Glo and Fred Gardner have performed at Farm Day in the past. Their Dynamic Children's Theatre returns to Waco this week with an entertaining, informative African Proverb. This event is FREE. Here are the details:
Central Library
Thursday, July 16
10:30 am & 1:30 pm
“Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock” PLAY
South Waco Library
Friday, July 17
10:30 am & 1:30 pm
“Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock” PLAY
World Hunger Relief, Inc.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Food in the Bible: Sabbath
When I wrote a post on Joseph's experiment in redistribution, I was stunned by what I found. It is still profoundly disappointing to see such injustice, particularly in our own scripture. As I pondered that, however, I thought that perhaps the Year of Jubilee in Leviticus 25 is the antidote. In Joseph's story he tries to bring about a just distribution of goods and fails miserably. In Leviticus 25 we are given a model that seems to undo this kind of injustice, but scholars tell us it was probably never tried. This idea that Jubilee is the antidote to our failing human efforts at justice brings me to a foundational concept in Scripture that serves as a basis for much of my thinking on food, poverty and justice... Sabbath.
J.D. Crossan in God and Empire says, "It is not humanity on the sixth day but the Sabbath on the seventh day that is the climax of creation... our 'dominion' over the world is not ownership but stewardship under the God of the Sabbath" (53). The reason that scripture gives for observing the Sabbath is not worship, which most Christians and maybe Jews seem to think. The reason given is so that the slaves and foreigners could have rest as well (Ex 23:12; Deut 5:14). Again Crossan says,
The Jubilee goes even further by commanding that every seventh Sabbath Year "you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family" (Lev 25:10). God had divided the land up between the tribes, but knew that inevitably inequality and injustice would creep in. The Jubilee is the final rule that prevents inequality from remaining within the people of God. Lest we think this applies only to Israel or the church, remember that the purpose of God's covenant with Abraham constituting the people of God was that "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen 12:3). Israel was meant to be a model to the rest of the nations of what it meant to live in relation to God and each other.
The Sabbath was not just about people either.
"For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard and your olive orchard" (Ex 23:10-11).
The whole of creation rests on a foundation of balance between work and rest. This passage also clearly indicates the relationship between the work and rest of the land and the people as well as the implications for equality and justice. Thus the right ordering of relationships, between people and between people and the earth involves a balance of work and rest which ultimately results in just distribution of resources.
Crossan sums it up by saying that through the progression of Sabbath laws "we can see clearly the demand of God for a just distribution of land-as-life based on the creation theology in Genesis 1:1-2:4a" (71).
Originally posted at What Would Jesus Eat? this is part of an ongoing series reading through the Bible with food as a lens.
J.D. Crossan in God and Empire says, "It is not humanity on the sixth day but the Sabbath on the seventh day that is the climax of creation... our 'dominion' over the world is not ownership but stewardship under the God of the Sabbath" (53). The reason that scripture gives for observing the Sabbath is not worship, which most Christians and maybe Jews seem to think. The reason given is so that the slaves and foreigners could have rest as well (Ex 23:12; Deut 5:14). Again Crossan says,
The Sabbath Day was not rest for worship, but rest as worship... In summary, the Sabbath was about the justice of equality as the crown of creation itself (54).The Sabbath Day is extended to the Sabbath Year (Ex 21:2 and Deut 15) and finally the Sabbath Jubilee (Lev 25). Every seventh year both male and female slaves were to be set free and debts were remitted, or forgiven. Provisions are given for both male and females to ensure that they are cared for within the social context of the time. Both male and female slaves are to be restored to a just and equal standing in the community when they are set free. Deuteronomy warns that masters should not consider this a hardship. Lenders are also warned that they should not withhold loans from their needy neighbors when the seventh year is close. "Your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt" (Deut 15:9)
The Jubilee goes even further by commanding that every seventh Sabbath Year "you shall return, every one of you, to your property and every one of you to your family" (Lev 25:10). God had divided the land up between the tribes, but knew that inevitably inequality and injustice would creep in. The Jubilee is the final rule that prevents inequality from remaining within the people of God. Lest we think this applies only to Israel or the church, remember that the purpose of God's covenant with Abraham constituting the people of God was that "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen 12:3). Israel was meant to be a model to the rest of the nations of what it meant to live in relation to God and each other.
The Sabbath was not just about people either.
"For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard and your olive orchard" (Ex 23:10-11).
The whole of creation rests on a foundation of balance between work and rest. This passage also clearly indicates the relationship between the work and rest of the land and the people as well as the implications for equality and justice. Thus the right ordering of relationships, between people and between people and the earth involves a balance of work and rest which ultimately results in just distribution of resources.
Crossan sums it up by saying that through the progression of Sabbath laws "we can see clearly the demand of God for a just distribution of land-as-life based on the creation theology in Genesis 1:1-2:4a" (71).
Originally posted at What Would Jesus Eat? this is part of an ongoing series reading through the Bible with food as a lens.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Honey Harvest 2009
Here are some pictures from today's harvest. We should have 20+ gallons when it's all done and it will all sell out in the next couple weeks. After trying to find a good link about the benefits of local honey for you it seems that there is some debate about its health benefits, particularly relating to allergies. What is not in debate at all is the deliciousness that comes from that sweet comb. Now I know why Samson was so willing to break his Nazarite vow for some local honey (Judges 14:8-9).
Monday, July 6, 2009
prayers for the mad farmers.
some of here at the farm have a dream. this dream involves a bus. and the Lord's opened the door and led us into conversations with fellow dreamers (like these and him and others). but we don't currently have a bus. and so we need prayer. and $$. but mostly prayer. thanks for loving us, the mad farmers.
for more on carl's corner and willie nelson and kinky friedman and all things alternative fuel in texas, check out npr's story Deep-Fried Fuel: A Biodiesel Kitchen Vision
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Farm Update: Heat Edition
The number one topic of conversation these days on the farm is the heat. Texas can be brutal and this summer is turning out to be a scorcher. We've had mostly 100+ days for the past 2-3 weeks. We're scrambling to find extra shade and relief for all the plants and animals... not to mention ourselves. I grew up in Texas and in the past I would have been primarily concerned about keeping myself out of the heat and comfortable. At the farm we have to set aside our own comfort for the good of the whole system, plants, animals and soil.
It was a blessed morning this past Tuesday when I went to feed the chickens... in the rain. A cold front brought us a break with highs only in the 90s. Rain is usually an opportunity to hole up inside with a good book or movie and be lazy. At the farm it was a good day to be outside and enjoy a refreshing shower. I appreciate so much more the life and refreshment that the rain brings.
That morning I also remember praying and thanking God also that the rain is a reminder of our common humanity since it falls on the just and unjust alike. Now the sun gives us the same reminder as it beats down on us. This also a reminder that although God sends rain and sun equally to everyone, we have made sure that such equality does not continue. The homeless, poor and elderly are beaten down by the dangerous Texas heat while the wealthy relax in their air conditioning. Part of getting back to God's intention may be suffering in the heat more as we also try to help those who have no choice.
Some recent highlights:
- On our field trip to Stephenville we visited Tarleton Agriculture Center and Veldhuizen Texas Farmstead Cheese, and learned tons from both. Unfortunately we didn't make it in time to get a tour and samples from Wiseman House Chocolates.
- Urban Gardening Benefit Dinner w/ Angela Medearis was a big success. (We're still enjoying the leftovers)
- Matt Hess returned from a consulting trip to Malawi (report coming soon hopefully).
- David Cole is in Haiti and will also hopefully have a report for us as well.
- A farm contingent made their way to Bushnell, IL for the annual Cornerstone Festival put on by JPUSA. They should be back tomorrow.
- Finally we will be at the New Baptist Covenant Regional Meeting in Oklahoma August 6-7. Mark your calendar you Baptist types!
Originally posted at What Would Jesus Eat?
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Real Life Can't Wait
This was originally posted at What Would Jesus Eat?
I'm settling in to the rhythm of life here nicely. Only two weeks and it’s hard to believe life was ever different than this. When I was watching my kids full time, I often found excuses to go to the store. Mainly it was to get out of the house, but I could always find something we “needed.” to justify the trip. Since i have been at the farm I have not made a single trip to the store. I have hardly left the farm it seems. And that is just fine with me.
In many ways life has slowed down considerably. I’m not pulled in thirty different directions. At the same time, however, there is lots more to do. I have barely touched our education garden which is in desperate need of some love and attention. There always so many things that need to get done on the farm. The difference is that everything that needs to get done has to do with my own sustenance and the lives of the people around me. My work here is never in vain.
Some of the things that felt most productive in my previous life (pre-farm) were in reality not accomplishing much at all. Far from the efficiency of industrial agriculture, the productivity here also includes play and building community, sharing stories and meals. We produce so much more than food, because we put so much more than simple labor into it. That is something that cannot be produced by agricultural science. Just like the many elements of compost that benefit plants beyond the synthetic fertilizer formula of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus, there are so many elements of a sustainable life that don’t fit into equations.
There are times when life here seems inefficient and unorganized, but I’m also beginning to see the benefits of organizing our lives that way. There are a lot of ways the farm could run more smoothly. Those changes will be good and helpful when they are made, but they will still be there for us to work on tomorrow as we work on the areas of life and work that sustain our bodies and souls today. Efficiency and productivity can wait. Real life can’t.
I'm settling in to the rhythm of life here nicely. Only two weeks and it’s hard to believe life was ever different than this. When I was watching my kids full time, I often found excuses to go to the store. Mainly it was to get out of the house, but I could always find something we “needed.” to justify the trip. Since i have been at the farm I have not made a single trip to the store. I have hardly left the farm it seems. And that is just fine with me.
In many ways life has slowed down considerably. I’m not pulled in thirty different directions. At the same time, however, there is lots more to do. I have barely touched our education garden which is in desperate need of some love and attention. There always so many things that need to get done on the farm. The difference is that everything that needs to get done has to do with my own sustenance and the lives of the people around me. My work here is never in vain.
Some of the things that felt most productive in my previous life (pre-farm) were in reality not accomplishing much at all. Far from the efficiency of industrial agriculture, the productivity here also includes play and building community, sharing stories and meals. We produce so much more than food, because we put so much more than simple labor into it. That is something that cannot be produced by agricultural science. Just like the many elements of compost that benefit plants beyond the synthetic fertilizer formula of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus, there are so many elements of a sustainable life that don’t fit into equations.
There are times when life here seems inefficient and unorganized, but I’m also beginning to see the benefits of organizing our lives that way. There are a lot of ways the farm could run more smoothly. Those changes will be good and helpful when they are made, but they will still be there for us to work on tomorrow as we work on the areas of life and work that sustain our bodies and souls today. Efficiency and productivity can wait. Real life can’t.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)