Ten Swamp Dogies II

BREAKING NEWS !!!!

If you've been hearing anything about the Pollocks as of late, please read the following, in its entirety.....

If Satan has been telling you that the Pollock family does not love you, it is a LIE!!!

We have never claimed to be perfect, but we are striving, through the help of the Holy Spirit, to be so.

If you know us, you know we don't try to be something that we're not, (although sometimes people wish that we would, and that's o.k.:)

We try not to be a respecter of men. If you ask us what we think about a matter, we will tell you our true thought, and if we see something that is possibly going to affect our family and it's something that the Lord has warned us about, we might tell you that, also, without you asking.....

And because of this we have been misunderstood and accused of being hard, stubborn, insensitive, Holier than though, and other words that I cannot print here, due to viewer discretion.

In the past, the posts we've put on here were to edify the whole Body of Christ. This post is specifically for our friends and to those we have fellowshipped with in the past, so that there will be no misunderstanding, for as you well know, there have been many misunderstandings in the past!!

For example: Two precious families that we know and love, have been greatly hurt during a courtship process involving our family and we are deeply sorrowful over this, and we do publicly ask their forgiveness. As we have said in the beginning of this post, we are a long way from perfect. These decisions were very tough and not taken lightly, but it does not mean that we are not the same family that would stop what we were doing if there was a need. But because we are going in two different directions, there has not been the same fellowship that there had been when we were in a time of courtship. Many have used this in trying to make it something that it is not, as in "cutting off" these families, which we are not doing. As we grow in the Lord, He will show us a more excellent way.

Years ago I served in the prison ministry as a ecumenical pastor (which is a devastating movement). I was with many other pastors with many other beliefs. As I grew in the Lord and studied His Word, I knew that my core beliefs in who Jesus Christ was could not be compromised. I made a very hard decision to leave that ministry that I had been a part of for 11 years, because it was confusion to the lost to have so many contradicting messages on who Jesus was, being preached. Jesus used several analogies to make His message very simple, that even a child could understand, such as the Passover of Jesus being the precious Lamb of God. The Baptist doctrine, which is what I believe, can be summed up in its name. Romans 6 describes it very clear, the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a very important doctrine on salvation. One must clearly understand who Jesus is and what He did on the Cross for their sin before they can believe on His name. My heart's desire is to share this message.

Seven years ago, I made a decision to have church in our home. This was a very difficult decision to make, but I felt like it would be the best for our family at that time. I was not sent out by my former church, which was a big mistake, nor, was I ever clearly asked, to be the pastor of this home church. This is very important, because, when one leads, he must have his conscience clear in knowing that he has the full blessing of God, to lead. A leader must sometimes make hard decisions that not everyone will understand or necessarily like, which sometimes makes leadership a very lonely place. It is important for a leader to know justice and judgement. That's why the leader's house must be in order, because the family gives many opportunities to judge a matter and make the necessary decision for correction. Discipline is the toughest thing for a father or mother, but it is most important for a child to learn order and respect. (Btw: This is not referring to anyone specific, it is only to make a point of how difficult leadership is and how most families fail at something as simple as bringing the rod of correction to a disobedient and disrespectful child). A decision or a doctrine will sometimes cause a division, but if it is based on God's Word, it is important to stand firm and that does not mean that just because you disagree that you do not love them.

I made it a point years ago to never get into a partnership as it takes clear direction to make important decisions and to make those important decisions, you must have the zeal of a clear conscience, knowing that it is your own responsibility. And so much the more a church where you have so many different families, but only one Book, the Word of God, the Way of Life. A leader must preach without compromise and be not a respecter of persons. I tried to do that, to the best of my ability, while I was leading my family. But because of my decision to not have my former church send me out to do the work, when the time came for tough decisions to be made, the zeal was not there, because my conscience was not clear. In a biblical sense, I was not the pastor of the Body, even though during this time God did bless us despite myself. In many different ways we were a Body without clear leadership.

A few weeks back, we attended a "Church, Family and Holiness" conference. These three are so very important to the heart of God, for without any one of these, things will not be complete. While there, I was reminded of things that the Lord had shown me in the past. One of those things was honoring the Lord's Day. It was always so refreshing looking forward to the Lord's Day and I was reminded of how much I had fallen away from honoring God in such a manner. When we came home, we were hit with sickness and misunderstanding of what we were trying to do. With the help of a precious brother in the Lord, I was asked, "Are you the pastor of your church"? I had to reflect on that question and seek God's face. The answer, which I knew in my heart, was "No". We, as a Body, had sidestepped a clear understanding of authority. I had always taught that no one would be hurt as long as we pointed people to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word and that is true, but making a tough decision will always hurt. True leadership demands making tough decisions.

With all of that said, we as a family have made a decision to return to where we left off seven years ago.

May we all strive to grow in the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We apologize if you were hurt from any of our decisions, but please never forget that the Pollock family loves each one of you and if you have any need, we will always be there as we have tried our best to do in the past. We are not heartless monsters just trying to cut people off for we still believe that a Friend Loveth At All Times.

A friend loveth at all times and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Posted by: Ben

email: thepollockfamily10@gmail.com

The last of the Peas,

The shelling is now through,

We can rest with ease,

And away the peas flew :)

Rest With Ease?

It's all a lie,

For instead of Peas,

It's Okra, why?

WE DON'T KNOW !!!

Acres upon acres.

Art by: Ariana

(If you've ever wondered why we have so many pics.

It's because Ariana really enjoys her camera :)Some parts of the field are almost 6 ft. tall.

(It's nice shade for the littles and more misery for the bigs.)Liv trying to cool off the already wet (with sweat) gloves.

Why are gloves needed for picking okra?

The same reason you don't put bare hands in insulation. How long is this okra going to keep reproducing????????Tom and Jon are the drink providers.And that's a very necessary job in this heat with long sleeves and gloves.Ahhhh, todays work in the field is done.Now starts the work in the house.Packing for the market......And canning for the future.