[MartHale7]

It has been a real struggle for me to get a grasp of how a gentile should apply Christianity to gardening / farming.

A book on this subject that I found of value is ->

https://redeemingthedirt.com/freechapter/

In this book I found several passages from the bible that related to farming I had not thought of before. And I found it most helpful.

The struggle I had was in looking at the OT passages of farming was trying to understand my role of being a Christian Gentile, how was I to look at the passages God gave to the Jewish people, and how to apply those to my farming today….. One of my questions was what does it mean to give the land rest? What exactly does that mean to the Jewish people then?

I dug thru the passages and I found verses that applied, and this brought up more questions like how do I find the rotation of the 6th year, as this is the year for the double blessing that was to provide for the 7th year….. In this quest I decided that yes I want to know what God said about farming to the Jewish people, but I don’t want to fall into the trap of legalism as they did in the NT with tithing of spices but missing out on more important things like mercy, and proper judgement.

In the book of Isaiah it says that God teaches the farmer how to use tools, this passage really caught my attention as today we have the Holy Spirit to direct us, and I believe if we ask God to show us, that God will show us what tools we need to do the job, and how to do the job…

Another passage that stood out to me was this passage ->

Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. Zac 10:1

It started to become clear to me that we as farmers / gardeners beside asking for our daily bread we should also be asking for the rain for our crops. Today so often we trust in “science”, but we don’t stop to talk to God the one who gave us all that we see and know. Sometimes we have not, because we ask not…..

As you mention giving to the poor, I have noticed that the way the poor were taken care of in the OT was land was set aside so that they could WORK and harvest from the land. Gleaning is a practice that I do believe should be implemented today in that the poor can work for food, exempting those who are not able to work in which another means may be provided. Indeed those who give to the poor are but lending to God.

I guess the hardest part of all of this is getting the stewardship in our brains, in that we don’t really own our property, but are stewards of it, and God will call us into account for how we use it. I guess that I why I have been looking at what God has said in the bible about how to farm because I want to be a good steward of what God has given.

Another part of this is working not alone, but as the body of Christ, as we ask for “our daily bread”, not only for ourselves but those around us and working as a team. Paul talked about one planting, and another watering, and God bringing forth the increase. I have found that working with others in community gardens has great rewards as well.

redeemingthedirt.com

Get a Free Chapter of Born-Again Dirt! – Redeeming the Dirt

Get a Free Chapter of Born-Again Dirt! – Redeeming the Dirt

[henofthewoodlands]

Thanks for your input. I was looking at it more it terms of beauty, prayer, & meditation. Lifting the mind higher. Think I just need to search more. The Orthodox (& RC) have a long standing tradition in practice today at monasteries on Gardening, Farming, & Spirituality. I should tap into those resources.

I came across a few books that sparked my interest. The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, & the Kingdom by Rabbit Room Press. The font & cover is gorgeous…

“How glorious are Thy works O Lord. In Wisdom has Thou made them all”

https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/the-god-of-the-garden?variant=40005555060823

store.rabbitroom.com

The God of the Garden

There’s a strong biblical connection between people and trees. They both come from dirt. They’re both told to bear fruit. In fact, arboreal language is so often applied to humans that it’s easy to miss, whether we're talking about family … Continue reading

[potpourri_of_life]

I love your response. Very thought provoking.

My understanding is of growing for 6 yrs, and the 7th it rests. I’ve known some who use that garden space to rest, possibly put in other items that don’t require uprooting food, maybe annual flowers.

Yes, our land is that of God’s, in that we are stewards. If we listen, He will lead us to where we are to give to others.

[MartHale7]

Yes, I am not of the Roman Catholic belief myself. Cheers.

[henofthewoodlands]

I’m not Roman Catholic either 😉 Eastern Orthodox. Catholic, but not Roman. 4 other Sees exist that equal Catholic (universal). Roman is just what most people associate with it. Nostrovia!

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  henofthewoodlands.

[MartHale7]

Yeah, like protestant belief, there are many different flavors of Catholics, and so it is true with protestants.

Cheers,

[Robyn-Macrina]

I am Orthodox, too! I’m working on establishing an Orthodox Freesteading Community.

I play Orthodox Chant for my chickens & garden,

I’m interested also in getting some weatherproof icons.

What do you do?

[Hippocrates_Garden]

I was Christmated “Onesimus” at St. John’s Antiochian in Memphis.

[Robyn-Macrina]

That’s great! We are starting an Orthodox Freesteading Intentional Neighborhood.

Where are you in FL?

[Hippocrates_Garden]

Actually in Arkansas

[henofthewoodlands]

Catholic is not like Protestant. Not a bunch of different branches to it. Protestants come from the Roman Catholic branch though.

Not trying to come off rude or anything. **All for** the individual pursuing God in whatever tradition or philosophy connects them. When it comes to Christian theology & history, that’s an area I cannot compromise on.

Peace+

[MartHale7]

This is from wikipedia…

Seem reasonable to you?

[henofthewoodlands]

Sorry for the delay. Actually, not when it comes the EO. It is predenomination. It didnt come into existence at the time of the great schism.

If christian history interests you, read up on the 5 Sees = the Catholic Church & the 7 Ecumenical Councils.

[henofthewoodlands]

Of couse, i dont care which denomination you belong to or if you’re Christian. Each person is made in the Divine Image & I prefer to focus on what unites us 🐝

[Robyn-Macrina]

I play Orthodox Byzantine chant in my garden & for my chickens (& my family, of course)

I do pray for protection over my pastured chickens & over my plants for protection from frost. We live in Central Florida.

[Hippocrates_Garden]

Live streaming “The Rudder” or another source?

[Robyn-Macrina]

Here is one source I like.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E386PvhRL7hve?si=ceIXZ_3fT4SfSTalrQSbeA&pi=u-yXeUQ7pXRtui

[Hippocrates_Garden]

There is a skete in Grand Junction, TN a bit west of Memphis that I visited a few times. Mother Nektaria (now passed), was probably the one person who was the most accepting of me, under any and all situations. When I finished Nursing school, in my 40’s (RN), I was so stressed, I just called her to make sure the guest house was not in use, and just went to chill. If I wanted to sleep, that was fine, if I wanted to read that was fine, if I wanted to join her in any of the hours or other services in her small chapel, she appeared pleased to have someone help read. Haven’t been back to that church or skete in years now (had to move to care for my parents), but probably miss her more than the actual church. I can’t go to any other (non-Orthodox) service or church for any reason, and feel like it’s actually “church”. Likely judgemental etc, but just how I feel. The quiet, the smell.. Never a doubt it’s a church, rather than someplace a “show” is put on. The only one where I am now, is a very small chapel, that I don’t think has a permanent priest, and is an old calendar, Russian offshoot that I don’t believe is in communion with the rest of the church.

[packrat]

I had to look up “Skete” / “Tennessee” and the sole results are those you discuss. What a wonderful rare experience to make a deep connection such as the one you describe.

[packrat]

I had an opportunity in the day to meet with Stephen Gaskin on “The Farm” about twenty years ago, long after the Commune stage of their existence. Their goal of demonstrating self-sufficiency as a beacon of hope in the face of a collapsing global social system is an admirable goal to this day.