Our First Frosty Morning

Hey all. Thought I would post something about Ranchfest as is over and maybe your wondering what a ranchfest is! It is actually a time when we here in the community and other interested people come and see how we live or friends visit who already live the same way enjoy a time of fellowship and we get to accomplish some projects that help us move forward in our process of becoming God reliant. We all met together on the first Saturday for the usual breakfast. This is always a wonderful time when we can let some one else do the cooking. On the following Monday the ladies got together and rendered some beef tallow in order to make possible soap or candles. As well we snapped mesquite pods which will be used later for wonderful coffee. The men got together and worked on a smoke house that Lord willing will be used in the near future for smoking pork and beef and various other critters.

I took some pictures and decided to do them in an old style photo design as it gave the objects a old time feel to it. Hope you like them.

The picture here are of the breakfast. Sorry for it being a bit blurry.

Sarah Bunker at breakfast with her doll Molly.

The Smoke house

Working, working working.

Working on the stove part of the smoke house which is outside of the building.

As you can see the front part of the stove. The pipe goes into the smoke house where the meat will be hanging and getting smoked.

The basket of mesquite pods that the ladies snapped for future coffee, jelly or mesquite tea.

Well thats about that for now. I hoped you enjoy the pictures. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see or hear about please comment and let me know. If you would like to know about any doctrine or other topics I would love to share them with you. Please take the opportunity to visit the other sites on my blog especially The Process Driven Life and Biblicalagarianism.com. There will be more Ranchfests so if your interested to find out more and would like to see first had our lifestyle that would be awesome!

Until next time.

Debylin

Picture of some Amish Quilts

Hey all, Just a quick update on the happens in the life of me. Well still working on the ol outhouse. I took off the door to adjust the height and make it look more like a barn door. I starting painting the inside a navy blue but have not finished yet. Looking for some floor tiles to put down that will be easy to keep fairly clean. Will post some pics when I get the chance.

Wanted to say something that has been on my mind for a bit now. Something that the Lord is really showing me! To love the brethren! I am understanding more and more just how important this is. To love one another, to lift each other up in prayer, to encourage one another in our walk, to forgive one another in our failings. With this understanding and conviction comes such blessings. I have found my care and understanding of those that the Lord has brought into my life so very important. It is a blessing to be with those that are like minded and it is a privilege! I do not take lightly the importance of community!  We are called into Unity with one another. Our growth as a whole demands change.  Changing the way we think, dying to our selfishness, learning to see others as more important then yourself, submitting to the needs of others, the list could go on. All these things I have mentioned are apart of what the New Testament church was based on. I know it works as I can see it for myself. Blessing come with obedience. God has given me a love for those that I am in community with. As He teaches me more and enlightens me with His wonderful truth I can expect to see Him move amongst us and make us more like Him. I am thankful.

Ranchfest went well and the men almost got the smoke house finished. Again I will post some pics soon. The ladies snapped mesquite pods that will become coffee in the future. We all had a good time of fellowship!

The cooler weather has come which I must say I am thankful for! The crisp morning are great!

I also made another tincture of Devils claw. This tincture Lord willing will help me with my osteoarthritis in my hand. I have as well just started taking the tincture that I made of stinging nettle and it has started to work! Very potent stuff! Looking forward to seeing what else I can make with the provisions that are on the land. It is great to see what the Lord has provided and what can be used for various things.

Well I am at the library and I want to look for some Amish cook books. So until next time….

Sons if you happen to read this… I miss you and continue to pray for you in hopes of that the Lord will bring you to complete conversion! Love you both!!!

Blessings Debylin

It has been a while since I posted something. This is due to my not  being able to have as much time on the computer. Things are constantly changing and I am learning how to go with the flow of things.

Things are going well here in Texas and we are about to have Ranch Fest. This is a time when people come to our community and learn about how and why we live like we do. It is a time when we pic projects to be done and as a community and with the support of friends we are able to move forward in our process of separation. I am looking forward to this and learning some new skills.

We have not as yet moved back to our land but Lord willing soon.  I continue to learn new things and I have just made today a allergy tincture.  I used 2 oz of stinging nettle and 4 oz of vodka. I chose the vanilla  vodka as it has a wonderful smell. I have to let it sit for 2 weeks in order for it to be effective and potent. I tried drinking the stinging nettle as a tea but it wasn’t strong enough for me.

Will let you know how this goes. I am going to as well make a flu and cold tincture as well.

I am not in the habit of having pictures of me without my head covering,that is why I didn’t put my face in the pic, but wanted to share with you how amazing my hair has been looking and feeling. I have dry and very thick hair and I compared it with horse hair. Really!  But living here I have discovered a cure! Rain water, simple rain water. It is the softest water I have ever used. I remember having a softening unit where I used to live once but this is so different. We drink this water as well, once it has been purified through our Berkey water system. So if you live in the country and far enough away from cities I would so recommend this to you. The reason I say if you live far enough away from the city is because the water would not be the same. It would be filled with pollutants.

You might be thinking that it still looks like a horse mane! But go ahead and try it and you will see such a difference!  If you don’t you just have to send the rain water back and ask for a refund! Just kidding.

I am still working on my outhouse and should be done in a couple of weeks. I will post a pic and let you see what I have done.

Well the Lord continues to open my eyes to His amazing grace and mercy. We have been so blessed with rain and sunshine. I am realizing the the Lord will provide for all our needs and not always the way we think He should.  I praise God for all His provisions and for those of my community. The women here have been an encouragement to me and a great help! I am in constant awe of how I ended up here and how the Lord continues to reveal to me just how much I need to change and grow. I am thankful and grateful for the wonderful husband that the Lord sent me. He has been and is a never ending support, encourager and teacher. I pray that has this journey continues that I will grow to be a blessed help meet to him.

Well that’s about it for now I am sitting a the library and want to look for some books written by Charlotte Bronte.  She wrote Jane Eyre , which I enjoyed and learned from.

Will try to post as often as I can. So for now hope you all are blessed!

Debylin

Just a few pics for your viewing pleasure. Wonderful skies of Texas.

Bunker children and their dog.

A male cardinal that was feeding his mate decided to stop and pose for my camera.

Pic of inside our RV.

A Quiche that I made on top of my stove.

Up close and personal.

Some calves that roam

Hey Jack!

Here Kitty Kitty!

Well hope you enjoyed some pics from around our community!

Debylin

Reproduction Currier & Ives Marriage Certificate, published by N. Currier, “Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1848 by N. Currier in the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the Southern District of N.Y.,” 152 Nassau St. Cor. of Spruce, N.Y.

Requirements of the Husband

A man shall leave father and mother and cleave to his wife (Matt 28)

Let every man have his own wife. (1 cor)

Husbands shall dwell with their wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto them, as unto the weaker vessle.

Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it (Eph 5)

So ought man to love their wives as their own bodies, he that loveth his wife, loveth himself (Eph 5)

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence (1 Cor.)

If a husband provide not for his own wife and children, he is worse than an infidel (1 Tim)

A man shall cheer up his wife (Deut 24:5)

Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them (Cor 3:12)

Art thou bound to a wife, seek not to be loosed (Cor 1:27)

Marriage is honorable in all (Heb 13)

Let not the husband put away his wife (1 Cor)

Let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth..God hateth putting away (Mat 2)

It is a wicked act that a man should gain the heart of a woman, and then forsake his wife.

Requirements of the Wife

A wifes desire shall be to her husband (Gen 3) (i.e. she shall be subject unto him)

Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord (Eph 6)

Let not the wife depart from her husband (1 Cor)

Marriage is honorable in all (Heb 13)

Let the wife tender unto her husband due benevolence (1 Cor)

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband (1 Cor)

Let every woman have her own husband (1 Cor)

She that is married careth (or should care) how she may please her husband (1 Cor)

I will that women marry, bear children guide the house (1 Tim)

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband (Prov 42).

The woman which hath an husband, is bound by the law to her husband, so long as he liveth (Rom 7)

Aged women should behave as becometh holiness & that they may teach the young women, to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands (Dut 2)

I am reading Created to Be His Help meet and I am finding that this book has opened my eyes to many issues. It clearly shows my role concerning my husband and how little I knew of how to be a good wife and friend. It debunks alot of what the world says about marriage and our role as women. I have learned that in order to be obedient to God I must be obedient to my husband! I was created for him and for his needs. I was not created to be his boss or his controller. I was created to submit to us authority no matter what. If I am obedient to the order that God has set out for me then I will have the kind of marriage that God intends for His children to have. A marriage that is blessed and productive. If you have not read this book I would suggest it as it will be such a benefit to you. There are however some things in this book I do not agree with but if you are following the true doctrine of grace then you will see this. If you are having issues in your marriage then this book can help if you believe that you are called to be obedient to scripture.  Something I am reading about now that I think is very important as I see whats happening and has been going on in the apostate churches.  Have a read and see what God has to say about what a woman’s role and the Jezebel Spirit.

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/marriage-family/husbandwife-relations/article-display/archive/2002/march/03/the-jezebel-profile/

Written by Debi Pearl  March 2002

When the name Jezebel comes to mind, most of us see the painted face of a seductively dressed woman gazing into the eyes of a man who lacks good sense. The Bible portrays Jezebel in a different light.

Revelation 2:20 says that Jezebel “calleth herself a prophetess,” and men received her as a teacher. This was given as a warning to the church. The one whom you have received as a spirit filled teacher comes to you in the great tradition of Jezebel. We have observed that many wives have stalled their half of the marriage by assuming the spiritual headship of the home. They would teach their husbands. But consider 1 Cor. 14:34-35, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”

I went back to I Kings to see what the Bible had to say about this woman Jezebel. The first thing I noticed was that Jezebel was more religious than her husband. She was spiritually intense. The Bible says in 1 Cor 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” As a woman, our place is under our husband, especially in the spiritual realm. Regardless of our circumstances, when we take the spiritual lead, we have stepped out from under our head. We have tried to rearrange God’s designated place for us. We are no longer in God’s will.

The second thing I observed was that Ahab was emotionally volatile—unstable. Is your husband prone to retreat? Is he bitter, angry, or depressed? When a woman takes the lead, she is playing the masculine role. Unless her husband fights her for supremacy, he must assume second place. And men who are forced into spiritual subjection to their wives tend to be angry and retreat like Ahab.

The third thing I noticed was that she used his emotional stress to endear herself to him—strange way of lording over the husband. Jezebel manipulated and accused an innocent man, then had him murdered so that Ahab might have the vineyard he wanted. Ahab kept his face to the wall and let her do her dark deeds. Today, if a woman is willing to play her husband’s role in directing the family, he will lose his natural drive to bear responsibility.

In the dominant role, a woman quickly becomes emotionally and physically exhausted. God made us the weaker vessels. If you are in this exhausted state, then chances are you’re carrying a load not meant for you. It is not for you to press your husband to do his duty to be spiritual. You are to live joyfully in the context he provides.

The fourth thing that jumped out at me was that Ahab could easily be manipulated by his wife to suit her purposes. Jezebel used him to set up images as aids to worship under her own prophets and to kill God’s prophets. Often, a man becomes involved in the Church, not because God has called him or because it is in his heart to do so, but because he is trying to please his wife and at least LOOK spiritual. When a husband steps into a spiritual role at his wife’s beckoning, he becomes vulnerable to her guidance in that role. This is against nature, and often brings conflict in the family and in the church.

Ahab chose not to notice when his wife worked behind the scenes. Many men turn their heads when they see their wives stepping out of their God-given role. These men would rather not have to deal with the stone-cold anger they would receive from their wives if they offered any resistance. Have you been there, done that?

Jezebel knew that she was not the rightful head, so she invoked her husband’s name to give her word authority. Did you ever say, “Oh, my husband will not let me do that,” when you knew in truth he really would not care? It is a way to maintain control and stop those who would question you. When a woman does this, she stops any ministry God has to her.

Jezebel was deeply concerned about spiritual matters and took steps to help promote her spiritual leaders. In the process, she provoked her husband to destroy those in spiritual authority she did not like. Have you ever influenced your husband to think evil of those in authority because you did not like something about them? When a woman comes to this place she might as well sign her name “Jezebel.”

God has a plan for women. He revealed his will in many verses in clear, concise commands. He gives a revealing picture of what he abhors in a woman by introducing us to Jezebel, then reaffirming in the New Testament just what it was about her character that he found so despicable.

He reveals his will in a positive note in the stories of the women whom he honored. The story of Ruth tells of a young girl who had known tragedy, extreme poverty, and hard menial work, yet she maintained a positive, thankful, and submissive attitude. God blessed Ruth because her own personal success and happiness were not the driving forces in her life.

Esther is the story of a girl who lost all of her family and was taken by force to become the wife of an older, divorced, heathen man. She was put (by her husband’s decree) in danger of losing her own life as well as the lives of all her people. Yet, she overcame her circumstances and her fear in order to honor her husband. The Scripture teaches that when her husband heard her honest appeal, delivered with gracious dignity, she won his heart, and he turned to save her people. God used Esther because God’s will was more important to her than her own fulfillment.

Proverbs 31 defines the virtuous woman. She is NOT a mousy, voiceless prude. She is confident, hard working, creative, and resourceful. She uses her time wisely, and contributes to the family income. Her first virtue is that the heart of her husband is safe with her. It says that she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. That is, he can trust her with his thoughts and feelings, never fearing that she might use the private knowledge she has of him to hurt him in any way. Some men maintain a distance from their wives because if they reveal themselves, their wives will use it against them when they are out of sorts.

If this passage had been written from our modern perspective, it would have extolled her for having a “quiet time,” prayer time, fellowship time, and would have projected an image of a prayer warrior, teacher, or counselor. In all the Scriptural profiles of righteous women, including Proverbs 31, none of those concepts are even mentioned. A Proverbs 31 woman is busy helping her husband become successful. She is too busy being productive to spend time being his conscience. In our culture, we have lost a clear understanding of what constitutes a virtuous woman. We have accepted the modern concept of the “spiritual” woman, circulating in the realm of religious power, and have forgotten that God does not see them in this same “glorious” light. What we think is spiritual, God labels “Jezebel.” “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD (Isa. 55:8).”

In order to become a righteous woman, reaping the benefits of having our man adore us, we must follow God’s principles of womanhood and totally reject the Jezebel tendency.

God laid down a few simple rules that must be followed because they are consistent with our feminine nature and the nature of men. It was Ruth’s virtuous and humble, yet feminine, bold example that caused Boaz to love and admire her. It was Esther’s submission to this principle that won the King’s love and appreciation for her as a woman and as his queen. These women showed themselves womanly and lovable in the midst of extreme circumstances. God honored them with favor from the men in their lives.

Dominance and control are always masculine. It is a hormonal thing. It is the way God designed male nature. It is important for a woman to understand that she has to be feminine (devoid of dominance and control) in order for her man to view her as his exact counterpart and thus respond to her protectively, with love and gentleness.

God designed us, so he knows what our husbands need in order to function properly in their roles as men who cherish the woman in their life. By nature, men need honor (this includes not questioning their decisions). They need respect (treated as if they are wise). They need reverence (daily admired as a man who is accomplishing great things). They need to be accepted for who and what they are, just like they are. Men need to feel they are in command and doing a good job.

An important part of man is a God-given, natural instinct to bring his wife pleasure. If a woman is to be greatly treasured she will choose to find pleasure in the way the man presents himself and his care. All these traits are basic masculine needs. We were created as a helpmeet to the man we married, fulfilling who and what he is. This is God’s will for us as women. When we as women obey God by responding to the needs of our husband, we are worshipping and honoring God. “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man (1 Cor. 11:9).”

God created you to fulfill your husband’s basic masculine needs. Only in that role will you find peace and cause your man to respond to you in loving adoration. This role of submission is totally feminine. It is the exact counterpart for his masculine needs. “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Gen 2:18).”

A woman who criticizes her husband for watching too much TV no longer honors him. When a woman tries to control areas of their life together because she thinks she is right, she is usurping authority over him, and lording over him. A depressed, discontented woman, who feels that her husband does not meet her needs, is dishonoring God.

Hurt feelings are a way to control. Silence and emotional retreat are ugly, destructive ways to control both your husband and your children. Anger, sickness, exhaustion, and even fear are all used to control those you care about. Some women control their husband by having an intense spiritual hunger. Jezebel comes in many disguises.

There are many various and subtle ways to control and direct your husband. One of the ways to take control is to tell your husband that you want him to be the spiritual leader in the home and then let him know that you are waiting to follow. You can lead from behind just by clearing your throat at the right moment. Many nice homeschooling moms are the spiritual leaders in their homes. They play the masculine role spiritually. How this must grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Often the excuse is that we cannot serve two masters, and since our husband is carnal, we have to take the higher ground. Like Eve, we are so deceived. “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression (1 Tim 2:14).”

A man cannot cherish a strong woman who has expressed her displeasure with him and is holding out until he fulfills her ideal. You say he should have Christ’s love. Is that what you want? Do you want your husband to have to seek supernatural power just to find a way to love you? What most men cherish in their wives is the memory when love was fun and free, with no demands—the time when she smiled at him with a sweet, girlish, “I think you are wonderful” look. She was so feminine then, so much the woman. It was a time when he wanted to hold her just because she was his, a time when he wanted to give her everything. A vague memory keeps him hoping. He is as disappointed in love as you are, maybe more. He is just as lonely. He just fills up his loneliness doing things that will distract him from the reality of the emptiness he knows is there but does not know how to fix. His helpmeet is not pleased with him. He is a loser.

The very first command God gave to a woman was, “Thy desire shall be unto thy husband and he shall rule over thee (Gen. 3:16).” Is your desire toward your husband? Do you desire him as a man? Do you live to please him? Does he rule over you? This is God’s will.

Being a Jezebel is an active role—actively controlling, actively doing our own thing. Being a Ruth or an Esther is just as active. It is a decision we make hundreds of times each day as we choose to joyfully honor our husbands.

God’s reward is without measure. Men are like clay in the hands of a woman whom they can trust with their hearts. A man, lost or saved, responds to a woman who honors him. When a woman looks to her husband with a face that is full of laughter and delight, he will look forward to being with her. If her voice speaks words of thanksgiving and joyful appreciation of him, he will want to listen to her. If her actions are full of service and creativity, and if she has goodwill towards him, he will be drawn to her as a bee is to honey. This kind of lady is altogether feminine. She is what God created and gave to Adam.

Deep in our heart we all want the same thing. We all want to be loved and cherished. We all cry out with our utmost being to be treasured in the heart of our husbands. It is the greatest honor on earth to know your husband is thrilled that you are his woman. It passes all of earth’s blessings to feel his gaze upon you and know that you are his greatest gift, his most prized possession, his best friend, his favorite pastime, his only chum, and his delight as a lover. It is a great joy to know that he is actually proud you are his. It is not remembering birthdays, opening the door of a car, or other silly customs that we crave, it is the knowledge that he is totally taken with us. We want him to want us. We simply want to be loved. It is God’s perfect will for our husbands to love us. It is God’s perfect will for us to honor, obey and reverence our husbands. God’s way works. If what you are doing this year has not worked, why not go God’s way?

1 Cor. 11:7 “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.”

1 Cor. 11:8 “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.”

1 Cor. 11:9 “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.”

I hope you enjoyed this article and will search your heart to find that Gods ways will bless your husband and give you the kind of marriage that God intended.

Debylin

A Short Story on: A Walk of Hopeful Transformation

Why? Why can’t I just get it right? What rebellion! What pride! I couldn’t take it any longer! My thoughts were beginning to over take me and I needed to release them unto God! I needed to go  for a walk and be alone. But are we ever really alone? I think not!

I began walking and my heart began to pound! Why? I long for transformation, to be consistent with my emotions and thoughts. “O Lord change my heart and  my mind that I would bring you glory. Help me not to have doubts and unbelief. Oh Lord I am so wicked! My thoughts overtake me and leave me filthy like a dung heap! Fill me with my hearts desire to worship you, to love you as I ought! “

I thought I would fall to my knees as the ache in my heart increased. Deep groans and gasps for air were upon me as I called out for mercy! “Oh Lord if I am not yours put an end to me right now for I cannot bear the thought of going on any longer the way I am!  Why go on if my life and its purpose do not show fruit!” I keep walking hoping for some answer, for some relief of this torment! ” O Lord answer me! Am I yours? If so please change this wicked heart! Please forgive me for my constant failures.  Make my heart right! Help me to see your Majesty and your Glory that I might truly see my sins. Help me to hate my sin! Help me to desire your will only! Lord I cannot go on with out you! I have no desire for the things of this world!”

I continued walking calling out to God. I decided to keep walking and not stop until things seemed right in my heart. I felt I would have to walk forever! I would not return. How could I and have things as they once were. I’d rather die! So I kept walking.

The night sky was creeping upon me threatening to engulf and overtake me. I didn’t care! Everything around me seemed surreal, like I was walking outside of myself. My heart yearning for the peace that settles the racing heart.

Then I felt some sense of hope, some sense of peace. He is allowing me to live so maybe just maybe! I will continue to look up to keep my thoughts focused on Him and His will!

My assurance lies in Hope of transformation! It lies in faith that He will continue to change me. It lies in His promises that if I am His, His will will be done!

To God be the Glory and Honor for ever!

Debylin

Here are some pics the Sunday just passed as a few of us went out and had some fun. One of the Gentleman on the land when he can sets up a gun learning and practice session. We learn how to operate and use a different variety of guns. This is very helpful as some of us have little or no experience at all. Here on the land it is important to know how to use a gun as some of the predators can be life threatening.  Rattlesnakes and wild boars are around so protection is necessary. Some of the children are pretty good shots!

Miss Josie Irby shooting a 9 m pistol

Here I am shooting the 45 caliber pistol

We had a lot of fun trying out different guns. Looking forward to getting in more practice.

Some added pictures for your viewing pleasure

Sarah Bunker watering the garden

Debylin

Written by Michael Bunker at the request of one of his readers.   http://michaelbunker.com/journal.html I found this to be an excellant post and wanted my readers to read it as well. Thanks Michael.

Of course, the default “blueprint” of the virtuous woman is found in Proverbs the 31st chapter. I would not doubt that this exposition of a virtuous woman would make most modern women shrink away into a closet. The 31st of Proverbs is actual “typological” and is designed to represent the Church, and not particularly any one woman, although the representation made (the type) is evidently of those graces (gifts) that would be evident in a virtuous woman at the time this was written. But it is important for ALL of us to recognize, that this listing of virtues is principally designed to define the Body of Christ, and we all ought to be diligent about applying the lessons herein to ourselves.

But today we are talking about feminine Christian graces, so it does serve our purposes to peruse this section and mine it for valuable material, since God felt it necessary to use the virtuous woman as an example to the Church.

First, let’s define Feminine Christian Graces:

Feminine: 1. Pertaining to a woman, or to women, or to females; as the female sex. 2. soft; tender; delicate. Her heavenly form angelic, but more soft and feminine. 3. Effeminate; destitute of manly qualities.

Christian: A real disciple of Christ; one who believes in the truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example, and obey the precepts, of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety. One who is saved by Christ, born-again, and separated unto God for His purposes.

Graces: Gifts, favors, evidences of God’s work wrought in the believer, excellencies of character, tendencies and proclivities that evidence regeneration and conversion.

In short, Feminine Christian Graces are gifts of God that evidence or expose a woman as a true Christian (and not a fake or a fraud); as having been the subject of the new birth, and of having a new heart and renovation of life. Feminine Christian Graces are symbols of God’s miraculous and overwhelming work in the life of a woman.

It is often helpful to know what something ISN’T, in order to better identify what it IS

These are not Feminine Christian Graces:

False humility.
Immodesty.
Drawing attention to ones self, ones figure, or any (or all) physical attribute; nor is the false enhancement or amplification of any physical attribute.
False friendliness masking jealousy and envy.
Gossip.
Domination, Manipulation, or Manipulation by false or insincere submission.
Weakness, subterfuge, or trickery.
Emotion, Pride, Anger, Contrariness, Willfullness
Contentiousness
Laziness
Complaining, Whining, Griping, Nagging

I think you get the picture.

The problem is that modern society has portrayed an image of “femininity” which is not feminine at all. It is weak, tired, fake, manipulative, and whorish. Just picture in your mind the modern Charismatic woman, standing on Sunday morning in front of a mirror, plucking her eyebrows and teasing her hair, before squeezing into a tight skirt and putting on high-heels so she can go “worship Christ”; first in her singles class. She drops her children from her first marriage off and slinks into her class in the same way she used to slink into the bar or the night club. During the service she closes the eyes on her heavily made-up face (remember, “all clowns are liars”) and sways to the music… and then she’ll gush about how “the Holy Spirit really moved”, etc. Remember, she is at the night club, not the true Church of Jesus Christ. THIS is what the world sells as Christian femininity. Like I said, sometimes we can find out what something is (or get a better feel for it), by seeing what it is not. Go to just about any street-corner “church” in America today. Write down how the women look, how they act, and examine how they work. When you are done, you should have a good idea of what Feminine Christian Graces ARE NOT.

Ok, so what are the Feminine Christian Graces?

Let us take a look at Chapter 31 of Proverbs. We’ll start near the end, since in it we find a great distillation of what we should be looking for in our study: “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (Prov. 31:30). Isn’t that interesting? You see, what most women consider to be the most important (or one of the most important) things in life, the Bible calls “deceitful” – it evidences that the woman is not a Child of God, but is deceived about her condition. When a woman says “I want to do better, but I can’t stop wearing makeup!”, or “I just don’t think covering my head makes me more spiritual”, what she is really saying is, “You are trying to take from me the one thing I have that I value! I have no spiritual graces, so I cannot give up any physical ones!”. When a woman says, “I want to wear pants or jeans because they are more comfortable!”, she is saying, “My comfort comes before your honor, and I care not for how the Church of Jesus Christ is portrayed by me”.

Unhappily, what I say is a fact, even if the woman wants to deny it.

In verse 11 of Chapter 31 of Proverbs we find that a virtuous woman is trustworthy, but not only that. She provides for the needs of her husband:

a) because it is her duty to do so, and
b) because if she does not, her husband is likely to look elsewhere

Unhappily, according to my experiences in counciling, many women are too ignorant to figure out what this means, but I won’t spend any time explaining it. It’s pretty obvious. In short, it is a woman’s job to keep her husband home and happy. With 90%+ of the women who contact me complaining about their husbands (or their ex-husbands), I can trace their troubles to somewhere in this vicinity. To be really clear in Agrarian terms: If you do not provide feed for your cattle – do not be surprised or shocked to learn that they are in the neighbors pasture. And it IS your fault (1 Cor. 7:2-5).

Verse 12 exposes many professing “christian” women. A Godly woman’s energies and her heart are to do her husband good and not evil; to make his life easier and not more difficult; to smooth his path and not disturb it. Her time ought to be spent thinking of ways to please her husband, and to make his life better. She will do Him good and not evil, all the days of his life.

Verses 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24 and 27 all point out that a virtuous woman is industrious, creative, thrifty, hard-working, intelligent, strong (and not like these weak modern women), tough, gritty, etc. Read these over and over, because there is a reason God mentioned these qualities so many times in such a short section.

Verse 20 commends a virtuous woman for being charitable. This means that she has care and love for others in her community, and that (rather than exhibiting vanity, vapidity, jealousy, and competition) she extends her heart and care towards those who have a need.

Verses 22 and 23 show that she is concerned for the reputation of her family, and for her husband. Hers is not a life of decorating just because she is vain and stupid. Hers is a life of outward work. She considers how her home looks, not because she is in love with spending her family’s money on quilts, doilies, and aprons, but because she desires for her family to be considered clean and orderly. She dresses her family properly, not because she is in a competition with the neighbors, or because she can’t stay out of the shops, but because the reputation of her husband is her care.

In Verse 23 we see that the woman works diligently in the home and on the farm so that her husband can serve others. When he is “at the gates”, he is serving as an Elder or a counselor. She works doubly hard inside to give him the ability to work outward evangelically. Every minute that her husband is spared for this valuable duty, is a credit to his wife.

Verse 25 – She is strong, and not just outwardly. She is strong in mind and faith. She stengthens herself in the inner man so that she is automatically rewarded for her endeavors by a knowledge that she is glorifying Christ. She knows she serves Christ, and does not doubt it one bit. If doubt creeps in, then she will seek herself, her comfort, her vanity, her silly pride – so she guards against that by reminding herself that she seeks to serve Christ and His Kingdom. She is honorable because she is the “type” that God has used to represent His Bride, and she knows that the picture the world gains of the true Church is directly related to the picture she portrays of a Godly woman. In short, if the woman is dressed like a whore, uncovered, vain, fatuous, competitive, and manipulative – then it is no wonder that the Church is seen in the same light.

In Verse 26 we see that the mouth and the tongue of the virtuous woman are guarded by wisdom and prudence. When she opens her mouth, it is in wisdom, not because there are vanities and vacuous thoughts that need to spill out of a diseased mind. Her tongue is used for kindness, not vitriol, and not manipulation. She is not fake or false. If she says it, she means it.

These understandings paint a picture of a virtuous and beautiful Christian woman. While the carnal person might say, “These are all works!”, it is not true at all, and that thought exposes the wicked heart that cares not for Christ’s glory. These are works, sure, but they are the RESULT of a spiritual work being done in the heart of the elect of God. They are works of God on a vessel of honor. The scary thing is this…

They are almost always (I’ll leave a little room for some extenuating circumstances) INEVITABLE results of a woman being born again.

***crickets***

I would like to emphasize a point before I finish. Some people might think that what I have said applies only to married women. That is not true. Every woman is, and ought to be, under some masculine authority. If she is not, then I shudder for her future, both here and at the judgment seat of Christ. And since every woman is to be under authority, then these attitudes (because that is what they really are) are to be demonstrated to any and all spiritual authority.

Women, I want you to do a little “Twilight Zone” imagining with me. Imagine, if you will, that you are busy doing whatever it is you do during the day. Close your eyes and picture yourself doing some daily task. As you are working, a messenger directly from the throne of God shows up to speak to you. It is absolutely clear to you in your mind and in your spirit, that a prophet of God has come to you to speak to you directly on behalf of the One who made everything that exists; the One who holds all of creation together with His Word. This prophet enters the room… How do you respond? Is your heart in your chest… pounding? Do you have awe and reverence? Now… Did you know that the God of Creation considers your husband (or any spiritual authority God has placed over you) to be His prophet sent to you? Did you know that God has promised to judge individuals and the world based on how they have reverenced His prophets? The way that a woman refers to, defers to, and honors her spiritual authority is a Feminine Christian Grace.

What if God sent a special servant to intervene with Him on your behalf? In the old days we called these guys “priests”, but, unhappily, false religion has destroyed the impact of the term. But what if God sent a special person, an intermediary, to intervene for you before Him? Sure, you are free to pray for yourself, and to go to God directly – this we do not deny; but it wouldn’t it be a special sign of love if God also sent a special priest just for you? How would you treat that special messenger? Well, the Bible says that your husband or your spiritual authority is the Priest of your family. He is sent to stand for you before God, and to intervene for your soul and your eternal safety.

I could go on, because God also sent your husband or authority to serve as King to you. But if someone will not honor her husband as “husband”, how can she undestand what it is to serve and honor a King? Our society has overthrown the King, so it may be too difficult for me to relay to you what deference a King deserves.

In short, Feminine Christian Graces are those excellencies of character and of spirit that are evidence of God’s power overwhelming a woman in a loving way. She is baptised in faith, so that she sees God and has the ability to know what His desire is for her. She looks on her family as a special care, delivered to her by God – and knows intimately that she will give an account for what she has done with what she has received. Feminine Christian Graces are representations (types) of the true Church. If you were to write down all of the excellent characteristics of the true Church throughout time, these characteristics are plain and evident in a truly Christian woman. If the Church was patient in tribulation, then so is a Godly woman. If the Church was beautiful and strong in persecution, then so is a Godly woman. If the Church was humble and meek under the rod of correction, or the scourge of chastisement, then so is a Godly woman. If the Church ever showed love and care and self-abandonment for others, then so does a Godly woman. If the Church ever exhibited charity and goodness, then so does a Godly woman. If the Church ever prostrated herself in honor and reverence before her Husband, then so does a Godly woman.

I hope I have been clear. Now, let us open our eyes and look at the state of the so-called “church” today. She is slutty and stiff-necked, manipulative and self-centered, vain and weak. She is in Proverbs, but not in chapter 31. She is found in chapter 7. If this is true of the mainsteam “church”, then it is true of most women who call themselves “Christian”. I know these things, because God has given me a vision of the true Church. Pray that He will do so for you.

After all, most of you won’t even call your husband “sir”.

I am your servant in Christ Jesus,

Michael Bunker

Debylin

Well we have been here for 2 months now and things are moving right along. We will be putting up the fence for our property Lord willing in a couple of weeks. We will have to move the RV back to the land first. We are only fencing off a piece of land big enough for the RV, garden and possible a chicken coop in the future. I would guesstimate maybe a bit less then an acre. If we need to we can make it bigger but for know it will work just fine.

Lord willing will be able to plant a fall and winter garden. Looking forward to eating and canning some homegrown food!

These past few months have been filled with many lessons to learn. I have learned so much about canning and about all the natural foods that are all around us. I have done down some prickly pear jelly and some mesquite pods.

I have as well started drinking stinging nettle in hope of it helping me with my allergies. I drink it in a tea or sometimes I drink it cold. It is pretty plentiful around this area.

Now on a more spiritual side I can say the same thing. I have been learning some serious lessons. When you arrive here like I said before your mind is quite colonized meaning you still think like you did when you lived in the world (hooked up to the grid, going to a worldly job,dealing with and living with a people who do not know God). My mind has to continually have clean and new input into it daily. Cleansing the mind with the word of God is a must but as well rethinking how you walk this out  is another. Your conversations and your thoughts need to be put right. Our way of life here is such that you have think before you speak, think before you do. When living in community I am learning that we are one yet separate. We have to consider the needs of the whole and not just my needs. Being like minded does not happen over night. You can believe in the same doctrine and sing the same songs and still not think like those around you that have been here much longer then you. I am learning to walk according to the word of God in all things.. It does not always happen as my flesh rears it’s ugly head and demands it rights. But the process continues and the Lord is faithful. My desire is to be a woman of God. To speak, learn, walk in the ways that God and others around here are showing me by example. What we have here is very precious and I want to learn most of all is to die to self!

I have gone back to read the Sermon: Gelassenheit, which is the yielding and submission of our own will to the will of Christ and to His Body, demands that we utilize the “means of grace” to further kill own SELF. Remember Christ said,”I of my own self do nothing”.

Gelassenheit is not just a single thing, or a single attitude or a single idea. Gelassenheit is not a thing in itself, it is the PRODUCT of a thing. Gelassenheit is the product of self-emptying and self-denial. It is the product of believing that “He must increase and I must decrease”. It is the product of loving that which Christ loves, and of being loved in a sacrificial way. Gelassenheit is not just meekness, goodness, and humility-bit it is the product of those things in action, and of the will of God being elevated above self. ( Written by Michael Bunker)

I believe when this happens there is peace and like-mindedness. This is my goal! There is to much of the world still in me and needs to go! I just pray that God will cleanse this wicked heart and mind and help me to walk in Gelassenheit!

Well soon we will be moving and I will keep everyone posted as to how this is going. I believe we have all the necessary fencing to get the job done. Exciting days ahead!

Debylin

I has read this a couple of days ago and it really stayed with me. I remember having an experience a few years, back before the Lord awakened me, when I witnessed my son’s grandfather die. He died with such fear in his eyes! I was told that he was a christian. Only the Lord knows for sure but I feel that if someone knew the Lord here on earth why would he fear death? Anyway this spoke to me and I pray that those who read this and don’t know the Lord as of yet but he Lord is drawing you, I pray that this will shake you up and help you along your journey.

Written by Thomas Kempis ( A real long time ago)

THOUGHTS ON DEATH

VERY soon your life here will end; consider, then, what may be in store for you elsewhere. Today we live; tomorrow we die and are quickly forgotten. Oh, the dullness and hardness of a heart which looks only to the present instead of preparing for that which is to come!

Therefore, in every deed and every thought, act as though you were to die this very day. If you had a good conscience you would not fear death very much. It is better to avoid sin than to fear death. If you are not prepared today, how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day; how do you know you will have a tomorrow?

What good is it to live a long life when we amend that life so little? Indeed, a long life does not always benefit us, but on the contrary, frequently adds to our guilt. Would that in this world we had lived well throughout one single day. Many count up the years they have spent in religion but find their lives made little holier. If it is so terrifying to die, it is nevertheless possible that to live longer is more dangerous. Blessed is he who keeps the moment of death ever before his eyes and prepares for it every day.

If you have ever seen a man die, remember that you, too, must go the same way. In the morning consider that you may not live till evening, and when evening comes do not dare to promise yourself the dawn. Be always ready, therefore, and so live that death will never take you unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly, for in the unexpected hour the Son of God will come. When that last moment arrives you will begin to have a quite different opinion of the life that is now entirely past and you will regret very much that you were so careless and remiss.

How happy and prudent is he who tries now in life to be what he wants to be found in death. Perfect contempt of the world, a lively desire to advance in virtue, a love for discipline, the works of penance, readiness to obey, self-denial, and the endurance of every hardship for the love of Christ, these will give a man great expectations of a happy death.

You can do many good works when in good health; what can you do when you are ill? Few are made better by sickness. Likewise they who undertake many pilgrimages seldom become holy.

Do not put your trust in friends and relatives, and do not put off the care of your soul till later, for men will forget you more quickly than you think. It is better to provide now, in time, and send some good account ahead of you than to rely on the help of others. If you do not care for your own welfare now, who will care when you are gone?

The present is very precious; these are the days of salvation; now is the acceptable time. How sad that you do not spend the time in which you might purchase everlasting life in a better way. The time will come when you will want just one day, just one hour in which to make amends, and do you know whether you will obtain it?

See, then, dearly beloved, the great danger from which you can free yourself and the great fear from which you can be saved, if only you will always be wary and mindful of death. Try to live now in such a manner that at the moment of death you may be glad rather than fearful. Learn to die to the world now, that then you may begin to live with Christ. Learn to spurn all things now, that then you may freely go to Him. Chastise your body in penance now, that then you may have the confidence born of certainty.

Ah, foolish man, why do you plan to live long when you are not sure of living even a day? How many have been deceived and suddenly snatched away! How often have you heard of persons being killed by drownings, by fatal falls from high places, of persons dying at meals, at play, in fires, by the sword, in pestilence, or at the hands of robbers! Death is the end of everyone and the life of man quickly passes away like a shadow.

Who will remember you when you are dead? Who will pray for you? Do now, beloved, what you can, because you do not know when you will die, nor what your fate will be after death. Gather for yourself the riches of immortality while you have time. Think of nothing but your salvation. Care only for the things of God. Make friends for yourself now by honoring the saints of God, by imitating their actions, so that when you depart this life they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.

Keep yourself as a stranger here on earth, a pilgrim whom its affairs do not concern at all. Keep your heart free and raise it up to God, for you have not here a lasting home. To Him direct your daily prayers, your sighs and tears, that your soul may merit after death to pass in happiness to the Lord.

http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb1c21-25.html#RTFToC61

Debylin

Itch weed or commonly known as Stinging Nettle is used for helping many things and the one thing I am interested in is a cure for my allergies.

I have been taken Reactine as known in Canada or Zoloft as known in the US for about 17 years now. I was told by an  allergy specialist that it was going to be hard on my liver to stay on this medication for the rest of my life. So now that I live in Texas I am learning about the natural herbs and helpful things that are all around me.  This is just one of God’s gifts to His people. The Stinging Nettle:

Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Nettle has been used for centuries to treat allergy symptoms, particularly hayfever which is the most common allergy problem. It contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation. Dr. Andrew Wiel M.D. author of Natural Health/ Natural Medicine says he knows of nothing more effective than nettle for allergy relief. And his statement is backed up by studies at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Decongestants, antihistamines, allergy shots and even prescription medications such as Allegra and Claritin treat only the symptoms of allergies and tend to lose effectiveness over a period of time. They can also cause drowsiness, dry sinuses, insomnia and high blood pressure. Nettle has none of these side effects. It can be used on a regular basis and has an impressive number of other benefits most notably as a treatment for prostate enlargement.

Latin Names: Uritca dioica, Urtica galeopsifolia Common Names: Nettle, Big String Nettle, Common Nettle, Stinging Nettle, Gerrais, Isirgan, Kazink, Nabat Al Nar, Ortiga, Grande Ortie, Ortie, Urtiga, Chichicaste, Brennessel, Gross d?Ortie, Racine d?Ortie, Grote Brandnetel, Ortiga Mayor, Devils Leaf Properties: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-anaphylactic,anti-rheumatic, anti-asthmatic, anti-convulsant, anti-dandruff, anti-histamine, astringent, decongestant, depurative, diuretic, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, galactagogue, immunomodulator, prostate tonic, stimulating tonic Indicated for: Seasonal allergies, arthritis, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, laryngitis, prostatitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tendinitis, BPH, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions. High blood pressure, hair loss, anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, eczema, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids. Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, bladder infections, hives, kidney stones, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate enlargement and sciatica

Nettle has been studied extensively and has shown promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, bladder infections, bronchitis, bursitis, gingivitis, gout, hives, kidney stones, laryngitis, multiple sclerosis, PMS, prostate enlargement, sciatica, and tendinitis! Externally it has been used to improve the appearance of the hair, and is said to be a remedy against oily hair and dandruff.

In Germany today stinging nettle is sold as an herbal drug for prostate diseases and as a diuretic. It is a common ingredient in other herbal drugs produced in Germany for rheumatic complaints and inflammatory conditions (especially for the lower urinary tract and prostate). In the United States many remarkable healing properties are attributed to nettle and the leaf is utilized for different problems than the root. The leaf is used here as a diuretic, for arthritis, prostatitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and allergic rhinitis.

The root is recommended as a diuretic, for relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and other prostate problems, and as a natural remedy to treat or prevent baldness

An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding. It is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids and hair problems.

Taken orally, products made from nettle’s aerial parts may interfere with the body’s production of prostaglandins and other inflammation-causing chemicals. Consequently, nettle may have an anti-inflammatory effect. It may also enhance responses of the immune system. Chemicals in nettle’s aerial parts are also thought to reduce the feeling of pain or interfere with the way that nerves send pain signals. All of these effects may reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis and other similar conditions.

In addition, nettle’s aerial parts may reduce the amount of histamine that is produced by the body in response to an allergen. An allergen is a substance such as pollen that may provoke an exaggerated immune response in individuals who are sensitive to it. Through this potential action, the aerial parts of nettle may help to reduce allergy symptoms. Results from one human study are promising, but more research is needed to be conclusive.

A solution of the extract may be applied to the skin to relieve joint pain and muscle aches. Astringent properties of nettle aerial parts may also help to lessen the swelling of hemorrhoids and stop bleeding from minor skin injuries such as razor nicks. An astringent shrinks and tightens the top layers of skin or mucous membranes, thereby reducing secretions, relieving irritation, and improving tissue firmness. It may also be used topically for dandruff and overly oily hair and scalp.

So you can see the wonderful benefits of this incredible plant that grows all over the place here. Right now I am drying out a bunch in order to start making a tea. When the plant is dried it will no longer cause the burning itch that it does when it is fresh. I found this to be true as I was picking it.

If this works I will be one very pleased individual! I will let you know how it goes.

The Lord in his mercy has given us these wonderful herbs. We have lived not according to his word and strayed into a life that has been harmful to us. Living in the cities and eating foods that are processed and preserved has taken its tole on us. We need to go back to the right way of living in order to heal our bodies and give God Praise for providing in His mercy to us a remedy, which we do not deserve, due to our disobedience.

This below is a pic of a Garden spider I took while picking the nettle. It is a rather large one! I was told it was good for the gardens.

This is a pic of the stinging nettle just below this wonderful spider

Blessings to those who hear the truth and obey

Debylin