Ok.. so today our spirits are prompted to consider a kettle. So we get our spiritual eyes ready and start by reading this verse.
Matthew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Now let’s consider the kettle for a moment. Not an average modern kettle but a camping kettle, nothing fancy. Just a kettle, like one that you would use over an open fire.
In Matthew 3:11 we’re told that Jesus will baptize with fire and spirit.
So you’re in camp, you’re thirsty and perhaps you want a cup of tea, or maybe coffee. You find your kettle, you inspect the inside for bugs or dirt etc. and fill it with water. Water is the base for all hydration, and all fluid beverages that we consume are mainly water.
Next you light a fire. (That’s a spiritual/physical parallel for another post. Man is that deep as well!) But for now we focus on the kettle.
So you put your clean vessel or kettle on the fire and the water begins to boil. The fire purifies the water as it heats up. Continually repeating this process makes for a pristine, clean and sanitary inner kettle. So clean in fact that it keeps the interior looking new. Like without blemish. However…
The outside of the kettle looks black and burned and the handle gets charred. Well it looks used and not as appealing to the world as a new kettle. Let’s just say, you’d probably walk right by it at a yard sale. And you’d definitely not see it on a shelf at a fine retail shop or even Walmart for that matter.
It still functions perfectly for taking the fire and purifying water, and providing clean healthy hydration for you and whoever else you invite to share in the experience. But man is it ugly to those who can’t see the inside.
It’s not until you go to fill it again that you even have the opportunity to notice the immaculate condition of the inside of a perfectly conditioned kettle. A proven kettle, tried in the fire, taking the intense heat as its normal duty. That’s what it was made for. But with only one use. The outside will never look the same to the world. And man is it rare for the world to look close enough to see that the inside is somehow miraculously shining.
Biblically the transverse can be seen in Matthew chapter 23 when Jesus compares the church leaders of His day to a cup that has been washed on the outside but the inside is filthy. You can’t drink water from a filthy cup! Who knows what kinds of diseases and sicknesses come from the grime on the walls of a filthy cup….So why would we do this in spirit?
Why do we reject the standards we hold in the physical when it comes to the spiritual? You wouldn’t just grab an unclean cup and drink. Nor would you offer it to your friend. You would inspect it, if need be, you would clean and sanitize it to keep all who thirst from any harm or illness.
In the same way, we often overlook the kettle that fills the cups. We use our worldly notions of cleanliness to judge a kettle that has been perfectly seasoned by the fire. Proven useful in its purpose, because we only see the suet and stains. Our physical eyes don’t see the beauty, or the evidence of purpose, nor the proof of success. Spiritual Fire is a dirty business. But the kettle was made for it. The proof is on the inside.
We know that the prophet Amos tells us that there will come famine on the land. Not a physical famine for bread nor thirst for water, but a starvation and hunger for the Word of God. We also know that Jesus is the Word of God from John chapter 1 “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
We further know that Jesus is the “Living Water, and he who drinks this water will never thirst again. This is the spiritual water. It hydrates your spirit for salvation, and for doing the works of Christ. Christ says we will become fountains of this living water when we come to know Him. So others can drink and never thirst as well.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Matthew 5:6
We invite you to take another look at the messy campfire kettle and consider your walk with Christ. Don’t be bothered when people misjudge the results of the Baptism of fire that manifested from your thirst for God’s righteousness. Just pour out for them a drink from a clean and perfect inside. And remember, they may not even be ready for a clean drink of water. Never having tried it they may be used to dirty, filthy, unclean, unhealthy or diseased water of the world. But be patient, for in time they get used to it.
Like us, they were trained by the world to look for a clean looking, “beautiful” or “acceptable” exterior. Never considering that Jesus Himself was not found attractive by the world.
Isaiah 53:2 “…He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
But He was and is and always will be what we thirst for and what our thirst is quenched by eternally.
In fact, the kettle pictured has been with us for several years, and in many states. It’s been used to brew coffee, make medicinal teas during Covid. It’s cooked soup and even popped popcorn. But most importantly to purify water. It’s one of our items that we would have a hard time functioning without. While the exterior looks like it should be tossed out and discarded because of the heat that it’s taken, the inside is clean, essential and fully capable of its purpose for our basic survival. To most it’s not pretty, but to us it beautiful. And it has become a valuable lesson in spirit.
So go light a fire inspect your inner kettle, remove any debris that doesn’t belong. Fill it with living water and enjoy the baptism. Never worrying what people think of the beautiful evidence of the refiners fire. You were made for this.
#Godisgood
#sendme
#offgridchristian
#Christian
#offgrid
#campfire
4 - 4
Autumn has come once again to this little spot in the woods that’s been our summer haven for 4 summers now. Bringing with it cooler evenings, changing colors and shorter days. Our time here grows short with each passing day and while we do not look forward to leaving again, we always so look forward to where God is taking us in the next season.
We are thankful and grateful to Doug Henry and his lovely wife Dana Henry for the opportunity that they have allowed us to experience here off grid in what we have come to lovingly call “The Henry Woods.” It’s been an awesome opportunity to learn and share the goodness of God with others.
We are thankful for the peaceful, quiet splendor of Gods Creation that surrounds us at all times and the way He shows Himself in all the daily changes. The beautiful way that the sun rays flow through the canopy to the forest floor are different now than when we arrived in the spring. Each day the angles of light hit the base of the beech trees in new and different ways as the days grow shorter. We have watched the leaves change from vibrant spring and summer green to the beautiful yellows, oranges and reds of autumn.
The sounds have changed from the almost annoying and constant call of the green frogs in the the pond to the song of the crickets and now the occasional piercing sound of fall cicadas. All the while the songs of the birds have remained constant, yet ever changing. The hundred or more hummingbirds that we befriended and enjoyed as they aggressively competed over our little red sugar filled feeders, have now left for the winter as well. Taking their lovely high pitched song with them. The sweet song of the warbling wren is gone as well and has been replaced by the chirps of thousands of goldfinch as they feast on the thistle and knapweed seeds that are so plentiful on the prairie. The bees which were so diligently, yet peacefully working beside us as we harvested rose petals early this summer are now frantically storing up for the cold weather. Their pesky cousins "the yellow jacket" are another story. They aren’t quite as friendly late in the season.. lol.
The squirrels too, are so very busy here in this little hickory/walnut/beech grove as they store up their little treasures for the winter. Nut hulls rain down on us at times and we often wonder if the ornery little fellas aren't above us giggling as they drop piece after piece on our head and shoulders. And their friendly cousins, the chipmunks, scurry amongst the leaves, storing up seeds and nuts in their burrows.
We've experienced, bald eagle, hawk, turkey, cardinals, wrens and of course many other varieties of birds. All beautiful in their own way. Even wood ducks, malards and herons visited the pond this year.
We are thankful for the blessing of the bats and swallows which have kept the mosquitos at bay.
We have enjoyed the 100’s of beautiful varieties of different butterflies that come to polinate our medicine garden and bring a smile to our day. We see less and less as they prepare to move to their winter homes.
We will miss even the snapping turtles in the tiny pond, who seem to sense us coming and lumber toward the bank to greet us and beg for a piece of bread.
We are so blessed to have rescued and shared our wooded home with our sweet little deer friend whom we lovingly called Cinderella. She brought us such joy and taught us new ways to experience love and see the wonder of Our Creator. She has gone her own way, but we are thankful for the time that we were allowed with her.
Even the annoyance of realizing that the 6 chicks we bought on sale this past spring would not bring us a single egg, but would all crow at 4:30 am has been a blessing in keeping bugs and ticks down around camp. ..All 6 roosters will be an added blessing when it’s time to make soup this winter..
The comforting night sounds of several different owls around us will be missed.
We have a couple of barred owls that call to us and each other as we sit by the fire at night. The screech owls and hoot owls remind us of their presence with their familiar and erie calls. Even the coyotes that yip and howl at the edges of camp have become a familiar and expected yet chilling sound.
And in keeping with the past summers, there have even been some unusual calls deep in the night that we have not yet identified and wonder if the whooping and howling is that of an elusive bipedal friend…lol
This particular season has brought us to a major change from pastoring a church to teaching and sharing Gods goodness in a new way. While change is often hard, we realize that obedience to the Lords calling is our ultimate goal.
Each season that God brings us through we are amazed at His glory and wisdom and love for us. Even in the changes and chastening which God has ordained us to. In this we know that the servant is not greater than the Master. Giving in and letting God lead us to and from the opportunities and encounters He puts before us has been the most amazing adventure in obedience. And what an incredible blessing. Realizing that He would allow us the struggles and the pain and the change and the pruning to bring us closer to Him because He loves us so much. To allow us to call out to Him when we don't know or understand what is going on, so that He can lead us and show us great and mighty things we did not know and in turn prove how amazingly perfect and sovereign He is. This is where we learn to lean on Him and not our own understanding. Here in the trial is where we find the joy in Him, knowing He is the source of our strength as we move and live and love and breathe in Him and for Him. Because Christ moved and lived and breathed and loved and died for us.
So we encourage you. Don't be anxious about the changes or fearful of where God is taking you in your new season. He knit you together in your mother's womb before anyone else even knew you were there. He has a plan and a purpose for you. It is for you to follow Him straight to His magnificent glory. If you truly follow Him, He will lead you through the narrow gate and He will guide you down that often very difficult path to Life everlasting where we will glory in Him forever with eternal praise.
“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22,23
#Godisgood #SendMe #offgridchristian #outdoorliving #offgrid #christian #HereAmI #jesus #jesuslovesyou #GodBlessYou
2 - 0
So, fire starting without a match...The options are what you might call "limited." One recent option that we have explored is flint and steel. Well in our case it's more "Chert and Steel." Chert is a lesser form of flint, but it's far more plentiful here in the woods and streams of Logan County Ohio than flint. Anyway, it throws a spark when struck on a sharp edge, at a 45° angle by carbon steel. It's an ancient method, basic in tech, but highly successful in preserving life for our predecessors.
This method is interesting in that a spark is what is most needed to start a fire. So we consider strongly God's Word in a spark becoming a flame.
You first make the spark, but what shall it ignite? What will turn your spark to ember? We mean it's one thing to make a spark, but now we must ignite it into fire. Tinder doesn't hold a spark long enough to go to flame, so with the flint and steel method you will need a perfect substance that will take said spark and cause an ember to form...oh yeah, and hold it long enough to apply it to tinder and ignite it to flame...In our case we were led to the charing of cotton cloth. In other words, we needed to make the aforementioned "Char Cloth."
It is in times of security and comfort that we must prepare for the difficulties of the days ahead. Much like the narrow path, Christ promises us "troubles, difficulties, and suffering," etc. And so we prepare in His Word. Making ourselves ready for these times. Therefore as an exercise in preparation by paralleling Spirit and flesh, here in our safe and humble little camp we consider God in the movements to come.
We ask ourselves "What if there is no lighter?" Or what if there is no store to buy said lighter? The Bible tells us to keep our lamps filled and our wicks trimmed in preparation for the coming of the Lord. This too is preparation spoken by Christ in the Gospel. Preparation is key to surviving for His purpose until His return. Or at least until He calls us home.
And so we prepare. Just as we need the Word in ministry, we understand that no matter the circumstance, we need fire out here to cook, clean, provide heat, and to generally survive on the most modest of terms in God's creation outside of civilization. Set apart from this world so to speak. As was Christ. Here in the isolation of the woods we learn His ways with little or no distraction. We seek Him in all that we do here. As you seek so shall you find. And so we sought Him in this way as well.
Using Char cloth is not a good way to start a fire if one is in distress in the wild as there would be no reason to start a fire if you already had one. You see it takes fire to make char cloth, so it is made ahead of time in preparation for a situation where you would need a fire, and you found yourself without a match. This method caused us to look to God's Holy Word once more. In refining our skills we learned that we must refine some cotton cloth. To make Char Cloth one must first isolate the cloth from the natural world. We used an old tin box to do just that. You see if you ignite a cotton cloth it will burn up and be consumed leaving you nothing to use in times of trouble. Such is the preparation of the Gospel for the believer sent into a lost and dying world. The parallel isn't wasted on us. However, if you take cotton cloth out of this world's elements, isolate it in the tin box, and expose it to heat, all the natural, and undesirable properties will be burned away, leaving only the most basic material. So first we took a small nail and poked a tiny hole in the lid of the tin box. This is to let the impurities escape while allowing the flames from the fire surrounding to burn them up as they flee. What is left after the flame stops burning at the tiny hole is bare carbon. Such is the case with char cloth. This unpolluted substance will catch a spark and hold it as all the unwanted material has been burned off.
Much like our prayer life, this method burns away the impurities. By going to our secret place, isolated, with no outside contamination and dwelling in the presence of God, we become refined. By the fires that test us all in God's Word, we are ridding ourselves of everything that would keep us from holding an ember to catch fire for the Lord. This prepares us for the raging Spiritual fire to come.
In this we would discard all unnecessary property, thoughts, words and deeds that would cause us to burn away in hell fire. Unprepared souls, not unlike the unrefined cotton cloth burn out too fast. But when tested by fire we are left with nothing but the most basic of perfectly prepared elements remaining.
Now we can catch the spark, start an ember, and hold it long enough to catch fire. Praise God! We are so thankful to be in a season (even though it's fast coming to an end) where we can learn His way in this manner. You'd be surprised what you don't need, and what God has waiting for you when you replace what you thought you needed with what God has naturally supplied for your survival.
P.S. We could use, and have in the past used certain leaves such as mullein to make this char cloth. A small piece of your T-shirt, or jeans works as well. You don't have to use the flint and steel method either. If you prepare some char cloth for help in making fires for hiking, back packing, camping, etc. This stuff helps to get things going in the wet as well. It's just good to have around just in case. And who knows, if you consider the Lord in the uses, you may well come to know Him better.
1 Corinthians 3:13
their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
God is good!!!
#sendme #godisgood #hereami #holyspiritfire #offgridchristian #offgrid #christian #fire #charcloth #flintandsteel #survival #bushcraft #bible #jesuslovesyou #primative
2 - 0
When you hand wash your clothes in the woods and leave your shorts on the clotheslines for a day and a half, you might end up with some unwanted friends in your pocket who want to tag along.
Sadly for them we decided to ‘leave these friends behind.’
We know this is kinda funny, but it reminds us of how the Bible says to be careful of who you fellowship with.
While harboring a nest of jumping spider eggs in your pocket will inevitably get you bit, so will joining and agreeing with groups or people who have morals that oppose those of the One True God, but on a more eternal level.
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Sober up morally and stop sinning, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34
God is good!
#godisgood #sendme #offgridchristian #offgrid #christian #outdoorliving #clothesline #handwash #jesus #godblessyou #jesuslovesyou #goodcompany #laundry
5 - 2
There’s something beautiful in these stones. There are three of them actually. If you seek to find them diligently, you will find them. And once you know they are there, you can’t unknow it. You will always know they are there. And you will look for more. The same is true with the persons of God. If you seek Him with your whole Heart, you will find Him. And once you experience The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, you will never be the same. You will keep seeking.
The Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly is a small and beautiful little dainty butterfly with pretty little orange specks and slatey blue wings. As we sat and chatted about the importance of the small things and stared at these stones, we saw a strawberry top, an old half chewed walnut hull, some dead weeds and many stones. We were only made aware that there was something more, by the slightest movement. And then we saw them, and were intrigued. Once we knew they were there, we looked for more, and saw that there were dozens all around us.
What you focus on, you will see. Whether it be the faults in your surroundings and yourself or the beauty. Focus on the beauty and righteousness of God instead of your stony and debris filled surroundings and you will find Him. You just have to focus on the right things. Once you open your eyes and your hearts to God, you will find He is right there and you will never be the same.
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
God is good!!
#Godisgood #SendMe #SeekJesus #offgrid #offgridchristian #christian #outdoorliving #openyoureyes #openyourheart #GodBlessYou #jesuslovesyou #hereami
0 - 0
The lovely yellow plumed flower that we see along the roadways and prairies in the late summer and early fall is called Goldenrod. It has many healing properties and can help with bladder and kidney issues as well as allergies and congestion. However, it is often times blamed for fall allergies or mistaken for another fall blooming, allergy causing plant called Ragweed. Even though they are far from the same.
Goldenrod is a perineal plant with a yellow flower plum that has a heavy sticky pollen which relies on pollinators like bees and butterflies and birds to spread its pollen. It is too heavy to be moved by the air. On the other hand, Ragweed is an inconspicuous, annual plant with many small green flowers which have very light pollen that is easily blown by the wind and relies on the air to spread its pollen. While Ragweed does offer some healing properties in other ways, it is the one to blame for your sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
The Bible says in Isaiah 5:20 …
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
If we look around, we have to recognize that we live in a time where Truth is called Lies and Good is called Evil, Murder is called Healthcare and Love is called Hate and that Accepting Sin is the worlds definition of Love. Jesus said “do not be deceived, many will come in My name bearing false witness.”
Jesus was called an evil blasphemer for speaking Righteousness. He was called a liar when he was being Truthful. He was called evil when He was showing Love to the sick and hurting. He was threatend when He Healed the blind. And He was hated so much, when all He gave was Love, that they nailed Him to a cross. And yet He still Loved. He still died willingly. He still forgave. He still rose from the grave. He still showed Love to His betrayers and He is now our Living, Lord ready to Save us.
Goldenrod is still Goldenrod. Even if folks kill it and blame it for the fall alergies. It doesnt get bitter and change because people say it’s bad. It still offers beauty and health to those who seek out the truth.
Jesus does the same. He is always there. Ready to give Grace and Forgiveness, Salvation, Love and Rebirth to those who truly seek Him, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been or how you have betrayed Him.
As followers of Christ we must accept the fact that the more we look like Jesus, the more we will be hated by the world. The more we speak Truth, we will be called liars. The more we show real Love, we will be called haters. And it’s possible that we will be hated so much that we will be hurt or even killed for it….. Look like Jesus anyway. Do what Jesus did. Love when you are hated. Speak Truth when all they want is lies. Do your best to Open the Eyes of the blind even if they love their blindness. And forgive them. Don’t let them change you.
Keep looking like Jesus Christ even when it’s hard. Your reward will be great.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Galatians 6:9
#godisgood #sendme #hereami #hereiamlord #offgridchristian #offgrid #christian #goldenrod #herbalremedies #forage #love #forgive #hope #peace #ragweed #lightinthedark #jesuslovesyou #godblessyou
5 - 2
Off Grid Ministry. We are Husband and Wife called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ while sharing our offgrid experiences. We want to share our journey in obedience to the Lord and where He has taken us over the years. Whether it be off grid in a disaster zone or on the city streets or deep in the woods. The Lord is in it all. All Glory to God! His will be done.
20 April 2020