Adam and Eve were given the Garden of Eden. Their job was to manage it and mind the boundaries.
Israel was given the Promised land, VERY conditionally. If they remained faithful to the plan, they could keep it. If not, they would lose it.
In essence, both parties were homesteaders.
The basic rule is:
1) Get land/property for free.
2) Prove it up.
3) Protect it.
4) Keep it.
Mess it up, and you lose it.
The art of life, basically speaking, is continuous homesteading, in the broadest sense of the term.
We start with little things. Take care of these fish. Take care of this pet. Take care of your toys and your room. Jesus says that if we are faithful in little things, we will be given bigger responsibilities.
Jesus also, in his parables, talks about doubling the value of what was given us (the Parable of the Talents).
In essence, we are all gardeners.
So how is your garden growing?
Is your life a garden or a junkyard?
YOUR BODY
I talked with a doctor yesterday, interviewing him for our radio show. Dr. David Steenblock may well win a Nobel Prize someday. He talked about the bodies he treats being junkyards or gardens. It’s almost impossible to plant seeds (i.e. “do medicine”) in a junkyard body.
“Garden” bodies take daily care. Are you working on your flexibility, muscle strength, bodyfat percentage, respiratory capacity, and energy level? The more you work on these things, the more your body produces stem cells, which lead to fresh tissue repair, which works against aging.
I turned 50 recently and started doing lots of strenuous Pilates work with a trainer. First time I almost cried like a little girl. After a few months, I am doing things I never thought possible and my core strength is surpassing that which I had playing football in college.
Am also working on my breathing. Most Americans get lazy with breathing and their respiratory system atrophies. Being overweight multiplies this and many of us don’t get nearly enough oxygen.
Another expert here in California, Dr. Tony Ganem (fatburning247.com) has taught me that:
1) Eating between meals
2) Sweet and diet sodas
3) Drinking liquid during meals
can add bodyfat. Look up his work to find the reasons for this…
YOUR HOME
Is your living space de-cluttered, clean, and balanced? Is disrepair piling up? Do doors squeak and are knobs coming loose?
We were given our homes with the “homesteading” mentality. Leave things better than you found them and you get to upgrade.
My theme for my home is “nothing missing, nothing broken.”
You may need help with this, and it may cost money. But it’s worth it. Too much time is spent in front of screens while we should be “proving up” our homestead.
Is your desk clear? Is your home organized? Are your windows and carpets cleaned on a regular basis? Are your media and books in order and accessible?
Are you getting rid of the “stuff” you don’t really need? Reduce, reuse, recycle!
How does your lawn, garden, plants look? Remember. You are a gardner by birthright.
YOUR WORK
Do you have clear vocational objectives? Is your workplace cleaned up? Is your place of work “upgrading” because you are on the team?
Are you working against “wear and tear” in the workspace?
The easiest way to promotion is to exceed expectations at your current “status” and have an impeccable workspace. Chip in to buy new carpet at the office. Offer to paint and decorate.
YOUR SOUL
How are you cultivating your soul and spirit? Are you scheduling time for serious, intentional prayer and meditation?
Are you attending your church or spiritual community regularly? Forming community around your highest values and the “better angels of your nature?”
Is entertainment the core of your spiritual life? If so, a yellow warning light should be blinking.
What is your spiritual growing edge?
1) Cultivating an experiential and personal relationship with the Creator?
2) Letting go of material anxiety?
3) Learning not to hold bitterness toward others?
4) Working on getting rid of the “dark sectors” on your spiritual hard-drive?
THE PHILOSOPHY OF HOMESTEADING
All property ownership started with homesteading. Long ago, someone found an unused piece of land or a valuable object.
You, according to Natural Law, are entitled to “own” it as long as you care for it and “prove it up” on an ongoing basis. Let it unravel or rot, and you lose it.
If you claim too much land or property to handle, others around you will hold you accountable.
It’s like at the 4th of July parade in Huntington Beach, which goes right by our house.
Days ahead, people start to stake out, with chalk, their “spot” from which to watch the parade. If they take more space than they need, those around them “veto” it. If they choose someone’s front yard (a place someone else has been “proving up” all year), then that also will be pushed back.
We do the same deciding where to put our towels on the beach. Or where to put the BBQ outside the stadium during the tailgate party.
First come, first served, and you only get as much space as you can “prove up.”
We don’t need police or deeds to enforce this. It’s in our human social instinct.
In fact, the right to defend one’s self and property against aggression is the number one human right according to natural law.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BANKING SYSTEM
Right now, all of our property is tied up in government registered deeds and mortgages.
But the Federal Reserve/Property Taxation/Mortgage Banking system is breaking down. The cronyism in this “junta” is set up to put pressure on those who are rightfully homesteading. If you don’t pay your property tax, guess what happens to your property? Property tax is an affront on Natural Law and its corollary, homesteading.
And the banks are currently just an arm of the Federal Reserve, whereby bank profits are kept by execs and shareholders, but losses are “socialized” by government bailouts.
As that whole system collapses, be ready for a return to homesteading.
There’s plenty of land for everyone. Most of America is empty.
You start with less valuable land. Prove it up, and trade up.
Property “owners” in the rust belt who have let their buildings decay, are no longer rightful owners of that property. Anyone should be able to move in, make a claim, improve the property, and get to stay there.
Anyone should be able to occupy an abandoned building for free, as long as they prove it up.
Let a building crumble, and you lose it. Simple as that.
It’s a whole new world coming. We’re seeing thru the “stacked cards” of the current “ownership” society where the banks and the government really own all we have.
Are you ready to homestead?
It’s what we were all made to do.
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Visit Robinwood Church on Sundays at 9:30am in Southern California
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6 comments
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February 26, 2012 at 6:01 am
wildpastor
Well said, Dave! Stewardship is a mandate from scripture. We are responsible to manage our bodies, our relationships, our material wealth, and our vocations. As Christians, we should be the very best managers because we have a personal relationship with the owner of it all! Thanks for the reminder!
February 26, 2012 at 7:13 am
Wendy Housholder
I have one more “re” for you — repurpose, meaning find another use for something you already have, if at all possible. One of the magazines I read (and pass on to others, rather than throw out) has articles on new and unusual uses for old things, which is super helpful. Get creative. Think of a fun, new way to use something.
Another suggestion: shop at Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. Not only will you get a really good deal, it is “green” because an item that you buy is now being recycled, rather than being thrown away. Let’s keep stuff out of the landfills!
Lastly, consider joining Freecycle, a web-group that helps people give away things, rather than throwing them away. Each day you can receive an email with people in your community who are either giving away items or looking for items that someone else might want to give them. No money is involved, you just have to go pick it up. You can find furniture, clothing, electronics, you name it. I even saw fresh eggs given away this week! It’s a great way not to waste. I could go on and on and on. Let’s just say I agree with you, and leave it at that 😉
February 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Kevin g
Nice post, David.
Wendy…thanks for the Freecycle tip. I’m signing up now!
February 28, 2012 at 10:24 am
Don Clemens
Dave,
I really enjoyed the homestead blog, world- truth and biblical truth combined… Eye widening insights. A book on this subject field would be very interesting? I have only caught your radio show a few times and found myself in agreement with most of your political ideas and comments… I am thinking your a Ron Paul supporter as first choice (me too) who is your 2nd preference? Hopefully we can get Obama out before American (working class) is ruined.
Pray God has mercy upon the believers in Jesus and that our country’s citizens repent and see their need for Jesus!
Lord bless you and your family in all things….
Gracious love, heavenly peace, D
March 24, 2012 at 7:26 am
Bjorn Lervik
Good thoughts!
April 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm
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