Planning for Ag in the Heartland, Getting Local, More Conservation Funding and more

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September 6, 2007 Boosting Local Food Systems With an increased demand for fresh food and recognition of the broader benefits from local agriculture, communities are stepping up efforts to strengthen the interdependent components that go into local food systems. Effective approaches to develop and support the various “pieces of the local food puzzle” include Dane County, Wisconsin’s food council; Missoula, Montana’s farm to school program; the development of an infrastructure for local producers in Woodbury County, Iowa; and protection of agricultural land in Marin County, California. A boost for local food systems could come from Congress by way of a more balanced 2007 Farm Bill. You Are What You Eat: Getting Local We’ve known it all along: What we eat directly affects our health. But what most people don’t know is that the farm bill influences what we eat. Right now, U.S. farm policy heavily subsidizes commodity crops while providing little support for fruit and vegetable production. Worse yet, the farm bill has under- funded most programs that make it easier for Americans to eat fresh, 'Stamp' your friends and pass along the message that now is the time to act for better farm and food policy. local and healthy food. AFT found  out what “regular folks on the street” really know about the food we eat, where we get it and the farm bill. Listen to AFT’s “You Are What You Eat: Getting Local” audio Farmcast today! The Farm Bill Final Stretch Summer is over, Congress is back in session and it is back to business with the farm bill. As we approach the final stretch, your efforts to raise awareness in your community about the importance of the farm bill are doubly important. The more voices that call on Congress to fund our priorities, the better our chances for a balanced farm bill that reflects the needs of all Americans. Use our blogging images and messages to spread the word on the Web, and get ready for more action alerts starting in September once the Senate begins their mark-ups. Get active and sign up for AFT's action network today!    Agenda Item: Planning for Agriculture More than 70 percent of the land in Champaign County, Illinois, located approximately 150 miles south of Chicago, is considered “prime farmland.” In a place where farming is so important to the livelihood of the area, one would think that planning for agriculture is prominent on most county meeting agendas. Wrong. “Most cities and counties plan for development, but in order to sustain the success of agriculture, communities must engage in a long range visioning/planning process to determine what the current, as well as the desired future role of agriculture is,” says Hal Barnhart, Champaign county farmer and co-chair of the Champaign County Farm Bureau Land Use Committee. In Champaign, municipalities currently plan for development and growth; as a result, agriculture is viewed as a land use that has always existed, and it is assumed that agriculture always will exist—as a land use that needs no planning. However, AFT’s Anita Zurbrugg recently spoke in Champaign County about the importance of planning for agriculture, presenting current trends of farmland loss in the region. If a county wants to plan for agriculture, Zurbrugg emphasized that traditional farmland preservation [PDF] is only one tool. The business of agriculture [PDF] and the farmers involved must also be a part of the equation. After Zurbrugg’s presentation, the outlook for Champaign is hopeful: the county has begun work on a Land Resource Management Plan and talk is spreading about the future role of farmland, farmers and agriculture. Donate Now and Double Your Impact A dedicated AFT supporter has issued a remarkable $250,000 challenge grant to help AFT bring this year’s farm and food policy work to fruition. This means that your donation today will be matched dollar for dollar—and will go twice as far to support AFT’s efforts to protect farmland, promote policies for environmental stewardship, and improve the availability of fresh, healthy and locally grown food. Your support now through October 22 (our challenge deadline) is especially important to AFT as we start our final push for a new direction in farm and food policy. Around the Country The USDA has made more than $35 million more available for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) to complete payments on FY 2007 contracts and prepare for future sign-ups to the program. In Massachusetts, the Patrick Administration announced its intent to spend $50 million on state land conservation programs in FY 2008, a 65 percent increase in the average annual spending over the previous four years. Opposition has grown against the building of the Prairie Parkway, a proposed north-south connector road between Interstate 80 and Interstate 88 that would cut through prime farmland in Illinois. Save the date! The 7th annual New Partners for Smart Growth (NPSG) conference, “Building Safe, Healthy, Livable Communities,” will be held February 7-9, 2008 in Washington, D.C. In New York, Governor Spitzer signed the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act and created new opportunities for towns to create local farmland protection funding.

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FWD: Morning Manna (Sept. 6); BP: II Cor. 8:7-9; RBTTY: I Cor. 15:29-58; Ps. 148-150

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:06:21 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 6); BP: II Cor. 8:7-9; RBTTY: I Cor. 15:29-58; Ps. 148-150
 
 
September 6 “His Poverty, Our Prosperity”  
 
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that, though He was rich,  
yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become  
rich.”  
II Corinthians 8:9  
Because of His condescension, we have coronation.  
Prosperity.  
The mere mention of the word conjures up all sorts of pictures of large  
mansions, sleek car, designer duds, expensive jewelry, lots of land, an  
enviable financial portfolio, etc. However, today’s Manna had none of those  
things in mind when Paul wrote “that you through His poverty might become  
rich.”  
 
All those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ know, as the old Gospel  
song says, that “He left the splendors of Heaven, knowing His destiny, ‘Twas  
the lonely hill of Golgotha, There to lay down His life for me.” Then, to  
re-enforce this, the chorus continued: “If that isn’t Love, Then the ocean  
is dry; There’s no stars in the sky and the sparrows can’t fly. If that  
isn’t Love, then Heaven’s a myth. There’s no feeling like this if that  
isn’t Love.”  
 
Thus, the “riches” being described in this powerful Manna are  
spiritual, not material. Paul further amplified this tremendous truth in  
Phil. 3:7-8 when he wrote, “But He made of Himself no reputation and took  
upon Himself the form of a slave and was made in the likeness of men. And,  
being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto  
death, even the death of the Cross.”  
 
Think of it, Pilgrim:  
Jesus. . .God Himself. . .willingly chose to leave Heaven and come to  
this earth. . . knowing full-well what awaited Him. . .yet, because of His  
great love for us, He still came. . .and suffered like no other person ever  
has or ever will suffer. . .being willing to spend many a night on the cold,  
hard ground. . .never owning a house. . .never graduating from college. .  
.never have a savings account or health insurance. . .letting cruel men beat  
Him. . .and spit upon Him. . .and pluck out part of His beard. . .and mock  
Him. . .and viciously nail His hands and feet to the Cross. . .all because  
of His love for us.  
 
What kind of love is that? Truly, a “God-sized love.”  
And, to think—He did it so that “we might become rich.” Does that mean  
we should buy into the “health, wealth and prosperity” gospel? Does that  
mean, as one motivational speaker says, “There’s no reason why you can’t be  
healthy, wealthy and happy”?  
 
No, it doesn’t mean that at all.  
The “riches” He affords us are those of being “saved from the curse of  
the Law and wrath of God by His blood” (Rom. 5:6-11; Gal. 3:10, 13).  
Through His death on the Cross we are adopted into the Family of God and  
become heirs of all that the Father has to offer. And, what price-tag can  
you put on everlasting life and a Home in Heaven? Glory!! May we spend  
much time in thanksgiving today for His condescending love.  
 
_________________________________________________________________  
Kick back and relax with hot games and cool activities at the Messenger  
Café. http://www.cafemessenger.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_SeptHMtagline1  
 
 
 

09/05/2007 Farm Bureau Market Report

Click here to view this report online.

Grain & Soybean Date: September 05, 2007 Soybeans Local Elevators: (Sep) EAST AR:  781 to 803 (NC) Summ. 829 to 848 River Elevators: (Sep) MISS: 798 to 813 ; AR & White 791 to 810 (NC) Summ. 830 to 854 Ark. Processor Bids: (Sep) 803 to 811  (NC) 848 to 851 Memphis:  (Sep) 808 to 813 (NC)  851 to 853 Riceland Foods:  (NC) Stuttgart 803 ; Pendleton 803 ; West Memphis 802 Chicago Futures: Sep down 3 1/2 at  889   Nov  down  4 1/2  at  903   Jan down 4  at  918 1/2   Mar down 3 3/4  at  928 3/4   Nov '08 down 3 1/2  at  918   Today's Arkansas LDP rate for soybeans is: 0¢ Soybean Comment Soybeans turned lower today. After recent gains, a corrective pullback can be expected. Losses were limited by ideas that soybean yields will be disappointing. Hot, dry conditions in August in southern growing areas hurt yield potential there, and now there are reports of disease problems in the Mid-west due to excessive moisture. Wheat Cash bid for September at Memphis  720 1/2 to 735 1/2; Bids to farmers at Local Elevators 546; River Elevators 526-556; Chicago Futures: Sep up  35 1/2  at  342 1/2    Dec up 30  at  835 1/2    Mar up  30  at  831 1/4    Jul '08 up  5 1/4  at  626 1/4    Jul '09 down  4  at  606    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for wheat is: 0¢ Grain Sorghum Cash bid for September at Memphis  601 to 617; Bids to farmers at River Elevators 505-580; Today's Arkansas LDP rate for sorghum is: 0¢ Corn Cash bid for September at Memphis   268 3/4 to 270 3/4;   new crop at Memphis   n/a to - - -; Bids to farmers at River Elevators  252 to 265 Chicago Futures: Sep down  8  at  328 3/4    Dec down  7 1/2  at  345 3/4    Mar down  7 1/2  at  361 3/4    Dec '08 down  4 1/2  at  396 3/4    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for corn is: 0¢ Grain Comment Old crop wheat was limit-up again today. News that Egypt purchased 470,000 tons of wheat, 360,000 of which came from the U.S., was the impetus for today’s move. At current prices, that suggests panic buying. The current supply situation is well known, but the cumulative sales total is nearly double the year-ago comparison, and that is providing support for futures. Cotton & Rice  Date: September 05, 2007 Cotton Spot Price, Grade 41 Staple 34: Memphis down 110 at  5560   Greenwood down  110 at 5560 New York Futures: Oct down  110  at  5835    Dec down  99  at  6058    Mar down  94  at  6391    May down  85  at  6485    Dec '08 down  70  at  6950  This week's LDP rate for cotton is  3.12 cents   The estimate for next week is  1.20 cents Cotton Comment Cotton futures turned lower on profit taking after recent big gains and improved crop ratings. December futures found support at the recent gap at $60.38, and have retracement objectives of 61.31, 62.72 and 64.14 cents. Strong export sales are supportive, and it appears traders wanted to get in the market before the recent bargain disappeared. It is no secret that producers are being swayed by high grain and soybean prices. Many cotton producers are contemplating planting wheat and double cropping soybeans, or putting additional acreage in corn. Great corn yields combined with strong levels could reduce ’08 planting significantly unless cotton futures move considerably higher. Rice Long Grain Cash Bid for  Sep/Oct 980  to  1029/cwt   Nov 1018/cwt  to  - - - Chicago Futures: Sep down  11  at  1092    Nov down  10 1/2  at  1118 1/2    Jan down  9  at  1148    Mar down  9  at  1175    n/a down  - - -  at  - - -  Today's Arkansas LDP rate for long grain rice is  0¢ medium grain rice is  0¢ Rice Comment November rice ended lower, but traded within yesterday’s trading range. November has completed a 62% retracement, which could signal a move toward the contract high of $11.58. Tightening world stocks and a second consecutive year of smaller U.S. production may make the market susceptible to wide swings. Potential tenders from Iraq and the Philippines have kept the market optimistic, while mills continue to operate on a very reduced schedule. With Vietnam having reached their export quota, Thailand and the U.S. will be the major sources for rice in the near term. Longer term rice prices may have to move higher to keep acreage in the U.S. from moving to wheat, corn and soybeans. Cattle & Hogs  Date: September 05, 2007 Cattle As reported by Federal-State Market News, receipts were 1,218 head at sales in Conway & Pocahontas.  Compared with last week, feeder steers sold steady to firm . Steers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 120 to 130   500 to 550 lbs. 109 to 119   600 to 700 lbs. 106.50 to 114  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 109 to 119 Heifers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 108 to 118  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 98 to 108 Slaughter Cows, Boners 47   to   52 Light Weight 33 to 38 Bulls, Yield Grade   1   1000   to   2100 lbs.   60   to   66, high dressing not tested Midwest Steers   were $1-$3.50 lower   at   92   to   - - - Panhandle Steers   n/a   at   - - -   to   - - - Oklahoma City Feeders Steers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Heifers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Chicago Futures: Live Cattle: Oct down 57 at 9705   Dec down 50 at 10055 Feeders: Oct up 15 at 11890   Jan down 5 at 11695 Cattle Comment Cattle futures were mostly lower on speculative profit taking and hedge selling. Deferred contracts are being supported by reduced placements, that will mean fewer market ready cattle this winter. The December live contract has resistance at this morning’s high of $101.45. Hogs Peoria: were     steady   at   39.5   to   40 Chicago Futures: Oct down 117 at 6590   Dec down 145 at 6795 Sheep St. Paul sheep shorn slaughter lambs   at   n/a   to   - - - Hogs Comment Hog futures ended lower on weaker cash hog prices and ideas that product prices will fall under burdensome supplies. The market is anticipating a big slaughter rate through the last quarter of the year, and that will limit the upside. Poultry  Date: September 05, 2007 Eggs New York:  Ex. Lg. 131-135; Lg. 129-133; Med. 92-96; Chicago:  Ex. Lg. 121-129; Lg. 119-127; Med. 86-94; Eastern Region Turkeys Hens: 8-16 lbs. 90-93 Toms: 16-24 lbs. 90-93   Delmarva Broilers U.S. Grade A Trade sentiment was steady in the West and East, but barely steady to weak in the Midwest. Supplies of all sizes were sufficient to at least adequate for trade needs. In production areas, live supplies were moderate at weights in a full range. The Composite Weighted Average price for 09/03/07 was 80.56 compared to 79.75 a week earlier, and 69.32 a year ago. ---------------------------------------- HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE You are receiving this newsletter because you requested that your e-mail address be added to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Market Report. To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, go to http://www.arfb.com/commodity/daily_rpt_email.asp ---------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any comments or questions about this e-newsletter please e-mail us at mktrpt@arfb.com Arkansas Farm Bureau 10720 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 501-224-4400 Copyright 2007 Arkansas Farm Bureau, Inc. All rights reserved

FWD: Morning Manna (Sept. 5); BP: II Cor. 8:10-15; RBTTY: I Cor. 15:1-28; Ps. 146-147

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:26:49 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 5); BP: II Cor. 8:10-15; RBTTY: I Cor. 15:1-28; Ps. 146-147
 
 
September 5 “Ready, Willing and Able”  
 
“Now, therefore, perform the doing of it, that as there was a readiness to  
will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have-—or, if  
there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has  
and not according to that he has not.”  
II Corinthians 8:11-12  
In Christ it’s our devotion and dedication, not our dreams that matter.  
Good intentions.  
Someone once said these “pave the road to hell.” So true, so true.  
Essentially, this truism is talking about action vs. aspirations. .  
.participation vs. procrastination. . . involvement vs. intentions, etc.  
That’s why the Apostle Paul used the poor Macedonian Christians as an  
example of what it means to be “Ready, Willing and Able” when he wrote to  
the Corinthian Christians about fulfilling their pledge to help their  
struggling brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ in Jerusalem.  
 
There’s no doubt the church members in Corinth excelled most other  
churches in spiritual gifts and financial resources. When Paul had visited  
them before and let them know of the Jerusalem Christians’ difficulties,  
they’d pledged to help financially. However, many months had passed and  
they’d failed to give a single cent for their aid and relief.  
 
Such was not the case with the Macedonian Christians. Instead of  
promising and not following through, they begged for an opportunity to give  
(v.4)! Glory!! What would happen today in our churches if every one of us  
had this same “attitude of gratitude” that asked “What do I get to give?”  
instead of “Do I have to give?”? Why, we’d think we’d died and gone to  
Heaven, wouldn’t we??  
 
What was the difference in the Macedonian Christians and those in  
Corinth?  
The answer, again, is found in today’s Manna: “There was first a  
willing mind” and then a “readiness to will.” Simply put, the Lord placed a  
burden on their hearts to help; then, they put feet on their prayers by  
reaching into their pockets instead of just saying, “Well, let’s pray about  
it.”  
 
Oh, dear Pilgrim, so often our powerlessness stems from our  
prayerlessness. And, even if we do pause to pray, so often it’s simply “lip  
service”—i.e., little more than meaningless rhetoric. There are certain  
situations in life we don’t need to spend much time praying about (Dan.  
3:16-18); as the t.v. ad says, we simply need to “Just Do It!”  
 
Studies have shown in the average congregation 20% of the people do 80%  
of the work. Likewise, when something new comes up around 20-25% of the  
folks will quickly jump on-board. After further discussion, another 50-55%  
will decide to support it. However, most of the time, there’ll be around  
15-20% that will say “No way!” regardless of how good the plan or how  
evident it is that it’s God’s will.  
 
May the Holy Spirit help us to be like the Macedonian Christians, who  
said, “Lord, if there’s a need, help us to fill it. If there’s a way, help  
us to find it. Please use us, dear Lord, as You see fit—for Your glory and  
others’ good.” Amen and amen.  
 
_________________________________________________________________  
Get the device you want, with the Hotmail® you love.  
http://www.windowsmobile.com/hotmailmobile?ocid=MobileHMTagline_1  
 
 
 

09/04/2007 Farm Bureau Market Report

Click here to view this report online.

Grain & Soybean Date: September 04, 2007 Soybeans Local Elevators: (Aug) EAST AR:  791 to 813 (NC) Summ. 834 to 855 River Elevators: (Aug) MISS: 805 to 818 ; AR & White 800 to 809 (NC) Summ. 824 to 861 Ark. Processor Bids: (Aug) 813 to 816  (NC) 855 to 856 Memphis:  (Aug) n/a to - - - (NC)  n/a to - - - Riceland Foods:  (NC) Stuttgart 855 ; Pendleton 855 ; West Memphis 861 Chicago Futures: Sep up 24 1/2 at  892 1/2   Nov  up  25  at  907 1/2   Jan up 24 1/2  at  922 1/2   Mar up 25  at  932 1/2   Nov '08 up 21  at  914 1/2   Today's Arkansas LDP rate for soybeans is: 0¢ Soybean Comment Soybeans followed the wheat rally and ended sharply higher. November looks poised to retest resistance at the July chart gap at $9.22. Beans were willing to follow wheat because the yield potential of this year’s crop is in question. Hot, dry conditions in August in southern growing areas hurt yield potential there, and now there are reports of disease problems in the Mid-west due to excessive moisture. Wheat Cash bid for September at Memphis  n/a to - - -; Bids to farmers at Local Elevators 541; River Elevators 521-551; Chicago Futures: Sep up  40  at  807    Dec up 30  at  805 1/2    Mar up  30  at  801 1/4    Jul '08 up  20  at  621    Jul '09 up  10  at  600    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for wheat is: 0¢ Grain Sorghum Cash bid for September at Memphis  n/a to - - -; Bids to farmers at River Elevators 509-591; Today's Arkansas LDP rate for sorghum is: 0¢ Corn Cash bid for September at Memphis   n/a to - - -;   new crop at Memphis   n/a to - - -; Bids to farmers at River Elevators  251 to 272 Chicago Futures: Sep up  12 3/4  at  336 3/4    Dec up  13 1/4  at  353 1/4    Mar up  13 1/4  at  369 1/4    Dec '08 up  10  at  395    Today's Arkansas LDP rate for corn is: 0¢ Grain Comment Wheat was up the limit today, with old crop contracts back above $8. India purchased nearly 800,000 metric tons of wheat from Kazakhstan last week. At current prices, that suggests panic buying. The current supply situation is well known, but the cumulative sales total is nearly double the year-ago comparison, and that is providing support for futures. Cotton & Rice  Date: September 04, 2007 Cotton Spot Price, Grade 41 Staple 34: Memphis up 58 at  5670   Greenwood up  58 at 5670 New York Futures: Oct up  58  at  5945    Dec up  60  at  6157    Mar up  34  at  6465    May up  20  at  6570    Dec '08 up  26  at  7020  This week's LDP rate for cotton is  3.12 cents   The estimate for next week is  1.20 cents Cotton Comment Cotton futures ended higher but traded within Friday’s trading range. December futures have retracement values of 61.31, 62.72 and 64.14 cents. Strong export sales are supportive, and it appears traders wanted to get in the market before the recent bargain disappeared. It is no secret that producers are being swayed by high grain and soybean prices. Many cotton producers are contemplating planting wheat and double cropping soybeans, or putting additional acreage in corn. Great corn yields combined with strong levels could reduce ’08 planting significantly unless cotton futures move considerably higher. Rice Long Grain Cash Bid for  Sep/Oct 980  to  1029/cwt   Nov 1029/cwt  to  - - - Chicago Futures: Sep up  18  at  1103    Nov up  16  at  1129    Jan up  17  at  1157    Mar up  19  at  1184    n/a up  - - -  at  - - -  Today's Arkansas LDP rate for long grain rice is  0¢ medium grain rice is  0¢ Rice Comment November rice gapped higher, following through on last week’s gains. Strength in wheat was also a factor. November has completed a 62% retracement, which could signal a move toward the contract high of $11.58. Tightening world stocks and a second consecutive year of smaller U.S. production make the market susceptible to wide swings. Potential tenders from Iraq and the Philippines have kept the market optimistic, while mills continue to operate on a very reduced schedule. With Vietnam having reached their export quota, Thailand and the U.S. are and will be the major sources for rice in the near term. Longer term rice prices may have to move higher to keep acreage in the U.S. from moving to wheat, corn and soybeans. Cattle & Hogs  Date: September 04, 2007 Cattle As reported by Federal-State Market News, receipts were 3,310 head at sales in Ash Flat, Springdale & Marshall.  Compared with last week, feeder steers sold mostly $1-$4 lower . Steers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 119 to 129   500 to 550 lbs. 113 to 123   600 to 700 lbs. 106 to 116  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 121 to 131 Heifers:  Medium & Large Frame 1   400 to 450 lbs. 105 to 115  Medium & Large Frame 2   400 to 450 lbs. 103 to 113 Slaughter Cows, Boners 43.50   to   52 Light Weight 32 to 38 Bulls, Yield Grade   1   1000   to   2100 lbs.   57   to   65.50, high dressing 65.50-69.50 Midwest Steers   were quoted   at   93   to   95.50 Panhandle Steers   were quoted   at   92   to   95 Oklahoma City Feeders Steers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Heifers n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - -   n/a to - - - lbs. - - - to - - - Chicago Futures: Live Cattle: Oct up 72 at 9762   Dec up 102 at 10105 Feeders: Oct up 142 at 11905   Jan up 147 at 11690 Cattle Comment December live cattle continue to trade just below resistance at the contract high. Deferred contracts are being supported by reduced placements that will mean fewer market ready cattle this winter. Hogs Peoria: were     steady   at   41.5   to   42 Chicago Futures: Oct up 25 at 6707   Dec up 57 at 6940 Sheep St. Paul sheep shorn slaughter lambs   at   n/a   to   - - - Hogs Comment Hog futures ended a bit higher supported by indications China will purchase more U.S. pork. The upside appears limited, however. The market is anticipating a big slaughter rate through the last quarter of the year, and that could mean weaker price levels. Poultry  Date: September 04, 2007 Eggs New York:  Ex. Lg. 131-135; Lg. 129-133; Med. 92-96; Chicago:  Ex. Lg. 121-129; Lg. 119-127; Med. 86-94; Eastern Region Turkeys Hens: 8-16 lbs. 89-93 Toms: 16-24 lbs. 89-93   Delmarva Broilers U.S. Grade A Majority prices were unchanged in all areas when compared to previous week. Trade sentiment was generally steady. Supplies of all sizes were adequate to well cleared with many plants down yesterday for the holiday. In production areas, live supplies were moderate. Weights were desirable to light, but mostly desirable. ---------------------------------------- HOW TO UNSUBSCRIBE You are receiving this newsletter because you requested that your e-mail address be added to the Arkansas Farm Bureau Market Report. To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, go to http://www.arfb.com/commodity/daily_rpt_email.asp ---------------------------------------- QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any comments or questions about this e-newsletter please e-mail us at mktrpt@arfb.com Arkansas Farm Bureau 10720 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72211 501-224-4400 Copyright 2007 Arkansas Farm Bureau, Inc. All rights reserved

FWD: Morning Manna (Sept. 4); BP: II Cor. 8:1-6; RBTTY: I Cor. 14:21-40; Ps. 143-145

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 03 Sep 2007 05:34:18 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 4); BP: II Cor. 8:1-6; RBTTY: I Cor. 14:21-40; Ps. 143-145
 
 
September 4 “The Gift God Desires”  
 
“For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were  
willing of themselves—praying us with much entreaty that we would receive  
the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  
And, this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the  
Lord and unto us by the will of God.”  
II Corinthians 8:3-5  
It’s the one He’s been waiting for.  
Have you noticed how subtly advertisers entice you to buy their  
product? They make it sound like it’s the “best thing since sliced bread.”  
And, then they “seal the deal” by offering you a “free gift.” Unbelievable!  
 
Think about it, Pilgrim:  
Say those oxymoron words once again: “Free gift.” Hmm. . .a bit  
redundant, isn’t it? Assuredly so—for what is a gift if it isn’t free??  
 
Gifts vary according to individuals and cultures. What may be greatly  
desired by one may be disdained by another; however, today’s Manna tells us  
of the gift that the Heavenly Father greatly longs for.  
 
“And what might that be?” someone asks.  
Well, just ask the poor, struggling, undergoing-persecution  
Macedonians—they knew:  
“Themselves.”  
 
There’s no doubt they were poor and persecuted, for the Apostle Paul  
said “That in a great trial of affliction (Grk. ‘thlipsis’—‘pressure,  
anguish, burden, persecution, tribulation, etc.’) the abundance of their joy  
and their deep poverty (Grk. ‘ptocheia’—‘beggary, indigence, etc.’) abounded  
unto the riches of their liberality (Grk. ‘haplotes’—‘singleness, sincerity,  
without dissimulation, bountifulness, etc.’)” (v.2).  
 
Those Macedonian Christians weren’t your average Sunday-go-to-meeting  
believers, were they? No, not hardly. Instead of getting down-in-the-mouth  
and singing, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen,” their worship was filled  
with praise and thanksgiving. In spite of their opposition and persecution,  
they still lifted up their voices with great exuberance, singing “Praise God  
from Whom all blessings flow.”  
 
Instead of getting them down, their “great trial of affliction”  
produced within them “an abundance of joy and an abounding unto liberality.”  
Simply put, instead of asking, “Do we HAVE to give, they BEGGED for an  
opportunity to give!” Hallelujah!!  
 
Oh, dear Pilgrim, what would happen if we possessed this same sincere,  
single-minded devotion to Christ in our own lives and churches? Why, we’d  
never see a budget-deficit in our church finances at the end of the year—and  
we’d certainly hear less whining and complaining about how the money’s being  
spent. Glory!! Why/how were those physically-impoverished, but  
spiritually-rich early believers able to behave this way? Simply because  
they “first gave themselves to the Lord,” which then led to their “giving  
themselves to others.” Can the same be said of us?  
 
_________________________________________________________________  
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http://club.live.com/seekadoo.aspx?icid=seek_hotmailtextlink1  
 
 
 

FWD: Morning Manna (Sept. 2); BP: Lk. 19:1-10; RBTTY: I Cor. 13; Ps. 137-139

I hope all well with all of you.  God Bless 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:12:39 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (Sept. 2); BP: Lk. 19:1-10; RBTTY: I Cor. 13; Ps. 137-139
 
 
September 2 “Evidences of True Repentance”  
 
“And Zacchaeus stood and said unto the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my  
good I give to the poor. And, if I have taken anything from any man by  
false accusation, I restore him fourfold.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘This  
day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of  
Abraham—for the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was  
lost’.”  
Luke 19:8-10  
When the Master is more important than “mammon,” His grace heals our  
heart and loosens our purse strings.  
Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have had a hidden camcorder in  
Zacchaeus’ house that day when Jesus came to visit? There’s no doubt it was  
a fabulous house—a mansion, if you will—in comparison to the others there in  
Jericho.  
 
But, the people knew (as did Zacchaeus) that it was built upon the  
shaky foundations of greed and thievery. As a “contract worker” of the  
Romans, Zacchaeus (a Jew) was free to require as much tax as he wanted above  
was required by their law. So, it’s clear that he took advantage of that  
“pagan perk,” as evidenced by the people’s criticism of Jesus for “going to  
be the guest with a man that is a sinner” (v.7).  
 
So often we shrink back or become infuriated at others’ criticisms;  
however, when they’re based in truth we should use them as a clarion call  
for repentance. But, thankfully, Jesus didn’t suddenly pull away from the  
squatty-bodied tax-collector and say, “Oh, me! I had not idea!”  
 
Why didn’t He?  
Because He already knew what Zacchaeus was—and why He’d called him down  
out of the sycamore tree to begin with.  
Jesus was a “Man on a Mission” that day when He passed through Jericho.  
He’d not come there for the people’s applause, accolades or approval.  
He’d come to transform one of the worst sinners in that ancient city. .  
.knowing if He could change him, He could change them. Glory!!  
 
After arriving at Zacchaeus’ house, the Lord of glory quickly let his  
host know He was more interested in him than He was his large house, fine  
china and sumptuous food. He was there but for one purpose: “To seek and  
save that which was lost.” And, it’s quite evident He accomplished that  
purpose, for today’s Manna clearly shows that Christ’s “liberality of love”  
was already at work in Zacchaeus’ life.  
 
You see, you don’t go from being a crooked thief to a blessed  
benefactor without a definite change-of-heart. And, you certainly don’t  
demonstrate “grace-generosity” without the Lord being the Owner of your  
pocketbook. That’s why Zacchaeus was willing to “give half of his goods to  
the poor and give back four times as much as he’d stolen to the ones from  
whom he’d stolen it.” Our Lord knew what He was talking about when He said  
“You cannot serve God and mammon (Grk. ‘mamonas’—‘wealth, avarice, etc.’)”  
(Mt. 6:24). Perhaps we should spend a little time with our checkbook today  
to see who’s really Lord of our lives.  
 
_________________________________________________________________  
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