By Liaf
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This is a view looking north from Liaf's house over his property. The land border goes down to where the roads intersect. Beyond the distant tree line, there is another 11 acres with corn growing on it. Mowing is a chore. This is only one side of the house; there is extensive amount of land on each side to mow as well. |
I was out around my yard doing weed trimming on the morning of the fourth of July. It was such a beautiful day and I knew we had a family gathering later on in the day to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I felt it was wrong just to stay indoors when there was a little work to be done around the house. Since the weather and surrounding environment was so beautiful that day, it did not seem to be a chore. Oh sure, there are times one does not feel like doing the needed chores around the house (I dealt with that problem by getting a Yazoo. The go-cart/mower characteristics of the thing entice the kids to do most of the mowing now). But generally speaking, I cannot thank the Lord enough for what he gave to us as a family. I often said, "This is a lot to do. It's hard to keep up. We have been overly blessed."
Now when I posted pictures here, notice that they consist of mostly God's Green Earth and a few of His creatures. Many of us own a nice home with cars and lots of good things to put into the house. So I did not bother showing off those things--- they are nice nevertheless. But I noticed we were blessed with much territory that goes with it--- almost 9 acres here and another 11-acre cornfield down the hill a ways. In addition, it's all paid off. No. I do not make super tons of money. I have decent income however. No, much of this land was basically inherited thru my wife's side. And it's that thought I want to expand Biblically upon. For you see, back in the Biblical days, land inheritance was one's birthright.
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Here is my sundial on the east side of the house. In the background are some of our fruit trees in one of our tiny groves. | |
| A little beyond the sundial looking east, one can see some more of our land. In the distance almost 400 feet is the Christ Stone I had a message about last summer. Somewhat in the foreground is alfalfa growing for the local farmers to feed their cattle. |  |
I am certain that God graciously gave all this to us as certainly as He gave graciously to many of you. I claim this is part of the birthright where as sons of Joseph God would "appoint a place for my people Israel". In addition, God's Word speaks of us "inheriting the desolate heritages" and "inheriting the Gentiles". Also, inheritance, especially that of land, was very important to the ancient Israelites--- it was their rightful ownership under the promises of God. And if we are from the people of Israel as I claim, then we are no exception to this rule--- God has given ALL OF US what we have and we have every right to hold onto it and even fight for it when the circumstances take a turn for the worse. Don't confuse this inheritance with possession of something that God did not grant, or perhaps a situation where God expects you to give all you have for the Kingdom (in a previous message, I said that God calls some people to do that but not everyone).
Now for the crux of this message. A few months back I stated I was not certain if I'd hold onto my job or not--- as is the case with much of messed-up corporate America spilling their problems over onto innocent (and common) people. Everything is paid off perhaps, but there are still taxes and upkeep--- a source of income (and faith) was needed on my part to keep all this going. I reasoned that there would be a way to keep it going if God gave it to me. Fortunately, I held on to my work and for the time being at least all is well.
Now for the Biblical part. I do not believe this nation would be suffering financially the way it is if
This so-called Christian message of theirs, that you have no right to your inheritance or that you should be willing to give it up, is a lie straight from hell. All thru the Biblical ages enemies of Israel tried to cheat them out of the land God has given to them--- today's no exception except that instead of taking it away by fighting or wars, the inheritance is taken away by financial woes (loss of income, nursing home considerations, confiscations, etc.). The ones who do this, and the "meek" Christian types who act as though you should give in to that are in the same camp as far as I am concerned. If you should ever fall "victim" to such things, all I can say is that you have my sympathy, Biblical support, and assurance that they and theirs will take part in the fire that burns forever (so they might as well live it up now on your inheritance before they so miserably perish). With this thought in mind, I knew that I could be on the same boat somewhere down the road if we lost our income. I would not ever give up without kicking. After all, what is there to fear? God gave it to me and this is ours--- except of course if I listen to certain "Christian" advice.
My four little "lions": guardians and roamers of the inheritance. Left-right/top-bottom is Cheshire, Panther, Moonshine and Oreo (caught activity patrolling the region). OK, they only look like they're lazy. The day was hot and they had everything under control.
Understandably, I was upset, or I should say frustrated that you and me (oftentimes the "little guy") are supposed to adjust what we have while fat-bleeped CEO's find a way to adjust their income higher and Christian financial advisors tell you what you should give up to keep going (and they are not dressed too poorly either). I was not going to give in to that. I'm tired of folks like you and me having to pay the price for their gluttonous excesses. So I found a nice Christian financial forum to put an encouraging message for anyone who was "on my boat" (and at the same time reassuring myself of the truth in what I am saying). Basically I said to hold onto what they have if they knew God gave to them what they own, especially any inheritance as we are all granted the birthright. Since this is a well-known financial ministry, I knew that the potential for reaching thousands was there. This was a message of encouragement. It was also a message that no doubt would irk anyone who unbiblically supports the opposing viewpoint. Yes! All of you out there, whether you own a little or a lot are entitled to what you have. That inheritance is your birthright. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Of course I got some interesting replies. The first person innocently asked what the birthright was. She believed the only promises we have is thru Jesus Christ. She could not relate the birthright of Israel to our situation as a nation today. This was an innocent enough question. All I can say is that the way the mainline church teaches, is it any wonder she doesn't know the first thing about it? She sounded nice. I hope nobody will dupe her into falling for half the garbage they teach.
The second person, for want of a better term, sounded brainwashed to me. (And they warn you of supposed cults these days--- this person's reply sounded parroted as surely as the day is long). Nevertheless, he basically quoted some Scripture unrelated to what I was saying regarding giving up what you have and laying up treasures in heaven, etc, etc. He forgot about the part in Romans where Paul stated Abraham was to inherit the world. That was not meant to be taken abstractly, my friend. But to them "riches" has something to do with intangible "spiritual" wealth with God being in heaven "out there". Many of them do not truly believe in a returning, victorious Lord ON THIS EARTH. To them it is an honor to be a cash-strapped, bedraggled, unemployed Christian who probably supports somebody who cannot even fit behind the pulpit and needs a large jet to arrive at church to preach every Sunday.
I think the last contributor might have been church-lady. I do not know if she was part of the "system" as people call it or a very staunch supporter indoctrinated by it. She told others to "ignore this guy" (meaning me). She said he just wanted to "push his site" (because my signature had the web-site address on it). Well, excuuuuuse me. My web-site domain is the same as my email address domain. Do you think people can't figure that one out? What's wrong with an email address? That's how I am electronically reached--- free and legal. The gall of some. In addition, she said my remarks were "off the wall". Now mind you. I NEVER criticized anybody, I DID not direct my message at anybody (I started the forum thread so there were no previous remarks), and ALL I DID was encourage others to hold onto what they have--- in a similar manner this message is stating but much shorter of course.
My first and only reply back to all these contributions was to the "church-lady" (but I did not call her that of course). I merely stated that her remark was not very polite--- I then asked what was so "off-the-wall" about what I said. She retorted to the administrator to pull my signature off or to dump my comments. Obviously she was one of those loud types who probably runs her church and wears the clerical pants. Well, I cannot prove to you what I said and what the others said. That's because the administrator buckled under her pressure and censored the thread by pulling it off. Mind you. No threats were made, no obscene or dirty language was said, no pornographic hyperlinks, no reference to weird religious practices (such as sexual or sacrificial in nature), nor did I state any other weird things. I just said in a shorter version what this message is saying. These religious types have great ministries teaching you how to be successful, and how to become "blessed" (like Jabez) but when it comes down to brass tacks, they effectively shut up the likes of me because they do not want you to hear the truth. I'm starting to think they want you in bondage. That's the kind of misguided "spiritual" guidance there is out there and many innocent people are drawn into that mold because they know no better.
That's one of the things that irks me--- when I stand up for our God-given Biblical right and it's cast to the ground as if it were corrupt by the mainline religious establishment and their misguided followers or henchmen. Our nations' financial woes are bad enough. But when many do not desire to take the Biblical remedy for what ails us, is it any wonder we are going down the tubes faster than a sinking rock? I stopped contributing to that forum and to that ministry, but I won't be any harder on them because of the recent loss of their ministry's founder soon after my thread was pulled. My sympathy stills goes out to all of them. I only wish I could remove more of their burden--- if they'd only listen.
Let me close with this summary: we are blessed with what God gave to us, and it is Scriptually sound to be thankful for it while desiring to protect it when the times get rough--- that's what God wants you to do. Mainline Christendom agrees with being thankful for what you have, but sometimes I wonder if they are not the same bedfellows with the likes of those who run the government by persuading (and maybe some even coercing) you to give up your inheritance when times are bad. Don't listen to those false prophets who are going to hell faster than you can blink an eye. God gave it to you and God gave it to me. Enjoy it and take courage that what He gave to you He MUST provide a means for you to take care of it. I only pray that you, dear reader, take heart (as I must also tell myself), and praise the name of God for what you have and for what you have the right to have. This psuedo-humility in the name of Christ must stop. Their utter arrogance cloaked in the robe of humility is totally repulsive, especially when they come down on someone as myself who is only quoting what God already promised us.