MIRACLE AT THE CROSBY FAMILY FARM

　
As many who have read the archives of my blog realize, I depend on science to explain a whole host of unknowns. In debate, I stress that my disbelief in a Spirit God snapping His fingers, I should say, speaking the word, and there the sun stood, has nothing to do with the faith that I have, that somehow He was able to do it. I explain that God knows a great deal more about science than anyone on earth, and uses it often in the implementation and expansion of His great plan for our universe. I go on to state that I find it very easy, yet less scientific, for a bunch of fishermen to come up with enough fish to feed a multitude gathered around a popular sea shore during a day of sermonizing. Not sure how the bread got there but I bet there were a bunch of women who missed the afternoon lecture, but that, in no way lessens the impact and spirituality of the words and deeds advanced on that miraculous day. Indeed I state, miracles are likely, easily explained, but we’ll just have to wait for heaven on that.

The next thing I’d like to state is that when my family coins the title, “Crosby Family Farm”, there should in no way be the supposition made that we are farmers. Yes, we are learning as if we were first graders, no kindergartners, the knowledge and science needed to care for animals/birds like chickens and pigs. This leads us to a story, a miracle, if you will, about something that happened on our “farm”.

It just so happens that Erin had invited some friends over for her birthday party on the 14th of Aug. Hers actually is on the 10th but weekends are far better for parties. It was early afternoon and the barbeque had been lit. That was my job, ya know, the manly thing to do. At a point, Erin asked if she could go feed the chickens some scratch. With her friends in tow and explaining everything under the sun about chickens, she proceeded. At a point about ten minutes later Erin came running to the barbeque where I was fully involved in the manly thing, ya know, flipp’un hamburgers. She had big tears running down her cheeks. “Papa”, she cried, “I think I killed one of the baby chickens” (not so much a baby, about two months old). My response was, “No you didn’t, now go away, I’m cooking!” UM, WRONG! Wrong answer, dude! How’d I miss those big tears? “NO, I think I did!”, she cried. I do love my grandkids, and I do try to listen to them, and I did get the message the second time around. So, out to the coop we went, and sure enough, there was one of the “babies”, Geegee, (yes chickens get named on this farm) feet straight up in the air. OK, that’s never a good sign and even a rookie farmer like me can see this isn’t going to work out like some children’s fairy tale. Ok so you get the picture, sad ending to the day, but not the story or the miracle.

Fast forward to the last part of September. We suddenly realized that free-range brown eggs are a popular commodity and wanted by those willing to part with a good chunk of their hard earned money to have/eat. OK, being the experienced farmers that we were, we decided to hatch some eggs and well, ya know, raise some egg layers, so to speak. Several of our hens seemed perfectly willing, well adamant, about sitting and warming a “few” eggs, oh say for about a month, give or take a few days. Ya know, farmers like us have it down to a science. I’m the science guy; you read my blog don’t you?!? And hey, why not just put some of the neighbors eggs in there, too, and a few days later, well, while we’re having chicks, maybe just a few more of those from that hen over there. At some point there were 16 eggs under two hens in the same nest. Figured that was ok since one hen was having a hard time covering all the eggs….NO!, not taking any eggs back out. If one is determined to have chickens, why not go all the way.

About three weeks later I got a complaint from one of my buyers at work that one of the “eating” eggs had plopped out into the frying pan, a, well, for lack of a better farming term, half baby chicken, um, so to speak. Now I’m not much of a chicken farmer, but I am a good businessman. I immediately produced another dozen eggs that I supplied for free. Then I had a meeting with my work force. That would be the chief egg collector, one, Miss Erin. “Oh no, I didn’t take any eggs out from under the mother hens”. Sure ya didn’t! And what ever ya didn’t do, don’t do it again!”

The following week, baby chicks start arriving at the family farm. One afternoon, egg-collecting time, Erin brought in the usual 7-8 eggs and began the washing process. I know, you are not supposed to wash off eggs. They last longer if you don’t. But my wife has a science streak in her as well and she says anything that comes out of a butt needs to go through a bit of a wash cycle. Yep, she does the laundry around our farm too and yells at any of us who get the slightest amount of dirt or mud on us. Sure, you get the type! As it so happens on this afternoon at the washing station, Erin declared that she hear a chirp in an egg. Between yelling at Erin for collecting eggs, AGAIN, from under the mother hens and trying to figure out what to do with the egg, they found themselves out at the hen house, Debbie, still complaining about “labor”, and wondering how to save the baby chick.

What good scientific farmer wouldn’t want to know the answer to that question rather than just putting the egg back under the hens. So they peeled the egg and out came a wet, a little bit bloody, mess. About that time I came home and Layne, who was in the house playing Zelda, and who by the way, might just be a better farmer than all of us combined, answered the question of where grandma and Erin were this way. “Oh, they’re out killing chickens”. WHAT! This was my original plan, to raise meat for my family, ya know the survivalist type. That’s me! And my family was buying into the dream? WHAT! Were these the same folks who gave names to all the chickens and told me they would NEVER eat any chicken from this farm! So, out to the coop I went. There they were, holding this, whatever it was, and I took my turn holding it, and Debbie rubbed its little semi-feathered back, and every now and then seemed like it convulsed for air, and I said the next one would be it’s last, and Erin said, “NO! God brought Geegee back to me!” OH yes, you’ve got that right, that’s the feet upside down, sticking straight up in the air, bird from the first part of this story. Am I going to throw this bird over the fence to nature like I did the original Geegee? Are you kidding me? What God giveth, He can go ahead a take away without my help! So under the heat light the little blob went, and the following morning, it was a little blob of yellow feathers running around with its “brothers and sisters”.

For the egg farms sake, can we all pray that there are more sisters than brothers and while you are at it, since you just might have a better connection than I do, say thanks for the Crosby’s, for sending Geegee back, the Crosby Family Farm miracle. Erin will thank you. By the way, Erin was not allowed to go into the hen house to collect eggs by herself after the last mishap. Well at least not until Thursday last week when her and grandma went out to collect eggs and again in the washing process heard another chirp. OH REALLY! Erin was telling the truth after all. How are eggs about ready to hatch getting next door in an “eating egg” nest you ask? So now, the Crosby Family Farm, which not only had a miracle happen on it, has a mystery to solve. And that’s all I have to say about that, for now.

A WITNESS FOR THE CAUSE

We all new what a beautiful day that 12th of September 2010 was going to be. A light cool breeze blew through Riverbend Park, Oroville California, at about 9 am. We loaded our gear into the under belly of the rented bus and headed for Sactown. We were purpose focused and in full agreement as to our mission. That is to say that though the onlookers would paint us radical, we are a diverse cross section of "American Pie". Put two of us together and the answer to any question could be found at both ends of the spectrum. But any answer received by the onlooker will only mean one thing. Less government and more freedom.

Some might consider war a deal breaker, in any year, but not this year, not at this time, not for this crowd. That same anti war activist might believe that abortion is a necessary evil and that we must put up with it. But today as we walk down the steps of the bus and meander out onto a vast lake of blacktop and set up our portable shade, I must accept that person as my brother in a cause to limit the power of a government out of control. There will come a day when my fellow patriot and I debate on the issues of war and peace and the destruction of human life. I will stand against those who believe my country was involved with a conspiracy to bring down the towers on 9/11. BUT not today, not here. Not now. There is a dark cloud of tyranny that threatens to destroy the freedom our children were promised and given by our founders. They warned us that each generation would have to defend the cause. This generation, the one we 50 year olds were assigned to instill into our children, the gifts of liberty and the defense of freedom, was left to its own devices to long. We have risen in time and we have come to this place to activate our duty.

I sat in my fold out chair and listened to Armstrong and Getty, being no less inspired than any other day at 6am. The gentlemen are a staple of every early morning five days a week on my commute from my home town, where I boarded the bus to come here, and the destination just across town where I arrive to do my daily labor. each weekday. A familiar face with a mic and a news camera in tow caught my eye as they seemed to be headed directly on a path right at me.

"Can I ask you some questions?" "Sure" I replied. It went something like this.

"Why did you come here today?" My answer was this.

I believe in a set of values. My values system is under attack. It is eroding every day, challenged by a government that displays a disregard for what I believe. That values system was written into the Constitution by our founding fathers, but it was not there that they were discovered and instructed. It goes far back to another founding, the very Creation of our world and later written on a tablet of stone. I think I can speak for every individual here today that there is where our freedom was gained and where our liberty was born. No mans government can neuter God given rights.

"Do you think you will make a difference in the coming election." I answered.

It matters in no way what happens this year. We are a ground up organization with leadership that walks the same street that I do. We can see great change already so your question is being answered in the positive every day. If you ask the same question in ten years, this crowd will be doubled and the question will be irrelevant. I expect that God will have delivered freedom and liberty back to the people by the hands of His messengers that you see here today.

With that, he said, "Thank you".

I hope I served you well my fellow patriots.

Forever will we be a free people, by the grace and protecting hand of God. BC

MY FATHER HUNG THIS ON MY WALL

From Sports Illustrated

I think the year was 1968

Titled: WHAT DOES A FATHER SAY TO HIS SON BEFORE HIS FIRST GAME.

This is your first game, son.
I hope you win.
I hope you win for your sake
not for mine
Because winning's nice.
It's a good feeling.
Like the whole world
is yours.
But it passes, this feeling.
And what lasts is what
you've learned.

And what you learn about
is life.
That's what sports are all about.
Life.
The whole thing is played out
in an afternoon.
The happiness of life.
The miseries.
The joys.
The heartbreaks.

There's no telling
what'll turn up.
There's no telling
whether they'll toss you
out in the first five minutes
or whether you'll stay for
the long haul.

There's no telling how
you'll do.
You might be a hero
or you might be
absolutely nothing.
There's just no telling.
Too much depends on chance.
On how the ball bounces.

I'm not talking about the
game, son.
I'm talking about life.
But it's life that the game
is all about.
Just as I said.

Because every game is
life.
And life is a game.
A serious one.
Dead serious.

But that's what you do
with serious things.
You do your best.
You take what comes.
You take what comes
and you run with it.

Winning is fun.
Sure.
But winning is not
the point.

Wanting to win is the
point.
Not giving up is the
point.
Never being satisfied
with what you've done
is the point.
Never letting up
is the point.
Never letting anyone down
is the point.

Play to win.
Sure.
But lose like
a champion.
Because it's not winning
that counts.
What counts is
trying.

SHALL WE CONTINUE, SLOWLY

I have not been able to sit in front of this tool and generate any interest in our little debate due to the constraints of time. The production of my subjective material will be delayed this Sabbath morning. This is the designated point in time when much of my messages and thoughts are written. Yes of course I know it’s Saturday, have you not been reading the Blog! So it is, that the thing called Little League has pushed ahead of Blogging. In other words, ya don’t just get assigned the job of pitching coach, and go out and coach. Fact is, I have pitched. Fast pitch softball. Didn’t have a clue how to teach a 7 year old how to pitch a baseball. That’s right, baby! I’ve been researching! “My” great success, already, was my own grandson who pitched for the first time two weeks ago. Two innings of no run baseball. That’s right, IT WAS ALL ME! The following game they scored 10 runs on him and there is a five run rule for each inning. Guess I need to do some more research.

All kidding aside, sports is an area that we as parents and grand parents have the opportunity to instill some of the lessons in life that stay with our children throughout their lives. I must get back to it because, REALLY!, I don’t have a clue.

But, I do want to continue with our discussion and I have decided in lieu of my normal expostulations, I will introduce a Biblical text on which we all can comment on as part of the subject matter and can return to at any time as a reference for any future point being established.

So, here is the first one (with no comment today, back to baseball)

2 Corinthians 9: 6-12

6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9) As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalms 112: 9, but read 1-10)

10) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for the food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11) You will be made rich in everyway so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through, as your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12) This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Now you all have a good Sabbath and/or I'll see you in church tomorrow. Oh! I am SO in trouble with God!

SO YA THINK YOU CAN ONE UP JESUS! REALLY?

Throughout the Bible, there is verse following verse, given by authors inspired by the glory of God, which compel us to allocate our wealth and our gifts to those less fortunate and in need. As you see in Exodus 23:4, “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again”. The command by God is not just directed at the poor, but the needy as well.

In many cases the biblical authors explain to us the special place God has set aside for the poor in His kingdom. But it is not just those who have not acquired material goods but in other areas as well. In the famous Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:3, you will read those legendary words of Jesus, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The command goes far beyond the rich mans ability to spread his wealth. In Luke 4:18 Christ quotas the prophet Esaias “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised”. James reminds us in chapter 2, verse 5, “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

But in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, John 12:8 Jesus says (quoted from Mark) “For ye have the poor with you always.”And in 1 Corinthians 13:3 Paul writes, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”. You ought to discover a bit about how the Bible speaks to charity on your own. And in verse 10, “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with.”

So my friends, no amount of vast government spending will alleviated the suffering of the poor. Instead we should be good stewards of the resources we have available locally to produce the best and most desired effects. Strive to be a quality parent and family member. Join community not for profit organizations and give abundantly to those on which you can keep a watchful eye. Use your talents to expedite the unleashing of a unifying spirit that will spread to the four corners of the earth.

And PLEASE!, leave to government that which the founders so clearly outlined and guard against its gobbling up of power that only afflicts the poor and weak. I would never suggest that my opponents in this debate have an ulterior motive in using government. I just believe they are using the wrong methods to achieve goals we all desire.

That would be to answer Christ’s call to do all we can to help those in need.

The Constitution created a federal government with only enumerated powers. All powers not listed were reserved to the states and the people. During the debate over adoption of the Constitution, the Constitution’s advocates also enumerated powers the federal government absolutely would not have. Therefore. The Bill of Rights-including the Tenth Amendment-was adopted.

The Tenth Amendment reads: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

In a variety of speeches, articles, letters, and pamphlets, the “enumerators”, including, among others, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, John Marshall, and of course, James Madison, listed some powers they solemnly promised would be outside the federal sphere.
The one’s we are interested in for this discussion but not limited to, are: family affairs, control of personal property outside of commerce, education, and oh my, here it is, services for the poor and unfortunate.

I bet they knew all about Jesus’ claim that the poor would be with us always and were determined to leave the federal government out of trying to make Jesus a liar. Any such attempt by those who adore big government can be witnessed as an abject failure.

And so it will be until the end of time.

THE SPEECH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

On APR. 15, 2010 a Tea Party Patriots rally was held in downtown Chico CA at the Chico City Plaza. I was a late entry to be on stage that day and as fate would have it, got pre-empted by the Butte County District Attorney. Maybe that was a get even moment for him. About fifty years earlier, Mike, another friend Jeff, and I were swimming at Feather Plunge and I hit my head on the side of the pool and we lost about 3 hrs of swimming that day. Obviously, Mike never got over that! As it turns out, I was not afforded the time to speak, even at the very end. I guess the time was up. In any event, I wanted you all to be able to read the rousing speech. Here it is. BC

Good Morning Tea Party Patriots. As was just stated, I am Bob Crosby… Now!…you can just forget the name. I’m not a politician! I’m not running for any office!

I do want to apologize right here. I am a writer….NOT a public speaker

But we….each one of us….YOU and YOU and YOU Right Out THERE…..we need to get out of our comfort zone

TODAY IS THAT TIME!

In an August of 2008 interview, Rick Warren posed the question to candidate Obama. WHAT IS OUR NATIONS GREATEST FAILING? Mr. Obama quoted Jesus.

"Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me".

In August of 2009, President Obama pulled out the scripture card again during an Internet phone call with a bunch of, so called “religious leaders”. He used the words,

“I am my brothers keeper”

That is a core ethical and moral obligation....AND......I ALSO..believe that to be true.

BUT!...The context was not for a personal commitment but to muster support for a one payer universal health care system

Politicians love to invoke the name of GOD and the life of JESUS to bolster support and creation of a greater and more intrusive welfare state.

In the last several election cycles, new technologies and new media have been used very effectively against conservatives.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and all sorts of other networking tools.

We must do the same!

We have started a debate at my blog

I invite you to come over to: bcandafter.blogspot.com

Join the debate….Get out of your comfort zone!

TODAY IS THE DAY TO STAND UP!

You have done so by coming here today
Go away from here today inspired to change one heart, one mind

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! CHANGE ONE HEART!

Be determined……BELIEVE YOU CAN CHANGE ONE MIND!

I BELIEVE YOU CAN! TEA PARTY PATRIOTS!

DO YOU BELIEVE? TEA PARTY PATRIOTS, DO YOU BELIEVE?

TEA PARTY PATRIOTS! BELIEVE!
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS! BELIEVE!
THANK YOU!

Bill Has Joined

ThanX Bill, for joining. And no, we are not interested in "babble". But I expect that at times the conversation may start to sound like we are reenacting the lives of folks who lived in the land of Shinar and built the tower of Babel. Some folks will not understand what we are doing here and try to subvert the conversation by leading it off on some tangent. It is my job to steer as well as rebut.

So your point, “without an end game, why even entertain the examination of Christ’s words?”

While I agree with you in principle, there is an added ingredient. Christians believe we are on this sphere only as a stopping point on the road to where we are going and sometimes I believe many demonstrate the utter disregard for anything secular. Christians often seem less inclined to effect the government because their controlling authority is a supreme power and there is nothing they need to do concerning this terrestrial power. But I’ve noticed, not just lately, that politicians like to call out Christians by summoning our God to their side, almost to the point of being provocative. Using the Bible and the words of Jesus to support one or any of their big government grandiose schemes. That is the conversation here. I am the disciple who cut off the ear of the Roman guard in The Garden as they followed Judas up the hill to betray Jesus. Right or wrong, it's time for action! I’m a bit hesitant to wait on an end game to make the lives of my grandkids complete. I expect to fight regressive earthly powers. My friends, the time is NOW! BC