Happy Independence Day to all!

The first post of this series I thought this would only require 2 posts, but as I have continued to write it has spilled into 11 pages.  So, I am breaking it down into fewer words per post since many people dont have the time to read the whole thing at once.

In the first part (Part 1 of 4) of this two part series I tried to lay out the philosophy I hold for the reasons of choosing a self-sustainable farming lifestyle.  In this part I wanted to lay out the mission for which the philosophy will be applied.

Myerstown Family Farm Principles:

1.      Love the Lord your God with all your heart and trust Him.

2.      Develop family and friend relationships

3.      Avoid being dependent on any material thing or service

4.      Use technology where possible but adapt it to the self-sustainable model

5.      Take pride in all your work no matter what it is you are doing

6.      Do not restrict the freedom of anyone

7.      Teach others these Principles

The following is the introduction to our farm “business plan” which is really more for us to understand our own values.

One purpose of this venture is to develop a sustainable environment in which my family and I may live and raise our children in safety and without distractions of popular culture.  This popular culture demands too much time for basics such as food, shelter, and material desires and robs the time from family and quality leisure. Quality leisure is leisure that builds the other individuals up and prepares them for hard work. What quality leisure is NOT is stopping work only to bring the mind as much work or more in the time taken in the leisure.  For example, playing video games does not allow the mind to stop its work and to reflect on life…which is important in order to formulate a direction in which life should take.  Also, quality time is a time period that allows the mind to quiet in order to relax and to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.  If you do not have a quiet time period in your life, you will become irritable and lack time with the Giver of Life to which energy can be derived.

A second purpose for this venture would be to prepare for what the future holds.  Many times over the centuries the government has sought to take advantage of its people in the nation.  They have tried to use the people to gain power and wealth at their expense.  Currently, we have a “Democracy” which is a term that was never used by the founding fathers. They created a republic…not a Nation, but as such we are still able to count on the just laws that govern our government.  This plan is to develop a way so that in the event of fuel shortages, inflation, taxes, and any other government controlled commodities or acts against its people, this plan provides an “island” effect to which we may live as independent as possible to give us the best opportunity to not only live but to live freely and happily.

A third purpose for this venture would be to cultivate a relationship with the family that extends beyond the blood relation.  We want a relationship that brings the family closer by working hard beside each other over time and developing a bond through hard times.   It brings us to the ability to develop our spiritual man and to seek our God with all our hearts and to build a “Base of Operations” to go out from and to lead others to Jesus Christ.  These relationships contain the virtues we as a people once held.  Personal responsibility, Brotherly Love, Trust in the Lord through hard times, and many more are virtues that I want to be revived in our people.  The only thing I have control of is myself.  If then I have control over myself, while I can still accomplish something that is good I will be an example.  I hope that through a self-sustainable farm, the distractions of life in popular culture can be avoided because we are not dependent on or have any needs for the material and social things to which it spews out and then we can concentrate on winning people to Christ by being a Witness to them.

Continue to Part 3