Farmyard Insights

by Glenn Edwards

The Word of Reconciliation: 

Thanks to a praying mom, our whole family was persuaded to attend a Charismatic Camp (CFO – Camps Farthest Out) for a week of teaching and getting to encounter God in 1974.  We had never done this before and amid the tumultuous 1970s, we launched out to encounter God in a new way.  That year our whole family gave their hearts to Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit.  

I have heard that the definition of Stupidity is to do the same thing we have been doing and expect a different result.  Thus, I discovered that the road to a better life means change.  To leave the old ways and take on some new ways, God’s ways.  

This new life is spoken of in the Bible, as a new birth.  This is not just some minor course correction, but the turning around to go a different direction and experience God’s transformation work in our hearts.  When we accept the work of Jesus Christ through the Cross and Resurrection, we become changed.  The theologians have much to say about this but, we farmers, just know that I was one way and then Jesus entered my life, and I became another way.  I further learned we are not just being born again; we are also joining the Family of God.  God created the institution of the Family, for many reasons, but for sure to give us a safe haven.   

Praying Mommas and Pappas can have more impact than some would think.  Family is creating a safe place for children to grow and be nurtured, to deal with loss, and failure, and to have cheerleaders to help celebrate their successes.  The Christian life is not just some philosophy, but it springs from a place of deep relationship.  II Corin 5:17 states: (NASV) 

17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  

To be in a relationship means to encounter occasional conflict.  This passage speaks of the need for reconciliation.  I believe this is the major thrust of the Gospel.  As I have said, I come from a practical farm background, and I always believed our encounter with God should bring us to a place where there is harmony and peace.  I don’t need philosophy, although it has its place, but what I want is to repair my relationships.  

As a businessman, I know that management is the ability to get work done through other people.  Thus, management/leadership is all about relationships.  The same occurs in the family, where the Mommas and Pappas are building family relationships, based on love, forgiveness, and productive communications.  God is interested in your family, and your relationships.  He wants us to conduct our lives so that we place his counsel and direction above all else.  

II Chron. 7:14 – 14 If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  

This is a great example of what a relationship looks like to God.  His power flows when we are in the right relationship with our Heavenly Father, our family members, and our neighbors.  

Forgiveness and love are not just God’s ways, but they are who God is, and how he functions in our lives.  Choose today to do a check-up in your heart, clean out the smelly dung of the barn of your life, and ask Jesus to help you by creating a clean heart within you. (Supernatural Transformation)  

Be prepared, as when you invite Him in, He comes and sets up residency in your life.  

Jesus Christ is not only our Savior, but He is our Lord.  Let Him be the Lord of your life. 

Insights from the Farmyard for you today.  

Be Blessed. 

Glenn Edwards