to sin they would have seen it is disastrous and further that

Men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Romans 1:27

Goat story

My sister Latresha was cleaning in the buck goat barn and seeing the floor needed scraping, she was trying to figure a way to scrape it when she hadn't brought the scraper. The Lord said “ You don't have the tools to scrape that up.” in the world , in the mess our family that is in sin has made. This is why we wait patiently on him and his timing because only the Lord can clean up the world, only the Lord can clean up our family that is now steeped in sin.

Goat story

A friend gave me a shepherd's hook for herding my goats and sheep and nearly every day weather permitting, because goats hate rain and hide from every raindrop, I take the goats out grazing. They have come to recognize the shepherd's hook as the signal that we are going grazing.Today they saw me with it and all ran for the back gate ready to eat some high protein spring grass. When I was delayed in taking them as I paused to talk to my sister they all started crying and crying and I realized then what the psalmist meant, when he said thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Because the goats definitely recognized that staff and definitely took encouragement for what it meant. I pondered it as I took them out, how in Israel the Shepherds keep their sheeps and goats in stone or brush fence when they aren't out grazing and they must have grown equally excited to see the shepherd with his staff knowing they would get to go out. It must be something of a comfort to them too that the staff guides them, keeping them from trouble, knowing from experience that that is so.

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want he maketh me to lie down in green pastures he leadth me beside the still waters he restoreth my soul he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies that anointest my head with oil my cup runneth over surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 23

 Goat customer story

I kept looking up the driveway to the top of the hill. I was looking for customers to pull in. Perhaps they would visit the studio ,and the Lord kept asking me every time I looked up there over the course of several days ,who I was looking for. I puzzled over the answer, realizing that it does not satisfy when one or two customers come ,even if they spend money ,even if they buy three goats! I realized as this stuff does not satisfy that perhaps I was not looking for customers after all. At last I answered the Lord's question honestly. I said “ I am looking for you Lord, I am looking for your return, toward it, because only you satisfy.

And now lord, what wait I for my hope is in thee psalm 39:6-7

we heap up riches and know not who shall gather them ,and now Lord what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Goat story

Maya was on the milking station receiving her small portion of grain she gets twice a day not the larger portion she gets when she is in milk but the little bit we give dry does and after she had eaten it she continued to scrape the bottom of the grain dish with her teeth. She was desperate to hang on to her grain time not wanting to leave. She did not realize I was standing by with something else for her, something more, something better. I could hardly get her attention to take her head out of the head hold. But at last when she did, she found I had her goat minerals which they get free choice whenever they are on the stanchion as well as her handful of treats for practicing her painting. The Lord showed me how we as humans try to hang on to everything we have in this life, so fearful of what the next might contain ,and little realizing the best is yet to come.

And I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us .Romans 8:18

Goat story

For several days in a row I had been trying to get the female goats to go out and graze because the Lord had told me they needed to. The grass was fresh and green and growing quickly in their graze spot. But every time I went to take them they would complain and didn't want to go. My sister's little wether Huckleberry even shutting the gate to illustrate the fact that no one wanted to go out. The reason they didn't want to go was because they wanted their Alfalfa pellets more. Now my intention was to give them their protein packed pellets the minute they came back as an incentive to go in the pen when I give the call “ come on girls!” but they wanted it now, not after grazing. So I had to give up and give them their pellets and not take them to graze. Today I was out of alfalfa pellets and decided to take advantage of the opportunity of being out of them to get the girls to go out. Because the Lord told me they would go out now without them. I opened the door to the yard telling them we would go graze and they all went out happily. It occurred to me that in the same way we were perhaps in our financial abundance, not quite as enthused to “ graze” upon the Lord's bounty of good green grass in our Bible readings and our prayers have become perhaps a little tattered and faded. But now that finances were less than stellar as early spring is a tough time of year money wise. Having come through the long winter and now being at maximum output of grain for the girls and their kids and nothing ready to sell as the kids are not weaned. Our enthusiasm for the good grass the Lord has provided for us has returned. We are a little more enthused to read the comfort of the Psalms promising provision and protection and a little more earnest in our prayers, anxious to see God fulfill them.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord . Psalm 107

O taste and see the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him. oh fear the lord ye his Saints for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord will not want any good thing. Psalms 34:8 through 10

Goat story

In the buck pen the post to the their gates had been eaten by insect larvae until it wasn't stable and had to be replaced. ? It was a wet, windy, hail filled day and mostly miserable outside. but because the gate could not work properly my sister Latresha had to wrestle with the bucks all the time. No one wants to wrestle with the buck at this time of the year because they are in the rut and smell really bad. So it was in my heart to fix the gate even though it was storming . I was going to miss lunch and all and the Lord told me if I will fix it He will reward me. Now the thought crossed my mind ,a few things of what the reward might be, maybe this being the last day of bear season I would hear a bear and be able to take one hunting after all. But I knew in my heart of hearts that wasn't going to be what it was going to be. Because the task was going to be an arduous one, digging a hole for the new post in the flooded buck pen, getting the gates hinges off the old post, even stringing an extension cord across to get power for the electric drill to screw the hinges on the new post. Everything about this was going to be hard, grueling, that the task was its own reward and more patience was to be the result. I told the Lord I knew that was what it was would be and yet I very much look forward to the task and the reward of it anyway.The Lord told me that realizing and readjusting my expectations was half the battle of being content with the reward He had chosen for me. And that disappointments come to us when we misunderstand what the reward is and will be in this life. He reminded me of this scripture.

Count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations and trials knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience but let patience have her perfect work that he may be perfect and entire wanting nothing James 1 :2 through 4

Goat story

We had just finished building a wood floor in the barn having discovered that a dirt floor is too messy and unsanitary. I was thinking to myself as the last piece had been put into place with a nightmare it was going to be when the foundation of the floor finally rotted away and what in the world could be done about it when it finally did. The Lord reminded me of the way society is now and the troubles of this world and all the foundations of society that have been rotted away. Some slowly, others quickly. Pillars of our God established social order, such as marriage, the home, family, love of God, law and order given by government. Gifts He had given to man which we have now rejected so fully. Fundamental things that civilized man has always defended and which now ,being absent have begun to erode the stability of the house that we've built on top of it until society has become something that just over the last few years can no longer be recognized. In a world where anything goes, as the psalmist asks What shall the righteous do when the foundations be destroyed? psalm 11:3 

The only answer that is ever truly presentable in any situation, is turn to God.

Goat story

Today we sold two pregnant goats to a lady from an hour and a half away who was wanting them for pets and was thinking perhaps of milking them in future. With $500 cash in our hand from the goat sales we knew that it would probably have to go toward paying property taxes and the Lord confirmed that that was so. Nevertheless I was put in distress somewhat because at the time we needed a bag of grain for the chickens as well as one for the pigs but the Lord counseled me. “ What about the next time you need feed?” which was true enough. “ But if I have it in my hand to relieve the burden of their need and my sister's worry about the feed situation then surely that's what we should do with this money instead.” I reasoned. “But is the relief of suffering at any cost worth it?” The cost of disobedience to the Lord? and of course when it's put that way, we know it isn't and I was reminded of the scripture in Hebrews chapter 11 that says

and others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might attain a better resurrection. And while our situation plainly isn't as dramatic as all that ;at the same time if we crack and disobey on a little thing like this, it will be easier to crack and disobey on something far bigger. something far more important in the future. If we are faithful in a little He will trust us to be faithful in much.

Goat story

Ordinarily we spoil our female goats and dry or not everybody gets grain in order to keep body condition when not in milk as well as in true optimum pregnancy conditions for breeding season. Today we were low on grain and the Lord told me to skip Cheyenne, our only registered Nubian doe who always quits milking 4 to 5 months early and is the second herd queen. So I skipped her grain portion and as she stood up on the wall looking over at me while I grained her daughter who was third in rank in the herd and still in milk I thought “ I wonder if she correlates the fact that she has decided to dry up with today's lack of grain and perhaps she can rethink whatever weird attitude this is that causes her to decide to dry up early “and yes they can just decide to dry up just as they can decide to withhold milk if everything isn't just so. The Lord interrupted my mental tongue-lashing for what used to be our herds noisiest goat and biggest complainer eclipsed now by said daughter who was being milked at that time. the Lord told me “ It is not a punishment to take away her grain today.” “ Then what is it?” I wondered “ It is an exercise for her, and for you, when you have withheld from them it isn't always a punishment, just as my withholding from you isn't necessarily a punishment. I do what is best for you, when it is best for you ,all punishment aside as well. It served a purpose today to give the grain to those herd members whose body needed it for the demands placed upon them by providing milk for us. Sometimes it's just about discipline which is not the same as punishment. Sometimes I withhold because you're not ready, because you have different needs than you think you do, as well as for the good of others around you. Because of your witness during trials, but always for your benefit.

And we know that all things work together for the good of those that love God, to those who are called according to his purpose Romans 8:28

Goat story

With a record 27 kids this year, everyone having had twins and triplets, even with record early sales there were still 17 kids left in the weaning barn at the end of the season. With 17 kids it could get pretty frustrating trying to do anything with them in there. Even walking through the pen could be a challenge as they circle around your legs looking for grain to be doled out. I grew to be very frustrated and at times even angry with them and just wanting them to go to their next homes. Then as a lady had put down a down payment on three of them I observed that it was easier to be patient with the rest of them as well as those three because someone else put worth and value on them. Itt was easier to be patient with them, to see they were worth something ,worth being patient with. I realized it that this is a direct reflection on the way we treat other people. Whether we are patient with them is based on the value we place upon them. if we see them as valuable to someone, valuable to God, then we will be more likely to be kind, forgiving, and patient with them.

The Lord did not set his love upon you nor choose you, because you were more a number than any people, for you were the fewest of all people. but because the Lord loved you and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn onto your father's that the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand. Deuteronomy 7:7

Goat Stories

The Lord has repeatedly talked to me about not

disturbing the goats while I am cleaning the goat

yard during their afternoon nap time . He has

repeatedly related this to the goats of this world

and why he sometimes does not allow them to be

roused out of their sleep and awake to the truth .

So today , as I was cleaning the goat pen I was thinking

about this long run on example that the Lord has been

talking to me about ... The goats were laying all over the

place which was not very convenient for cleaning ,

and the Lord gently reminded me not to disturb them .

I realized suddenly that disturbing them with my rake

is far different than asking them if they want to go graze

while I am cleaning . And the Lord said to me , let them

go out and graze then . I asked him , Lord , how is this

any different ? When do I decide to disturb the goats

of this world from their sleep ? He asked . I disturb them

when they are ready to enjoy the good things that

I have to offer them ; daily guidance , the comfort and

confidence of knowing me as their savior and shepherd ,

eternal life ... all of my many gifts . If they are satisfied

with all of the bad things life has to offer , then why

disturb them ? Why not let them go on sleeping if

they don't want the good things , if they won't accept

them when they are offered ? A sad thought , but I think

I see where the Lord is coming from , so many people

waste opportunities for his offered gifts , at some point he

just stops offering until or if he knows they will accept ,

and sometimes that day never comes . Thank you Lord

for waking me up , I was happy to be disturbed in order

to receive the good things !

Goat Stories

I had just put the goats out to graze , I let Maya back in and she went

right to her Mother to nurse when she hadn't been milked yet .

So I took Maya and put her into her night pen , separate from her Mom

to save our milk. Maya started freaking out panicking and pacing etc.

The Lord said , don't you do that , don't you be like that , and I at once

knew what he meant , because in recent times we had been dependent

on Dad's help financially .Now Dad had lost his work , and the potential

financial help for us . Having been under his help , we could easily have

freaked out when it was retracted . We didn't need to panic, because the Lord

was our source , even when He was using Dad to help us , and he would continue

to take care of us .

Goat Stories

I was cleaning in the goat kid's barn , and had closed them out in

the goat yard . Ordinarily I would have fed them , let them in , then cleaned the yard

but the Lord said , don't feed them yet , and don't open the door to the barn.

but clean with them in the yard , at once , I saw a difference in their behavior,

Instead of ignoring me , they were following me , touching me , and acting friendly

The Lord said , in the abscense of food , they pay attention to you. , just as we , in

the abscense of provision , turn our eyes on Him and pay attention to Him .

Having finished the yard , I let them in the barn , and the Lord said , now feed

them so they can see you feed them , this bonds them to you . In the same way

when we can see God feeding us , it bonds us to him . So I threw in their

alfalfa hay , but because one of my dogs ran in , they didn't see the good food I

had put in , they were distracted and spooked looking at the "danger" that was there

And the I went in and fed them their grass hay , ( ie , the lower quality feed )

They ran over and were excited to see the provision , and the food , even though

it was lesser quality .

Goat Stories

We had been in a financial trial , and had wondered if we needed to get rid

of the goats . The Lord said , if this trial was about getting rid of the goats ,

don't you think I would have sold the goats that you already had for sale ?

Why do you keep asking me if you should get rid of them when I've already told

you ? Because , i answered , we keep having to struggle , and we want to make

sure you're still with us. He said , do you know why Peter sank ? , because he doubted

because he held back just a little . Don't hold back , trust me , believe me when I tell you

something . It's not about getting rid of your goats , it's about being patient.

Goat Stories

I didn't give the goats their normal hay before their grain , I just went straight in ,

and opened the door . Lucy , who does not acknowledge me as her shepherd ,

and actually dislikes me , put her nose into my hand as if to say , don't you

have something for me ? Then she walked out the door , flouncing and acting

arrogant and haughty again , as if she didn't need me, and never looked back

again at me even once. In the same way , non believers who hate God ,

ask him for a hand out , or a favor , and then having asked , go on acting

prideful and arrogant .

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

proverbs 16 :18

Goat stories

I was washing the boy goat's water bucket , and the Lord said

did you ever think it was strange that you clean and give the goats

something to drink from the same source ? and he went on

to explain when you are in the word , you both clean and drink at

once . But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;

but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

JOHN 4:10

Goat Stories

There are few things more heart wrenching for

a shepherd of goats and sheep than to hear the cries

of mamas and babies during weaning , I was out cleaning

pens , and I could hear a kid crying for his Mama from the

weaning pen , as a shepherd you have an overwhelming

Instinct when you hear that panicked cry to go and rescue them

but you cannot , because weaning must happen. I spoke to

The Lord about this , because it was stressing me out ,

times have been rough lately , and this crying was more

than I could bear on top of everything else.

“Don’t you think that as your shepherd your cries cause me

pain? But I must weigh what is best for you , and sometimes that

means withholding something from you that you feel you need.

Like a baby being weaned , you cry because you believe you need milk

But I am preparing you for more , I am preparing you to receive meat.”

ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the

oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who

by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews5:12-14

Goat stories

When Cherokee’s twins got frightened , or realized they

Were alone in the room , they would go at once and find

A hiding place , behind a door , under the feeder ,

And I at once wondered if David called the Lord his hiding

Place for that cause ,

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from

trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs

of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7

Goat stories

Sienna , Amira’s girl , wanted to nurse , and her

Mother didn’t want her to , in order for them to

nurse , at this two month age , the mother puts her head

Down a little , and looks at them, and that is the signal that

They can nurse , the little doeling just kept looking

Up into her mom’s face , straining up to touch her ,

Trying to make her look at her , and Amira just

Kept looking away and resisting . And it reminded me

Of when God hides his face from us , and how troubled we are

And that then we are to seek his face

Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled:Psalm 104:29

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto

thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.psalm 27:8

Goat stories

I left a goat in the stanschion while

I went to do something else , I looked back at

Her waiting to get let out , and the Lord said ,

I only leave the goats in an uncomfortable position

As long as necessary too (as well as the sheep)

ie alive in this world even

Goat stories

Our goat Brat was coming into the

pen from being out grazing, I

was holding him by the collar to

lead him in, and he was pulling

and pulling against me, trying

to go his own way, and he finally

broke free and almost ran his head

into the barn. I often think it that in

trying to go our own way rather

than the way the Lord is trying to

lead us, stubbornly clinging to self

will, to self-sufficiency we

more times than not only end up banging our heads against the wall.

Goat stories

In the goat barn during milking

we have an in door and an out door

so that there is no confusion of where

we expect the goat who is next to be

milked to be waiting when her name

is called for her turn.The goats kept

coming to the wrong gate and expecting

to be let in, I kept telling them,

”I won’t let you in unless you come through the

right gate.” Likewise there is a right gate

that leads to salvation, a right gate that leads

to heaven, and we cannot get in through

the wrong gate ,but we have to come

through the right gate, the one that Christ said was

right, through him. Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction, and

many there be that go in thereat:Because strait is

the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto

life, and few there be that find it.

matthew 7:13-14

I am the door:by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved

john 10:9

Goat Stories

We were out of grain at the

Kid barn, so I fed the little boys

their alfalfa hay early in place

of it. Later when it was actually

time to feed alfalfa,I was going to

withhold from them because

they had already had some early.

A goat is very routine oriented,

and when I failed to give it to them

when I ordinarily would have, they

were upset and started running in

and out of their house, looking at me

puzzled. The Lord said “Give them their

alfalfa.” After I did, He said “If you ask

me for something and I give it to you

right away, you are less likely to remember

it than if you ask and I wait to give it

to you. Sometimes it is in the waiting

that we see God move more clearly,

and in the building anticipation of

His answer, that we have the

opportunity to exercise faith.

Knowing that tribulation worketh

patience; and patience, experience;

and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed

Romans 5:3-5

Goat stories

We lock up the goats kids in the

Early evening as they get older so that

They can move toward being weaned,

And we always give them something

Good to eat in the kid pen, so they will

Think it is a good thing to go in when we

Put them away.

One day Ellie was crying to get put away

In the kid pen so that she could have

that little bit of grain we offer as incentive

to be willing to go through the gate. Ellie

couldn’t see ahead, and did not have

the foresight to know what would happen,

that she would be closed in, away

from her mom until the next morning

after milking.

Ellie only knew what she

thought she wanted, she didn’t have

the understanding to see that she was free, then

she, at her own insistence was put away,

and no longer free. In the same wise, we

often ask the Lord, even beg Him for

things we think we want, but we have no

understanding of what it will mean

if we get what we ask for, often times

our desires for ourselves

and our futures are not the thing that is best

for us, and the Lord being all knowing,

doesn’t always give us as we’ve asked

Him for but sooner what Is best.

GOAT STORIES

One day while milking the goats,

I called Josee for her turn to be

Milked, she didn’t come, I called

her again, she still refused to come.

So I called Kai as the next goat in

Line to be milked. After Kai was done,

I called Josee again, and this time

She came. The Lord calls us and calls

Us to come to Him, “I will be as a moth”

Hosea 5:12-15

What does a moth do? It bothers us,

Fluttering through the room,

just bothering,

Then when we still don’t respond, “I will be

as a Young lion, I even I will tear and go

away.” Have you ever seen a young cat

with something it has caught? The cat

grabs it then retreats to see what will it do.

This is when the Lord allows hardship to come

Into our lives, in order for us to see our need for

Him and that we can’t do it alone,

still calling to us through our hardship.

If we still don’t answer His call then He just

Goes away…we don’t hear His calling anymore…

we have until it is time to leave the barn to answer His

call, until our death, or until the rapture of the Church,

neither of which do we ever know the hour of.

Come let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn,

And He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will

Bind us up. Hosea 6:1

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is

The day of salvation 2 Corinthians 6:2

Goat Stories

When a kid was needing to put

On weight I put him alone in the

Yard with grain, every day he fought

To stay with the other kids who

Were eating hay, trying to stay with the

Provision he can see, sooner than realizing

I’m taking him to something better.

As people, we are much like this,

We often seek to hold onto the provision

We see, not realizing, the Lord has a

provision far better, which we can’t see.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to

Go out into a place which he should

After receive for an inheritance, obeyed;

And he went out, not knowing whither he

Went…..But now they desire a better country

That is, an heavenly: wherefore God is

not ashamed to be called their God:

for He hath prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:8 and 16

Goat stories

I was complaining of the cost of the

new goat grain we had transferred the

goats to because while it was much better

quality than the other feed we had been on,

it was also twice the price. The Lord told

me” Be open handed, even with the goats”

and I answered “But what about economy?”

and the Lord answered, “There is a difference

between economy and cheapness.” Give, and it

shall be given unto you; good measure,

pressed down, and shaken together, and

running over, shall men give into your bosom.

For with the same measure that ye mete

withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:38

And all these blessings shall come on thee

and overtake thee, if Thou shalt hearken unto

the voice of the Lord Thy God.

Deuteronomy 28:2

Goat Stories

I had let one of the goats out to come and be

Milked , and she was going mad waiting for me

To put the grain in the bin , pretty much having a hissy

Fit , “can’t you just be patient ?”I asked her , then came

The Lord’s resounding voice , “Are you patient for your

Reward ?” he asked me , “No Lord” I admitted “Your

Reward will come , but you must be patient until it does”

I am a rewarded of those who diligently seek me Heb. 11:6

And I know the Lord is right , one day the reward will come

After much toil and many trials on this earth , but how I long

To hear Him say those words , “well done good and faithful

Servant” Matt.25:23

Goat Stories

I was cleaning the boy’s goat barn , and I was talking to the

Lord complaining, couldn’t he just fix this messy world now

Rather than later ? Can’t you make things better for us now

Rather than later ? While I was distracted talking to him ,

I accidentally put hay in the boys’ second hay bin before I

Had cleaned that side of their house , they rushed in then

To eat the hay , and the Lord said to me, “Do you see what

Happens if I give you your reward now instead of at the

Right time ? Your reward can get in the way of me cleaning

The mess if it is given at the wrong time .”

And behold , I come quickly and my reward is with me , to

Give every man according as his works shall be Rev. 22:12

Behold I come quickly ;hold fast that which thou hast ,

That no man take they crown . Rev. 3:11

Goat Stories

I was cleaning in the goat pen , we were experimenting with the deep bedding system

and the Lord said, put that bucket full over the top over there on top of that pit

on top of the good hay you put in there . and I said no Lord , it's dirty stuff The Lord said

do you want to preserve what you've built up there ? or do you want the goats to eat it ?

So I took the bucket , and spread it out over the other hay in the pit . The Lord said to me

I build on a firm foundation , out of even the filthy parts of your life because it is out

of that filth that you learn to trust me and stand on the solid ground I provide .

Goat Stories

I observed that as we had dug down deep in the dirt floor of the goat pen

it actually made deep pits in the sand trying to keep the goats out of

their own filth . By raking fastidiously day after day ,we were having to do

a deep bedding system in those holes we'd dug , in order to fill them in

and stop eroding . It was the hardest thing I had ever done to leave them

in their own filth as it were , and that , for their own good , to fix what

had gone wrong. It occurred to me how much more difficult for the Lord

to leave us in our own filth , and how he must want to clean us up if only

we would allow .

Goat Stories

I was dreaming last night , and figured out the real reason Lucy is so

opposed to me . At night time milking , I was letting Kaya go first

and Lucy was supposed to be going first , but my sister had not brought

the milk bucket yet . And this was not expected by Lucy , and when the

expected thing doesn't happen , then the goats 100% of the time will spook

It's the same when you skip the order of rank , if you don't have grain,

when you don't give you their treat coming off of the stanschion ,

All of these things frighten them . In the same way , we as humans

grow frightened , panicked , and spook when the thing we think should

happen , expect to happen , doesn't , and we too run away from God

just as Lucy runs from me , because when the expected doesn't happen ,

we then don't know what to expect .

Goat Stories

I was giving a goat (Cheyenne) a treat , and I watched her very

closely , and noted that as she waited for me to give her the treat ,

she never looked at my hand , or even at the treat , but she gazed

continuously into my face.

Seek the Lord and His strength , seek His face continually 1 Chronicles 16:11 

Goat stories

A young goat was running around the goat yard crying to the Lord

for leaves as we have often seen the goats do .And while they are doing this

they don't look at us even if we talk to them , they keep looking heavenward .

So the little goat kept crying and crying and looking up expectantly.

Now normally the Lord rains the leaves down right away ,

but this time she just kept crying and nothing was happening.

And the Lord said " Sometimes when nothing seems to be happening , just be patient

and keep waiting expectantly ( because that was what the goat was doing, looking

expectantly , despite the fact that she didn't see anything happening )

"And I'll rain down a bounty on you " The Lord finished . And all of the sudden

all of these leaves came showering down on the ground , all just for the one

little goat , because she was the only one out there . So then she ran around

picking up all the leaves , she left one leaf behind , and another smaller baby

goat ran out in the yard and cried and cried and cried . And the Lord gave her nothing .

And finally she sees the one leaf the first goat missed , and she ran and ate it , and

then went in the barn . "And sometimes when you're crying for something ,

I've already provided it for you . " the Lord finished .

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good !

Psalm 34:8

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much .

James 5:1

He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

Psalm 147:9

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

Psalm 104:21

Goat Stories

I fed the goats at evening feeding , and one of the friendly baby goats ,

(Blackberry) was following me as I fed , and the Lord said , look at her

I looked down at her , the Lord said , she's already been fed

it's not the food she wants from you but a relationship with you

and sure enough , her mouth was full of hay , and she was still running

after me jumping on me , asking to be picked up , and I realized we need

to not concentrate so much on what God is doing for us , and giving to us

but on our relationship with Him . because despite the fact Blackberry

had provision , she was still chasing after me .

Sheep and goat story

Today I was relating to someone how the sheep need a shepherd and know it. They ask for help when they know they can't do something themselves . In contrast while a goat also needs a Shepherd , but doesn't know it. It will keep on trying and trying to go it alone because they're independent minded and will try and do it all themselves, getting in too much more trouble because of it. in the same way Christians in their time of need will turn to their Shepherd which is the Lord and ask for help. Where the non-christians of this world just keep going trying to do it all for themselves.

Sheep and goat story

Today I was talking to a visitor to our Homestead about the way goats behave when they are out grazing loose from their pen. They run from one thing to the next and act insane. I suddenly realized that the Sheep don't do that so much. When a sheep is let loose they may dash here or there ,but after a while they settle down and graze peacefully, but with a goat the longer they are out the worse they behave. So that at last I have to take my shepherd staff and escort them in because they are getting into too much mischief. In the same way the more a Christian i e a sheep is lent their freedom ,the better they handle it, settling in and calming and at last being content where the Lord has put them to “ graze” that being where they live, work, and recreate. But a non-Christian which the Bible calls a goat ,when lent their freedom will become more and more destructive in their own self-willed ways until at last they have to hit their their bottom .A friend of mine told me for him his bottom was living in a cardboard box on the street, having destroyed his family with his alcoholism before he realized he needed to change and that that change required a submission to Christ.

Sheep and Goat Stories

We try to keep our sheep and goats separate by using bio security methods

between the pens , but the baby sheep kept going up to the goats and touching

heads through the fence , and the goats escaped and ended up in the sheep's

graze area , they kept getting in together and contaminating the sheep.

I said Lord ! , and he said , that's why I wait until the end to separate the sheep

and the goats , because they're just going to get in together , and even minute

contact can contaminate you , the Lord said , I try to keep you from being

contaminated by the world , but you still do get contaminated , and that is

why I need you in my Word to be cleansed . 

Sheep and Goat Stories

The Lord had told me to hand feed the baby goats their grain ,

normally I'd give them a little , then put down the pan so they could eat the rest.

So I hand fed them , and the Lord said , you see how after a minute , they are no longer

looking for where their provision is looking for (ie the pan ) but only at your hand ?

And I noted , that my sister and I had been looking everywhere for the

source of our provision , at egg sales , for customers at the top of the hill ,

at ebay , at our parents , and not at the Lord's hand . Then the Lord said

Now look at that little goat , and I looked at Sugar , who was ignoring my hand ;

looking in the sky , and on the ground , and everywhere but at my hand .

The Lord said , do you see how in trying to look for where it's coming from

to find it herself , she ends up getting nothing ? Or getting what isn't the best.

because she was eating the crumbs that fell on the ground . We too must , instead

of seeking our own way , seek and find God's way , and look to his hand , for

what he will give us , for what he wants us to have .

Sheep & Goat Stories

We had been having a rough time financially , wondering why it all has to

be so hard , and having a general fit of depression about all of our troubles

So today it was raining hard , windy etc. and I started out in Brat and the

Ram's pen . Before I got in there the Lord said , don't spray anything out

today with the hose . So I started raking in there , and the water had

combined with the manure to create a sort of sewage swill.

I said , I'm sorry Lord , I have to spray this out , I can't leave this like this

I can't leave them in this filth . And the Lord said , it's for your convenience.

and I said well if that's the case then I really have to clean it , The Lord said ,

exactly , I can't leave you in your filth either. In Job , it says , When I have been tried

I will come forth as pure as silver , so the reason then for the trial is to purify us , and

while it inconvenient to be tried so , he also can't leave us in our filth.

Sheep & Goat Stories

The Lord told me to use the remaining money from the sale of a sheep

for goat grain , I had wanted it for improvements on the sheep barn

as I was taking the grain to the goat grain and complaining

He said , you should do that more happily . I said , yes , but it's hard.

The Lord said ,if you have it in your ability to do , you need to do it.

I said , but you have it in your ability to do things for us , but you don't

always do it. The Lord said , you teach the goats not to trust you

when you don't have their grain . And I said , exactly , don't

you teach us not to trust you ? The Lord said , no , I teach you

to trust me anyway .

 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and

my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91 :2

Sheep and Goat Stories

I was worried about provision for the goats , and fretting about it

as I took out the excess vegetables too far gone to be used as snacks for the sheep

and as I was composting it in the woods , and the Lord said , go and look at

the biggest tree you have here ( which was a very large spruce we call Big Tree)

First I said , I don't want to walk all the way over there , and he said , go over to Big Tree,

so I went , and He said , look at that tree , that tree here was here since

Lewis and Clark were here ( spruce live 700-800 years ) and through the years

anything could have happened to that tree to take it out , when it was a sapling

the deer could have eaten it right down , and it's been through a lot of storms

but I provided for it , protected it , for all of these years , and in the same way ,

I can protect you , provide for you . 

Sheep and Goat Stories

I was feeding the sheep some second rate carrots , and the goats some good quality

peels off of the first rate carrots ,

and I thought , why don't i give the sheep the best of everything ?

and the Lord said , the goats are "too good " for such things ,

ie. goats are picky and ungrateful. as a sheep , you gratefully receive

even the most imperfect of things ,

nothing is to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving . 1 Tim 4:4

Sheep and Goat Stories

Realizing that God had asked us to do this raising of sheep and goats ,

In the mornings I began to grow anxious to do the work that was

given me to do in caring for them , and I found myself hurrying through

my bible study and prayers again , and immediately the Lord reminded me

again , don't get so caught up in the work itself that you leave Me behind

you can labor "for Christ" and end up leaving Christ behind and out of

it even in ministry . 

 Sheep story goat story

After being in the Sheep pen I moved to go to the goat pen. I was going to spray off my rubber boots so I didn't contaminate the other pen when the Lord stopped me and said.” It isn't important to clean your feet when going from the Sheep to the goats but sooner when you're going from the goats to the Sheep, that is what contaminates.” And it seemed wise as a spiritual sheep we must cleanse our hands and feet when walking the world in amongst the goats, by getting in the word and praying etc and in having a time like the Israelites who went to war where you purify yourself of the unclean you've touched before re-entering "the camp" again.

Goat and sheep story

I was noting to myself that this morning our bad weather had abated ,the storm was gone. I was very grateful of it, because it was a rough night with gale force winds and torrents of rain. I was thinking of how grateful I was to the Lord that the storm had passed and how sad for those on the East Coast with Hurricane Matthew whose storm was continuing today. The Lord noted to me how it was the same with our storms in this life, they are but for a moment as compared with our life when we are with Him in heaven because we are believers and how much more tragic the storms that will continue for those who do not believe,those will not know Heaven as their eternal home when they pass from this life into an eternity in torment in hell.

For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Corinthians 4:17

Sheep story

It was 6:40 p.m. and my sister was leaving to go and cook dinner. She looked over and said "why are the sheep still watching us?" I said “they know it's 6:40 and I'm going to put them away at 7 p.m. , they're in a constant state of waiting on us just like we are on the Lord, but you notice the goats don't do that.” The sheep are always watching , always wanting , waiting in expectation for the next thing , not always discontent , just watching, waiting patiently, impatiently, silently, or complaining. Israel, even though I don't lock him up at night , is always watching , waiting to see if I will do something else for him , give him an apple on my way back from the apple tree , in a constant state of anxious anticipation for good things from my hand, as we are from the Lord's.

Sheep story

The Lord told me to take Brat and the ram an apple, a little one and a red one , so I took them. I gave the ram his and brought Brat his and the rams apple was too big to fit through the fence and he ate a bite, then another bite, then he dropped a piece and picked it up and started eating it off the ground. Brats apple did fit through the fence but he was too timid to take the whole thing in his mouth.Half of it broke off, fell on the ground and he didn't even look at it ,he started desperately looking for something else instead. In the same way the non-believers, spiritual goats, take up the word of God, handle it, taste of it, but ultimately don't hunger for it, but search for something else to satisfy, finding out after all they don't want to get in there.When things get hard, and dirty, they just go away, don't follow God anymore, going out from us to prove they weren't of us ,and like a seed cast on the wayside that has no root,springing up quickly, then dying without any root when the sun comes out. The ram picked up what the goat had dropped, even though it wasn't savory and he ate that too. Just as we , as Christians being eager for the word of God ,no matter what it says, knowing it is truth, even if it isn't pretty, knowing God has a reason for all he does , and his ways are not our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Sheep story

I'd given Brat the goat and Israel the sheep some hay, it was our last bale , and so I had taken their portion from the top of the platform where we keep all the hay.Little bits That had fallen off of the previous bales of hay and things, I fed it to them and Brat came over and sniffed it shakes his head and snorts to clear his nose ,then runs away. He wasn't going to eat it. Well Israel didn't take notice of anything offensive and ate it anyway. So now Brat is running around and discontent and upset at the gate I don't normally have to latch, he pushes through and escapes. I got him back and he's still trying to get out and he's putting me in danger because now I can't clean while they're eating as I normally would do. So now the ram is upset and running around too , so I take them and put them both out to graze, at first Brat was happy with himself, content with what he had done in getting out, then he quickly notices there's nothing out there, as we have been in severe drought all summer and he runs back to the pen . Sometimes when the Lord gives us something, like Brat's hay, and it's not the thing we want, or when he doesn't give us what we thought we should have, then we turn our nose up at his provision, at his will for our lives, and we like Brat the goat try to run off and make our own way in the world, do it ourselves, by our own provision, only to find there's nothing out there in the world for us to satisfy us either, so in the end , we find it better to return to the Lord and what he has laid out for us. 

Sheep stories

I put out the ewes to graze, right on the fence line with the ram. He was going totally insane running around and around and in a panic. I said to him “ Ramses you can see Annie, what is wrong with you? She's right there. You can see her better now than before. So why are you so upset? ‘’ But though he could see her more clearly now than ever, that didn't help him and he didn't stop.The Lord told me to go over the fence and take him by the horn, as if I were to lead him. As I did that he behaved as if he was going to follow, at once after I had took a horn he stopped panicking, he stopped looking at Annie, and the situation, he concentrated all his focus on me as a Shepherd, he even stood still while I raked his pen and didn't run away and just waited on me until I fed him and didn't have one moment more of panic again and he didn't look to Annie anymore.

Sheep stories

I was cleaning in the Ram's pen and the Lord said "you don't have to spray it out today."At first I said"yes! a day off!" and then I thought "no, I should spray it out because it's better if I do ‘’

At once I saw The correlation, this is why the Lord bothers with us , to work on our lives, to make it better for us . As in working clay ,as a sculpture not everyone gets to go in the furnace , not every vessel is worthy to be put into the furnace.The Lord knows what's better for us , to clean up our lives, spray it out is at it were, we are privileged to go through hardship to learn as God wants us to. Not everyone gets taught these things.

Sheep stories

I was putting Annie out , and I was tying her on the right side of the road when the Lord said "Put her on the left ,it is better on the left" I said "Do I have to? It's okay here, isn't it?" and he said "Yes, you can leave her there, it's all right to leave her there, but it's better over on the left." So I left her and went down and got something off of the porch, a board to keep the ram from jumping in with the lambs while the ewes were out grazing, I looked up the way at Annie grazing on the right side and the Lord says ,very gently ‘I need you to learn the value of the better thing’. So I went up. I moved her because I want to do the better thing, I want to value it , I want to value what the Lord values.

Sheep stories

Jordan was pulling hard against her collar as I led her back to the barn from grazing because she wanted to get her morning alfalfa. Finally as we neared the door I couldn't hold her back any longer, because she was too strong , even though she's very small. So I let her go and she went running to the door, but the wind closed the door so she couldn't go through it. " It did you a lot of good to pull and get there didn't it? I still have to open the door .” I noted, and then realized ,in the same way in life we pull against the Lord , run ahead of him , and are surprised and disappointed when we get there and the door is closed because the Lord had to open it for us in order for us to pass through it. Be it a door of opportunity ,a door to a job ,an opportunity to witness to someone who is closed off to us because we did not wait for the Lord's leading to open a door for us. How much heartache could we save ourselves, if we would only wait on the Lord.

Sheep stories

For weeks now, every time I take out the buckets of sheep manure to put on this tree or bush or that one, I hear the Lord tell me , "Strengthen those things which are about to die. " a quote from Revelation for the Church of Ephesus and I would put the manure on those bushes which look the most poorly or which the manure had worn out on. In our authentic Christian walk with the Lord we find that we are lacking enthusiasm , we lose our revival, we lose our hope, and we must allow him to strengthen those things which are dying in order to gain a greater faith.

Sheep stories

Jericho and Isaac were out grazing with Zion and my dog Cooper walked by at a good trot and they ran after him. They followed them and ended up about 60 feet from where Zion was grazing, the Lord told me "Sheep are easily distracted, and before they know that they are following the wrong things, lambs in particular are so ,a quickly moving object going past , even if it is a predator, they will follow. In the same way we as Christians, particularly young Christians in the faith, i e lambs, not by years but spiritual maturity will go off following something else , even false teachings. This is why it's so important to keep our eye always on the savior as our shepherd, He guides us with his eye and we will not be led astray if we watch him only. Not knowing enough to follow me as their Shepherd to lure the lambs back to Zion I had to use Little Bit who was their grandmother, and they followed her readily back to their previous grazing spot. But then Jericho tried to follow her away rather than staying where I wanted him. In the same way we might follow fellow Christians mature in the faith back to the Lord if we cannot see our way back.But ultimately we need to stop ,to get our eyes back on the Lord himself, for following even after other Christians is not the relationship we're supposed to have with our Shepherd, and with maturity we need to look to him only.

Sheep stories

Annie was mooing very loudly in the morning as soon as she knew I was up and out there and I said "Annie do you really think that I don't hear you? " and immediately the Lord said "just as Annie doesn't understand and can't understand that there are things you have to do before you let her out to graze, so you don't understand there are things that I have to do before I come and get you.’’ The sheep have no concept of my need to go in and read my Bible and pray before starting my day and letting her out ,because she has no concept of anything spiritual, by the same token the Lord does hear our petitions for his son, or Rapture, but there are spiritual things he needs to do before that can happen.

Sheep stories

I was listening to a radio ministry about how we are the sheep of the Lord's pasture, all his thoughts toward us, he knows where we are, what we're doing, always thinking of us as I am of my sheep. He's always doing for us, thinking of where we should graze next Etc. As many as my thoughts are toward my sheep, even more are the Lord's for us.

Sheep stories

When the Lambs come to the end of their rope as they're tied out to graze, they always hit their knees. In this wise when we are at the end of our rope we should always hit our knees in prayer.

Sheep stories

I was spraying out the ram's pen and the Lord said "you don't have to push all of that dirty water out , just spray it in the corners” and I hesitated then said "I can't do that " “Why?” He asked . "Because it's still dirty ,even though I pushed it to the corners and the middle looks clean and nobody could tell the difference ,I know. "And the Lord showed me, this is what people do with their lives. They clean up just what is visible, and leave the corners of their heart and mind dirty, thinking it doesn't matter, no one will see. But it is still dirty ,like washing the outside of the cup.

Sheep stories

I had let Jordan loose and I had Zion on a graze line, Jordan started running wild and going here and there taking a bite of grass and moving on and the Lord showed me the contrast between the two sheep, the one that was tied and the one that was loose and likened it to us as Christians saying that when we are tethered, tied to his work as it were , we can focus on it and manage to get his work done. When we are free , we are aimless, non-productive, going our own way. By the end going nowhere and accomplishing nothing.

Sheep stories

Someone asked me what is the difference between a sheep and a goat? I started to say wool, but of course there is wool on goats, and some sheep have hair. So I told them that it is that the sheep ,spiritual or otherwise , need a Shepherd and are not as independent-minded as a goat, for instance a goat doesn't eat off of the ground among its own waste or drink fetid water and a sheep is more apt to do so. And the gentleman said “Don't goats need a Shepherd?” I answered “Yes ,they do, only they don't realize it” As I pondered this question another attribute of sheep came to me. Sheep are capable and willing to learn from their mistakes. If I discipline them, they learn not to do that thing that invited discipline, whereas a goat, particularly a dominant goat in the herd, merely holds a grudge.Later when I repeated the conversation to a friend who used to keep sheep she said simply, a sheep's tail goes down, a goat's tail goes up. Not two days later I read the same thing in a shepherd's memoir. Now in the animal world,a tail that is up, signifies dominance,a tail that is down, signifies submission.A sheep can't keep its tail up seemingly, and particularly undocked , they have a long tail at birth they can barely lift it at all. Of course I realized that this notion also had a spiritual significance, a Christian must submit to his Shepherd, a goat can't because they are a goat and rebellion is in their nature.

Sheep stories

Annie had gone in circles so many times on her lead while tied out to graze that the lead rope had been wrapped around and around her back foot and tangled her hopelessly until she couldn't get herself unhung. So I came to get her untangled and take her in, as soon as I tried to grab her foot she started kicking like a mule. I tried had to let her foot go and she was still kicking trying to free herself, finally she fell on the ground on the hill and I said "Are you done trying to do it yourself?" My words instantly echoed in my ears as something I have often heard the Lord say to me, because only when we are down and quit struggling can he untangle us from the messes of life; only when we stop trying to do it ourselves can he work.

Sheep stories

The Lord told me not to put the sheep out to graze, not because it was too hot, because it was overcast, not because it was raining ,because it wasn't. But because he had something to tell me. So I didn't put them out, I then had to clean around them in the barn and they were growing frustrated with the situation and with each other and were very upset and confused. Finally I fed them after their pen was all clean. I had moved on to the next pen when the Lord said "Did it hurt them? i e not going to graze "I answered “No, it didn't hurt them.” "What was the result?" the Lord asked. “they got fed sooner," I answered at once. It struck me that all the hardship we go through, all the confusion, upset, waiting, all the lack of having what we want or need, all leads us to this one thing, Christ allowing us to go through these troubles so he can come sooner.

For our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2nd Corinthians 4:17

Sheep stories

The Lord told me not to put the Sheep out to graze and I did not.I was in the sheep barn cleaning and watering and they were watching me, everything I did, all for them, all in preparation for them, working in what usually was behind the scenes as they normally would have been out grazing. I wondered if they knew, even watching me with their large soulful eyes and drumming on my cowboy hat brim with their lips , that all this was for them. Sometimes the Lord doesn't give us what we want or even what we think we need, going out to graze in the sheeps case , so we can watch him work in our lives and see how many things he does for us, that we wouldn't know the half of it, if he didn't show us from time to time.

Sheep stories

I went out to put Ramses out to graze, I opened his door to his yard so I could get him and he found some leftover willow leaves out there,and so he would not come to me to go out. Being content with this provision he could see, he had no desire for the provision he could not see and I called him and called him, only after I close the door did he rush to come out .

Behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice over and open the door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Revelation 3:20

As I brought Little Bit back to the barn from grazing I let her go to run to the barn door and she passed by the two piles of grass hay in the driveway ,seeing them she heads for the barn anyway and doesn't even bother to look, having faith that there was something better in the barn than that , though she saw no evidence of that being so. In the same way we can seek for that which we can see, something tangible, money, possessions, even daily provision, or we can have faith Toward God and his heaven, and seek for those things pertaining to it and find in the Seeking, the better award in the “Big Barn.’

Seek ye first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you Luke 12:31

now Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of Things Not Seen Hebrews 11:1

these all died in faith not having received the promises having seen him afar off and were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the Earth for they that say such things Declare plainly that they seek a country, and truly if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to return but now they desire a better country that is a heavenly one where God is not ashamed to be called their God for he has prepared for them a city Hebrews 11 14 through 16

Sheep story

I slaughtered our Lambs today, I could not get them out of their own manure and mud despite repeated cleanings they were just dirty and I was nervous for anyone to come here and see them and just heartbroken over seeing them that way. The Lord revealed to me that this is what it is like with us if we won't be cleaned, if we can't be kept out of sin, he takes us out of this world, because as Christians we can't be seen like that by others or it gives the Lord a bad name as a bad witness and as Christians it breaks the Lord's heart to see us in that sort of unrepentant lifestyle.

Sheep story

I was worried about finances as things grew to look more bleak. I went to get Ramses to go out to graze in the evening ,because this was not the normal thing that I would do is running back and forth frantically panicking in his pen ,the Lord said simply to me in the warning “don't you be like that.” which is sometimes difficult in a hard situation 

Sheep Stories

the Sheep were grazing in their normal spots when this awful noise sounded from down the street where they are doing construction, it was a squealing noise that startled me and greatly alarmed the Sheep. Little Bit bolted and dragged the big truck tire she was tied to about 70 ft in order to reach her mother, then swung in around. With the sharp turn she had made she snapped the leash clip in half. I looked down the road and Annie and her daughter were both looking at me for help with ears pricked forward.But since I knew what alarmed them, and knew for the moment they were okay and safe , the situation was under control, I decided to leave them for a minute while I completed getting the pen ready for the return.

Sometimes in life we encounter horrible, scary situations, that we just want the Lord to get us out of ,but he knows about the circumstance and when we're okay and when we're not, and how long to leave us in it and when we've had enough . Only he knows how much we can bear. As he promises he will not give you more than you can bear.

I went down to get them and I took Little Bit by the collar and I was going to try and re tie her but when I saw that they would not calm down and only wanted to go home, I relented and took them. They had had enough and it was time to head for the barn. As a Shepherd the Lord judges this for us too. When we are at our limit he acts on our behalf, growing and stretching us in the meantime. training us to look to him and trust him to deliver us in what time is the best time.

Sheep story

The Sheep broke down their fence and were grazing all over the yard and I threw an alfalfa hay into the yard in order to wrangle them back in , showing them that what was inside their boundaries was as good or better than what was outside it, showing them they should be content without seeking what was unholy, unapproved,unfiltered ,as they were grazing everywhere rather than where I had cleared them to graze because of contaminants of plants and poison mushrooms. Proving to them they don't need anything other than what the shepherd provides them in order to be content. This is a lesson we could do with as Christians ourselves.

Sheep story

I was dragging a piece of black plastic past Israel and brats pin and for some reason it was terrifying to Israel, perhaps because he has seen a lot of bears this year I don't know. But he surely could see I was the one doing it (sometimes that doesn't matter) he was going crazy leaping against the fence, never taking his eyes off the plastic I was dragging just terrified and nothing I said soothed him because all he saw was that moving plastic he was scared of. I realized that sometimes things happen in our lives which even though we know our Shepherd has done i e a death of a loved one, financial strain we are just terrified of . We get our eyes off the Lord and look at our circumstances. We grow just more and more terrified until we can't be consoled . When frightening things happen, realize God is doing it . A loving God who means it for our good.

And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God which are called according to his purpose Romans 8 :28 God's purpose is for good and not evil to bring about an expected end. So don't look at the circumstance because the longer you look at the circumstance the more terrified you'll be ,but look at the Lord ,as you are looking at him the circumstance will grow less significant.

Sheep Story

This morning I said to the Lord, “ Lord, all of the grass is gone, burned up in our hot drought-ridden summer. I don't think that sheep need to go out to graze, there's nothing out there for them.” The Lord answered in the affirmative ,"they don't need to go out.” I realized just as they will stay in the barn, because there's nothing out there for them , likewise there is nothing out there for we Christians in the world , so we just stay in the barn with the shepherd , and eat the good things he has to provide by his hand , having all we could ever want there with him.As Christians we can be content with this. I realized as well that in time Christ will take us to the barn , the Big Barn in the sky in the Rapture when there is nothing more on this Earth for us.

Sheep story

The Lord told me that was to give the sheep 6 corn cobs each out of the provision we were sent. I said to myself ‘’surely he means each pen should get 6 because Six for each animal would be too many”So I gave them 6 in the pen, and let the Lambs in with her mom's. Zion held back and cried at me , I led her out there to show her the corn ,thinking she was being stupid and I realized that there was not even enough corn for each sheep, because including the Lambs there were more than six. And the Lord said “ You don't decide what I mean ,when you do someone doesn't get a corn cob "

When we decide what God means in his word or in what he tells us without asking what he means , we lose out and others lose out because we misunderstand, we need to come to him humbly and ask for guidance and remember to ask for clarity and to ask what he does mean.

Sheep story

The sheep went out in the yard and were eating the old corn cobs from yesterday as fast as I could gather them and put them in the poo bucket. They were taking them out and eating them, little understanding I took it away because it was no good for them ,being dirty and used up.I explained to them “ I'm not just taking it to take it, I'll take it away and give you something better.” In the same wise God ,in His infinite wisdom takes things from us we think we want, because it's no good for us anymore and though we may not realize it he only wants to give us better.

Sheep story

I glanced over at Mara and Solomon this year's lambs which were grazing on the grass there by the plow taken off of Great Grandpa's dairy farm. I was noticing they still have good grazes there and I didn't want to move them until they had gotten all the good out of that spot that they could. Just as I reached the door of the house I realized that that was what the Lord was doing with us ,keeping us on the same graze until we got all we could out of it ,only with us our graze was not just the physical location he had placed us in but also the circumstance of difficulty he had placed upon us . Leaving us there, not wasting the hard road we had already traveled by not allowing us to go back when we would have much longed to do so. If not for being stuck we would have done so .We were tied up ,as it were to this place ,otherwise we would have done just that. But God has left us no choice whatsoever and that mercifully, so that we could get all out of it that we could. What a merciful God even when we don't feel he is.

And I know all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose Romans 8:28

  Sheep stories

I had put the Sheep out to graze and the Lord told me to put Annie on the hill and Little bit by the pond.After a minute Annie started crying and I went to see what was wrong. I found she was badly tangled around a clump of bushes.Because she's bad to handle, she pulls and what not I unclipped her lead and put her on a different spot . I knew it once I had done wrong. The Lord wanted her on the hill and now that she was gone Little bit started going crazy because her mom was out of her sight and so the Lord told me to take Little bit inside the barn and I did ,later she went into labor from the stress .Once she was in then her daughter Jordan started going crazy because her mom was out of her sight and I had to go get her too.

Then there was little Zion just eating away, not a care in the world. ‘’ What is the difference ?’’I asked the Lord ‘’Why doesn't she seem to mind it when the other sheep are removed from her sight?’’ the Lord been explained to me that when Zion was a little lamb that my sister and I had pulled her and kept her close to us, so she became more easy and even-tempered because of spending so much time with the shepherd, while Little bit and Jordan spent more time with their moms and didn't depend on the shepherd so much. Zion had because we took her from the other sheep and hand raised her as her mother had rejected her somewhat and we carried her through so she learned to trust us and not be so dependent on others for her comfort.

When my father and mother forsake me the Lord will pluck me up.psalm27:10

Sheep story

I was going to dump my buckets from cleaning the Sheep barn .We dump our manure buckets on the garden area to produce a good fertilizer, sheep manure is chemically the best animal fertilizer literally in the world .The garden area was muddy and heavy saturated by water from our nearly record rainfall this December .The Lord said ‘’Take it through to the middle of it ‘’ So I walked down through the middle of the area not knowing if I would sink deep in the mud because the soil was like quicksand when its really wet. When I didn't sink as I had feared I would ,then the Lord said’’I could have sent you around’’ that was to walk in on the grass to the back of the garden , ’’ why did I send you through the middle?’’ he asked. I confessed I didn't know. I turned to go back out ,walking the same path I'd taken in and the Lord noted my footprints to me ,visible still in the mud. “If all in life were easy ,’’he said ‘’ you'd leave no Footprints behind you’’ Meaning we leave our Testimony ,our trust in him during difficult trials and times leave footprints behind us for others to see.

Sheep story

I came to get the ram to take him out to go and graze and he had spent the night in with the ewes so he would not be going out the door he usually did. As I reached for his right horn with my left hand and grabbed the horn he's not used to me grabbing ,he didn't like it .Things must be the same for the sheep every time or they mistrust you. The Lord explained to me that sometimes you have to put them in a different position, like coming through a different gate to go out, in order to train them to trust you in all situations. As I led the ram through the puppy yard the two puppies, who love sheep but don't have any horse sense about them, were jumping up in the rams face trying to kiss him and play with his wool. Finally Ramses who was being very good and very patient about it, tossed his head toward the one dog who was annoying him the most and almost stop moving forward with me and that was when I ,perceiving he had had enough, verbally reprimanded the pups and allowed the ram the rest of his walk to his graze spot in peace. The Lord noted to me that in the same way He knows just when we've had enough and when to remove the annoyance and trial.

Sheep story

I was taking Ramses out to graze, leading him by his horn, this is a delicate business on a normal basis because a ram is a very powerful animal can be very dangerous. Something spooked him as I was leading him and for a sheep that can be anything from seeing another sheep in a place where they aren't accustomed to seeing them or my carrying a bucket in my other hand or my wearing a sun hat. But at any rate he kept turning back toward the right and twisting his head toward me which is dangerous with those big curled horns, finally I decided to just take him back to his pen if he could not behave. As I shut him away he started to run the fence line , upset he had not been allowed to go out and graze. The Lord said to me ''Which way would he have learned more? To have put him away ,or to have done what he expected you to do and put him out anyway.'' My sister later pointed out to me then that sometimes when we as people cannot behave we have to go back to the barn.

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

1 corinthians 5:9-10

Sheep story

I was cleaning in the lamb barn and I looked at their water and observed that it was very dirty and needed changing. “ You can leave it.” the Lord noted to me. “ They don't drink it anyway.” he observed. “ Yes, but they should have the opportunity to drink clean water even if they won't do it”I protested trying to be a good shepherd. “ Exactly,” the Lord noted to me. “ and that is why I came to this earth, died on the cross for all, even those who refuse to drink, I offer everlasting water freely, because they needed to know that they will give him the opportunity, even if they won't do it.” He finished.

And the spirit and the bride say come, and let him that here is say come, and let him that is a thirst come, and whosoever will let him take the Water of Life freely. Revelation 22:17

Christ came into the world to save sinners. 1Timothy 1:15

Sheep story

I had put out a 1-year-old ewe to graze and she at once started complaining about the spot I had picked for her, and by her complaining all the other lambs began to complain as well. The Lord was showing me how our complaining, how our countenance can impact others, can cause others to stumble and to be malcontent as well.

sheep story

I was bringing in the Lambs from grazing and usually I bring them in by twos so it doesn't take as long to get everyone to the barn for breakfast hay .This time as I was approaching David and Hanna, the Lord told me "Bring them in individually "and I moved to get Hannah and was sort of complaining to myself to have to take them in so far and one by one because it would take a long time and I asked ''why did I have to take them individually?'' and the Lord answered my askance at once. " because I deal with you individually, because if you lead them to the barn and it is just you and them they learn to trust you more, just as when you're alone with me you'll learn to trust me more. "

I finished with the twins and I moved to return and retrieve Jerusalem next and as I took her back the Lord asked why I had selected her and not Solomon which was her grazing partner .Because all the sheep or graze 2 by 2 so they won't be afraid. I answered and said " Because Jerusalem is the more experienced lamb but Solomon will have to trust me more as he is more skittish. "Then the Lord answered "Now you know why I had to take your mother from you last spring, because I needed to deal with you individually ,so you would learn to trust me ,so you would be alone with me. Because she was the more experienced one she didn't need to wait to go into the barn ,you were the one who needed to trust me more ,just like Solomon. "

Sheep story

Every morning before taking the sheep out to graze I give them each their morning grain. This morning the Lord told me not to give it to the two of my ewes which are grazing partners. “ They're going to be really mad.” I warned. “ No they won't, do it and I'll show you why.” the Lord answered. So I put on their collars and took them out straight past the station where they are usually fed their grain. “ See no pulling, no trying to look back.” the Lord said. I looked down at the ewes leading nicely beside me and the Lord told me why. “ It's because sheep's eyes face forward, they can see behind them, but they are looking ahead.” Immediately I knew it might be applied very well to my own life and the struggles I've had with longing for things that are not anymore.

But this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I pressed toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13 through 14

But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I might win Christ and be found in Him my own righteousness which is of the law which is through Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:7-9

No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

Sheep story

I had put the ram out to graze in the morning in his usual place out beyond the perimeter gate where no one could get hurt. There had been some coyotes and bears around lately and because there had, I was careful to take a look at Ramses down the trail on occasion to be sure he was still all right. As I passed by I saw him just standing there, not grazing or anything, just standing there and staring down the path with his head up. I looked beyond him to the trailhead to see if I saw anything and I did not. I addressed him and asked him if he was okay. He took a long time but finally glanced at me, then off again down the trail. I looked and looked seeing nothing and at last he went back to grazing and I knew everything was okay in his world now. I thought of it how brave a boy he was to stand there mid trail and stare into the face of danger as he had plainly saw something of alarm, and not to run, or call out. But just to stand as if he would stand fast against what may come ,and at once I thought of the scripture I had read just a few hours before.

Wherefore take then to you the whole armor of god, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand. stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, above all things taking the shield of faith, werewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:13 through 17

 Sheep story

I was taking the sheep out to their grazing spots, each with their grazing partners. I had a hold of two lambs Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar ,twins from the spring. I was taking them out when Nebuchadnezzar started to balk and push against me. Lambs seem to go through various stages as you teach them to lead, first they won't lead hardly at all, like a puppy they kind of drag behind. After they see the benefit of being led, going out to grace, going into the barn for hay, then they lead pretty well. As they get older they go through several stubborn phases, coming out of them and then relapsing once more. In these phases they act like they don't know how to lead at all and will, as Nebuchadnezzar was doing, plant their feet and refuse to go. It occurred to me as I looked back at him with front feet planted squarely, back legs buckled under a little and rump down, that when I was younger I didn't know what backsliding really was. You always heard about backsliding Christians and I thought it was Christians who just kind of messed up by accident and did something displeasing to the Lord without really meaning to. Christians who slipped into Old Habits as it were, but then as I looked at Nebuchadnezzar I saw backsliding in a whole other light. Not a simple mistake, not an accidental sin, but as a full-on ,foot planting disobedience brought out of a stubborn rebellion, a willful act of disobedience to God. A knowing how to be led by God as Nebuchadnezzar knew how to be led by me and deciding you are not going to do it. I saw myself in how stubborn I can be. I was called stubborn when I was growing up and still can find myself being so now. Earlier in the morning I remembered I had been stubborn even. I was trying to burn a box in the wood stove that was simply too big. And the Lord tried to warn me that I was going to hurt myself trying to do it. But I was determined to burn it as it needed, I felt to be burned. I stuck it in the fire and it caught light and I couldn't get it in. I pulled it back out still smoldering. I reshaped it and put it back in. It got stuck again and I said, realizing there was about to be a real trouble. “ Lord help!” I pushed it in kicking it with my foot and finally as it really caught light, it popped in the stove and I slammed the door shut with a “ thank you Lord” in exclamation of relief. I analyzed what had happened, I had to conclude that I agreed with the Lord. There is a definite difference between tenacity and determinedness and being stubborn. He observed to me that it was something I needed to change in my life and that just as with the box, when I call out to him for help, he will always help me. If not He will as He says in Hosea, let us be fed in a large place, letting us alone in our mistake . 

For Israel slidest back as a backsliding heifer, now the Lord will feed us as a lamb in a large place. Hosea 4:16

Sheep story

I was cleaning in the goat barn and they had a huge mess of bits of hay and manure all ground in by their trampling hooves. It occurred to me what the Sheep would look like if they had to live in their pen with such a big mess, their wool would be entirely unusable and disgusting looking. I looked up at the goats and noted that their coat had nothing on it ,even the white goats looked pristine after laying in the pen last night.Even after we clean in there in the morning there is a big mess so we clean in the evening before bed and there is always another big mess in the morning! The Lord showed me how those who are unsaved, the goats of this world, can look pristine and clean even when there is great sin in their lives because it is what everyone else expects of them. No one even sees it. But a saved person, a sheep, who is covered in the filth of a particular sin, even if it is acceptable in the world, will be more noticeable to the saved and the unsaved alike. This is because better things are expected of the Christian than those that are of the world. At once I noted I must keep the sheep's barn even cleaner than the goats barn, because any amount of dirt ,manure ,or hay looks worse on them than it ever could on the goats. In the same way we as Christians are held to a higher standard than those who are not saved held thus by God, by others, and by ourselves. Any amount of filthiness is more marked in us because we are expected ,and rightly so ,to be clean.

Sheep story

Jordan has a bad habit of no matter what stationary object I tie her down to, if she can possibly pull it ,she pulls it, and she and her sister Zion go all around the yard grazing and getting into trouble when they get into the orchard and nibble on the fruit trees. Today I was watching Jordan as she pulled her way across the lawn ,expending all of her energy in pulling heavy objects with her tether instead of grazing on the good green grass that was right in front of her. It occurred to me that we so often in life will plow ahead, struggling and straining to get ahead, forgetting to enjoy what has been placed before us in our endless quest for bigger and better,in our endless quest for more. So that we overlook the good grass right in front of us, passing over the ground the Lord has put us on to graze, the place where He thought was best that we graze, because of our never ending desire to achieve. At the end of the day ,happiness is like grass, it is often right there at your feet and you trample over it as you try to get ahead. Your plans at the time seem to be better than the Lord's plans, when He has placed you just for He wants you ,just when He wants you there,in order to have what is best for you and what fits into His will for you and accomplishes what He seeks to accomplish.

Go to now ye that say today or tomorrow we will go into the city and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain.Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow , for what is your life, it is even a vapor,that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say. If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings, all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:13-17

Sheep story

A sheep's wool keeps foreign objects far away from their skin ,any dirt or manure is generally just surface ,it isn't down deep. On a goat ,because of the short hair ,dirt penetrates more easily to the skin. In the same way our hearts are clean as Christians, anything of sin that clings to us is only superficial and therefore easily cut away by the experienced hand of our Heavenly shearer in the same way I cut away any matting or manure on our sheep when I sheer twice a year in spring and fall and in between for health where matted wool is present. So the Sheep get a brand new coat ,clean pristine and white, and the goats on the other hand, while brushed every day to remove dirt and distribute natural oils to keep external parasites at bay, never get a new clean coat. We bathed them once and then not again as they had a hard time afterwards, the bath having removed the natural oils from their skin they then became susceptible to parasites. In the same way the Lord routinely cleans up his children and Christians are often sheared. Our troubles are designed to rid us of sin and train us to be close to God.

Sheep story

I was remembering today how the sheep reacted the first time I wore a different pair of shoes past their pen. They could hear me coming and they had grown accustomed to the sound of my footsteps and knowing that it was me they wouldn't be nervous or upset but would be comforted by it and expected something good coming from it ,like being grained and fed or being let out to graze. But that day my step sounded different and because it did they did not know who or what might be coming , when they heard me coming they bolted . It reminded me of how intently we ought to listen for the Shepherds step leading us where we are to go. It reminded me how alert we should be to His presence and to His voice of instruction.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying this is the way, walk ye in it, when you turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left Isaiah 30:21

 Sheep story

I had put the lamb's mother's out to graze and the lands were crying to be separated from them. The minute I came in they were quiet and following me around and I wondered at it because the lambs weren't very tame. It surprised and honored me that they took comfort in the presence of their Shepherd. It reminded me of how we are to behave as a weaned child when following our Lord.

Sheep story

The rams have been out grazing and I was going to get them to take them in for morning hay. The young ram sooner than hiding in the brush from the older ram as he usually does had his lead rope fully extended and as it is longer than the older rams lead rope as long as he stays out further the older ram can't ram him.I noted that he was using the tools and privileges I had given him to spare himself.The Lord then noted to me that in the same wise if we will stand firm against Satan, sin ,and temptation ,they have no hold upon us and cannot touch us.We are the only movable thing . By our choice we allow Satan to get a foothold.Our salvation in Christ has given us the privilege of a long lead rope so that we do not have to be in danger from these things and as long as we stand pat we won't be affected by them.

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away ,reserved for you in heaven who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ,ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein we greatly rejoiced ,through now for a season ,if need be ,ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ ,whom having not seen ye love in whom though you now see him not, yet believing rejoice with unspeakable and full of glory receiving the end of your faith even the salvation of your souls of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you 1 Peter 1:4-10

Sheep story

I was cleaning in the sheep pen and suddenly remembered I hadn't let out the pigs. I could not I knew leave right in the middle of the sheep however. The Lord explained He deals with the sheep first then with the unclean. Likewise we as believers may look around and see that the world needs to be judged but judgment begins with the house of God and so for right now before Christs return He is dealing with His own. He is dealing with His flock, cleaning we Christians up, growing us, shepherding us, and after He has done and the snatching away happens and we have left this world then the Lord will deal with the world and all of its sin.

For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begin at us what shall the end of them that obey not the gospel of god? and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 1 Peter 4:17 through 18

Sheep story

The mosquitoes were really bad this spring as we got no early spring freeze and to avoid them bothering me I started cleaning the sheep yard at evening chores because the mosquitoes were only 1/10 of what they were in the morning. Last night the Lord told me He did not want me to clean it in the p.m. but in the a.m. again. I left it last night and this morning I was cleaning the yard and there was a huge cloud of mosquitoes following me everywhere. In frustration I grumbled to the Lord and asked Him why He made me clean it in the morning and didn't He see all the mosquitoes there were now? He answered at once “ Are any of the mosquitoes biting you? Have they ever bitten you while you were cleaning the yard?” I admitted no they had not. The Lord pointed out that when we are doing His work, His will, even though we may be bothered with something He controls whether it can harm you or not and can make even the mosquitoes bite to no effect!

Sheep story

I had all the sheep staked out to graze when someone honked up at the house to indicate they were a customer needing assistance. The day before my sister and I had been talking about the fact that we used to run to help a customer and that now we walked. I had told her that perhaps I would start running again so they did not have to wait so long . So the customer honked their horn for service as we are not always up there. It is the best way to get our attention and I ,with my new resolution, started to run up there as I had said I would. One of the yearling ewe lambs Jerusalem seeing that her shepherd was running and realizing, if the shepherd was running it must be something really scary and they started to bolt. Seeing her terror, I stopped running and calmly walked up to see the customer who wanted to buy four dozen eggs when I only had two dozen ,leaving the sheep in perfect peace behind me. As I walked up there I thought to myself how good a thing it is that our Good Shepherd never seems to be panicked or afraid and how rock solid and steady we can be, that being the case. As we look to Him we see He is not alarmed or afraid He is not running and acting crazy and we know then that He has it all in hand and we too can be in perfect peace.

That will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because He trusted in thee Isaiah 26:3

Sheep story

We lost our little ewe named Lil Bit today our big beautiful black Welsh mountain sheep and Shropshire cross our second loss for the week. We lost our Zion. Our hand raised lamb earlier on in the week, her head had gotten caught in one of the feeders where it wasn't secured properly. Little bits halter had gotten pulled down over her nose so that she suffocated. Annie had worn one for years to make it easier for handling and Little bit had just started wearing one about a month ago. I had seen Annie get hers pulled down in such a way once and I had happened to be there to fix it.

With two big losses, both pregnant ewes and the ones to which we were particularly attached I asked the Lord if He wanted us to quit farming or what. He said “That's not what this is about”and I said "so why Lord?” he said “ I want you to learn.” I answered “ Learn what? Show me, I don't want this to be wasted, I want to learn all I can.” He didn't say anything for a while and later on while cleaning the kid pen I noted that the feeder in Zion's lamb pen had been like that for some while, a piece being moveable which allowed her head to get caught and it had been that way for years even. Likewise Annie had worn a halter for years because it was the only way I could control her. “ So why now, when this has been this way for years did this suddenly happen? Do you not want me to be a Shepherd anymore Lord?” “ No, I do want you to be a Shepherd. That is the point, what was acceptable before is no longer acceptable because now you know better.” He answered. In the same way what things we found to be acceptable in the past, the sins we tolerated in our own lives that God didn't convict us upon, that had been going on for years , now that we are more mature in the Lord.These sins are no longer acceptable. There is a point in time when sin in a nation as well ,having once been winked at by the Lord is no longer acceptable, no longer tolerated.

And that knowing the time it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent. The day is at hand let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkenness not in strife and envying but put you on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans 13:11 through 14

And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. Because he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained. acts 17:30

Sheep story

We are officially in drought this summer and everywhere I put the sheep out to graze has less and less green as the month wears on. I only have a few long leads where I can stake out the sheep and a lot of short leads. Jerusalem had complained of every short lead I put her on no matter where I moved her to. She would refuse to graze and stare at me. Finally I put her on the longest lead I had and though the graze was more poor there than most other places she at last seemed less malcontent. The Lord spoke to me telling me that the lead was long enough for her to see for herself that there was nothing out there. He revealed to me that in the same way He will sometimes give us a very long lead in order to show us for our own satisfaction that there is nothing out there in the world for us. So that we understand worldly things won't satisfy, that there is contentment in spiritual things.

But godliness with contentment is great gain 1 Timothy 6:6 through 10

Sheep story

There was mooing again this morning. The ewe had her grain, and she had gone to graze , she had her hay, and a little bonus grain top dressing it. Today as every morning for the last long while Annie started mooing repeatedly, loudly, insistently. “How can you complain that you want more when you haven't even finished what I've given you?” I asked. At once the Lord reminded me that I have been praying for customers to come and buy something when I have money for the all the grain we needed for the next two days sitting there waiting to be picked up after a.m. chores. The scripture came to mind then

And having food and raiment let us be there with content 1 Timothy 6:8 ,and life is more than food and drink, and a scripture that says I'm coming and my reward is with me.

Sheep story

I was coming to get in the Lambs from their morning graze, I had already taken in the big lambs and had just come back for the two tiny Lambs that were still out. The one lamb saw me coming and despite the fact he had been complaining of wanting to be taken in he panicked and ran from me and ran around the corner to where his grazing partner was grazing. The Lord showed me how in an emergency or tragedy sometimes rather than running to God we run away from Him and toward others, banding together not just with friends but even with those who we shouldn't because we feel alone and afraid. In the same wise we as people in a tragedy will hurry up and forget all of our values and need to bond together with those the Lord wouldn't have you to just because a loved one is sick or passed away. Forgetting very quickly that the Lord would not have you to form unhealthy associations even in an emergency and tragedy. But in fact He brings about tragedies and emergencies, not so you will turn to others ,but so you will turn to Him.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalms 107: 1-43

Sheep story

Jordan had then the last ewe in the barn after grazing. She hates to be alone on pasture but today her grazing partner had already been taken in .All the Sheep have a grazing partner even if they're not grazing right beside them. They at least can see them from where I have placed them to do precision grazing and it calms them greatly to know where the flock is. Jordan was the last ewe in and she knew the whole flock was already in ahead of her and so she was pulling anxiously as I was trying to lead her. She hoped that there was some grain sprinkled on the hay as an extra treat, which there was. I said to her “ Jordan you won't get there any faster without me than with me because I still have to open the gate for you.” The Lord at once convicted my heart that this is what we try to do all the time ,we pull and try to break away and do it all on our own and do it for ourselves when it is the Lord who must open doors for us in order to allow us the good things He would have for us to have.

Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength Isaiah 40:31

Sheep story

I was wearing a fanny pack around my waist after I had taken out the sheep because we had a 300 lb black bear around and I wanted to carry a little protection just in case. A .22 revolver fits quite nicely in a fanny pack and while not much help ,it's some. Just before I went to get the sheep in from grazing I had built a wooden ramp into the Rams pen so that he wouldn't have to run through the mud in front of his door as egress and ingress areas are always a trouble spot for mud when farming.

As I had to walk through the falling stack of cardboard fruit boxes in the shop in order to get the lumber to fix the ramp I then decided to burn the boxes before it got too dry to burn, so I built the fire between the rams graze spot and the sheep barn. On my way to get the ram to take him in I decided to carry the rabbit's water bucket out as she also was on the way to the rams graze. I thought I would just bring the bucket back with the ram which is always chancy because he doesn't like anything to be different, it scares him. So I go out there and I called the ram and he comes running all excited to go into the barn to get his morning grain. He stopped dead in his tracks about 10 or 12 ft away from me and took a visible step back away. He looks down at what I was scaring him ,which was the fanny pack and I, perceiving he would not go with me with the fanny pack on , turned it around quickly so it was behind my back. He then let me grab him by the horn and I started leading him back as usual . But when I stopped to get the bucket, he first shied away then continued to lead. We passed through the gate together and then he saw the fire burning and he wanted to tiptoe past it quickly ,giving it a wide berth. Then we came to the gate to his pen and I'm thinking oh, boy, now the final and worst hurdle ,the ramp into his pen. I opened the gate to his pen and to my surprise he didn't balk at all and was unafraid and just went right in. It occurred to me the Lord must have been preparing him for the big scary thing by having all the little scary things happen along the way. By the same fashion the Lord often times will have us go through smaller trials before we get to the big ones. Just like he worked his way up to leaving the disciples alone in the boat during the storm, first he was sleeping in the boat, then he wasn't in the boat at all. So that they were ready to follow him anywhere, even to walk on the water with him.

Sheep story

To get our ram Ramses in shape for the breeding season I've been giving him grain in the morning. He has become accustomed to it and expects upon return from his morning graze that his grain will be there with his morning hay. So anticipating that delightful reward he has been trying to return to his pen earlier and earlier. So that he has started standing at the gate and pacing ,waiting to be let back in. One day he grew impatient at the gate and started following the fence line busting through the brush the ewes like to feed on over the fence. The Lord pointed out to me how he had destroyed and mangled it and he said “ Do You See that? In trying to get his own provision, in his own time and in his own way, he has destroyed the food that was there for him and for the ewes also. Instead of waiting on your timing he tried to do it for himself. In the same way when you leap out ahead of me and try to get your own provision you end up ruining the better things I had in mind for you.’’

Commit thy way to the Lord Trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass psalm 37:5

Sheep story

Every morning when I graze the ram I put him outside of the gate on the green grassy area that leads back into the woods. here he won't have any possibility of contact with my puppies or with the farm visitors because a ram is always a ram and whether he is a good boy or not you never should trust a ram. Rams ram that's what they do. This was a ram and they are particularly dangerous at this time of the year as it was breeding season. So when I graze the ram I usually take him out past the hen house to graze him so that if my sister happens to come out to check the chickens whether to see to one that needs special care or just to check for eggs I need her to be safe. Sometimes however I just let him go and don't tie him and he grazes freely from the gate on the back but the only trouble is that the rabbit hutches are there. Ramses has developed a very bad habit of diving under the hutch and snorting around in the rabbit manure looking for grain the rabbits have dropped through the bottom of their pen. As a consequence I've stopped letting the ram wander freely because I don't like the habit. Today however the Lord told me to let the ram go and I protested at once “ Lord you know what he will do if I let him go I can't let him do that”. I said “ Let him go.” the Lord said gently but firmly and I let him go knowing what he would do and as I walked away I said “ Lord why not just make it so the opportunity for temptation is never even there. Why allow the ram and us with our sin, the opportunity to do something like that?” “ Because if I didn't ,you would be slaves, automatons, and that in and of itself invites rebellion, this way you become disciplined, and learn to avoid such temptations that aren't good for you. you learn to trust me to help you out of them.” He observed. “ It's hard to train a ram Lord," I noted looking back and seeing him kneeling there with his head under the hutch. “ Yes, but even harder to train yourself, without the opportunity to fall there isn't the opportunity to stand either.”

There have no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but  God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the Temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it 1st Corinthians 10:13

Sheep stories

I was asking the Lord why the sheep were

so dirty , because they were stomping around

in the mud , and making it a mud pit outside

while the goats don't do that , they stay in when

it's raining , and don't make mud . The Lord said

it's not that they're dirty , it's that they're willing

to go out in all conditions of weather , and to suffer

hardship in my work and to go out into the elements

to do it . It's endurance in adversity .( the Lord noted to

me that more Christians died in the black death

than anyone else , getting their hands dirty , trying to help)

And the Lord mentioned , that the sheep only go out in the

wet yard , and the mud gets made while they're waiting for

you , calling for you , haven't you made mud where you are

at too ? calling for me , waiting for me ?

( example the Lord gave me was the persecution we have

endured in our own lives because we are Christians )

Sheep Stories

I was thinking about predestination , and the Lord explained it to

me very simply like this ; using our sheep as an example ,

He told me , they were always sheep , but they weren't always

our sheep.

Sheep Stories

I had put out the ram to graze , and he couldn't see the ewes

from where he was ,so he was running along the fence and pacing

running over the nice grass i had put him on , and ruining it .

The Lord said do you see that ? Do you see how he is acting ?

How he panics , only seeing what is bad in the circumstance .

And he passes over what is of a benefit to him , what is sweet

and lovely here . 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.

Phillipians 4:8

Sheep Stories

The Lord had told me not to take the sheep in from grazing

until I had finished cleaning the ram pen . A ewe that had been

wandering loose , had went to the barn to eat , and her sister ,

who was tied , started going insane crying and flying around on the

end of the lead because her sister was out of her sight.

I went almost all the way up to her , deciding to let her go back to the

barn too , when the Lord reminded me of what he had said ,

not to let them in yet . The Lord said then when I withdrew my hand

Why is she doing that ? I said , because her sister went in without her.

He said , why won't you let her go ? I answered , because you told

me not yet . And the Lord said , exactly , the Father has told me not yet also.

The timing of the rapture is in God the Father's hand , and he has to

leave us out grazing just a little while longer .

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels

which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Mark 13:32

Sheep Stories

We were almost out of grain , and the Lord told me to give grain to

the ram and his goat friend , I looked at the grain bin , and I said no , we don't even have

enough for the ewes , and He said, give it to them , they need it today .

and I said fine , and grudgingly took them some , I put it in the first dish , and they fought over

it and dumped it . and I hurried and put the rest in the other dish , and they dumped that too.

and I said , Lord ! they're wasting the provision you gave them , and he said ,

it wasn't about the provision , it was about something else . I immediately

thought about how people "waste" money and how I don't actually know that

it's a waste , and who am I to say how it ought to be spent ?

Cast thy bread upon the waters : for thou shalt find it after many days . Ecclesiastes 11:1

Sheep Stories

The Lord showed me that I don't always have to let the sheep bully me

into doing things for them , that I am their shepherd , and I need to do what's

best for them no matter what they want , because their desires change constantly

and like them , we can never be made content , so we must necessarily leave what's

best to God's knowledge .

Sheep Stories

I was trying to lead Israel around the sheep pen , he was on the outside , I was on the inside

and I didn't want to walk through the overgrown knotweed , it was high , thick and wet .

So I thought I would jsut lead him around the fence by his leash . He ignored me and wouldn't lead , as I was leading from high up , the leash was over the fence . And the Lord said , It is impossible to lead from above , thats why Jesus came , that's why he's coming again

You can drive a sheep from above , but sheep are led , not driven .

Sheep Stories

I was milking one of the sheep , and she was not cooperating , and I went to touch her ear

as discipline , and when she moved , the stanschion bar , which was not properly attached ,

swung far to the side and busted me in the lip , giving me a fat lip , and almost a broken tooth .

I milked the uncooperative ewe a little bit more , to show her she must be milked , and would not get away with misbehaviour . As I put the sheep out to graze , I struggled to see the lesson.

I was noting the fat lip was my war wound with the sheep , and the Lord interrupted my interpretation , and corrected , you are not at war with the sheep . I thought of the scripture

how there is no more enmity between God and us because of Christ when we are saved .

And I remembered how judgment , true judgment , and wrath is not for the sheep , ie Christians, but for those who are against God . I recalled in the wilderness , God recognized that the Israelites were just ignorant , and he repented to destroy them ,because sin was in their nature , and to go astray was their disease . With the sheep , it's even worse , she's just an animal , she doesn't understand , she just wants what she wants . I thought of how Paul says if Christ forgave us , how much more should we forgive each other , recognizing that unlike Christ , we are subject to the same stupid behaviors as one another , who are we to withhold forgiveness , when we are just as bad ? Who are we to be impatient and angry when we are just as bad ? When Christ who is perfect forgave us , and was able to forgive the Israelites , because they were only human . So God is infinitely patient with us , because we are nearly just as lacking in understanding as the sheep are , and He is no longer at war with us , once we are the sheep of his pasture and submit to his will. be ye reconciled to God so he isn't at war with you anymore .

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace ,And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 2:15-16

Sheep Stories

I was milking Annie , and she had run out of grain , but I had to finish

milking her anyway . This taught her that she has to obey ( stand still , not resist while being milked ) , even without a reward. In the same way , we have to learn to obey

even when we don't see a reward.

.

Sheep story

I had already taken all of the ewes and lambs from grazing and they were going in to eat their morning hay. I only had Annies two lambs David and Hannah left. I always put these lambs in through the outside gate as it is closer to their graze , but this time as I went to get them the Lord told me "Put them in through the barn " Now that put them at having to lose sight of their mother as we went around the barn to the door as Annie was waiting in the yard for them. The Lord told me as their mother was out of their sight "Now they will have to trust you more and have more faith in their Shepherd .’’ I realized it once when my mom died last March and went out of my sight, I too had been forced to trust my shepherd more, to have more faith in my shepherd .Right now all that is left of my life is to be lived with my mother out of my sight, but all it is ,is that I am traveling around the side of the barn going toward the barn door and in just a minute …. I'll get to see my mother again. I thank you dear Lord for your salvation which makes this possible.

Sheep story

The Lord had told me to leave the Young ram Solomon in with the older ram after weaning. He was missing his mother because he was last years lamb and he cried and cried. Finally at midday the Lord told me I could take him out and put him with his mother but despite my best efforts he would not come to me. The Lord then told me "Do you see? When you are in distress then I can't help you if you don't come to me. "

Sheep story

Our new kitten Simon discovered the sheep today .He was endlessly stalking across the lawn to see them. David a young lamb saw him and was worried. I told him ''It's okay David'' and he went back to grazing knowing his shepherd knew of the trouble. Then the kitten spotted Zion's lamb Mara who is very small and he stalked closer as she was not as intimidating to him. The Lord told me "Watch and see what she does." So I paused in my work to watch . She saw the cat and she looked kind of funny, interested, maybe scared. Rather than bolting she started toward the cat ,toward the danger. Simon at once fled from her . I realized in the same way we as Christians need not fear our enemies ,they can do nothing to us and coming up against us, they will flee from us 7 ways.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalms 118 6

Sheep Stories

The sheep were crying to be fed early , and I fed them.

The goats were crying too , and I didn't feed them .

and the Lord asked why I heeded the sheep's cry

and not the goats . and I said , because they aren't my responsibility

they are my sister's . Exactly , he answered , when I went into the

house having left them unfed , the Lord told me that the goats

need to be left in an uncomfortable position until they will cry

out to the right person ie, they cry out to the rocks to fall on them ,

even to God , but until they cry out , not just in need , but also in repentance

they aren't my responsibility .

Sheep Stories

I tied one of the rams (Israel) out to graze beside them pen , and he cried and cried

even while eating mouthfuls of grass , he continued to cry , and he was making the

lambs cry because they heard him . And the Lord told me , you see , complaining

becomes habitual if you do it enough , and even when you have what you said you wanted

the complaining continues , but you can control it. Just as the Israelites could in the wilderness

as one complainer led to more . You have to change the habit . Being angry is also a habit

that's why the scripture tells you not to let the sun go down on your wrath , because it

becomes a habit that's hard to break , you need to form new habits

Sheep Stories

I was taking the ram lamb home from grazing , having already taken the ewes

and he was anxious to get there to see them and started running. For a moment

I was running with him , then something told me to let go of the leash

I thought it may be that I would get hurt , so I let go , and he ran way ahead of me

then suddenly stopped on a dime , wheeled around and looked up at me

in my face , as if to say , do you know where I'm supposed to go from here ?

and he waited then for me to get closer , then walked away in the direction

of his door , when I got there and he did , the door was closed . His leash

was still on , and he had to wait for me to come and prepare him to enter

in and then open the door anyway , so often we run ahead of the Lord

then having gotten out ahead , realize we don't know where we're going .

and then find doors that would have been opened in his timing ,

are closed . and that we weren't prepared to enter in even if they had been open

how much better than to run through life at a panicked speed , to a destination

we don't know , would it be to go on a leisurely walk with Him , getting

mouthfuls of fine green grass on the way to where he's leading us . and trusting

him that we will get there eventually , and everything will be fine when we do

being patient unto the reward ( , waiting for him to prepare us for the open

doors that lie ahead , but the one thing the ram lamb did do right , when he

reached the door and found it closed , he was content to stand and graze and

wait for me to prepare him and to open it , trusting it that I would.

Sheep Stories

One morning , I was happy to get to the work the Lord

had asked me to do , which was to care for his sheep

I was going to hurry through my morning prayers and

bible reading . The Lord warned me not to lose focus

on the point of the whole thing , which was to learn

about him , not to get caught up in the physical work of

it and miss the spiritual meaning .

He had told me two sheepisms already , and as I was

finishing cleaning in the sheep barn , he told me to go and

write down what he had told me , and I said , shouldn't I finish up

here first ? shouldn't I finish feeding the sheep first ?

and He said , don't lose focus on what matters , and on the point

of it , go and write it before you forget it , feeding can wait .

Sheep story

The Lord said told me 6 months ago to slaughter both the ram and his wethered goat friend Brat and I had put it off and put it off . Finally I was forced to slaughter Brat for wool picking the sheep's wool and making him bald ,a habit which once begun is not easily remedied. But I had put off the ram.Until one day I heard one of the ministers preaching about doing with the Lord tells you . He said if there is anything in your life you know you need to correct then correct it. This failure to eliminate the ram from the flock was known disobedience and so on a certain day I decided I was just going to go ahead and slaughter the ram The Lord interrupted my plans and said " No, not today " I answered " No I will do it today even. "and I told myself I would hurry up and obey the Lord and fix the wrong I had done .Then the Lord showed me how in trying to ''obey'' you can end up in disobedience worse than that which you were involved in before. The children of Israel for example were afraid to go up against their enemies in the land, then when judgment was pronounced upon them they tried to hurry up and go down against your enemies ignoring their leaders assertion that the Lord was not with them . They then went down anyway and were killed. I realized then that where my first disobedience wasn't good by any means the Lord had been patient with me through it, but I had not disobeyed directly, the first time was indirect more like putting it off then anything else , but ignoring the second instruction would have been a more direct disobedience.

Sheep stories

After feeding the animals I walked by the pens,

No one even stirred , and the Lord said ,

See how they barely even notice you ?

Or pay any attention to you ? When they don’t

Want something ?? That’s like you .

And on my way back , I was noting how silent

Even Annie was (our loud mouth ewe) and the Lord

Said , see how they don’t even speak to you ?

When they don’t want something ? Just as we often

Don’t speak to Him when we don’t want something .

And then , beyond where the sheep could no longer see me ,

Annie baaa’d to me , speaking to me only as an afterthought

Just as we often do to the Lord

Sheep Stories

I was taking stock of my life , and I told the Lord

I want to do more for others , and he said ,

You’re not ready yet , but he put me to practice

One of our ewes had just lambed , this was the

Pregnant ewe the Lord had told me to feel the

Lamb kicking in her belly , he told me this is a black lamb for you to keep

There was a white lamb and a black lamb , and a smaller

Underformed lamb that did not live

I was getting ready to clean up our black lamb’s pooey bum ,

as first poos often get stuck. And I saw her twin Moriah , who

the Lord. had told me we were not to

Keep because he had other plans for her , also needed cleaning

and I was going to just leave it thinking the mama would take care

Of it , and the Lord said just because it isn’t yours to keep

Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of it

In the same way , doing for others without a benefit to oneself

So I cleaned Moriah up first , and later in the same day

I had to pick Brat the goat’s nose for him , in further practice

To do the unlovely .

Sheep stories

I took Jordan , (our promised black lamb) out,

With her grandma and her older sister Zion

To graze without a leash . I had to keep calling her

As we went , and looking back at her so she could

See my face in order for her to follow. When it

Was time to come back in from grazing , I realized

I couldn’t catch her so I started walking away quickly

Ie. bolting , and turning back to her and calling her .

She left her family and ran after me , and she would pause

And I would have to show. Her my face and look back at her

In order for her to continue to follow . Once she got too

far behind to recognize me (looking at the goats and the world )

And I had to return for her . As soon as she saw my face and heard my

Voice , she followed again . Like us with the Lord

Sheep Stories

This morning as I was thinking about the shepherds ,

and how they would lay down their lives for. The sheep ,

And why they would do that ( I suppose because they are their

Livelihood David spoke of fending off a lion and then a bear .)

The Lord asked me , would I die for the sheep and I thought about it

If something was attacking them , would I try to save them ?

I considered how my sister and I braved the rain and hail storm yesterday

To go fetch them back from grazing ,even though they didn’t see why

They had to come in , and complained about it , until they saw the

Bad weather would continue . And so I answered the Lord yes ,

I would die for the sheep , and the Lord asked ,why ?

I said , because they’re my sheep , and they’re your sheep Lord .

…Our sheep , because they’re my responsibility ,

Because you gave them to me , and I don’t want to lose

Even one. Then I understood , that is why He died for us

Because we were his. Sheep , God’s sheep , And God gave us

To him , and He didn’t want to lose even one.

Sheep Stories

I was complaining that we needed hay , and that I had cleaned out the barn in

preparation for it , but it had still not come. The Lord said, you need to clean the

barn out more , and I looked , and sure enough , the barn was really still a mess.

I raked up two garbage cans of old hay , and then I realized that wasn't the barn he

meant . My barn , my personal barn , needs to be clean , ie , those things in my life

that I know are wrong that need to go. And also , my barn needs to be empty ,

and devoid of any self effort , anything I think I bring to the table before God

can work.

Sheep Stories

I was cleaning in the sheep barn when the Lord suddenly

said, they're your sheep now I know you will do what's best

for them , and I being puzzled as to why he was giving them to me now

and also a little afraid of what it may mean , I asked , what does that mean ?

Not that you won't help us anymore with them , with advice and provision ?

The Lord answered ... No it has nothing to do with that , it just means , do

for them what you know they need ; Like putting in an extra feeder when you

know they need it . Do what is best for them , like I do what is best for you .

And I realized then , that all of this time we had been taking care of them

and they had been the Lord's sheep , we counted he had been boarding them here,

We had been hirelings , and now we were shepherds , prepared to do what was

best for them , just because it was best for them , to guide , to protect , to

provide , just as the Lord provides for us , protects us , guides us .

He had trusted us with a little , and now he was trusting us with an even

greater responsibility. I realized the reason he was physically giving them to us now

was because when something belongs to you , then you take a better care for it , than

if it belongs to someone else.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:11-15

Sheep Stories

I noticed after the Lord gave us the sheep , that the sheep stories that the

Lord was giving us , seemed to slow to a crawl . They became very casual ,

less elaborate , and then very nearly stopped . I observed it that it was as

it was with Christ and the parables he spoke to the people , he explained to

the disciples , that it was the only way they would understand , while he

could speak frankly and directly with the disciples himself. I realized we had

graduated in a way , to no longer needing to be shown everything all of the

time, or have everything illustrated to us all of the time , but could now

merely be told , as a level of maturity , not that God wasn't talking , just

not in that way .

Sheep Stories

I was noting that the sheep who Interacted with me

ie. Stayed close to me , were the ones who got

Special treatment , treats , pets , attention , etc.

And the Lord said , that’s the only way I

Can treat you to special things , if you are

Close with me , wanting to interact .

Sheep Stories

We kept running out of sheep grain , because

We were out of goat grain , and we kept feeding

The sheep grain to the goats . Then we ran out of

Alfalfa , and I said Lord , they are your sheep , why do

You let them suffer ? I understand letting the goats feel need

But why not provide for the sheep without Interruption ?

And he answered and said , what kind of. person do you

Think you’d be if I never let you go through anything ?

Not a very good one I answered , you’d never learn

Compassion , and if I provided without Interruption…

“ then I’d follow just for the provision, just as the people did

With Christ” I finished .

Sheep stories

I was putting the ram away , and he balked at the gate

then suddenly broke away and ran off, he went all around the

whole pen , happily kicking up his heels and all .

And then came into the pen to eat his alfalfa .

Having wanted to do it his way , he didn't realize it took

longer to get to the reward . Just as we , wanting to go

our own way , end up taking longer to get to our reward 

Sheep Stories

I was going out to grain the sheep , and I had to get their grain bucket

filled at the main barn first . I went in and got the sheep's empty grain bucket

and I left the sheep's barn door open on my way out so that they would know

I would be coming right back , because they know that's what an open door means.

They waited patiently until I got just past the barn , then Annie decided I must

not be coming and started calling me , I spoke to her and she quieted

another few seconds and she decided I wasn't coming and called to me again.

This is just as we do , when we get upset about the state of the world ,

and are waiting for the Lord's return 

SHEEP STORIES

I was cleaning up the yard raking

everything into a pile, and the baby sheep

wouldn’t leave me alone, she kept trampling

my pile “I can’t clean up your mess if you

don’t get out of my way.” “Exactly” the

Lord answered. By trying to do our lives ourselves

by trying to fix our own problems, by trying to

“help”, We only get in God’s way, He can’t work

when we’re working, nothing spiritual can happen

when we are in the natural trying to do it ourselves,

if it did then we would think we had done it

SHEEP STORIES

One day while putting some

additional work into the new

sheep pen , Dad found himself

with the task of trying to keep

an eye on Ramsey at the same

time he was working, this was not

an easy task, because he was a

sneaky little thing, he was curious

about what Dad was doing, he

wanted to know what was going

on here and how it pertained to

him... we still didnt know these

sheep very well, but we did know

that they were still very afraid of us.

I was just walking by when I saw

Dad squatted down inside the pen

with his back turned and not

watching... it only took that one

moment and Ramsey took the

opportunity... WHAM!! Dad said

later that it felt like a semi truck hit

him right in his hip. He got out of

there, and he was in some pain

after the incident. He was sore for

a few days ... one thing was for

sure... he was the first to be

rammed, but he would not be the

last. it wasnt bad enough to go to

the hospital, but it hurt.. Dad told

us later that he asked the question

of the Lord " why did you ram me

Lord?" the Lord's response was

pretty straightforward

" I want you to listen to me when I

tell you something" He knew he

should not have gone in there, and he

knew he should not have turned his

back, he thought he could watch

closely enough.

SHEEP STORIES

We began to notice it that even

being and extremely strong

creature, and so very noble

looking ... Ramsey had a certain

weakness where his little family

was concerned. He was

insecure , He was terrified to

lose them, to be without them

even for a minute. His ewes were

very important to him, he had to

be able to see them at all times or

he would just lose it, he would cry

this throaty panicked cry and he

would run as fast as he could back

and forth. We had to put Annie on

the stansion to check her out

because she was pregnant make

sure that everything seemed allright,

and when we took her out to do this,

Ramsey completely came unglued.

We had left the younger ewe Lil Bit

in with him, but this did not dissuade

his panic one iota... in fact, it became

clear very quickly that it wasnt safe

for her in there alone with him

while her mother was gone. We

brought her outside and tied her

near Annie, and we had no choice

on Ramsey, we just had to let him

rage against the world while we

looked Annie over and cleaned her

up, trimmed her hooves etc. Sumer

spoke to the Lord about this odd

behavior ... how strange that he

would react this way to being away

from Annie , and the Lord told her

that Ramsey has never had a

shepherd... and having not had a

shepherd, he has no protector,

no comforter , he looks to Annie for

his comfort . The comparison then

is that if a person does not look to

the Lord for comfort, you will look

somewhere else... In this world

people look to many places for

comfort and fulfillment other than

to God,and my conclusion to

this was that if you are looking

to uncertain sources for your

comfort, and your strength, you're

going to act like Ramsey when that

tangible source is taken away.

SHEEP STORIES

The sheep were crying because

I hadn't fed them yet and had to

get more alfalfa from the other

barn ." Don't they know

I won't leave them without resource?"

I thought and the Lord shot back

"Dont you know the same ? And yet

you doubt me... and they are only

dumb brutes." " It takes time for

them to learn the routine," I thought

"and even then, they only believe

what they see. Because they

don't have God's word to lean

on , how much better off are we

and still we doubt .

SHEEP STORIES

The Lord told me suddenly

when I was feeding the animals

that I had fed in the wrong order

having fed the goats first, he told me

to put the sheep grain in the bucket

before the goat grain. He said" Do

you know why I ask you to put

the sheep first?Because I do. "

SHEEP STORIES

Zion wouldn't stay with me in the

goat yard and the goats kept

trying to beat her up . I said to

her" I can't protect you if you don't

stay with me. "And the Lord said ,

"Isn't that just how you are ?

when you try to solve your own

problems, when you go your

own way, I can't protect you

when you are away from Me."

SHEEP STORIES

I was taking Little Bit and Annie

out to graze, and Lil bit started

pulling back against me refusing

to budge, because she wanted

to graze in the yard that we had

almost passed by. I lost my temper,

and Latresha came back and got

her and was going to take her to

graze for me, and I said " No, take

her back to the barn she doesn't get

to graze." And the Lord revealed that

is the way it is with us we can't just

decide where and when to "graze "

because we don't know what is

best for us. So if it's the Lord will, we

shall live , and do this or that

James 4:15 , because He knows

where it's best for us to "graze", and if

we refuse, and go our own way, we

don't get to "graze" at all, ie he can't

bless us out from under his

covering. We don't understand and

he can't explain it to us , if he told

us part of what he's going to do

and part of his plan, we'd want to

know why and wouldn't be happy

until the whole plan was unfolded

before us. The sheep like us, want

to know what is going to happen

before it does. and as I couldnt

explain it to Lil Bit, that she had

grazed there too often, and needed

to have a better graze spot, and

needed to save that one close to

the barn for bad weather, so God

cannot explain it all to us because

his thoughts are higher than our

thoughts. So we as Annie, should

trust that the shepherd knows best

and trust Him to decide where to put

"her" , unlike Lil Bit who when you

take her out , is always turning to

look at this spot or that, as to say

are we stopping there ? Why aren't

we stopping there? And Annie just

lets me lead her and seems not to

care, trusting she'll be happy

wherever I put her. God cares

about what we do, where we go ,

and how we do it all.

Sheep Stories

I was leading Ramses to the barn , and I had to let Ezra go . Thinking Ramses would

follow , I let him go because I didn't feel equal to wrestling him in , I released

him from his graze line , and he went three steps , stopped , tipped his head

to the left , backed up three steps ,and handed me his horn . Because suddenly he

was unsure of himself and wanted me to lead him . Sometimes the Lord lets us go

ahead of him , so that we will realize we don't know where we are going , and we too

have to back up a step or two , wait on the Lord , and submit ourselves to be led .

There is a great comfort in that , as Ramses knew , when you are uncertain , God is

certain , when you don't know what to do , he does .

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

SHEEP STORIES

I was leading Ramses to the

barn by his horn,and as I didn't

feel equal to wrestling him in

from the pasture, I let him go.

He went three steps,stopped,

tipped his head to the left,

backed up three steps, handed

me his horn, because suddenly

he was unsure of himself,

and wanted me to lead him.

Sometimes the Lord lets us

go ahead of Him so that we

will realize we don't know

where we are going,and we too

have to back up a step or two,

wait on the Lord, and submit

ourselves to be led. There is

great comfort in that, as Ramses

knew, when you are uncertain,

God is certain, when you don't

know what to do,He does.

SHEEP STORIES

I was spraying out the floor of

the barn with the hose and it

was raining out, the sheep are

afraid of the water hose,and don't

want to be sprayed by it,but

also don't like to go out in the

rain,so they figured out to come

and stand behind me while I'm

spraying, that behind me is the

only safe place to be,so that

Little Bit came to be standing

so close that she was touching

me as she sought protection

behind me, from me, despite the

fact that I was the one doing the

very thing that scared them.

When the Lord is doing some-

thing to our necessity, like

cleaning up the messes in

our life, while it may make us

unsure, and even afraid as He

does what is necessary to our

holiness, we too need to stand

behind him closely while He works,

because it is the only safe place

for us to be.

SHEEP STORIES

Israel and the ewes had closed

themselves in the small adjoining

room,having broken open the door,

and they were calling to me to let

them out, but I was busy in the

hen house and had already realized

it was to my advantage to leave

them closed in while I cleaned up

the mess in the main barn, rather

than kicking them out in the rain

where they could truely get hurt by

getting wet and catching pneumonia.

They called me and called me, not

understanding why I didn't come

and get them out of the trouble they

had gotten into,but I understood it

would serve a greater purpose to

leave them there while I worked.

In the same way God leaves us

in uncomfortable and tight situations

while He works, not willing to put us

in real danger, but enough trouble

that he can get done cleaning up the

messes in our lives.But when I did

not come when they thought I should,

Israel,trying to fix his own problems

started ramming the gate repeatedly

little realizing his own efforts would

do no good, and that he would just

have to be patient while I worked,

just as we must do with the Lord.

SHEEP STORIES

I was in the barn finishing things up

before I fed the sheep, and Annie

started jumping against the gate

trying to see the alfalfa hay, and

trying to get to it. I'm in the pen

with her and I'm the only one who

can get the feed for her but Annie is

not looking at me, she's looking at

the feed. Often times we do the

same, the Lord is right there with us,

but sooner than to look to Him as

our provider of all things, we look

to the provision with longing, little

knowing it can only be given at

the Lords behest.

SHEEP STORIES

Israel was very upset because he

was put out to graze alone, without

any other sheep,knowing I would

be nearby the whole time . so he

was pacing the whole time on the

end of the graze line until he was

all tangled up. As soon as I came

to get him, he stopped pacing, let

me get the lead rope but wouldn't

be still so that I could untangle it.

He started tossing his head around,

so I unfastened his collar, because

the graze line was tangled around

his middle and caught in his wool,

as soon as he thought he was free,

he started to take off as if he would

go to the barn. As to say "I can do

it myself" Seeing quickly that he

wasn't quite free, he came back to

me."Can you help me?" So I

untangled him and he jerks free,

goes running off as to say "I can

do it myself." Quickly he realizes

he doesn't know where the door to

the barn is, so he takes a few steps

back to me, "Can you help me?" He

gives me his horn then to lead him

by, and I led him most of the way

back to the pen,enough so he can

remember the way, and for a final

time he jerks away from me. "I can

do it myself" He seems to refrain

again, as he heads to the pen. A

ram is a willful,stubborn, and often

irrational creature, who, like us likes

to go his own way, is prideful, doing

for himself, and does not learn easily

to trust.But all goes much more

smoothly when we learn to trust our

Shepherd,to wait on him to fix our

problems, be patient while He does,

try not to rush ahead of Him and try

to do it all ourselves, only to realize

we can't, and have to return to Him

for help anyway.

Sheep stories

The Lord told me to clean and

feed the sheep earlier in the a.m.

that this was what was best for

them.I told him that the sheep

won’t like it,they will complain later

when their normal time comes that

they would be fed.Because sheep

need routine and hate it when their

routine is altered.The Lord said

“They may not like it but what they

like and what’s best for them are two

different things. Then I asked, what

about the ram? Do I have to clean

and feed him early too? The Lord

answered “No the ewes only .”

I said what is the difference, the

ram is a sheep too.The Lord answered

“I don’t treat all my sheep exactly the

same.” “Isn’t that favoritism?” I asked

“No they just need different things.”

Sheep stories

I skipped letting the sheep as I

normally would in the morning,

letting them wait til last,because I had

7 lbs of apples for them, and wanted them

to enjoy them in the barn. In the same wise

God is never late when acting on our part.

The Lord lets us wait past what we think

is “time” because he has

something good he wants to give us.

Sheep stories

We had just learned about a “cast” sheep

When one of our sheep became cast for the first time.

which is a sheep which gets on its back

usually a dip or divot and can’t get up

again by itself, they don’t have the muscles

on their back that enable them to get up on

their own and the shepherd has to get them out of it.

Sheep like to dig a pit to sit in, I finally figured out

it was them digging the pits in the pens, and that

is how they get “cast” is by digging a hole, of their

own making and they can’t get out again

without the shepherds help.

In the same way, we dig a pit of trouble and we

get in it and we can’t get out of it again and

have to wait for the Lord to get us out.

Why art thou cast down o my soul?

and why art thou disquieted in me?

Hope thou in God

Psalm 42:5

SHEEP STORIES

Latresha was giving the sheep and goats

their twice annual wormer orally

when she discovered something

we did not know,sheep do not

have to open their mouths,they

can keep their mouths shut.

We as Christians are also capable

of doing the same, keeping ourselves

from saying imprudent things.

Set a watch, O Lord, before my

mouth; keep the door of my lips.

psalm 141:3

Sheep stories

The Lord kept telling me not to leave

The sheep in their milk stanchion eating

their grain, when I know they’re done

He had told me that repeatedly , and then

He told me why ; “I don’t leave you in an

uncomfortable position any longer than you

have to be there “. ie in financial ,physical ,

emotional , spiritual discomfort . If we’re there

We need to be there ,and the minute we don’t need

To be there , He gets us out .

Sheep stories

I was getting the sheep some grain from the goat barn,

The goats didn’t have their special order grain yet ,

The Lord showed me yesterday how the goats are

Being fed by the sheep , they wouldn’t have any food

If we didn’t have the sheep , as. they are eating sheep food

While we transition to special order goat grain , True of

Spiritual sheep and goats also . We were supposed to get

Goat grain in today , and I was going to put the rest of the sheep grain

In the sheep bucket , and the Lord told me to wait , so I left the

bucket there, later I was filling it for the next morning and I

Realized the sheep only have food for today , I was preparing it

Only day by day , with no hay storage in their barn either ,

So day by day ,, in fact hour by hour , they only have as much as

they need , the same as us , so God can show He is the source

Of the manna .

Dog story

All day I was trying to keep my dog from going into the woods and finding the bear I had shot 10 days ago and eating on it again, giving him goodies to convince him to stay. The Lord was showing me that what he offers is enough to keep us from what is unholy. It is enough That it will fill us and to content us and keep us from fleshly lusts that the world outside has to offer and yet even still there are times when we will go for what is unholy. As Paul said, that which I hate is what I do, that which I want to do I don't do oh, Wretched Man that I am.

Dog Stories

We were having a rain storm during evening chores , two

of the dogs were waiting by the gate for me to come back

from the hen house , and I could see they were getting

soaking wet . I yelled at them to go to the barn , I was upset

with them because I didn't understand why they didn't go

inside , but there they stood , determined to wait for me

no matter what. The Lord spoke to me " I want you to be just

like these dogs , wait for me just as anxiously in the storm as

you do in the sunshine ." When we go through trials and troubles

"storms " , it is very easy to take our eyes off of the Lord , to become

discouraged and angry , to let worry steal our peace , but this is a choice .

We can choose to wait on the Lord , to keep our eyes on Him !

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen

thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14 

Dog story

I was out looking for my dog Cooper and realizing he could be anywhere, he could be just right there in the brush and unless he comes when I call or answers me I won't be able to find him. The Lord was showing me that ,yes the Good Shepherd does go out looking for the lost sheep until he finds it ,but in order for him to find it the sheep which knows his voice must call back as our little lamb Zion did when she was lost in the woods. He is able to save even to the uttermost those who trust in God , but this day if you hear his knock upon the door of your heart,open the door to him, to call out ,to seek us is the Lord's to do,but to answer is our own responsibility.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.Rev 3:20

Dog story

The puppies were in their puppy yard barking and barking as I was putting out the sheep because my dog Hunter cannot be left alone even for a minute. While it is annoying that they bark like that, it mostly just makes you feel bad for him. The Lord said to me “ That dog is barking like you, his calling and calling is just like you petitioning me to come and appear in the rapture. That is the reason I am coming soon.”

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:Luke 18:6

Dog story

I was eating an apple and my dogs Rogue and Hunter were asking for little bites. I gave Rogue a bite in spite of how I knew he couldn't eat it. But I very carefully made sure that Hunter got a bite he could eat..The Lord pointed out to me that it isn't as if I love the one dog more, just as it isn't that God loves us more, but only that my dog Hunter seeks me for me alone. My dog Rogue seeks provision. So Hunter gets me and the provision, where Rogue just gets provision being rewarded with what he's asked for which is the lesser thing. This reminded me of the feeding of the 5000 and how they wanted only provision and it reminded me of what he's putting us through showing us to look to Him for relationship and not just to His hand for what we need on a daily basis. 

Dog story

I was in the barn milking. My sister was moving hay from the truck and the puppies were in the way. They love to chase the wheels on the dolly so I called them in there to me, promising them milk in order to get them out of the way . Despite their young age ,they came at once and very obediently stood at the end of the milking stanchion waiting for the promised reward. However I had just started milking the doe and had nothing to give them and it occurred to me that we are often wanting our rewards and expecting them immediately and in the now, but that we must be patient in order to receive the better reward eternally and sometime is it is hard to focus on that goal.

For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

2nd Corinthians 4:17

Dog story

Every morning when it's time to go down to do chores, I put my puppy Hunters harness on him so he can walk on his leash,having had the night off from it so it doesn't wear on him too much. I had been observing the way he comes to me when I call him to have it put on, he does the same thing every day . He does not struggle or nip or think we're playing a puppy game. He stands or sits his head lowered ,his ears down ,and he submits to me to have it put on and he looks submissive . It occurred to me today that when the Lord tells us to put on the whole armor of God ,each one of those steps is total surrender, total submission in order that we should wear on us the thing that will lead us, guide us, and protect us. Each step is submission, submission to the word of God which is our sword, submission to faith which is our shield ,to Christs sacrifice ,which is our salvation and helmet, to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, that always is to take submission. How we like my pup ought to come to the Lord every morning and submit to have such harnesses put on us in order that we might walk according to his will and his way.

Finally my brethren be strong in the Lord and the power of His night. put on the whole armor of god, that you may be able to stand against the walls of the devil. will we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of Darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. wherefore take unto you the whole armor of god, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having your loins of Girt about with truth, and have being on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace above all taking the shield of faith, we're with you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of god.

Ephesians Six: 10 - 17

 Puppy story

Rogue and Hunter have a friendly brotherly rivalry as Hunter takes everything Rogue gets and plays with it himself. Rogue as I observed ,knows he can trust me with his toys and his bones ,so he comes to me and chews his bones on my lap. He shows me his new teddy bear toys and looks for me to give things to him and if they're taken to give them back. As a dog mom ,dogs look to us as they would their parents .They look to us to give to them ,not to take away, and they know they can trust us with whatever they put in our hands. Likewise our earthly parents know how to give good gifts, a child isn't to lay up for the parent but parents for the children, and a father knows how to give good gifts to his children . Likewise our heavenly father knows how to give good gifts to us and he is trustworthy with whatever we put into his hands just as I am with Rogues toys and bones .

Puppy story

My dog Hunter had an injury on his ear and I had just read that ear injuries can be long and tedious to heal, impossible to bandage. I was finding it to be exactly the case with this pup's ear. I treated it with every first aid and antiseptic and antibiotics that I could think of. I even tried to bandage it which lasted all of 2 seconds. Finally after days the Lord told me to leave it alone and do nothing else for it. That was very hard for me because it seemed the thing to do to keep treating it until it was all better. I trusted that the Lord knew best and I left it alone however. This morning I see it is looking better, in fact almost healed and the Lord told me immediately that when I am working ,busy doing, He can't work ,He Can't do. He told me I need to ask Him to help, then commit to do what He says to do even if that is to get out of His way so He can do it the way He sees fit.

Dog story

I have noticed it that in our little dog family there is always a nurturer, one who notices someone needs eyes or ears cleaned and cleans them.And there is always one who acts as the watchdog, who barks in alarm when there is trouble. In our little dog family Hunter is the nurturer and Rogue is the watchdog.Hunter does not bark when there is someone at the door or at a frightening noise, Rogue does and as long as someone else is on duty Hunter is not. Today Hunter was lying by the wood stove getting warmed up after chores and a Coast Guard helicopter went overhead pretty low and really loud. Rogue was out of the room and it was just Hunter and I and he didn't say a word though the helicopter visibly alarmed him, he just kept looking from the window to me ,and back to the window and then to me. As if to see did I hear that? Trying to gauge was I worried ,so that he would know if he should be worried. And what did I think about it. I told him as I always do when he is afraid ,that it is okay ,and he calmed down about it because he knew I knew, because I was watching and aware, because I didn't seem worried or upset, because he thinks I have it all under control.

In the same way when we grow afraid or alarmed at the ‘’Coast Guard helicopters’’ in our lives we should look to the Lord for guidance, for assurance, and believe it that he knows it what it is that is happening and is in control of it.

Behold he who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep .The Lord is Thy keeper. The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. Psalms 121:4-7 

Puppy story

I had the puppies in the yard attached to the pig barn and was busy breaking down boxes to recycle as we get in a lot of produce in them for the pigs and have to do something with them. I opened the gate to go and get the wheelbarrow to take it to the truck and the boys tried to run out and in the background as I had left the barn door open, one of the other dogs was trying to go in the pig barn which they are not allowed to do for safety reasons. I looked at the mayhem unfolding and I told the three dogs “ Just because a door is open, doesn't mean you are supposed to go through it! You are not so young that you should not know that!” Immediately the Lord showed me how we too as Christians must be careful of what doors we are left to pass through when we are young in the faith. Sometimes an open door seems like the logical choice, but can end in disaster for us, and for safety we are better to pass up the opportunity. In everything we do, we should look to the Lord to guide us, so that we do not act recklessly, foolishly, like the young pups recognizing that just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should .

Brethren we have been called unto liberty, only use not Liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Go to now you that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city and continue for a year and buy and sell and get gain whereas you know not what shall be on tomorrow, for what is your life it is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away, for the ought to say, if the Lord will we will live and do this or that. James 4:13-15

 Puppy story

For my pup Hunter eating his breakfast or dinner is the most exciting and favorite time of the day. But I have taught him to be disciplined in the way that he does it. although he is just a pup, I make him and his brother lie down and stay and wait while I measure out the food into the bowl and divide it evenly between the two bowls just in case they ever want their own bowl which they never do. At this stage in their life they like to share . For 4 month old pups they are doing very well indeed in their training with only occasional reminders and corrections needed. Today Hunter for the first time came in ahead of me and was already laying down quietly to wait for me to tell him the command “okay” so that he can rise from the stay and position and go and reap the reward. In the same way as the Lord has us waiting for our reward and though we like these youngsters grow impatient at times for the Lord's arrival in his return for his church. Over time we see the benefit of doing as the Lord asks us to, living a quiet disciplined Godly life while we wait in eager anticipation for the much-awaited and Glorious Day of His return!

Now you turn to God from Idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his son from Heaven whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1Thessalonians 10: 9 - 10

Puppy story

For my dog Hunter, his favorite time of the day is meal time. I have trained him to lie down and stay to wait for it. This is hard for a young pup to wait for me to tell him it is “ okay” before he comes from the stay command I put him on to eat in his dish. Hunter has developed an interesting habit ,while eating he wags his tail the whole time and the whole time keeps an eye on me as if he's afraid to let me out of his sight. If I move out of his sight even for a moment he leaves his beloved doggy kibble and he comes looking for me wanting my approval in everything he does above all else. Tonight as he ate his meal I was struck by how much we should be like my little Hunter. It is okay to enjoy the good things life has to offer, as long as we are putting the Lord first, as long as we are obedient first, and keep our eye upon Him continually looking for His goodness, His mercy, His benevolence. looking to please Him in all things making His continued presence and are good standing with Him are top priority.

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2 

Puppy story

My puppy Rogue loves to play in the sheep yard while the sheep are away on their morning graze. I had left the yard closed even though the sheep were out intending to open it as soon as I was finished with the one task. In the meanwhile I had left the ram out into the adjoining yard. Not knowing the danger of being too close to the fence when the ram is in his yard, Rogue was anxiously looking for me to open the yard and not paying attention to the ram , then Wham! The ram hit the fence and the dog on the other side of it .I heard the sound of his large curled horns against the cyclone fencing. I then saw Rogue running away, tail tucked between his legs shivering and shaking. I called him back to reassure him ,seeing he was unharmed . But he ran and hid in the goat barn and peeked out at the ram fearfully from inside. Everyday afterward when I let the ram out in the puppy yard ,preparing to put him out to graze, Rogue would run away and shiver and shake . If I was there he would ask for a kiss and a cuddle and climb in my arms. I began to see that while he was afraid of the ram and rightfully so ,a healthy fear of a ram is never a bad thing for a dog or a person, once I went and got the ram to take him out, extracting him from the pen and holding him by his horn ,which is the safest way to handle a ram by far ,Rogue no longer feared him but ran alongside the ram jumping and leaping and every now and then giving the ram a kiss in the face. The Lord showed me how my little dog knew that I had control of the ram and as long as I had control of the ram it was nothing to be afraid of. In the same way ,once we realize that God is in control of our circumstances and of those who might wish us harm, we can rest confident in the Lord, even though the circumstance may be frightening and our enemies may be powerful .As long as we know that he God is in charge of it and we trust the Lord with our very lives then we don't have to be afraid.

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Puppy story

I was cleaning in the goat yard and Hunter ran over and started digging. Now I know the cats are using the sand in the goat yard as a litter box and that was why he was digging. At once the Lord tells me ‘’leave him to eat it’’ and of course I moved to stop him. I took and raked up the cat poop I could find and tossed it over the fence. Hunter went right back to it, so I drove him away, and shouted at him and he just kept on going back to it. I said ‘’Lord I can't just ignore what he is doing.’’ and the Lord said “ You need to let him find out on his own not to eat cat poop” I argued “ But Lord he will just go right back to doing it”. and the Lord said “ When he gets filled with enough good things then he will not go back to it”. Which is what I know happens with the dogs, as they go through phases of doing these things. I've seen them stop eating poop once they were nutritionally okay and I've discovered with my own diet, drinking juice lately all my cravings for snacks are gone. Likewise when we're filled with good things of the Lord then we don't want the bad things. At once then I applied this all to our relatives and what they are doing and the world and the immorality in it. And I said “ Lord, I can't just ignore it.” I looked over at Hunter looking for more kitty poo. “ I don't expect you to ignore it” the Lord replied. “ but look at what happens when you are trying to stop it. You are leaving the work I gave you to do, in this case cleaning the goat yard, and you are trying to do something about it yourself. I have control over your relatives and over what is happening in the world.” I realized He was right .I had left off my work . Steadily beholding the image of God and being transformed from glory to glory and witnessing God's salvation plan through Christ. I realized by beholding the image of those things that are going on around us you become less like God ,more like them. Lot was so busy being vexed in Sodom that he forgot to be about his business ,the Lord's business and so there were no souls to save from Sodom besides Lot's own because he had not been busy for the Lord.

After this happened, I noticed I had dog poop on my foot in the house and had tracked it all the way through the house on the carpet. I was going to get a rag and clean it up and the Lord warned I would embed it deeper in the carpet by trying to clean it. likewise in trying to clean up the world and our relatives, it only embeds the sin in deeper.

 Puppy story

I have learned teaching the puppies to point pheasants for hunting that when they are young they do everything by sight. They have to see the bird or the bird wing in order to point it. Later on as they mature they will point even a strong smell of pheasant. In the same way we walk by faith not by sight but when we are young in the Lord we try to believe only what we can see. When we are older, our senses are more developed with maturity and faith grows stronger so that we are then able to see with our eyes of faith and not our physical senses.

Puppy story

My puppy Hunter had an ear injury that I treated repeatedly ,multiple times a day ,trying everything I could and meeting with no luck in healing. Finally the Lord told me to leave it alone with no treatment . That seemed wrong to me but with reluctance I didn't do anything else and within a couple of days the stubborn injury was well on its way to healing. The Lord revealed to me that even when something seems to be the right thing ,the right way, it can end up to be wrong and that man's wisdom is foolishness . There is a way that seems right to man, the end of which is destruction. It is always better and often easier to just believe God and do things His way then to fight Him to keep going my way when my way just isn't working and never will.

Dog story

Every morning when I come into the living room I kneel beside the couch to pray before reading the scriptures in order to start the day out right. This morning I sat down for a second first and the puppies got settled in around me and when it came time to pray I thought maybe it would be easier to skip kneeling and pray sitting because I may lose my seat to Rogue, my one year old pup who is sitting quietly beside me on the couch and who always takes the opportunity when I kneel to pray to jump on my head and make a general nuisance of himself. While they are large puppies now at one year old and certainly the biggest Setters we ever raised at 50 lb they still, as my sister says ,have tiny minds because they are still just pups. And just like any pups they are easily over excited and sometimes forget their manners and jump up on people. The Lord, taking note of my hesitation to kneel took the opportunity to make it a teachable moment and explain to me how easily convenience and intimidation as well as the threat of loss of position physically, employment, or in someone else's view can sway us in our spiritual life and in our devotion to God. He revealed that we shouldn't let anything deter us from our daily walk with Him and to be like Daniel who in spite of the edict of a king that such a thing would bring death continued to pray to God in his rooms with the window, open three times a day. This was just as he had always done before the edict was given and despite the very real threat that was posed by being cast into the lion's den, he did not lose his life or his position. In fact his stand saved the soul of a king who witnessed it. Stand up for Jesus, you will never be sorry if you do, and will almost certainly be sorry if you don't!

Puppy story

I was sweeping around the wood stove with the small room for cleaning the stove out . My puppy Rogue is in love with anything that sweeps the tiny broom being his favorite cleaning Implement of all. He was chasing it being a general nuisance until I had to put it away. Its proper place is right by the back of the wood stove. Rogue, not knowing when to give up chasing the tiny broom squeezed in between the wood box and the stove which was super heated as the draft had been open to take the chill off the room. Immediately perceiving the danger he was in of being badly burned I shouted at him to come out of there. I saw that my call would come too late. The pup was intent on his purpose. I reached in and grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.At once I realized that this is what we as Christians are purposed to do with brothers in error or the lost sinner who would be saved. We are to warn them with love and compassion but in other cases with fear to act on their behalf.

Keep yourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life and of some have compassion in making a difference others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 23

Puppy story

My puppy's Rogue and Hunter always play in the same way. Rogue gets a toy and as soon as Hunter sees he has it ,Hunter takes it from him and plays with it himself. Rogue then looks sad and lets him do it and watches Hunter play and have fun with the toy. A game which is more fun for Hunter than for Rogue as might be imagined. Well Rogue had decided since toys always get taken from him and he's not allowed to play with them to start investing in things that Hunter couldn't take away. Like sitting on my lap and getting attention, and this morning he had taken to laying right outside the closed door of the room where I feed the cat so that when the cat is let out he can get whatever the cat left of his food and Hunter can't take it away from him. This morning I thought about how smart a pup my Rogue is to think of investing in things that couldn't be taken from him . I thought about how wise we would be to invest in the same by investing not in money and things ‘ toys’ but in what things matter.Like in climbing up to sit with the Lord in some quiet times, and investing in ingestion of the word, which cannot be taken from us.

Puppy and pig story

Every morning when I come down for chores I let the puppies out and let them run ahead of me because they are high energy and need to run it off. As soon as the pigs see the dogs they set up to squealing because they know that they are going to be fed soon Because I am coming straight behind. Now they haven't seen me yet and I'm the one who feeds them. They get nothing from the dogs themselves, only they know when the dogs show up then I am soon to follow and then bring them their food. In the same way if we watch and listen we too can see the signs and signals of when the Lord will be returning for us to bring us our reward as He has promised. So that seeing those things coming to pass, we like the piglets might call out for joy, Maranatha the Lord is coming.

And when these things begin to come to pass and look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh Luke 21:28

Puppy story

Daily in my quiet time with the Lord I have a minute to kneel down in prayer as I find that this position of subjection and humility gets me on a proper course for the day. Every day my dog hunter runs over to the chair I kneel by and puts his front paws up on the seat beside me and he bows his head with me. Now I taught the dog I lost ,who was killed, to say his prayers and he would put his paws up and place his head between them and bow his head on command as kind of a parlor trick. But I never taught Hunter anything like that. He just learned from watching me and wanting to be near me and involved in everything I do. Today as I kneel to pray and he bowed his head too it occurred to me what an example we as Christians can set for those around us who we may not even realize are watching us, so that they too might wish to emulate the faith and Godly living that we are projecting. So that those who are new in the Lord or have fallen away might be restored to a good solid Christian walk and those who are unsaved might be convinced by our good example to have faith in God as well.

Therefore brethren stand fast and hold the traditions which we have been taught whether by word or by epistle. How our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even Our Father which have loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts establish you in every good word and work. 2Thessalonians 2:15 through 17

Puppy story

I have been struggling all day with questions about focus and being focused on the wrong things in life, from having no money and being focused on asking for daily provision, to being prospered a little and not having to ask all the time for daily needs. Finding I had felt a little empty when things seemed too easy and the Lord was showing me that they were both the same problem with a focus problem. I was on my way back to the puppy yard where I had left the puppies for a minute and the boys were all excited to see me coming from a long ways off. I passed the apple tree and the Lord told me to get the boys each an apple. I picked them up and held them up for the boys to see while I was still a ways off and told them I was bringing them a treat. They got even more excited to see me coming because they love to both play with apples as if it was a ball and to eat them for a snack. I got up to the gate and they were jumping against it and I was going to toss the apples over to them but the Lord spoke and said “Give them to them directly. so I held them out for the boys to take and I paused as the Lord spoke again “ Do you see? They can see both you and the apple.” He noted. I looked at the position of my hand and the focus of their gaze as I held it out high enough because they were standing against the gate that they could see both the apple in my hand and my face behind that. “ It is all right for you to see the provision ;as you have to be grateful for it ,but you also need to see me.” The Lord noted to me It was explained to me perfectly in one sentence in one parable the very thing I had been struggling with for so many months. I was worried about only seeing the Lord's hand and not His face, worried about being too focused on temporary things that pass away.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost Romans 14:17

And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according to his work shall be Revelation 22:12

Puppy story

I had left the boys closed in our house while I had went up to the main house to get a cinnamon roll. I was gone a little while eating my roll and I knew the boys would be upset I had left them. so I planned to give them part of my piece of buttered potato bread. The Lord told me when I'd eaten half the piece to save the other half for the boys I saved it by for them and the Lord told me to sweep the floor as it was a mess. When I was done I went to leave and the Lord showed me how the treat I would give the puppies was a really good treat and worth waiting even a long time for. In then the same way he having been gone these 2,000 years since He was resurrected, the reward upon His return must be a very good one.

Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me Revelation 22:12

Puppy story

Hunter and Rogue were running along toward the baby goat pen and having been just let out of their puppy fence they were excited because they like to go play in the potato patch in the garden. I thought it was a good time to do a come exercise with them as they are still in training but the Lord told me not to call them. “ Don't try them when you know they will fail.” he warned. I realized that the Lord never tries us beyond what we can endure, never sets us up to fail. He never gives us a task He knows we have no hope to achieve and expects us to achieve it because He knows it will do nothing but bring frustration.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. 

Puppy story

I was sitting on the couch, my hand lay on the cushion beside me inert. Rogue was roaming around the living room and found a tidbit of something on the floor left over from sharing a lunch. He ate it and Hunter ,who had been sleeping across the room woke up, and hearing his brother eating something crossed to him ,he did not look at Rogue, he didn't look on the floor for more tidbits ,but he looked directly in my face. He stuck his nose in my hand to see if I had anything in it, knowing immediately that if Rogue had something to eat then someone gave him something to eat. He surmised that it must have come from me. I considered how incredible it is that even a dog knows what it takes us ,as Christians years to understand. If you have something, God gave it to you, it wasn't just discovered by you, it wasn't earned by you by working. If you have food on your plate, and a roof over your head, and clothes on your back, those were all given to you by God. Saved or unsaved God gives all things to all men, you would have nothing if it hadn't been given. So the next time you enjoy a meal, or have a house to stay warm and dry in, drive somewhere in your car, or put on a fresh pair of clothes, don't gloat or praise your own efforts, attribute good luck or hard earnings, thank God that you have it because it came first from His hand.

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Psalms 147:7-11

 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalms 73

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalms 34:15 through 19

Puppy story

The puppies wanted to come with me into the sheep yard to clean. Both puppies came but then Hunter left it and went back to the puppy yard leaving Rogue in the sheep yard alone. Seeing the boys were upset at the separation I tried to call Rogue back out of the sheep yard and into the puppy yard ,but Rogue had a look on his face of ‘no fair.’ I suddenly realized, why should he be punished when it was Hunter who's strayed? So I called Hunter back into the sheep yard and everything was fine.

For the rod of the wicked will not rest on the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth his hand to do iniquity Psalm 125:3

Puppy story

While I clean the goat yard I let my puppies run around and play in it. Rogue loves to dig holes, so he was digging a hole next to the goats balance beam. Holes can be dangerous to goats as they can twist an ankle in them ,so I was not surprised when the Lord told me I had to fill in the hole before I left the goat yard. I was surprised at the response I gave to it. I was immediately annoyed with Rogue for digging the hole and with his brother Hunter for helping him dig it. I was going to tell them to stop in a less than patient tone when the Lord stopped me. “ Because I told you to fill in the hole you now think you are responsible for it.” the Lord pointed out. I didn't answer, only listened as He continued knowing He would teach me something now. It wasn't bothering me before He pointed out to me that the pups were digging, but when I knew I had to fill it in it was bothering me then. I was actually kind of mad about it. The Lord showed me how He had told us to pay the back property taxes and ever since then, we felt we were responsible for them “ I am responsible for the hole and for the property taxes , it is not just you who fills in the hole, who pays the taxes, it is me who does it, using you. but it's still me who does it” He pointed out. Whenever we know we must do some overwhelming task we feel that burden keenly, and as if the weight of the world were upon our shoulders, but that is only because we forget about God. we forget that He is there promising to help us with our burdens.

Come on to me all ye that labor and our heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light Matthew 11:28

 Puppy story

I was sitting by the fire in the morning after early morning tours and Rogue came up to me and wanted to sit in my lap with me as he always does after tours. He was damp from being outside because I had been raining and I told him to wait a minute, and he looks so disappointed and I explained to him as I got out his wet dog blanket and spread it over my lap that it wasn't a no. Just wait a minute. He could still sit with me. I just didn't want him to get me wet too. The Lord showed me suddenly how quick to be hurt and disappointed we are as people when everything doesn't seem to go our way and what we were hoping for doesn't come to pass it once. I recalled how often I had heard Godly people rightly say that with God there are three answers to any prayer, yes, no, and wait. Of course anything but the first answer is a big disappointment to us. But sometimes if we just hold on and be patient He will bring it to pass.

Being confident in this very thing that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Philippians 1:6

 Puppy story

We were leaving Island Lake having just finished a tough day fishing with no fish and few bites and I was in the backseat of the car with the two puppies when Rogue noticed that he didn't have to strain to look out the front windshield like they always do, but he could see even better looking out the back window of the car. So there he was all excited watching the scenery vanishing from view out behind us, very pleased with himself and his eyes sparkling and full of wonder. Then he noticed that looking behind wasn't all it was cracked up to be, after all the better view was to look ahead. Not to look to what was behind you but to where you were going next. The Lord pointed out to me that that is what He wanted us to do, to look ahead to where we are going not behind to where we have been.

But this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3:13

 Puppy story

I had just watched my ram diving under the rabbit hutch and sorting around in the bunny pebbles looking for dropped grain. I noted that it was very disturbing to me that he does that because it's gross and it could make him sick ,and it's gross! When my puppy Hunter went under the rabbit pen and was walking around getting his feet all dirty and looking for dropped grain too. “ Seeing the ram do that bothers you, but seeing the dog do it doesn't” the Lord noted to me at once “ Why do you think that is?” He asked “ Well I suppose because you expect it from a dog, it's just what dogs do. They eat yucky things. a sheep is a clean animal. I feel it should know better.” the Lord explained that in the same way it bothers me to see someone who is supposed to be saved falling into unclean practices and habits, but those who are of the world are just doing what is expected that they should do. I should not let it bother me as much, that doesn't mean what they are doing is all right, they will ultimately answer for it. That doesn't mean I should hang out with people who behave in inappropriate ways and it certainly doesn't mean I should engage in such behaviors myself, but it does mean that I should leave it up to God to discipline them and to allow such practices have their own reward. All I can do is pray salvation for them and offer a word of direction toward God where I can, that's my responsibility for those who are lost and wading through the rabbit manure of this world.

And receiving in ourselves that recompense of their error which was meet and even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient. Romans 1:27 through 32 

Goat and dog story

I had put the girls out to graze and they as usual kept running from one no no Zone to another and I kept shouting out the commands they know which mean they are to remove themselves from the area at once or else. "get out of there . "followed by a quick spritz in their direction by the garden hose in order to follow through with the authority to instruct them .My puppy Hunter was getting upset by what I was doing whether by my shouting to let the goats know I was serious or the fact that the whole herd kept running back toward us threatening to burst the gate which is to my dog Hunter very much intimidating, I couldn't tell which ,so I decided to stop giving a verbal warning to the goats who were being very wilfully disobedient, knowing it that what they were doing was bad. I then just started spritzing the hose at them for their bad behavior. The Lord pointed out to me ,that when enough warning has been given and it only serves to distress those who are doing right then punishment is delivered without any further warning offered because those who were doing wrong already know the consequences.

Or if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment.

Hebrews 10:26 

Garden story

In a storm that blew in, one of the taller cosmos blew down in the garden and snapped off at the base, I had hoped The flowers were thick enough stalked and bushy enough that the wind would not bother them, but down it went. The next morning I found it in the garden aisle between the beans, lying on its side and then I noticed it wasn't wilted or anything. I wondered why not. I took a closer look at it, and I saw How the Lord had prepared the plant for its fall, even far ahead of time, it had little roots growing all the way up the stalk ,just budding out, so that it could still survive. I realized this is what he has been training us to do, to send out little roots which are not part of the main root system, not to depend on what appears to be our sustaining source.Depending on the case that may be egg money,that may be goat money , that may be any farm money , or Ebay money.But to send out little roots in preparation of a new way of doing things, depending on the Lord , looking to him for guidance and sustenance.

Farm Story

I was thinking to myself that the bill for the animal feed is an albatross around our neck, maybe it was time to just get out, and the Lord pointed out to me that when it's inconvenient we are willing to cast aside the work he is giving us to do.Just because things are hard doesn't mean that we ought to abandon everything he's told us to do and not do it anymore but unfortunately it's the first thing we do when everything gets tough.

Garden story

A farmer's wife we knew , from a local blue berry farm , had come to visit, by the end of the visit as she had a form of godliness but denied the power thereof ,she denied Gods ability to bring storms, or control when and how we die, we concluded she also was not saved because you deny the entire Bible to deny his power and control over nature, over evil, and our life. I was sorting apples out, the Lord said put some apples in the food dehydrator to dry, I was cutting them up , and every apple I sliced had worms or it was rotten, not fit to dry. Until at last out of a quarter of a bucket I had only four good apples. The Lord said "You see ,you are not looking for righteous people ,but sinners, I'm not looking for righteous people but sinners.We're not supposed to be looking for Christians, we're supposed to be looking for non-believers just as he is.

Goat story Garden story

The Lord showed me a yellow round zucchini squash in the garden that had grown beneath the new stalks of the plant and the leaf stalks had pressed down into it quite hard so that it had grotesquely deformed it. The Lord said ''Pressures of this life can deform you if you allow it, don't be like that squash. " Later that same day we ran out of hay, the feed store closed early before we had money to get it , and I realized it that the more things like this happened, we have to do without, the less I panic , the less I worried ,the less time I was upset with the Lord. Conversely while we grow more relaxed ,comfortable, willing to learn as the Lord has teach,and to wait on Him .While the goats each time they don't have grain and the more often it happens the less time it takes for them to grow impatient and angry so that they drop milk immediately now .Instead of learning from their lack , they just grow more angry and more deformed. It's the same with spiritual goats, they grow mad at God and bitter and stop producing anything worthwhile, because there is no visible reward anyway. Dealing with life's pressures less and less well , until the least little thing throws them over the edge,and deforms them grotesquely as well. 

 Farm Story

We had been gifted with some not so great hay, yellow and straw like. I was putting the grass hay we've been given in the barn to keep it safe from probable rain when the Lord noted to me that I was filling up the space I had for the good hay with bad. He said "You aren't leaving room for the good.’’ I asked ''Should I stop?'' the Lord answered "Just be aware of what you are doing.’’

It struck me this is what we do in our lives ,we fill our lives up with so many bad things, bad thoughts, possessions ,habits that there is no room for the Lord and the things of the Lord.

No man can serve two masters . Matt 6:24

Farm Story

The Lord told me to chop up four rounds of wood at our house and four rounds at the main house for firewood. Now this is spruce wood and must be chopped with a wedge and a splitting maul which is very hard work. I chopped up the four at our house then waited a while and went to chop the others at the main house. I chopped 1 round then the Lord said to ‘’ chop those little ones ‘’ I picked up the one he indicated and was getting ready to put the wedge in it when the Lord said ‘’ it's the little ones that will trip you up ,it's the little things that you think you can handle all by yourself that look easy that will trip you up and you will stumble and fall over.’’ And I thought of all the hard things that year had brought, all the hard things we’ve had to endure and how it is the little things . I thought, that we need the Lord not just for the big things ,the big moments in life but for the little moments ,the little things, especially the little things and after I realized this I realized the log I was getting ready to chop up was actually small enough to fit in the stove as it was .And so were the other two the Lord pointed out, then I noticed there were five or six more in the pile that needed no chopping and it came to me, that when you let the Lord help you with the little things ,then all of the little things just get easier and easier,so that you don't even have to mess with them and the Lord does it for you . He keeps telling me that he will make this or that easy for us ,now I have an illustration of how he can.

Let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall 1st Corinthians 10:12

Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Matthew 11:28

Garden story

The Lord told me to take the wheelbarrow of manure to the pumpkin patch and all the way to its edge. I pushed it over there, though knowing that it was rough terrain and being uncertain that I could get there over the bumps and lumps .When I was almost there the Lord said to me .''I won’t ask you to do something you can't do, if I ask you to do something, I will give you the strength and enable you to do it''. I answered’’ Why didn't you just tell me that ?Why did you make me push the wheelbarrow all the way over here?’’ before I finished asking, I already knew the answer which was ,so with that I would remember the lesson.

Farm Stories

I looked down at my leather work glove , and I saw there was

another hole in it . The Lord said , do you see that ? What doesn't

bend will break , the glove had gotten dry and brittle from having

been used and worn so much in all kinds of weather . When the leather

gets like that , unwilling to bend , it breaks . We must be willing to

bend to the Lord's will , to be used for his work , or else he will

break us for his work , he has to for us to be of a use and value to him . 

A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench,

till he send forth judgment unto victory. Matthew 12:20

 Garden story

I went to water the garden and the Lord told me it was more important to weed than to water . So I set about to weed, I endeavored to uncover the tiny fragile little plants as I weeded and I saw it just as the Lord meant. For it does them little good to be watered when they are being crowded out by the taller, tougher weeds. In the same way our lives are weeded by God ,weeded of those things that aren't of God .Weeded even of acquaintances and family who are ungodly ,for it is only when we are separate that we can grow. If you are out amid the worldly ungodly masses, they will choke out the spiritual growth God intended for you.

Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold Some 60 fold some 30 fold ,he who hath ears let him hear.

Matthew 13 :3 

Garden story

I was watering the beans I had planted which hadn't sprouted yet and noting that here at the beach all the soil is sand and the water does not penetrate below the top 1/8 or 1/4 inch of soil. This makes it difficult to get something to sprout. I lamented that I have not spent enough time preparing the soil for the reception of the seed by flooding the ground and being sure it was saturated down deep in the soil as I had learned last year to do. I would soak the ground 4 days before I planted using flood watering. I knew now it would take the seeds longer to germinate. I was regretting this error when the Lord revealed to me that this was his present occupation in my life. He had brought a flood of difficulty in order to prepare me for the seed being planted which would grow into a fruitful vine.

Knowing tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope make us not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us Romans 5:3 

Garden story

I was pulling up the last of the carrots for the year I observed that the ones I hadn't weeded were very small, the Lord showed me how they can't grow well when there are weeds around them and when the weeds are removed they grow well. In the same wise there are weeds among us as Christians ,the tares in in the wheat the Bible speaks of. Sometimes God removes these tares ,family members even who are living in sin. So that the wheat, or carrots if you please can grow. I was 7/8 done pulling up the carrots in the carrot row when the Lord told me to leave the rest in the small carrot section. I asked why. He said ''You'll see when you get down there.'' I pulled up one handful of carrots and the carrots were tiny ,not usable even for the animals. The Lord showed me that, in the rapture those that are not ready ,the people that are not yet saved ,will be left behind to grow through the winter of the great tribulation, just as I would leave those carrots behind to grow through the cold months.

 Pony story

I was reading a story about someone out watching a wild mustang herd, one of the younger colts was misbehaving badly and the lead mare was edging closer to where he was maligning his younger siblings. At last with one final strike she had had enough and the old matriarch drove the young colt out of the herd ,keeping him at bay with a glaring eye. At once finding himself to be on the outside looking in ,the colt pranced and tried to find his way back into the herd, running to and fro looking for an opening, any opening that did not entail repentance and reacceptance of the herd. Everywhere he turned there was the disapproving herd matriarch forbidding his Re entrance into the herd. Finally he realized there was only one way back from his apparent exile and he made all the appropriate equine platitudes and gestures that indicated his willingness to submit to the authority of the lead mare to alter his behavior and he was allowed back in with a great deal of affection and acceptance. As I read the story of the unrepentant pony I thought of how even in separation from God and his heaven, people do not want to submit, or repent, or do things God's way. They want to keep trying their own way, keep trying to find their own way into His presence, and to heaven. contrary to popular opinion, repentance and the acceptance of God's way of Salvation through Christ and Christ Alone is the one and only way and once that can be believed in ,Salvation lies just on the other side.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.  

John 10:1-18 KJV

 Garden story

I was walking by the garden and saw all the fertilizer that we are putting on it and noted as we move into winter we don't seem to be doing much of anything in the garden just building it up. The Lord reminded me that in this winter of the soul and spirit and this late season of time in the age of the end in this world ,as we race toward the end , that was all we were supposed to be doing ,being built up.

But ye beloved building up yourselves in your most holy faith praying in the Holy ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude 20 through 21

Pony story

The Pony had been a little nippy this morning so I looked at a book I have on bad habits horses have and how to break them of them. The book was talking about aggression can come from frustration and impatience. Impatience to get out of the stall, to be fed Etc. One of the remedies they advised was when you are getting ready to feed your horse, make him stand still and quiet for a moment before taking him in to eat. This will make him far more patient ,which in turn could curb his aggression. At once I thought of my own frustration lately, as nothing seemed to really be happening, tourism is flat in the winter so there really is not much help there financially. We haven't had many baby homesteaders approach us in weeks to pick our brains and get a feel for what they want to do in the future. I felt a little lost with not having much going on in our little Ministry. The Lord showed me that I feel like I'm in a holding pattern, because I am. I am like that frustrated nippy little pony and everything is flat and still while I stand and wait for hay and learn patience as well. Just as He already has told me before, the day to day living is the hardest part of the Christian walk and with homesteading as well.

Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1st Timothy 6:11

Dove story

My parent doves had not been feeding their baby very well ,as of a week ago yesterday. I looked again they still were not feeding him well, only a little .The Lord said ‘’Why don't you just feed the baby doves from the beginning?’’ I answered because the parents are taking care of them, they don't need me. The Lord answered ‘’Exactly’’ and I knew what he meant because until we lost our mother and for a time the rest of our family as they withdrew all their support the Lord kept giving me the scripture in Psalms that says when my father and mother forsake me ,then the Lord will pluck me up. The Lord can't support us while we are looking for the support of others ,being supported by others . He has to wait until they aren't doing that to pluck us up ,otherwise we would not notice His support of us ,for our family being there. Today the baby dove died. I said’’ Lord ,surely this isn't a sign of what's going to happen to us .’’and the Lord answered ‘’I know when to pluck you up .’’ Because I had waited too long to take care of the baby dove, being unsure when to step in, and too distracted to check on it again last night . This was also a lesson not to be so distracted with outside influences ,even with family stuff that I don't take care of what the Lord has entrusted to me in His ministry and these animals.

 Pony and puppy story

The Pony was having some trouble being impatient while being asked to stand still, he would start to paw the ground, if you were leading him he wouldn't stand, if he was waiting on grain then he would be even more impatient. The Lord told me, “ What is he having the hardest time doing?” and I answered it once, “ Waiting. Standing still.” and He said to me “ Then work on that.” So then before going to work on it I went to take out our older dog to go potty and I told the young dog “ Wait.” as I was going to leave him in the house. I noted that waiting for the young pup was hard too, in fact the hardest thing to ask of him to wait. So I took the old dog out and immediately I felt impatient for her to get done, as she wanted to take time to sniff around. I realized waiting is the hardest thing for me to do as well!

Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength Isaiah 40:31

Pig story

We have learned in keeping pigs that they are not like any other animal we ever kept. They are destructive like a ram but they can't be trained to come to be led anywhere they don't come to please you as a dog does. They are headstrong like a goat but can't be brought into submission. They are brutish and as one man visiting the farm put it to his kid “ Pigs are selfish that's why they say, don't be a pig, pigs are selfish and only think of themselves.” In training most animals there are two ways to train them, with positive reinforcement and with negative reinforcement Do this or there is a consequence. Don't do this or you are in trouble. And then there is ,do this and you may be rewarded. Don't do this and there will be no reward. Which doesn't always work in every situation. Pigs, especially older teenage boys do not respond to do this or, commands they only respond to do this and ,commands. We have trained our pigs to leave the barn upon command. It is the only thing that we have trained them to do. Anything you're going to train a pig to do must be taught in the first 6 months of life for sheer size if not stubbornness. That was all we train them to do and when our obedient little boy turned into a teenager with a stubborn streak do this ors were out. It had to be do this ,and, i.e. do this and there will be a reward. To get him to leave the barn he had to be paid, like a mobster, a scrap of food tossed out the door to accompany the go out command and his training was intact. I was talking to the Lord about this and how it seemed that this is how the world responds as well. As they seek to legislate morality and find they fail at it miserably, we as Christians know the heart of man must change before his behavior can.The do this or, isn't working for people right now. And the Lord explained to me that the or; which is negative reinforcement and legislated morality is what the Bible refers to as the law and He explained to me that the and, positive reinforcement ,and the rewards system is Grace and that the one, the or is not complete without the and. Just as it is difficult to train a dog on negative or positive reinforcement alone they both must work together. The or, biblically is to follow the law which no man can do or you die with eternal death and hell. While biblically the ,and is to receive Heaven by communion with God through Jesus. He told me that a balance between them was how it all worked. Man was given the law written on his heart ,knowing he could not keep it. Because he could not keep the law and was a sinner destined for hell. Then in due time Jesus Christ came to save Sinners and give them the benefit of sonship under God. This or ;and the and, at its root is the gospel message to the world but because the gospel has been rejected, and God has been rejected right now the or is broken No One Believes in hell ,we are surprised if they believe in heaven. So that everyone does what they think is right and so the world lies in chaos.

But the good news is that salvation lies at all of our fingertips and God would much rather dispense reward than punishment. The good news is that He loves each and every one of us and desires that none should perish. But that we should all come to the knowledge of the truth, won't you come today? Won't you confess your need today, and enjoy the benefit of a restored relationship with the one who loves you, who created you, who knows the very number of the hairs of your head, who died for you in your place to take your punishment upon Himself. Keeping you from the or, to preserve you for the and, accept His offer today ,come to Him and confess you are a sinner ,you've broken his laws, you deserve hell but He's offering you Heaven, won't you come?

Wood story

I was carrying a big load of firewood into the house, too big and I was carrying it up the porch steps . When I got to the top step I realized I just couldn't take one more step. I put the load of wood down and took the top three pieces and put them in the house and as I came back for the rest the Lord showed me how that is exactly what we should do when life's burdens become too much for us. stop, put the load down, He will carry it for us.

Come unto me all ye that labor and our heavy laden and I will give you rest. take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Duck story

I was passing through to the back of the goats pasture and watching the ducks, which have their little pen in the corner of it. They were all lounging around and happy. The Lord says “Let the dogs out in the pasture.’’ The dogs had never been in the goats pasture but as I had finished fencing it off from the woods to protect from predators I wasn't nervous to let them out. So I let them into the pasture and off they ran all excited and straight over by the duck pen. The Ducks, which one would have thought would have been alarmed at the presence of the dogs instead did not even rise to their feet. The muscovies were laying down and relaxing, peaceful, some standing on one foot in the grass. They didn't even bother to put their other foot down in case they needed a quick escape ,even the Indian runner ducks and pekin which are naturally nervous didn't budge. The Lord said “ Do you see that? They know there is a hedge built around them that nothing can hurt them through that fence.In the same way I have built a fence around you and once you realize it is there you won't fear anything or anyone that can harm you." The dogs went and started digging at a molehill near the runner duck pen. The runner ducks shied away, suddenly afraid ,maybe the dogs could get in. After a second they went back to preening ,realizing that they were still safe. We too sometimes forget that the Lord has placed a hedge of protection around us that nothing can pass through without His permission that it should. We too grow afraid. I remembered all the trials we had been through and all those who had threatened to destroy us and take everything we had. I remembered how the Lord had brought their threats to nothing and protected us from them by building a fence around us that nothing could get through beyond His permission. I suddenly felt as grateful, as safe, relaxed and peaceful as the resting waterfowl there in their little pen.

 Bear story

Keep the bear fed

This season the bears here locally are fed up on the good things God has given them to eat unlike in lean years .This year, blackberries, huckleberries, and cranberries, berries of all kinds are abundant and the bears have no need to venture into where I am waiting for them to shoot them when they come so making it impossible to hunt them as I normally would waiting upon game trails they usually frequent. In the same way when we are fed up on good things from God are safe from trespass, sin, and death . As long as we keep our spirit fed up on the good spiritual things of God it will have no need to go searching for the bad things that are not of God that are sinful.

Wool story

We had just gotten a load of fiber in the mail which we had traded for and being anxious to try something new I straight away finished up what I had been spinning and put the new fiber on the spinning wheel. It was Icelandic sheep and unlike any of the other Sheep wool I had spun before. I noted that while a lot of sheep wool and even alpaca and llama is similar and has generalities, most of them I find myself having to learn all over again how to spin in order to use it. Some must be spun quickly while others must be spun painstakingly slow. The Icelandic wool I was spinning was slick and hair like and slipped easily out from between my fingers. Care had to be taken when spinning it. But at once it was spinning into the most beautiful yarn I had ever made. I was noting it how odd that each fiber had to be handled completely differently and the Lord showed me it once how He deals with each one of us as humans ,as His sheep differently. Your trial won't be my trial, neither will the way He disciplines or teaches you be the same as He does me. I remember growing up watching Mom parented me and my older sister and watching her parent the younger two, her parenting style was completely different with us kids. She was trying to speak to each of us in our own language. My younger siblings were worked with financially with correction or reward. Because that was their currency. My older sister and I were dealt with more on an emotional level and a spiritual level because that was our currency. In the same way the Lord deals with us all on a different level, not unequally only different. With the same dedication to detail, with the same effort extended to see to it that we come out beautiful, just like spinning wool.

Pony story

I was observing the deep trenches and holes the neighbors had left open while connecting the septic system and that after this morning I was going to fill them in ,and the Lord noted to me I have my own holes to fill in in the area which was meant to be where the future Pony pen was. And the Lord noted to me ,didn't I think I should do that before worrying about their holes.

And why behold ye the moat that is in my brother's eye but consider it's not the beam that is in thine own eye, or how is it they'll say to that brother let me pull out the moat out of thine eye and behold a beam is in my own eye. thou hypocrite First cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then Thou shalt See Clearly to cast the moat out of thy brother's eye Matthew 7: 3-5

Pig story

Every morning a few hours after feeding I take a bucket and my cleaning tools into the pig house and I clean it out in there. I have two different buckets ,one is taller than the other and today the Lord told me to take the tall bucket. That I was going to need it. So I took the tall bucket and came to the pens and saw that the pig Pearls meal from yesterday, fava beans, which she did not like were still there and her hay was all covered in cantaloupe juice, so for certain I did need the tall bucket. I was cleaning and realized that while the mess from her side of the house will fit in the bucket,the mess from the boar's side of the house will not fit, even with smashing it down. “ Lord” I complained “ you told me I needed the tall bucket, why didn't you tell me I needed both buckets?” “ Because you wouldn't have believed me anyway and I don't tell people things like that when they aren't going to believe me.” At once I felt sorry having known I would not have believed Him, having forgotten that Pearl hadn't liked her 2.5 gallons of fava beans and having forgotten the cantaloupe juice was messy and I determined to listen better next time and be willing to believe Him when He spoke.

Light is sown for the righteous so Psalms 97:11

Jesus said unto him, if thou can't believe all things are possible to him that believeth. and straight away the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:23 through 24

Farm Stories

The other day , I was thinking , as I

Have been thinking, the farm chores

Were taking me too long , and I was spending

Too much time on it . And the Lord said ,

Does it matter how much time it takes if I

Told you to do it ? Then I realized , that it doesn’t

Matter how long it takes ,( that we have to stay here

On earth doing the Lord’s work if he told us to

Do it ) occupy til I come ,

Garden story

I was weeding the romaine lettuce we are trying to grow for the first time this year .We can't grow iceberg here, but we can grow romaine lettuce, hopefully. We've decided it is an okay replacement for our beloved Iceberg and certainly better for you . I did not want to get my hands dirty before dinner so I was using the tiny hoe my sister bought me for my last birthday from the dollar store. I was making precision strikes on the various weeds including aggressive smartweed which a grown up all throughout the garden, when the Lord told me.''That kind of surgical precision is what I am doing on the weeds in your life, it may seem painful and like I'm cutting down to the bone, but I am cutting carefully and only where it is needed,I'm only taking out the weeds ,the unnecessary and unprofitable parts of your life. "

Chicken story

It was raining very hard and I was carrying an umbrella when we went to put the chickens away for the night. My sister Latresha told me I had forgotten the two month old chicks hiding in the plastic tunnel in the yard ,so I went back and drove them out of there. I took pity on them and put my umbrella over the top of them ,thinking to walk them to the hen house with it. But once they had the umbrella over them they stopped moving forward and just stood there content to be out of the rain since they couldn't feel it and saw no benefit of going in. The Lord told me to take the umbrella off of them “ They won't go in if you are sheltering them” In the same wise if we never encounter any storms in our own lives, never felt the rain, we would see no necessity to venture forward ,but being content we would remain as we are ,unchanged in our lives, our lifestyles. We would never grow in the Lord, never move forward and by the same token not longing for heaven and the things we have waiting for us there. Because we've been made too comfortable here. So that God is made to try our faith in order to get us into the correct position. 

Count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials , knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience, but let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing

James 1:2-3 

Pony story

This morning when I brought the pony out of his stall and let him into his pen I noted his one eye was swollen and warm and running tears. I tried to look for debris in it but he wouldn't allow me to. I left him until my sister could help me flush the eye and inspect it. As I went on with morning chores I thought pessimistically that he probably had an eye infection and would lose his sight in that eye and at once I thought ,well perhaps if he did then he would be a blind painting pony and his talent would be even greater then it if it was so. An optimistic pessimist I decided to call myself, trying to see the best in a circumstance even while following it to its worst possible end. It occurred to me that even following an idea to its worst conclusion there can always be good gleaned from it even if it is only in the knowledge that if the very worst should come, then we will not encounter it alone. The Lord will be there with us and I understood in that moment the scripture where David spoke of going to the utter most parts of the earth Heaven and Hell and finding God was still there even so and the blessing that is in that.

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.Psalm 139:8

Farm Stories

During a time when people in this country were experiencing fear

and anxiety , and people in our own community were included in this

number , We put up a sign out in the front lawn that said Trust in God .

To remind people of their need for the Lord and the fact that he is

There for them , that they can trust him they don't need to be fearful.

When the fearful time began to wane , we decided to leave the sign up but we

Moved it back to hang it on the cross we have on the front lawn which we left up years

ago after we put it up for Easter . So it ended up hanging too low

On the cross because that's where the nail was . And this has led to it becoming

a maintenance job for me here on our little farm . I go and stomp down the grass

And weeds and try to lift it up higher from time to time , the sign says trust in God

So every time I am down there maintaining it , the Lord will say to me "Do you trust me ?

You need to trust me . " This has become our thing , he and I . So one day I went down

and I noticed the grass and weeds are right back up obscuring the sign again .

And I said to myself , why don't I just hang it around the neck of the cross ?

So after the adjustments , I looked at it happily m it was so much better .

Then the Lord said to me "That's what I want you to do , get your trust in me out

Of the weeds . You need to trust me. With our country in the brink if recession

Things are getting stressful . I need the Lord , and I need to trust him every day !

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4 :19

Poop stories

I was finishing cleaning up in the pens , and going to take up

the buckets of fertilizer ie manure , to one of the plants in the

yard , and the Lord said put them on the roses in front

of the house , I want to show you something.

And he reminded me again on my way up of where he

wanted me to put it . When I got there , I was going to

put it on the first rose I came to and then just go down the line.

And the Lord said , no , put it on the ones that are struggling

and weak , and unhealthy . And I did as he said. And he

spoke again ... Those are the ones who need it the most

and I understood he fertilizes us who are struggling and

weak and need it the most , and sometimes the way he

does that is by bringing what seems to be a bad thing into

our life , but turns out to be the best thing.