Cocoons, Rocket Stove Research, and Other Natural Systems - 807.2011

Cocoons, now there is a natural system.  A system of rebirth, one of transformation from crawling to flying.  i wonder sometimes if the caterpillar ever gets depressed wondering if he will ever get out of this cocoon.  Do such thoughts ever enter into your mind or maybe that is just how we feel at times.  Will we ever get out of this constraining bondage, these closed in walls?  The cocoon as a natural system really doesn't care what the contents think or feel.  It is there, created by it's occupant to protect and sustain a process of transformation, a process of change, one that the caterpillar must go through and one we often have to go through ourselves.  The difficult time is in the bondage and times of walking through the valley.  Sure is quiet.  The time of rebirth and regeneration comes after one emerges from the cocoon.  Instead of crawling, it is a time to fly.  i also remember that we often create our own cocoons or walls in order to separate ourselves.  Time to ponder, reflect and hope for the future.
  One of the interests i have had over the years (pondering) is to research and learn the simpler ways, old technologies, time-tested methods, and this has sparked a renewed interest in researching additional pieces to a puzzle.  My love for good masonry and the fireplace as the hearth of the home lead me to find a European fireplace called a masonry heater.  Lately i've looked into simpler variations on this, something the common man may be able to build and afford.  The rocket mass heater surfaced and the many varieties of use were only as limited as the immense body of imagination out there.  Really amazing to see what people around the world are doing to survive and live with the basics, the inventive nature is very alive.  Several well outfitted, well financed examples of homesteading exist, but i have witnessed that many of the simplest solutions are the most elegant and easy to maintain. 
 i've had my head in various research on energy and natural systems, permaculture and wood gasification.  Real broad variety of sites and videos leads me to realize that there is a huge move in people to already be living a life different from where they once were and who they used to be.  There is a better way and a simpler life, within this beautiful creation, just open your eyes and watch it work, then borrow the beauty and truth of the natural system.  Permaculture is the best current description, with a pioneer Spirit guiding this new movement.
  There are the complex, expensive solutions, but my eye was always drawn back to naturally sustaining systems.  It was a real eye opener to see working examples of people helping the soil by rebuilding it and increasing the wormbed, organic matter, etc., the results are a whole host of changes in the natural system.  Grasses, weeds and trees find a fertile soil, birds and beneficial insects return, and what was initially planted takes a home in the naturalized landscape.  You help the soil and it returns the favor, ten to one hundred fold.  Creation of natural swales on a slope allow the rainwater to percolate into the layers as it drains into the hill rather than washing over it.  Building up the organic matter on these hills creates vistas of planting beds and the water allows the process of garden making to begin.  Makes me want to dig more, continue growing the compost and organic base.
  Beyond the land i am also looking back into a greenhouse that will morph out of and into some type of structure.  i've always seen this garden house as a hybrid of multiple natural systems and technologies and there may be one possible outlet to actually build something now that the idea is pretty ripe.

There is an amazing garden in a couple places that show what is possible with a little property and an insanity and love of growing, innovating, and making a whole lot out of a small lot.

One great example is from my hometown, Milwaukee, WI .  Growing Power 
Will Allen, Founder of Growing Power 

Path to Freedom Urban Homestead - Pasadena, CA

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and May God Bless You and Your Family,

love,  ~ antbrother

The Ways of The White Man - 757.1

  Once I was in Victoria, and I saw a very large house.  They told me it was a bank, and that the white men place their money there to be taken care of, and that by and by they got it back, with interest.
  We are Indians, and we have no such bank; but when we have plenty of money or blankets, we give them away to other chiefs and people, and by and by they return them, with interest, and our hearts feel good.  Our way of giving is our bank.

Maquinna

Nootka Chief

 Native American Wisdom

The Solution to the Economic Collapse - Oasis 11.11.11 - 757

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
      That there may be food in My house,
      And try Me now in this,”
      Says the LORD of hosts,

      “ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
      And pour out for you such blessing
      That there will not be room enough to receive it.
       “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
      So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
      Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
      Says the LORD of hosts;
       And all nations will call you blessed,
      For you will be a delightful land,”
      Says the LORD of hosts.

~ Malachi 3:10-12

The Season of Building and Planting - 750

These are pretty amazing times that we are living through.

  The last month has held additional changes and challenges and has made me focus back to past directions as to why i am where i am.  i had gone through much paper work, cleaning and making room while organizing the new tree house space, and i came across a birthday card my Mother has sent me last year.  She went to heaven this year and memories of her bring a smile, a tear, and continue to motivate me in walking this path in which God has placed me.


"Just Think.
You're here not by chance,
But by God's choosing.

His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else - You are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His Grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
To fulfill His special purpose for this generation."
How thankful I am that He has allowed me to be here at the same time you are!"

The rest of the card is for me alone - thanks Mom, Much love to you too.

  This morning i was making the staple peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch and i had some Proverbs time which always provides the spiritual food for consideration during the day.  Today's message goes directly with this season of building and planting.

Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

...and as it is said of wisdom...

20
She extends her hands to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.


  Just what is needed in this time of upheavel and those changes that were part of the past campaign promises.  Unfortunately words cannot adequately describe the motivation that i've received in answer to prayer to keep me focused on His work.  As i've written a couple times, it is a season of building and planting for me and manifesting those things that have been put in my heart and mind.  i have fortunately been working with Stephan and enjoying the construction projects and hands on, as he too allows me the trust to take responsibility on more work. 
  One of the current jobs over the last month is a residence in Tupelo, MS that needed a solution for water problems in the basement.  The solution was excavating the foundation walls to the footings and installing drainage pipe and gravel fill.  The house also was never waterproofed at the foundation so i was awarded that messy  tar job...lol... see more trust to mop the right way and fill every single pore in that foundation wall.  The dirt had to be hauled out in five gallon buckets and the gravel had to hauled in with the same.  We have since moved inside and completed hardwood floors in the entire house, new trim, mirrors and base, as well as fixing a couple rotted thresholds.  The last part of this project brought us to the basement for tile work and new tile base.  It has been a great experience here and with a great variety of work.
  The next building and planting i am focusing on is how this experience can be used toward the prison ministry efforts.  i believe it is integral to helping both the poor and needy and teaching the paroles through building and planting.  We are beginning to search on a possible halfway house location near the Clay county jail and are beginning to talk to the county about this.  This is a natural extension of how to use those gifts for others and to reach out in that manner, one of action followed by words. 

  i'm off to check the garden and enjoy the sun shooting through the fog on  this beautiful day.  God Bless and Love as always,

~ antbrother

Behold, I Make All Things New - 717

Revelation 21:5-8

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”  And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”


  Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make an old front door new.  i know that is a light-hearted comment to a scripture telling us of salvation and condemnation.  It is what it is. Open your ears.  Ideas and visions are flowing lately, that designers mind, creators mind is busy filling up notebooks again but we have several new tools to use during this season.  My humble abode definitely needs some attention and work but that just makes sense as this is a time for new thoughts and directions and for putting into action those things that have been placed in our hearts and at our feet.  For me, having taken on work with The Carpenator, this season is one of building and planting.  The ant has gathered supplies and scraps, throwaways and roadside trash to some, but "Behold, I make all things new."  Time to use what has been given to us.

  Part of the scrapping efforts have been collecting old hand tools and old kitchen utensils - no power needed.  i happened to stop by an estate sale Saturday and received a real blessing of several old saws, hammers, wrenches, etc., etc., some real deep boxes of what i remember seeing in old-timers shops.  i had been needing to get a hand saw for some new projects and knew that typically the older, "Made in the U.S." tools were of better quality than anything you can buy now, so i kept an antennae out.  Four boxes for about $10 a box and all i need is some mineral oil and steel wool to clean up the gift.  Thanks Father.  Another interesting piece, that i traded out for some work with one of my grandmas, is a Root & Heath Co. corn sheller.  i'll have wait till next seasons harvest to be able to try this one out.

Continued prayers to all in this coming time of change.  Listen to your heart and look at what has been placed at your feet, all blessings.

Love,

~ antbrother

The Carpenator - 708

My boss has taken on the title of "The Carpenator", as an adaptation of The Terminator genre toward his work in construction.  It's a determination mindset in regards to work and the jobs, strong work ethic and pride of work.  You have to have a sense of humor when you're replacing a rotten roof on top of the elevator equipment room of a 1926 building.  Seventy feet up has a nice breeze and a great view, one thing i love about working with my friend again.  The German and the Polish are back together - guess i'm the side kick and Stephan is The Carpenator... lol....  i'm the ant.
  After moving most of my lifelong possessions this year for work and home, i have consolidated, simplified and began a new focus in building and planting from what i have been given.  Still from scraps, but look what is possible with a bunch of leftovers.

  More forthcoming...  an update from the weedbed, i mean garden.

Love and Blessings,

~ antbrother

The Worker / The Warrior - 694

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Indian Steel - Sorghastrum nutans

  There has been a bit of a drought on words here and on my main website this year, though the messages and work at hand have only multiplied over this year of changes.  i have many fronts to update on but will keep it simple and direct - the truth does not take many words though i will surely ramble on in a GoOD way.
  i have been moved into place as is typical with the children of God at this time.  We are positioned and enabled to do His work as the main spiritual preparation is complete and the Lord is now maturing us in His Ways - continually teaching His children.  You may have been relocated this year, through displacement or other factors, and you have been taught though this process why you are here and Who you serve - you now know your purpose and path.  Along the way we have all experienced the difference and separation between the sheep and goats and have learned to ask God in everything by prayer - just to make sure we stay on the path through His leading.  Who wants to be head butted by a goat anyway?  Do you really trust your own judgement and decisions in this time of upheaval?
  My heart wants to share so many things right now, but i will simply send it out in prayer and focus on the issue of working for the Lord through the Way of the Spiritual Warrior.  The nice clump of Indian Steel grass is an excellent example of what God can do and has done in us and through us.  This grass is one of many throw away plants that i have picked up on the side of the road (someone else's trash) and nurtured and planted in order to be restored to it's true beauty - an original prairie grass of North America.  That is what God did with me. He changed me from the dead clump of dried grass laying on the side of the road, and He planted me in Amory and fed me with His Word - He restores us to our true purpose.  i just love the way He works.

Herb Garden expansion

  This year i have been moved out of my apartment and into a "tree house" and the old office space has been taken over by a future retailer so there has been some definite consolidation between home, garden and office.  i have also been moved outside and have been nudged further toward being able to use what is at hand by scrapping, planting and building - firepit, root cellar.  i have a surplus of wood scraps and a healthy pile of bricks started, as well as doors, windows, shutters and scrap steel.  Healthy eating has been an integral part of this restoration as well and, in addition to growing organic food and herbs, i have also begun brewing my own organic kombucha tea.  This has really felt like an urban homesteading process and i know it will continue to be a more prominent focus as resources are taken away or become unusable.  Work continues in my landscaping and i am in full weeding mode on the gardens to get the fall crop planted.  The daily job has changed recently from working in the furniture frame plant to being back with my German friend doing carpentry and cabinet work.  The journeyman has been maturing with more hands on work.  My technical drawing has also been put to use recently.  The rebuilding and planning taking place in Smithville, MS (post EF-5 tornado that eliminated the town) has spurred me on to refocus on the community gardens i am slowly growing for Amory.  As markets crash, currency defaults, and industries struggle, the urban farmer and homesteader will be the real answer to survival, real sustainability and restoration.  We are to become an Oasis for others in Word and deed.
  Praying has been my foundation and has strengthened my relationship with Jesus in a profound way - a very personal, intimate connection and oneness is present daily.  The more time i spend in reading the Bible and in prayer, the closer we have become.  Jesus has been and is my refuge and peace within while He moves me through this landscape, teaching me and leading me to help others.  i look forward to each day and anticipate the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit coming forth for all of God's children.

Love and Blessings,

~antbrother

Working on the website link and information on the herbs i grow.

Genesis 1:29
And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

The Ways of the Heart - 645

  My friends, how desperately do we need to be loved and to love.  When Christ said that man does not live by bread along, he spoke of a hunger.  This hunger was not the hunger of the body.  It was not the hunger for bread.  He spoke of a hunger that begins deep down in the very depths of our being.  He spoke of a need as vital as breath.  He spoke of our hunger for love.
  Love is something you and i must have.  We must have it because our spirit feeds upon it.  We must have it because without it we become weak and faint.  Without love our self-esteem weakens.  Without it our courage fails.  Without love we can no longer look out confidently at the world.  We turn inward and begin to feed upon our own personalities, and little by little we destroy ourselves.
  With it we are creative.  With it we march tirelessly.  With it, and with it alone, we are able to sacrifice for others.

     Chief Dan George

Burma and my Other Grandmas - 625

  Wilma had been praying for several years that God would help the elderly that were confined to their houses due to physical limitations or other health issues.  She would say, "Lord, please comfort the shut-ins."  Sometime last year God had been coming through on her prayer and i was part of that answer, well for a few of my grandmas so far.  i didn't see it coming, i was just looking for more lawn jobs and several elderly women needed help at a reasonable price.  The Lord told me, "Don't worry about the money.", and that has been my approach to work all year.  He didn't tell me that i would get cookies and coffee, or iced mocha's and good conversation. 

i was blessed with three grandmas who i just hang out with each week, whether it be for a breakfast biscuit and coffee before yard work, or watching church on Sunday's before i make an omelet for us.  There have been more blessings in the relationships i have with these women than money could ever fulfill.  Today Burma and i watched service and then i surprised her with a tomato, garlic and pasta frittata with fresh herbs.
  Burma is a blessing for certain, as are Ava, and Peggy.  i pick up with Wilma's prayer and pray that other elders out there are cared for by someone, family, or in my case, just an adopted grandson.  Blessings to the elders as there is the wisdom of our past and lessons worth listening to.  Better company than an old book because you get to relive their history and learn their wisdom.

Love and Blessings in Jesus,

~ antbrother

My All-Star Son - 624

My youngest son and his local coach-pitch baseball team were undefeated this season and are part of an all-star tournament.  He's got some talent and a lot of heart.  Sam also had his first chance at playing catcher for this second game in the series.  After a close loss the night before the team re-focused and really played a great game and had a strong win.  Such a blessing to watch, win or lose, there is heart in these kids and coaches. Another benefit is that we get to play catch in between batting rotations.  :)

Amory heads to a state tournament this month and we're looking forward to that.

Baseball anyone?

The New Man - 623

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that i think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

  Over the last seven years God has been remaking me into something different, someone He can use for His purpose.  Back in Atlanta in the year 2000, i began praying earestly for God's Will to be done in my life, not knowing what that would entail.  His process has taken a bit of time, but like the potter that is remaking a vessel, there can be no rushing this process.  The old vessel must be destroyed first, pulverized to a powder and remixed with His special ingredients before it can be thrown again on the Potters wheel and made into the vessel that He intended us to be.  i am now seeing, in hindsight, all the things that He has done with me over these years and i humbly say, "Thank You Fathe r."
  One of the most precious things that is done when God begins His work in you, to remake you, is the softening of the heart and turning to the heart from the focus on self to the focus on God and others.  He cannot put us to work unless we are equipped and made right for His will and purpose.  Call it re-wiring, re-creation, or scripturally reborn in His image, but this new creature has to be made in order to walk the paths of good works that He has established for us.  Part of that purpose for me has been to become a farmer, gardener, and grounds keeper - to keep and defend His Garden.
  i used to jokingly say to friends in the past that when i grow up i want to be a farmer.  Well, this light hearted comment has actually manifested in the new man that God has created out of the old.  Words are inadequate to describe the intensity of this transformation and the beauty of the result of God's work, but if you could feel what i feel inside, you would instantly understand...  and smile.  God has grown me into something new while He has used me to grow His Garden in a place where one should not be.  Another good work that God has placed before me is prison ministry.  To be able to walk into a cell and share the joy of the Lord is another way that He allows me to plant seeds in others hearts - seeds of love, joy, hope and humility.  Prison ministry work extends past the bars and cells out to the places where people have created their own internal jails.
  This independence day, i urge you to seek God and pray for the completion of His work in you.  Release the bonds and chains that keep us locked in the prison of self, the prison of the mind, and allow Jesus to free you from this world and  its bondage.  The time is Now!

What do you want to be when you grow up in Him?

Love and Blessings,

~ antbrother

The Ride Home With God - 559

  Much has happened since i last posted and i'll try to provide a real quick recap as i have some landscaping work to attend to in an hour.  i was evicted a couple months ago, found a new one room attic flat thanks to one of my grandmothers, the brakes went out on my truck with no injuries, a tornado wiped out the local town of Smithville, a family of five that lost their home moved in with me for a couple weeks (in my one room attic flat), and i was blessed to be able to make a trip to Wisconsin to see my mother off to Heaven and be reunited with my family.  On the trip home my daughter invited me to dinner with her boyfriend on the lakefront in Milwaukee and then i stopped by to see my blessed friend in Iowa and this picture was taken heading back home with God.  This past Saturday we attended a funeral for my friends 20 year old nephew and five people came to Jesus Christ.  It would take a couple hours to fill in all that has transpired in between these major events so i will simply say that God is working in peoples lives and He is shaking us up for the harvest and He is bringing hearts and families back together.  i've been in the fields again and of course in the garden, mine and my mothers. 

  My mother past away and went home on May 20 from endocarditis which is an inflammation of the inner liner of the heart.  She was 76 just short of her 77th birthday on May 31.  She had just gotten over cancer treatment and a lengthy recovery with the blessing of a cancer free report.  Over the years she had several heath issues but she continued working as an in-home care nurse taking care of children until just a few years ago.  i pray that we all have that giving and serving attitude throughout our lives that she had.  My mother was a child of God and she was a blessing to many people.  The  last several years we have talked each Sunday of the past week just to catch up and stay in touch.  We talked often of faith and knowing Jesus personally as the Way home.  She found the Way.  Thank You Father.  We also talked much about gardening and the love for nature that we hold in common.  i was able to spend some personal time in my mothers garden, tending and keeping what she wasn't able to get to this spring. 

 Of course the news of my mother was most important and the grieving process has been hard often and filled with blessings of love and memories.  The grieving is my loss, our loss, but the strong Irish my mother past on to me celebrates her relief from pain and sorrow while all things have been made new for her. Celebrate the passing of a loved one saved.  My brothers and sisters were reunited for a week while we stood vigil each day and night with mom, recalling many good times together and many fond memories.  My daughter was able to see mom as well which was a blessing.  i really enjoyed the reunion as well.

  The local and national weather has devastated many areas across the nation which has had a major impact everywhere.  The local town of Smithville is seven miles from Amory and they lost a lot of people and most of the town in an EF-5 that came through on April 27.  A friend that works with me used to live there with his family of five and they were able to find shelter just in time while their house was destoyed.  During the last few storms that came through, they headed to the post office for shelter, but this time Robbie took the family back to a storm shelter in Amory and ten minutes later they saw the tornado heading for Smithville.  Shortly after trucks with fatalities and injuries began pouring into Amory and emergency vehicles headed toward the damage.  Robbie and his family moved in to my 20 foot square abode that night and spent a couple weeks while we sorted through what was salvagable and they learned how to rebuild their lives from nothing.  Everything was gone but the family was safe and God opened up a door and the hearts of people.  It's a blessing to be able to witness this first hand and to serve out of my comfort zone.  So often we want to place our own needs first, but when you reverse that, forget about yourself and walk in the footsteps of your brother or sister, then you are walking scripture and loving them, esteeming them about yourself.  There are many giving hearts in this country as is evidenced at the recent outpouring of help and hearts following all the damage from weather events.

  The garden has reall been progressing here and the heat has been an issue already.  Mississippi has been running in the 90 degree range for a couple weeks and there has been no rain.  This month we are again ahead of the normal weather by about a month and this has been the case since last year seemingly.  i have been told to plant everything this year and that has kept me busy in the garden.  i am also planning for an expanded rain water collection system that i can rely on when the real dought comes.  Storing between the major rainfalls will be important in maintaining a local food source.  More pictures to come of the garden.  Tonight is church with the prison ministry group which is always a soul filling evening.  May you be blessed and comforted in your losses and remember to count it all joy and love from Father.  He is calling us to be closer to Him so under His wing we may find shelter and peace.

God Bless and Good to be posting,

~ antbrother

Chapter 2 - 510

A friend sent an email to me last week which seemed odd back then.  It was hard to understand in the moment, because i couldn't see past the door jamb at the time.

God closes doors no man can open
and
God opens doors no man can close.

Chapter 1 - Gen 2:8
and
Chapter 2 - Gen 2:15




Love and Blessings,

~ antbrother

Leafing Out with Russell Burbank and The Strawberries - 495

i have been amazed at the rapid growth since the warming temperatures and the spring rains came through. The roller coaster of thirty degree temperature shifts continues and with each passing wave a new severe storm.  We're dealing with flood warning and high winds today and have probably received about 3 inches of rain already today.  This is tornado country here and the spring sprouts daffodils and twisters.

Here's a few pics of the garden coming forth as the naturalized landscape containing edible and medicinal organic herbs and veges.  The apple tree i planted from seed 5 years ago needs trimming and i will attempt to root some cuttings.  There are also blackberries and strawberries in flower within the landscape - these fill in quickly and multiply.  Glad to be able to share this blessing of a garden with you.

God Bless from the fields,
~ ab

Green Up - 465

Some shift started a few weeks ago, green began to come back again.  i posted a few more pictures on the photoblog of the garden progression since the warmer temperatures have changed the flow of growth upward.  i really enjoy spring time.  It is always a time of renewal and restoration.  There are also enjoyable surprises for anyone that is a gardening lover.  Plants begin to emerge from sleep after the first heavy rains of the season.  It is almost a washing away of the gray making room for the green up and miracle of growth that shoots forth from God's creation.  Time to pull away some of the mulch and see what is poping forth from the warming soil beneath.  i know there is definitely a thousand strawberry plants that invaded the mound last year and the bunch onions came back and showed me why they are called that.  Lol...

It has really been interesting watching this landscape transform over the last several years.  i have started from a compost pile four years ago and really started enjoying landscaping more with a passion, one for growing and learning what it is to be a farmer and the other interest in health through growing your own, including medicinal and culinary herbs.  You know what's in there because you provided the ingredients and God made it grow. 

With the accumulation of all the landscaping mulch and yard waste like leaves and trimmings comes the addition of many raised beds and the start of a more permanent landscape.  This year all the plants will be grown in the ground with little or no use of pots.  The watering issue has been a burden the last couple years limited by rain water collection barrels - in summer droughts there wasn't enough - there is a need for a pond but not like this one from the rain today.

The vegetable patch has always been separated from the ornamentals and that was to ensure clean soil for edible plants.  There is also a new source of clean sawdust through the local rip saw operator so that is being added to the composting efforts weekly.  i'm looking forward to growing more this year and slowly taking another step along this garden walk.  i'll have to share some pictures of the dandelion patch that started accidentally. 






Here's and older post that i enjoyed reading from my Wisconsin Woodsmoke book - thanks Mom.

May God Bless You Today even if it is with a dandelion garden,


~ antbrother

More Than Weeds - Wisconsin Woodsmoke by Ced Vig (May entry - pgs. 68-69)



Dandelions will be popping their golden heads out on lawns and roadsides. They were originally grown in the English gardens and brought to the United States by the colonists. They were considered vegetables rather than weeds. The dandelions adapted well to their new environment and spread all over the United States.


Dandelions are super-vegetables. Ounce for ounce, dandelions greens have 50 percent more Vitamin C than tomatoes, twice as much protein as eggplant and double the fiber found in asparagus. They have as much iron as spinach and more potassium than bananas. Picked properly, usually before the yellow blossoms appear and the acidity of the leaves increases, dandelions make for fine eating.


The leaves and shoots of the dandelions can be boiled in water for five minutes, drained and seasoned with salt, pepper and butter.


Another recipe that you might want to try: Using the full flower blossoms and prepared pancake mix, dip each blossom into the mix and drop into hot oil. Fry until golden brown and serve hot. The blossoms can also be cooked in omelets and used in making wine.


When gathering dandelions for table use, collect them in areas where they have not been sprayed with weed killers or chemical fertilizers. Use several rinses of water to flush out the soil particles and small insects.

Break Up Your Fallow Ground - 453

Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness;



Reap in mercy;


Break up your fallow ground,





For it is time to seek the LORD,


Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
 
Miracles that follow the plow.  ~ Audio Sermon by A.W. Tozer

Common Man - 439

i remember hearing Richard Wurmbrand talking about a keen interest in the common man.  So many people that are born, work in a factory, and die without much of any great fanfare.  Wurmbrand remarked that God created so many common men / people, that He must really love them.  Jesus came as a carpenter, not a noble or king, not of high standing in society - He related to the common man, by being one of them and living among them.  What a better way to minister to people than through understanding where they are coming from by being in their midst.  Can you reach who you are trying to minister to from within the walls and closed doors of your church?  Look to the common, the simple, where you stand this moment - this is your ministry, right under your feet.  You are standing in the harvest fields.

Onion Box - Blackberry Trellis - 429

Lean on Me - 422

Lean on Jesus

Annointing - 420

at 12:20-21.1.20.2011 1 John 2:20-21

But you have an annointing from the Holy One,
and you know all things.
I have not written to you because you do not know the truth,
but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

Have a Blessed night...  sweet dreams...

Signal to Turn Right - 419 (from the elec. dept.)

The Main Powers that Be - The Great I AM, Jah, Yahweh would just like to inform you that this would be a great time to turn right(eous).  Sometimes a simple message in the spirit is just blatant and unmistakable.  When i noticed a blinking light coming from the electric departments parking lot, i noticed it was a right turn signal left on one of the trucks.  i let it go thinking that surely someone would be in and turn it off.  This was last Friday night and it was on for three days.  Pretty simple message.  We tend to complicate God and search for the razzle dazzle - the big sign.  He wispers right in front of you.  ... turn right my children, turn right,  this is the right way...

Proverbs: 19:23
The fear of the Lord leads to life,
and he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.




Proverbs: 20:6-7
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness.
But who can find a faithful man?

The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.

Sword in Hand - 415

  i have been blessed with a little more time on the main website extending into February before the renewal fees are due.  Making the best use of this time, i am working on an update and some more postings.  i started writing this latest post back in 2007 and never uploaded it to the site, i just didn't think i was ready or informed enough to write about it, though i had a profound drive to do so.
  Still using the old tools at hand and whatever still functions i tend to make use of.  i'm running an old pentium ii - 450 Mhz w/384 Mb ram... but the monitor is a 21"  - good for the older eyes and seem much clearer, deeper than current flat screens.  This is the old Micron box i bought back in Atlanta is over 10 years old - SCSI is solid.   Something awesome about some of those old technologies, like windmills, masonry heaters, water collection and filtration systems, using what was at hand... and using the natural, there was a flow harnessed.
  That is one way that God has led me over the years and directed my path.  i think this is a good lesson for everyone to listen to and employ in their lives.  If you feel like you have hit a wall somewhere in your life, then look for the door as God will provide one.  If there isn't a door, look for a window, or if there is no way to get past this current obstacle, then that is the intent.  Then we must sit and wait patiently where we are in prayer.  Each opportunity, door, window, wall, must be brought before God for confirmation and direction before we pass through.  Just as the wise fireman checks a door for heat or smoke before opening, we must also take that level of caution in this spiritual walk.  Look at your feet as well and understand the ground you stand on.  That is where you will make your stand.

  i took down my sword today and dusted it off.  i haven't done that since 2007 either and, just like this next post on my website, there is something profound about it's presence at this time.  i made a wooden sword a couple years ago.  i carved the wooden sword from a piece of poplar which had a beautiful green and blue streak of grain flowing through the wood.  Just playing around with the toy, an old type of training tool...  just like the Samurai weapons.  Today both the wooden and metal swords caught my attention as i was reading in my Sword (The Bible - The Word of God).  It is a time to lean on the Word and take it in Hand and Heart to sustain us in the coming challenges.  It is comfort, peace, and joy amid the chaos that allows us to fall asleep in the boat with Yeshua, while the stormy sea laps against the boat.  Where is your faith?

Much Love and Many Blessings From Father,

~ antbrother .../\...

HE IS!/i am... Psalm 73 - 413

Psalm 73


1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.

3 For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.

5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.

7 Their eyes bulge[a] with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.

8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.

9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.

10 Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

11 And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.

13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.

14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.

15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.

16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.

18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.

19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.

20 As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.

21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.

22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.

23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.

24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.





27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.

Selah

Design for Climate Change - Covered Raised Beds - 410

Interesting... how this developed.  i am a scrapper out of necessity lately but i have to admit that i have always squirreled some odd things away.  You just never know when you might need something, like that piece of rope off of a hay bale.  So one of the latest things i have been collecting are shipping crates.  There is a local company that throws some of them out and after receiving permission i acquired a few.  My initial intention was for firewood or to build some rustic planter boxes but when the recent winter storm kicked up i had to prepare something to protect the plants i still had in the ground.  The temperatures here in MS have roller coastered from the 50's to the 20's and back again so some plants were just getting established in the boxed beds. 

Since some of the boxes came with tops, i used them to cover what i had planted in some boxes and grabbed a few pieces of scrap plywood to cover the cold frame.  Pretty cool idea YAH!  Other benefits of the 18" boxed beds will come to light after i install corner braces (seats) to reinforce them this spring.  It is much easier to work the beds from the siting position rather than bending over and the boxes will definitely lead into some interesting garden layouts.

On another note:  The main website is up for DNS renewal and i have not been able to update that just yet due to limited funds.  i will retain the domain http://www.antbrotherfarms.com/ but it will be offline until i can make some money.  i just started back at the factory and a month without any income has stressed the support, pantry and rent needs.  i think you can still view the site through search engine cached pages but that is limited.  i have been updating some content in a bigger way, yet to be posted, and since my time is limited, i am only able to update that main site once every few weeks or so.  That site is where i started this walk and is a good resource with a broad array of areas of interest.  So if it's down, remember it is not out and will stand again soon.  The DNS update is due tomorrow - 01/11/2011 - so anticipate the return.

God Bless and Love in Yeshua,

~ antbrother

Just a Circle - 407

Cistern First Steps

i was remarking to my friend today how amazing the Holy Spirit is when we become the willing vessel, the empty circle that allows God to work through us here on earth.  i would like to write more tonight on this but the hour is late and i have an early morning call to head into work.  Storms are on the way this weekend and Sunday to Monday will be bringing some snow accumulation to north Mississippi.  The store shelves should be emptying out tomorrow in preparation for 3-8" of snow expected.  i was hoping for more snow and have much last minute preparation and some herb harvesting to complete before the cold temps and snow cover are here.

 Be a circle for God and let His Spirit flow into and through your life.  What i thought i was is not and who i became in Him Is. 

Love and Anticipation of a Winter Blanket,
~ antbrother

Awoken - 406

At 2:24 a.m. the Lord woke me and asked me to read the Bible.

i asked, "What would You have me read?"

He replied, "Mathew 24:24-25"

i reached for my Bible and opened it, to my delight, on the exact page and scripture He quoted.

Mathew 24:24-25
"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
See, I have told you beforehand."

Ripping Again - 405

  Church at the jail last night was pretty amazing and Whooooaaaa did God show up and show out last night.  For anyone that is really close in their walk with God, or just anyone that happens to Know Yahweh, i am sure that you have experieced the "wash of the Holy Spirit".  This is such a beautiful feeling, such a closeness to our Creator and such a blessing to receive.  It is the softest caress from the inside out and top down that anyone could ever feel.  So gentle is God's touch and so awe inspiring a gift to know that He cares for us.  i couldn't help but share that before a little news on work. 

  i have been fortunate to have been called into my old job at the furniture frame factory for the rest of the week.  Back to running the industrial rip saw during the day at least for a few more. There were several things since last fall that really added to the decline in work.  The obvious is that winter is not a landscaping season even if you do happen to live in the south.  But there were other issues and lessons from God that i have taken in and taken to heart and these have strenghthened me and my faith over the last few months.  Lean months and GoOD lessons from Father.
  We ran around 3,500 pieces today which is well below what we used to run, but then again it was just day one out of the gate.  i thought my old injuries would flare up and not allow me to work in this capacity again, but it went well and i covered the aches with prayer and some song amid the noise of the factory.  This really brought forth some humility and gratitude to realize that it doesn't matter the situation, circumstances and surroundings because you can always be with God in your walk.  Praise Him.

Thank You Father!  ~ your little ant
 

Prison Work - 403

  Working on last years attendance list for the residents from jail (church).  One of the mothers of an inmate had an idea where we could put together a role of attendance and present the inmates with a certificate to encourage them.  We average 15-20 inmates per service and about the same number of visitors attend each week as well.  i know this sounds strange and simplistic but a man in prison that truly wants to change, Really appreciates any encouragement and contact from outside the bars.  The request came from a mother and a member of our prison ministry.
  Something more is coming out of this - more prayer for these men and for others that i have come across when i do an inmate search online.  Some of the names are difficult to read so i use the MDOC (Ms Dept of Corrections) Inmate Search to locate them and the correct spelling of each mans name.  Well,,, through this process i have really been touched to see so many people in so many jails across this state of MS.  i know some have hardened hearts and are truly non-repentant but there are others, even just a few, that see their wrongs and repent, seeking God in the process.   These are the few that are worth working for and worth reaching a hand out to in just saying, "i will pray for you.  Jesus can make this change inside of you and you don't have to be the man that committed the crime.  He will re-create you and you can be born again in Spirit."

It's worth the effort, even if it was just one.

ARK-ans-as - 402

http://quake.ualr.edu/public/epicenters.htm

Lots of activity in our neighboring state of Arkansas.  Earthquake swarms, fatal tornado, thousands of dead drum fish, and thousands of dead blackbirds falling from the sky.

Sounds to me like we're about to get a severe shaking - upside down.  The obvious signs of nature point to an anomaly and lack of balance.  The New Madrid fault is a bit northeast of the recent activity but there was a "previously undiscovered" fault line running through that state and in proximity to the New Madrid. 

Spiritually speaking - get on your knees and prepare.  Under the Wing of The Most High God is your protection and your Ark to weather this coming storm.

God Bless,  ~ ab

Articles / Links:

Tornado in Cincinatti Arkansas - 2010.12.31
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/weather/2010/12/31/vo.arkansas.tornado.aerials.kotvkwtv

"A series of mysterious events has occurred in various places in Arkansas—odd, and disturbing events. Events which, when strung together, give one pause for thought. "

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/48485/

State commission says dead fish now cover 20-mile section of Arkansas River - 2010.12.31
"the number is likely in the hundreds of thousands."

http://www.wreg.com/news/sns-ap-ar--deadfish,0,4149236.story?track=rss

4,000-5,000 Blackbirds fall from the sky in Beebe, Arkansas - 2011.01.02
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Arkansas_Officials__112779149.html?storySection=story
"As of Saturday, between 4,000 and 5,000 blackbirds had been found dead, said Keith Stephens with the commission."
 More...
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7010UO20110102

"The small community of Guy has 549 residents and is north of Little Rock. It has experienced an almost constant shaking from a large series of measurable earthquakes, since Sep. 20, 2010. The last reported number of quakes during that period was 487."


Arkanasas Earthquake Swarm - 2010
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/poster/2010/201010ARswarm.php


Scientists Discover New Fault Line in Arkansas - 2009.21.22
http://tennesseewx.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=0e52b0230edda8c2636abdb41c02726c&topic=1920.msg44537#msg44537

Father Sky - 401

Some rough storms came through last night feeding up from the gulf and connecting to a low pressure system blowing out of the northwest.  Tornado fatalities in Arkansas.  Prayers go out to those in bereavement and loss from this passing line of storms and time.  Starting the year with nothing and some with even less due to the loss of a family member or friend.  These are the circumstances that many face in life through this walk.  Each day may open up something that we had never anticipated, in a moment the whole world around us has changed and we are challenged to face the new landscape before us.  Wandering in our minds as lost orphans, our foundation as we knew it disappeared.  So many trials and yet we must continue to walk through this incident for the promise of a clearer sky on the other side of the storm.  The sun will rise again on another day if we are blessed with that option.

  Where do we search for meaning in these trials and changes to our lives?  Where do we find comfort and strength enough to wash away the pain?  Few have answers and some know that just being present in silence with a friend speaks an enormity of words through our hearts.  We each need to search within our hearts and the silence within - that still small voice of our Creator is there amidst the outer noise and chaos.  He brings solace and peace, He settles the heart, He strengthens us when we are weak so that we are able to continue.  Others need us too, so we cannot just disappear within our own troubles and sink into despair.  The peace that transcends all understanding, may you find it in your heart and live there with God.

Loving and Blessed New Year to All,
~antbrother