Chicken Run - Caution Religious Materal Involved

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I think they had been planning it for weeks. They probably had maps and diagrams and even a time schedule. I did come around the same time each day and they did know my routine. The pattern was the same and I did not deviate from it from one day to the next. They knew the pattern, I opened the pen, took out the empty feeder, put a full one in, pulled out the water container closed the pen, filled up the water container, opened the pen and put it back in. But on this day it just wasn't that easy.

I opened the pen and out she jumped. She was out of the pen like a track star on the 100 meter dash. She was gone in a flash. She ran this way and that way. She was here and she was there. Around and around in circles she ran. And as she ran she seemed to be singing the old hymn, "Free at last, Free at last, Thank God, I'm free at last." She was running like a chicken with her head cut off - but in this case the head was still attached.

It seems that she had planned her escape flawlessly. It was planned down to the last detail. She knew the schedule and the patterns. She knew there was enough room to get out and how to do it. She knew it would take split second timing and agility to pull it off. And she did it! She was free! Free to run and do what ever she wanted. Free to roam and go where she pleased. Free to see the world. But there was one flaw in the whole plan. She had not asked the question, "Where do you go after you get out?"

She had nowhere to run, but she didn't know it. Sure she could run around the yard. Sure she could wander through the garden. She could even cross the fence and go into the neighbor's yard if she wanted to. But didn't she know I would catch her? It's not like she was going to disappear. I knew she wasn't going to go to the road and hitch a ride to L.A. or New York City. The only place she knows is the yard and I didn't think she was going to stray to far away. So with the patience of Job I went into the shed to get the chicken catcher. (It's actually a leaf rake with a plastic head on it.) I didn't run. I didn't hurry. I slowly followed her around the yard, watching her run this way and that way. I knew if I waited long enough she would wear herself out. And she did. With the help of the chicken catcher she was back in her pen, telling the others of the adventure she had.

There are times in my life that I have been like that chicken. Running this way and that way. Planning my escape from the restrictions of life. Thinking that I have found freedom - but really found that I had nowhere to go. Then God stepped in with His catcher - (love, mercy, grace and patience). And He caught me.

The Bible says, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

So where are you going? Where are you running? Just remember, if your running now, some day you'll get caught.

May God bless.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), May 30, 2001

Answers

A favorite quote from my husband: "remember, even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat"

-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), May 30, 2001.

Good story Tom. I was tired and of running for so long and just gave up. He was waiting for me just like He promised.

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), May 30, 2001.

Tom! Reminds me of an old say'n of about 40 years ago or so. "Blessed are those that run in circles for they shall be known as wheels"! Like John, when I got tired of runnin in circles I slowed down, trusted Christ and my pathway was straightened out. Now I've slowed down some but am goin in a straight line. I don't know how much I've helped out others in this life but hope that some have been helped along the way. That is/was my intentions. Good post Tom. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), May 30, 2001.

Yeah! Last time I went to church there were a whole bunch of chickens there.

-- fred m (fmaniac@coop.net), May 30, 2001.

Fred, would it be true to assume that you left because you were chicken (or one of the)? The truth can be frightening, I know. I'm often terrified at just what can happen, or not happen, if I don't follow the Lord - and I'm still on training wheels.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), May 30, 2001.


No, Don, it was just that the rooster standing at the pulpit was all pretty feathers and a lot of noise. Bigoted and self-important. I could do much better reading the bible myself and finding my own way. I think I must be one of the meek.

-- fred m (fmaniac@coop.net), May 30, 2001.

There MUST be some compulsive drive/desire by some people to stir up trouble. Fred's graphic illistration here serves as a reminder of why we have to limit discussions and have censorship on this forum now. I thank him for supplying this example today.

I don't understand why, if your lifestyle or opinion differs from anothers here, you feel compelled to add some meaningless remark certain to ignite a flame war.

This applies to "so called" Christians also. The true spirit of Christ is Love, not dissension. So lead by example if you claim to be a Christian and don't lash out at those you don't agree w/. The true example of Jesus' teaching is to be nice(love) to everyone. Even those whose lifestyle or beliefs conflict w/ yours. "Fervant Flaming" does nothing to change the beliefs of others and only drives people from where it is you wish them to go.

I put the "so called" in quotes because I feel certain that some here claim that title falsely and use that position to lead others away from Christ by antagonising them.

Oh, oh....gotta go "PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND GET DOWN FROM YOUR SOAPBOX!!!"

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), May 30, 2001.


Blessing to all for the comments. Chickens are doing good. Still running.

I've also discovered there is something improtant about roosters. They do a lot of crowing - but there would not be any chicks without them.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), May 30, 2001.


Feel like maybe I should keep my mouth shut... I'm not Christian, but I LIKE Tom's post. It makes a lot of sense. It is comforting and it is thoughtful.

John - thanks to you, too... Us Pagans would do well to remember that our Gods call us, just as Christ calls to Christians. What should it matter to us if the example is Christ? The message is still the same.

Fred - don't let that one single 'rooster' drag you into the same behavior! I've been there, too... and it hurt me much more than it hurt anyone else.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), May 30, 2001.


I agree! This post is an example of why countryside needs censorship. This veiled attempt at pushing one's own personal religeon down the throats of others simply does not belong on a homesteading bulletin board. I rather think that Fred, and other's like him, are simply making a point that the hypocrisy of the modern day church can be very off putting, and certainly one's involvement with the church is no indication of whether or not one follow's the teachings of Christ.

Let's follow the guidelines and keep the postings to issue's concerning homesteading and not preaching. One can just as easily draw analagies to chickens and pagan rituals but you know jolly well that would not be appreciated here.

-- homesteader (homesteader@homesstead.net), May 31, 2001.



Homesteader, hope you are having a great day.

I would ask you, "What veiled attempt?" There was nothing veiled about it. If you read the heading it said, "religious materal involved." Before you started reading you knew what was involved. It said it plainly.

And who said anything about the "teachings of Christ"? It was not said in the original post.

Or who even started talking about church? I was talking about chickens. And if I see God active in the way I raise chickens or the way I react to my chickens, rabbits, turkeys, my orchard or my garden am I not free to espress it?

If we are not free to express our veiws on homesteading then we should shut down the site. Whatever my religious background is, Toaism, Jewish, Christian, Buddist, Pagan, ect, it affects my daily life and the way I see nature and creation. It is a part of me. I should be able to express how God is active my homesteading thoughts. And I should be able to hear your views of homesteading was well. Isn't that what homesteading is all about.

Do you remember the countryside philosophy? "It's not a single idea, but many ideas and attitudes, including a reverence for nature and a preference for country life; ect." I think there is room enough in that to include our religious beliefs rather then exclude them, don't you?

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), May 31, 2001.


Tom, thank you for your chicken story. Even my children enjoyed it and there is very little on this forum I would let them read. Don't let your detractors keep you from posting such good material.

To the others, if you want censorship, then censor yourselves.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), June 01, 2001.


Oy vey!

-- Ardie from WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), June 01, 2001.

I liked the comparison. I would also like to say that as Americans we are able to express our thoughts and feelings and reactions to things. Weather one like or dislikes our thoughts,is their right as an American. There are still some places in the world that will kill you if you speak out. THANK GOD FOR AMERICA AND GOD BLESS AMERICA....

-- Rebecca Wold (lvnbkw@pacbell.net), July 14, 2001.

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