Sometimes that's Just Life . . . Life on the farm and life in general.

 Have you ever had one of those days? You know the day in which everything seems to go oposite of the way you want it to go? How about one of those days where everything you do ends up right; a rock star day. Sometimes, that's just life. 

Those of you that know me, know that I have a small family run dairy goat farm. Loch Bonnie Farm in Lake Isabella, CA, you can find us on Facebook. For anyone who knows about goats, we are right in the middle of kidding season. Little fluffy goat kids with floppy ears just running, jumping and bouncing all over the place. Well, on Loch Bonnie Farm, it is no different. We raise nubian milk goats. We have two does; Hannah and Annabelle, and four kids; Christoff, Olaf, Sven and Ailsa (Elsa). 

Now let me give you a little bit of background. My family is of Celtic descent along with a smattering of others in there. My wife is Scottish,  Firebaugh (Fever-boff) and MacKrill on her mother's side and I have a LOT of Scottish and other Celtic on both sides of my family; Ridings (English from the region of Reeding south of London), Buchanan and Erskine from both of my parents as well as Pollock, Fraser of Lovat, Bruce, and Comyn on my mother's side. Of course, I am leaving out a LOT, but these are some of the more well known clans and septs on my mother's side . . . along with Keeling and Crouch (Irish) and Lloyd (Welsh) from my mother. So, to say my family is Celtic is an understatement. We are official members/clansmen of Clan Fraser of Lovat so the banner of our farm carries the tartan and badge of Clan Fraser. We live in Lake Isabella, CA, Isabella mean beautiful. The Celtic version of Beautiful is Bonnie, thus Loch Bonnie Farm. Most of my Scottish ancestry is from ancient Normans and Scandinavians. Through DNA tests, I am predominantly Fennoscandia meaning much of my ancestry comes from Finnish and Scandinavian ancestors. So, the theme on our farm, at least in the naming of our animals is Celtic and Scandinavian. Thus the names Annabelle, Hannah, Sven, Christoff and Olaf. 

So, just a few days ago both of our girls went into labor . . . at the same time. I was home alone. My wife and son was at work, my daughter was out of town having a family day with her husband and kids, so I was alone.  I texted some friends of mine with: Um, I may need some help! BOTH girls are in labor. Now, let me stop right here and say how much I love living in a small community with good people and amazing friends. The dropped what they were doing on their farm and headed out from the other side of the valley to come help me. They asked if I needed anything and I told them what supplies I was lacking. They stopped at the feed store on the way and in record 30 minute time were by my side. Fast forward and hour and Hanna had given birth to three beautiful kids, 2 boys and 1 girl. It was Annabelle's turn. She was in distress. Annabelle is actually a little small. So much so that we waited a year to breed her. Finally we have a nose, then the rest of the head and then she stopped. Exhausted, Annabelle couldn't go any further. We did everything we could to coax her into pushing again. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes goes by of her struggling and no progress. With my daughter, now home, and I on the front end trying to keep her still, focused and standing, our friends John and Eve were on the business end. With Eve holding onto the kids head and neck to keep it from sucking back in, John had to finally go in and try to find the front legs so the kid could actually make it's way out. An hour later, Annabelle had given birth, but the baby wasn't breathing, We cleared it's airways, pressed on it's little chest to try to get it to breathe. Finally, Sven was breathing and sneezing and making noise. John, Even Ashleigh and I were cover in, well birthing stuff. Poor Eve got the worst of it . . . LOL! But, the babies were all healthy, mothers were happy and nursing.

Today I went out to check on them in the afternoon. Of course, I find any excuse and lull in the day to go out and hold and play with the babies. I had left a folding chair leaning against the goat's stable. I heard a weak and feeble cry. I look down and see Sven on the ground with the one of the bars of the chair across his neck. I frantically pick up the chair and grab Sven up in my arms. Weakly crying and limp, he was already gone. I knew it. But, I have a very soft heart. So instead of instantly giving up, I tried CPR. For 20 minutes I gave the little guy CPR. No improvement. In fact, he was worse, more limp, more weak, almost dead and gasping for air. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't want to do it. Eventually, I wrapped my hands around his little snout and helped him along.  Of all the animals I've ever had to put down, he was the most difficult. 

I just lost a friend recently. He battled for more than 2 months on life support trying to regain life. A little over a week ago his family decided to take him off of life support and sing praises to Jesus as he went quietly and peacefully on to his eternal home in the presence of God the Father and His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Death is difficult. Whether a person is a Christian, of some other faith that believes in an afterlife or an unbeliever, death is difficult. For my friend and his family, though I am sad that he is gone, I can rejoice in the fact that I will see him again when I meet my Lord.

There are no accidents, no coincidences. Everything happens for a purpose whether it is by God's design or allowance, everything happens and fits into God's plan. I feel like it's my fault that Sven is dead. I left the chair out in the pasture because I was tired and lazy, then I forgot about it. Ultimately, it was my hand that ended his life. That hand that helped deliver him and that was supposed to provide and protect him.

Sometimes, That's just life. Death must occur in order for life to rise. Next month we start planting. The seed must first die in order to bring life. Though death is sometimes difficult to deal with, we have to pick ourselves up, learn from the situation and keep living life. I mean, Sven, was going to end up in the freezer anyway. But, when that time came, I would be OK because that was his purpose. I'm sad, I shed a few tears, but the other animals and most importantly, my family, needs me to keep going, keep preaching, keep farming. And for the will of God and the love of my family, I will do just that. Because, sometimes, ?That's just life.

What is Wrong with the Modern "Church"?

 Well, I wasn't going to rant today, and I hope that this doesn't come off that way. First off let me say, I am a traditionalist . . . of sorts. I like and preach from the KJV Bible, but I can use any translation to lead someone to Christ. I have my favorites and one that I wouldn't use on purpose. I love the old hymns, but believe that the new hymns and the contemporary Christian music has it's purpose and place; and again, there are bands and writers whose music I wont use if I can help. Since I am the pastor, my son is the music director and my family and I are the worship team (it's a small church) I can help it. I do dress for Sunday service, but I no longer wear a suit and tie. In fact, it is rare that I ever wear a collar these days. My point is, tradtitions are great, but new traditions are great too and they both have thier places. 

Tradition becomes a problem when it becomes doctrine and dogma and replaces the Holy cannon as the rule in the local assemblies.

So, what is wrong with the modern church? Apathy, lack of attendance, lack of desire, lack of moral Christian discipline. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to turn our backs on gathering together because as we get further away from the cross and closer to the second coming, the days will become increasingly evil and difficult and discouraging to the believer. Problem is, there was a time when churches bragged about have a band or singing contemporary music, using multi-media, the New American Standard Bible or the New King James Bible. Now churches brag about having more than one or two services a week or maybe even a mid-week service. Pastors are lauded (praised) for using the KJV now. 

Part of the issue here is the churches' leaders and teachers not teaching solid doctrine these days for fear of being labled as judgmental, hateful or hypocritical. But, also problematic is that worldly organizations are offering more and more extra-curricular activies on church days. And instead of trying to steer the members in the right direction, pastors began to relent. Now, I understand that church attendance is not a requirement for being a good Christian and that the early church didn't always meet on Sundays. But, now Christians are finding things "better" to do than to worship and fellowship together and strengthen each other.

The Christian world is also starting to see a mass growth of seeker friendly churches. What is a seeker friendly church? It is a church that softens or changes doctrines in order to plant bodies into seats. We are seeing concerts with light shows and multi-media artistry instead of the music portion of the worship service. We are seeing people who are living contrary to the word of God in leadership positions and even as pastors. Pastors and teachers are now teaching that certain lifestyles are OK these days and that the Bible was writtne the way it was at that time because of narrow mindedness or because God had stricter standards at the time or because the church was run by the state and the state was trying to dictate what the common people could and could not do. God doesn't change. His laws are the same today as they were 4,000 + years ago.

Churches are growing weaker and the world influence is growing stronger. We are seeing 2 Timothy 4:3 becoming more and more prevailant. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; Scripture also talks about a time of a great falling away. But why aren't the Lord's people doing more to combat this? It seems that Christians have adopted the attitude of, "Oh well, it's going to happen anyway, so why fight it?" Apathy! Shame! Laziness! What's wrong with the modern church? Christians are more concerned with being accepted and liked than preaching the truth. 

Plain and Simple!

Politics and Religion

 I have heard many people say that religion has no place in politics. Of course, many of them reference separation of church and state. There is no such thing as separation of church and state. In fact, the founding fathers of the United States understood the value of a moral based religion as a guideline for the leaders of this great country. 

The first amendment was not meant to take the church out of the government, but rather to keep the government out of the church, to avoid another church state such as the Church of England or the Roman Catholic church. The first amendment guaranteed the protection of the right to gather and to worship, and protected religious groups from government interference. As well as the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. But rights do not divorce one of consequences.

In fact, the founding fathers realized the need for religion in politics. Religion, by definition, is a system of faith or belief. Even Atheism is a religion. If you can tell me that the beliefs of an Evolutionist, Atheist or even a Satanist does not affect their politics, then I will tell you that you do not understand what religion really is. No, religion, whatever your belief system is dictates your politics. 

I have preached, every election cycle, an election sermon. I do not tell my congregation how to vote. I simply take the issues or the platforms of the those vying for election and compare them to the scriptures.

What does the Bible cover concerning politics? All of it. All of the major hot topics that we are constantly facing; First Amendment, Second Amendment, Abortion, Military, Homeland Security, Equality, Family Relationships and Dynamics, Capitol Punishment, Discipline, Welfare, Employment and Employee/ Employer Relationship and the rights therein . . . It's all there.

In a future blog I will post a copy of my expanded outline, including verses and explanations. 

No, religion and politics do belong together. If you have a belief system, and all humans do, even if you only believe in yourself, your beliefs, your religion will dictate your politics.

Child of God, your religion MUST dictate your politics. Do not vote party, do not vote for what is best for you, vote according to scripture. Read the scriptures, pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and then vote your heart, vote your conscience. Just Vote. 

Free Speech?

 What happened to free speech? Have we become a nation of entitled brats, so spoiled that we think we can whine about what we don't like and get our way?! Really?! Three Facebook accounts. THREE! I am on my third. Last account I was discussing with some mush brain the silliness of labeling a name as bad because of someone in history. 

On a local page, a lady posted a picture of her German Shepherd that had gone missing, and was looking for any information. The Shepherd's name was Adolf . . . a G E R M A N Shepherd! Now, I personally would have chosen a different name simply to avoid the fallout that she got over this dog's name. First comment, "Adolf? Really?" 

I began defending this lady's right to name her dog anything she wanted. If we are going to ban the name Adolf, perhaps we should ban the name Fidel (Castro), K(C)arl (Marx), Joseph (Stalin), Christopher (Columbus) . . . We have a church member who is directly descended from the Clanton's of OK Corral. In fact, his last name is Clanton. Should my daughter and son-in-law not named their son Wyatt. What about Elizabeth (Lizzy Boardan), or Mary (Bloody Mary)? Where does it end?!

Anyway, I was booted off of Facebook for telling this guy that he was a brainwashed, liberal, snowflake. I thought he knew! That's what I get for thinking. Oh, well.

I guess I wasn't very pastoral by slinging mud and name calling, but even pastors are human and get irratated at the lunacy and hypocrasy of this modern generation and thier so called leaders.

Toughen up buttercup! It's just a name. No, you are not going to get PTSD because someone, whom you have never met and probably never will, called you a name!

OK, I'm done . . . for now.

Resocializing...updated on 12/15/2019

I pulled out of Facebook a little over a week ago and it's been quiet; no drama, no dying phone battery, more time with my wife and granddaughter and for chores and studying. But I'm missing the news that I get on the happenings around the world. So, I've opened a twitter account. I can stay abreast of events and news and even friends that I choose and still keep a little anonymity on twitter. So, if any one wants to follow I'm @HighlandD74. See y'all around.

Update!!! Well, I gave twitter a shot. WOW! I'll say that backwards so you can really get it . . . WOW! That was worse that FACEBOOK!!! My GOODNESS!!! What a chaotic mess, it's like being in a classroom full of narcissistic, pre-teen, prep-school kids. Just; BAM, BAM, BAM!!! You get hit every three seconds with new "information". And the POTUS is the WORST of the ALL!!! Maybe I am getting old, but geez! I'm just gonna stay here in my own little corner.

Sunday Morning Worship Practice 12-08-2019

Our sweet granddaughter playing peek-a-boo with her uncle Bear during worship practice on Sunday morning. Sheer joy, pure abandon.

The Family at last year's Highland Games and Scottish Gather, 04/2019