Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.

One of the issues that we've run into as our children approached their teens (and even now as most of them are most of the way through) is how they handle ourselves when someone makes a disparaging comment or comments about themselves.

Anything from lying, to cheating to worse is hurled at our  children by others who it would seem derive their happiness from making other miserable.

I can't remember who the quote is attributed to, but remember hearing this during a sermon once that spoke of living a God-honoring life. 

Following that sermon, we took the words to heart and have shared them with our children.

"Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it." If you did that, what would the outcome be?

A while after putting this into practice, we had one of our older children come home from high school to tell us of a problem that they had with someone gossiping (and outright lying) about them. One person who hear the story simply said, "I know him and that's not the type of person he is." The situation was then diffused and dismissed.

What a blessing it can be when we live our lives as a testimony to who we are as well as whose (God's) we are.

Actions truly do speak louder than words!

Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.” - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Reputation is a reflection of who you are. You can manage your reputation by using good public relations, but polishing a rotten apple won’t make it a good addition to fruit salad. - See more at: http://familyshare.com/live-in-such-a-way-that-if-someone-spoke-badly-of-you-no-one-would-believe-it#sthash.PKhuvbGG.dpuf

Getting Started with Homesteading

I have come to find that one of the best things that we can do as homesteaders is to encourage those who have a similar mindset. I am still trying to escape the bonds of “the Great American Success Story” and return to a more simpler time and lifestyle of self-reliance and sufficiency, but want to encourage anyone who may read this.

There were some things that I thought about that really help get one started, which is the key. The journey, is the goal. I've found that is important to try to do something... anything on a daily basis that helps move you towards your goal of self-sufficiency. Some things to think about to get you started include:
not the destination really

Getting out of debt
Once this is tackled, a whole new word of opportunities open up and you have the funds to not only achieve your dreams, but help others as well.

Become more informed of the world events around you
In order to make a change in the world, even if it's your world, you have to be aware of what is happening. It may, according to what is happening in the world, or with the economy, make sense to make a more to a more rural location at a certain time over another.

Plan your work, then work your plan
Once you know what you want to do, purpose it in your heart to work a little more towards your goals every day, even if it's just planning or talking to others about being self-sufficient.

Learn new “old” skills (gardening, hunting, fishing, foraging, canning, sewing, etc.)
With the passing of each generation, I am firmly convinced that there are a lot of skills that simply vanish. I've heard it said over and over again, "My grandfather used to hunt," or "My grandmother used to sew." We've become so accustomed to being a microwave (I want it now) society that the "old ways" are simply not taught anymore.

Plant a garden
Do you know where your food comes from?... What's sprayed on them?... What genetic manipulation was done to the food?... What could be better than taking control of what you and your family eat to ensure that it is healthy, nutritious and grown with your own two hands?

Raise chickens
Similarly to the statement above. Do you know what is in the chicken that you buy at the grocery store?... What hormones are in it? Not to mention that chickens are a remarkable (and easy) animal to start of with.

Take personal responsibility
It seems like we (as a culture) have lost a sense of personal responsibility. There is always some excuse for mistakes that we made. People are always looking for someone, increasingly the government, to bail them out, give them food, provide a house, transportation, a cell phone, etc. There is little that is more rewarding than being the master of your own destiny, in a matter of speaking. God is the ultimate Master of us, but there is such incredible personal satisfaction in knowing and celebrating your accomplishments. Imagine, eating a meal provided by your garden and own animals in a house that you and your family built.

Learn how to store food
This goes hand-in-hand with growing your own. There are times of surplus. These are the times that you put back food either through canning, dehydrating, smoking or freezing to preserve it for future lean times. Having stored food also lets you be a blessing to others in need. A pastor once told me that we are blessed to be a blessing. How true that is!

Do something everyday, no matter how small, to further your goal
This goes along to what I've said a few times above. Do something, anything, everyday. You will not regret it and it will help to keep you focused on living the lifestyle that you want to live.

My Farm - a poem

This is a beautiful poem that I came across a long time ago. I think that it wonderfully sums up the homesteading attitude and a life lived by God's grace.

My Farm

My farm, to me, is not just land,

Where bare, unpainted buildings stand,

To me, my farm is nothing less,

Than all created loveliness.

My farm is not where I must soil

My hands in endless, dreary toil,

But where, through seed and swelling pod,

I've learned to walk and talk with God.

My farm, to me, is not a place

Outmoded by a modern race.

For here, I think I just see less

Of evil, greed, and selfishness.

My farm's not lonely ... for all day

I hear my children shout at play.

And here, when age comes, free from fears,

I'll live again, long joyous years.

My farm's a haven ... here dwells rest,

Security and happiness ...

What e're befalls the world outside

Here faith, and hope, and love abide.

And so my farm is not just land

Where bare, unpainted buildings stand.

To me, my farm is nothing less

Than all God's hoarded loveliness.

-- Anonymous