The Funny Farm

I received the following devotion in my e-mail today.  I read the verse and it reminded me of so many things in my life.  For so much of my life I would describe someone as cute and then when someone met them they thought I was weird or would say they were not attractive at all.  But, I learned that I was not looking at the outside but the inside that comes through... I also went through a period of time that to fir in, I started not looking at people's hearts but what everyone else saw.  I made sure I had "good looking friends"  etc.  because I wanted to be liked.  Well, those friends hips faded and as any young struggling teenager eventually learns - hopefully sooner than later- it is the person who is important.  So these are my thoughts today :)

And here is the devotional from my in box.....

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What Are We Looking At?

Rachel Olsen

“… The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

Devotion:

In the movies, you can usually tell the good guys from the bad guys.  The good guys wear white and want justice. Meanwhile, the bad guys wear black and seek their own selfish gain. Some movies I’ve seen, however, surprise me at the end with who is really on which side.  Jesus told a story like that.

 In Luke 18:10-14, Jesus tells of two men who went into the temple to pray.  We learn that the first guy is a devout worker in the ministry of God. These individuals were known to carefully follow God’s laws and encourage the people to also do so. We learn that the second guy does not work in the service of God, but for the government … in a job usually filled by corrupt individuals. These individuals had a reputation for abusing the system and swindling the people for their own gain. 

 From Jesus’ description of their vocations, I can imagine the first guy looking clean-cut, praying with sincerity in his voice, and maybe even wearing a white robe. The second man I imagine as somewhat dirty and gruff. I picture his eyes dark, hard and intimidating. I imagine him going through the motions of prayer, without really meaning it.

 Not only does Jesus tell the two men’s occupations, but He also reveals exactly what they prayed. The first guy prayed in a way that was traditional for rabbis according to the Talmud. He gives thanks to God that he is set apart as a holy man, and not a blatant sinner like the other guy in the room is known to be.  He prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get,” (Luke 18:11-12, NASB).  He is clearly feeling pretty good about his status in life.

The other man, however, was feeling unworthy to even approach the altar. Jesus said he stood at a distance and wouldn’t even lift his eyes up to heaven to address God directly.  This man was not going through the motions as I would’ve imagined, he was feeling emotional. He beat against his own chest with his fist, very aware of his need for God as he begged, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:13b, NASB).  Jesus said it was this man and not the first who left that temple having been made right with God.

To Jesus’ audience, this ending was a shocker. The tax collector for the Roman government, and not the religious leader for the Jewish people, was justified by the God of Israel. Jesus’ audience probably thought this unfathomable.  But notice that the tax collector was the only one of the two who actually asked to be forgiven and justified. I don’t think the first guy realized he needed to be made right with God.  He looked at his white robes and righteous actions, and ignored his pride and sin.

So, we can’t always tell who the good and bad guys are—in the movies or in real life.

Jesus’ story of these two men prompts me to look at my own sin.  It also prompts me to remember that while I tend to focus on appearances – mine and everyone else’s – God is looking at the motives of my heart.  Thank God, He grants mercy to those who ask! 

Dear Lord, please have mercy on me – I am a sinner in need of a savior. I have an unclean heart that needs You to make it pure. Help me to look at others and myself today through Your eyes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 To read about two women who found out God is more interested in our heart than anything, visit Rachel Olsen’s blog

 God’s Purpose for Every Woman: A P31 Devotional Gen Eds. Lysa TerKeurst & Rachel Olsen

 Application Steps: 

Take the time to write down any sins for which you need to ask forgiveness.  For instance: lying; coveting; stealing what belongs to God; being prideful; sexual sins; placing too much value on money or power; refusing to forgive someone; putting something like your work, your family, or your recreation ahead of your relationship with God; judging others instead of loving them … Then ask for mercy in Jesus’ Name.

 Reflections: 

Before reading this devotion, which of the two prayers would you have been more likely to pray today?

 Power Verses:

Matthew 23:27, "How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people's bones and every kind of impurity.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Rachel Olsen. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

WE have a steady growing little "farm" here.  We love animals and every addition to our home seems to be a character.  The children and I were talking and we think we will do a daily feature on one of our funny animals.  Today is "Gabby" the goat. 

 Gabby is a 2 year old, female, cashmere goat. 

Here is some info we found when reasearching goats (and yes, I know she is not a dairy goat - that will be a future addition)

Goat Milk 

http://www.goats4h.com/Goat-Milk.html

Great  Information on goats 

http://www.goats4h.com/

What is Cashmere?
Cashmere is the softest most prized fiber for sweaters and suiting. Cashmere is soft, light weight, durable, very warm and makes wonderful feeling garments for wearing. It has long been one of the most exotic and rarest fiber to be found. Cashmere is the term for the soft down undercoat of Cashmere goats. The fleece of Cashmere goats is made up of two distinct fibers. The coarse outer hair and the fine cashmere undercoat. The coarse outer hair is called guard hair. The fine undercoat (under 18.5 microns) is the source of Cashmere fiber for clothing.

Cashmere in the U.S.
Cashmere goats in the United States originated from feral goats found in Australia. In the 1970's research began on goats producing cashmere down. American goats were found to be producing down but not in enough quantity to make it economically viable. In the 1980's cashmere producing goats were imported in the U.S. from Australia and New Zealand. Through careful selection and breeding the American Cashmere industry was born. The Cashmere goat industry in the U.S. is in its infancy, but has potential to become a major world producer. Cashmere goats are raised for their fiber, meat, and ability to rejuvenate weedy pastures. Because they are hardy, have a mild temperament, and are of a large size they are very compatible with sheep and cattle. When mature the males weigh 150 lbs. and the females 100 lbs.

Cashmere Production
The amount of Cashmere a goat produces depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is how much selective breeding is in the genetic background. The amount of down produced depends on the diameter, the length of the fiber, and the overall fleece coverage. The cashmere fiber is the goat's winter coat. Its growth is responsive to light. It begins to grow around the summer solstices (June 21st) and ends around the winter solstices (December 21st). Shearing takes place from December to March, the time
period when the goat naturally begins to shed its winter coat.

 Harvesting is by either shearing or combing. Small herds can be combed to recover the fleece, but with larger herds it is more economical to shear the goats.

Raising Cashmere Goats
Cashmere Goats are bred so they kid in February and March. This is a good time for people interested in purchasing kids to select their goats. Kids are normally weaned at around three months of age. The best time to see adult goats in full fleece is in December before shearing. Conscientious breeders will subjectively evaluate their goats fiber and cull out undesirable animals. Animals used for breeding purpose should have their fiber objectively tested at a laboratory. Domesticated Cashmere goats are not dehorned. The horns disperse body heat, as goats don't sweat. Cashmeres are bigger than pygmy goats and smaller than dairy goats making them an easy size to handle.

Cashmeres are intelligent, curious, and make great pets if they have been tamed down. They butt each other with their horns, but seldom injure each other. Cashmeres require good fences, such as a four foot high field fence to keep goats in and predators out. They need simple shelters to protect them from the wind and rain. Cashmeres run for cover at the first sign of rain. Cashmere goats are browsers and love brush pastures. They do well on hay or improved pastures. Grain helps improve kidding percentages, and depending on the area of the country, mineral supplements may be needed. They also need to be wormed regularly and have their hoofs trimmed. Overall they are hardy creatures and need only a dry place to get out of the wind and rain.