Scattershooting
5/29/08 - 5th Day - Mid-Morning. Ok, both of the "The Biblical Case for the Beard" sermons are now available in both print and audio versions:
The Biblical Case for the Beard, Part 1 (audio) (Sermon Notes)
The Biblical Case for the Beard, Part 2 (audio) (Sermon Notes)
I'd have to say that, combined with the two sermons on the womans headcovering, I've never had a series of sermons go out and receive less attention and feedback. It's very interesting. My overall hits and visits on this blog have really been going up, but the amount of feedback here and on BiblicalAgrarianism.com has really plummeted. I'm not sure what to make of that. Either I am really making some people think, and they do not know what to say about it, or (as I suspect) discussion about actual obedience and what the Bible says about things makes people nervous. For the most part, we receive almost NO feedback or comments any more on BA, and here it is getting pretty sparse - strange when you consider the increased traffic. Maybe it is as I have said for many years. Maybe the time for teaching and exhorting is past, and maybe it is time that I consider eliminating the online portion of the ministry? Something to consider, anyway.
Ok, here at the ranch we have been working pretty hard on trying to get the roof of the office finished. Today, the men are all over here and we are putting up the metal roofing. Also, later today we will be raising the walls on Brother Deacon David Sifford's shed building that he is building over his root cellar.
It seems to have been killing time for me. The other night I shot a coon that was busy eating my pig feed. We had set a trap for him, but he was bypassing the trap and pulling the lid off of the feed and going to town. I caught him and he tried to run up into the pasture and hunker down, hoping I would go away. All I could see were eyes shining back at me, and I didn't want to accidentally shoot one of the cats (at least not one of the good cats - some cats need shooting), so I crept up on him and finally took him out. The next day happened to be the day my oldest daughter (Tracy) turned 15. To celebrate (since we do not celebrate birthdays) she chose to butcher three of her rabbits. So I helped her kill a rabbit, and then she did the other two. She did a great job. Then she smoked them, and today she is going to can the meat. Today, while I was working down at the office, Danielle came down and told me that there was a coon in the coon trap. So I had to go shoot that coon. Hopefully, if we can limit the coon population a bit, then I can eventually catch a hog or two in our hog trap. It seems, right now, like the coons have been getting the bait corn before the hogs can get to it.
Still no rain here. A huge storm came down on Tuesday night and completely surrounded us in three directions. Then it just disappeared. We're taking that personally. Elder David and I will be calling for a day of repentance, prayer, and reflection here in the community. If you would like to join us, I will be posting information in the next day or so.
Sometimes God gives you an immediate and unequivocal rebuke. Last friday, Jennifer was goofing around with Robert and Robert stole her shoes. She went chasing Robert without her shoes and she stubbed her toe on a rock. Well, she ripped her big toenail completely off. Quite painful, as you can imagine. I talked to her about it and I told her about God's love in how He rebukes us. Sometimes, He lets us know immediately that we have done something wrong. She was doing something very silly and dangerous, and she got an immediate rebuke for it. "Spiritual Physics" we call it around here. Well, on Tuesday I was down feeding the pigs. One of the big gilts was being ornery, and she made me mad so I gave her an ill-advised kick to the snout. I didn't have my steel-toed boots on, so guess what happened? Yep, ripped my toenail on my big toe all the way back. It didn't come completely off... yet, but it probably will. So I have been hobbling around a bit, and learning my lessons. It's funny to see the children look at me with such a mature, knowing (maybe mocking) glance...
Updates:
The ham that I cured myself was very good. It was very salty, as I expected, but we used some Ajarita berry sauce with it and it was quite tasty. If you wanted to have it taste more like commercial ham, you would have to soak it probably for 48 hours or so, and then maybe honey glaze it and bake it. But it was very good.
I am still making plans for Super-Ranchfest in October, and I will be sending out an update to my personal email list either today or tomorrow. I am also working on a Q&A Friday to send out tomorrow.
Sarah's arm is healing up really well. She no longer has the cast on it, and has almost complete flexibility with just an ACE bandage on it. Thank you all for your prayers.
We also got the brakes fixed. Brother Chris was able to do the job for me, for much, much less than it would have cost otherwise. I still have some other problems that need addressing, but for now the truck is operable and we are glad for that.
Well, I have to hobble back down to the office. Hope all is well with you all.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
The Biblical Case for the Beard, Part 1 (audio) (Sermon Notes)
The Biblical Case for the Beard, Part 2 (audio) (Sermon Notes)
I'd have to say that, combined with the two sermons on the womans headcovering, I've never had a series of sermons go out and receive less attention and feedback. It's very interesting. My overall hits and visits on this blog have really been going up, but the amount of feedback here and on BiblicalAgrarianism.com has really plummeted. I'm not sure what to make of that. Either I am really making some people think, and they do not know what to say about it, or (as I suspect) discussion about actual obedience and what the Bible says about things makes people nervous. For the most part, we receive almost NO feedback or comments any more on BA, and here it is getting pretty sparse - strange when you consider the increased traffic. Maybe it is as I have said for many years. Maybe the time for teaching and exhorting is past, and maybe it is time that I consider eliminating the online portion of the ministry? Something to consider, anyway.
Ok, here at the ranch we have been working pretty hard on trying to get the roof of the office finished. Today, the men are all over here and we are putting up the metal roofing. Also, later today we will be raising the walls on Brother Deacon David Sifford's shed building that he is building over his root cellar.
It seems to have been killing time for me. The other night I shot a coon that was busy eating my pig feed. We had set a trap for him, but he was bypassing the trap and pulling the lid off of the feed and going to town. I caught him and he tried to run up into the pasture and hunker down, hoping I would go away. All I could see were eyes shining back at me, and I didn't want to accidentally shoot one of the cats (at least not one of the good cats - some cats need shooting), so I crept up on him and finally took him out. The next day happened to be the day my oldest daughter (Tracy) turned 15. To celebrate (since we do not celebrate birthdays) she chose to butcher three of her rabbits. So I helped her kill a rabbit, and then she did the other two. She did a great job. Then she smoked them, and today she is going to can the meat. Today, while I was working down at the office, Danielle came down and told me that there was a coon in the coon trap. So I had to go shoot that coon. Hopefully, if we can limit the coon population a bit, then I can eventually catch a hog or two in our hog trap. It seems, right now, like the coons have been getting the bait corn before the hogs can get to it.
Still no rain here. A huge storm came down on Tuesday night and completely surrounded us in three directions. Then it just disappeared. We're taking that personally. Elder David and I will be calling for a day of repentance, prayer, and reflection here in the community. If you would like to join us, I will be posting information in the next day or so.
Sometimes God gives you an immediate and unequivocal rebuke. Last friday, Jennifer was goofing around with Robert and Robert stole her shoes. She went chasing Robert without her shoes and she stubbed her toe on a rock. Well, she ripped her big toenail completely off. Quite painful, as you can imagine. I talked to her about it and I told her about God's love in how He rebukes us. Sometimes, He lets us know immediately that we have done something wrong. She was doing something very silly and dangerous, and she got an immediate rebuke for it. "Spiritual Physics" we call it around here. Well, on Tuesday I was down feeding the pigs. One of the big gilts was being ornery, and she made me mad so I gave her an ill-advised kick to the snout. I didn't have my steel-toed boots on, so guess what happened? Yep, ripped my toenail on my big toe all the way back. It didn't come completely off... yet, but it probably will. So I have been hobbling around a bit, and learning my lessons. It's funny to see the children look at me with such a mature, knowing (maybe mocking) glance...
Updates:
The ham that I cured myself was very good. It was very salty, as I expected, but we used some Ajarita berry sauce with it and it was quite tasty. If you wanted to have it taste more like commercial ham, you would have to soak it probably for 48 hours or so, and then maybe honey glaze it and bake it. But it was very good.
I am still making plans for Super-Ranchfest in October, and I will be sending out an update to my personal email list either today or tomorrow. I am also working on a Q&A Friday to send out tomorrow.
Sarah's arm is healing up really well. She no longer has the cast on it, and has almost complete flexibility with just an ACE bandage on it. Thank you all for your prayers.
We also got the brakes fixed. Brother Chris was able to do the job for me, for much, much less than it would have cost otherwise. I still have some other problems that need addressing, but for now the truck is operable and we are glad for that.
Well, I have to hobble back down to the office. Hope all is well with you all.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Michael Bunker
posted by Michael Bunker at 5/29/2008 08:19:00 AM
13 Comments:
Greetings in the Name of the Lord!
About comments and stuff: I have been so busy with my spring work that I have just been scanning posts in bloglines and haven't really thoroughly read anything. I haven't been posting a whole lot, either. That doesn't mean you should stop, though. I would like you to continue, if that is something you can do. I can only read and comment when I have more time and energy. :-D
By the way, I don't have a problem with headcoverings and beards.
;-)
Amen! Interesting Ginny! I must have been sitting here writing my response, and it's similar to yours but longer! Here goes: Regarding the Headcovering sermons I listened to both and agree fully with them. Perhaps because Ladies Forum had just been discussing persons reactions, etc., I didn't feel inclined to comment. Am getting more consistant with it despite no one in this household to monitor or encourage me, but the Holy Spirit keeps urging me on. Praise God! Re: the beards sermons I appreciated the teaching, and remember something about married men should wear them from earlier discussions; but since I can't grow one, don't have much to say. My husband has always had a mustache and several beards in our married life, and said yesterday he's growing it again. Fine with me!
Re: participation plummeting~the old regulars in many cases are busier with spring gardens, etc. and busy with striving to be more independent/agrarian in some cases; perhaps leaving less time for posting articles and responsive comments? Just a thought. But yes, as Ginny said, I would pray you don't stop either. Have put in 2 new Raspberry beds, plastic/woodchip mulched the southside of my garden that faces the open (weedy) field, and generally weeded all beds and prepared the vegie garden for planting this weekend...all in the last 4 days. Sore muscles and tired bones!!
Praying God would deliver you the much needed rain, heal your toes and bring you the resourses you feel you need at this time! God Bless!
Beth
Yes Michael, please let us know when, so we can join in with you all in repentance, prayer and reflection. Thanks, Bill
Michael...
Do you really suspect that people are nervous about being obedient and therefore are quieting there input by commenting? It seems like it would be the opposite don't you think. That others would defend, blame, and justify as much as possible?
How many people would you say regularly read your blog? To let you know, I usually check it daily and skim the post for content. And , do you have counter for it that gives you feedback that I haven't noticed before?
Michael, sorry I haven't jumped in here much of late. I am finding the Beard series VERY thought provoking, and frankly, convincing. It, of course, is brand new territory for me, and I thoroughly appreciate your willingness to tackle it.
If I was down on the ranch with y'all, it'd be a done deal. So I guess it SHOULD be a done deal regardless eh.
Bill
P.S. I pray you don't stop exhorting, and that BA will continue. I too am often mystyified by the general lack of participation on BA, especially lately. I know some people think they don't have much to say or contribute, but that's rarely true, and it's right where the enemy wants you.
loved the series. this site is new to me, as is the whole beard thing. my wife commented to me that she thinks i would look nice in one. Well its a no brainer now huh, Biblical and Spousal. Everybody is happy, well in a month or so when all the itchiness is gone. the series, simple and to the point seems to be the most effective.
Garth and/or Ildi,
I have found over the years that the posts or sermons that ought to bring out the most discussion and/or controversy, have been those that have passed by with the *crickets* sound into the night. I have never figured out why that is.
I mean, regardless of what we personally think about beards or headcoverings, the material was presented in an unambiguous way, and it ought to condemn most of the men and women who read this blog. So, I'm not sure what to make of it.
As to the stats question, we have several different counters on the blog site. The main counter is the one that comes with my web host. This is the most accurate counter because it counts every hit to every page on the server, and gives us data on the amount of "unique" visits, total hits, kilobytes of information moved, etc. Then we have a "Sitemeter" which is pretty common on blogs today. This is located at the very bottom of the blogpage if you scroll all the way down. It is presented as a running count of visits. If you click on it it will take you to a page that shows tons of different stats about the site. This site is not quite as accurate, and it doesn't count every single page on the site, only those that have the counter on it.
Then we have the "amung.us" counter, which is kind of neat. You can find it at the bottom of the page under the counter. It tells how many people are on a few of my sites at any one time. It is also not completely accurate, because it only counts those who are on a page that has that counter on it. You can click on that number to check out how many people are reading a particular page at a particular time.
Our most accurate count would be that about 216 unique visitors read my blog each day, up from about 157 last September.
Michael
Michael..Garth here, my wife only (or mostly) reads work from other women. Sort-of the Titus Two life. So, when we post, it is always me. We have the same email and blog for accountability. After I posted I navigated around more and found the counters...DUH!
As far as the information being shared..beards and head-coverings...that is an interesting cultural practice to be tackled in today's society. What are your views concerning credit cards? In addition, what curriculum do you use for children learning? I assume you are schooling them at home.
garth
Michael,
Today, I took the time to read the series on beards and listen to part one of the headcovering message. I appreciate the work you have done with them and couldn't agree more. Tonight, I am going to try to listen to part two of the headcovering message. Please continue to provide teaching such as these. It is an encouragement to me, even if we already practice headcovering and the beard. It is good to be reinforced once in a while, because the pressures of the world do close in.
I almost have all my garden in, even though it takes me a while these days. :-D I am growing some new grains this year: amaranth and quinoa. I was going to grow some grain sorghum and millet, but I don't think I will get that in this year. I will save the seed.
It is good to have the chicken manure for the garden this year. I have been able to put two good loads of coop bedding on the garden so far. I'm hoping the field corn will show the positive effects.
God bless you and yours. And thanks!
"We're taking that personally. Elder David and I will be calling for a day of repentance, prayer, and reflection here in the community. If you would like to join us, I will be posting information in the next day or so."
Dear Michael,
Above is a quote from your Scattershooting post that I've wondered about. Do you still intend to post info.? Thinking about all of you and praying for your needed rain throughout every day, as I work outside and especially as we are due for a week of scattered rain here. The soil was getting quite dry before it started as we live on a sandpile.
God be with all of you and pray you can share what you intended with us. Thank you for all you do, share and teach!
Beth
Garth,
I will be posting a Q&A in the next week or so about credit cards. As for curriculum, Danielle puts together her own curriculum, checking out different courses and different topics and putting it together herself.
Beth,
We are going to be having a day of repentance, etc. this Wednesday (tomorrow). I will be blogging about it today.
Peace,
Michael
Hi Michael,
In reading this post, I understand your frustration at the lack of comments at times. It seems that the posts that should really generate a good conversation - people just shut up. I suppose they might be scared to get into something they really aren't prepared to back up biblically. I myself am guilty of not commenting on blogs too much as just keeping up on comments to our own blog sometimes is difficult. Time is at a premium, especially this time of year.
I also suspect that it may not be as bad as you may think. I have tried to comment several times on your blog but they have never got posted. I have sometimes thought that as moderator, you didn't approve them, but I think it has to do with "BLOGGER", which I don't think is very user friendly for folks to comment. I always comment under my own name and blog address at wordpress, but I never get through. I think this is where the problem lies. I tried several time to comment on Herrick Kimbal's blog too but could not. So I have set up an account at BLOGGER just to comment - I hope it works and you get this.
Also, for many months I have not been able to log onto Biblical Agrarianism from this computer (at work - I can do it at home but seldom get the chance). I always get a message that says - "The page isn't redirecting properly Firefox has detected that the server is redirecting the request for this address in a way that will never complete. This problem can sometimes be caused by disabling or refusing to accept
cookies." I have checked all the settings on this end and see no reason for this to happen.
I have very much enjoyed all your posts and would enjoy conversations on these things. I have also listened to most of your sermons. They have been a big help and have been very encouraging and edifying. Thank you for the work you do! I have not had the chance to listen to the "Biblical Case for the Beard", but am looking forward to it. I have thought on this subject many times but have not done a study on it from the Bible. My job as a firefighter does not allow one since it would let in smoke and I couldn't do my job. I have always considered it something akin to the story Jesus told in Matthew 12:1-12 Sometimes the greater good justifies the method, just as saving an ass on the sabbath was the greater good. Just a thought.
Anyway, keep up the good work Michael! You are affecting many more people than you can imagine. The results are really up to the Lord.
Hope you receive this comment!
Allen Shropshire from
Promised Land
Michael,
Don't quit yet, I just discovered your blog from Herrick's link. We agree on a lot but I admit your a tad to the right of me and most fellows I run with think I am out there! I appreciate your conviction and clear speak, very refreshing.
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