Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year. For farmers, like myself, it still holds much its original spirit and intent. With the coming of fall we head into winter. The harvest done and our projects complete, we now reflect on another year of working God's land for His glory. We look back now with time to reflect, for the we are often (shamefully) to busy at the moment to notice God's provision in our daily struggle to subdue the earth and replenish it.

This time of year I always enjoy getting down my copy of the book by Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation. In many ways we who are advocating Christian Agrarianism are much like Bradfords people. We are trying to build a distinctively Christian culture while fleeing tyranny and wickedness. Consider this quote by Bradford....

"Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise."

We can only pray that our offspring will carry on our dream and not toss it to the ash heap of history like the offspring of these first builders of American Christian Culture did. Lets learn from their mistakes.

What am I thankful for?

I'm thankful for beef in the freezer and mason jars full of my garden harvest. For being able to scratch out a living on this little hill farm and not have to go "off to work" everyday. I'm thankful for a wonderful godly wife and two fine boys. I'm thankful that I can raise my boys here on the farm and watch them grow into men. I'm thankful for wood heat and cold beer. I give thanks for the many likeminded folks I've "met" here on the web. I'm thankful that the Christian Agrarian blogs are doing more than encouraging each other, they are bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to many visitors who have have never heard it. I also thank the Lord that he uses our primitive, unpolished writing to strengthen his people. I received an email one day from a brother who had fallen away from the Lord. He told me that my writings and the other Christian Agrarian bloggers had helped bring him back to Lord. He was so joyful and upbeat, so excited about what God was doing in his family. I cried tears of joy that day. It is so humbling to think God would use our writings to help bring a lost sheep back into his pasture. Lets praise God for all his provisions!

Praying that everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving.