{"id":1582,"date":"2025-09-22T12:45:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cognitivewarriorproject.com\/?p=1582"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:17:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:17:42","slug":"planted-in-the-word-and-regenerative-agriculture-this-is-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cognitivewarriorproject.com\/?p=1582","title":{"rendered":"Planted in the Word and Regenerative Agriculture? – This is the Way."},"content":{"rendered":"
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This is the second, in a hopefully continuing series about faith on this platform. In many ways, putting it down on paper helps me articulate it, helps me develop not necessarily what I believe but more how to believe. These posts could be considered a working draft of my testimony, but isn\u2019t that true for all of us? We are all a work in progress\u2026 until, we are not. It is never too late to take that first step on your own journey. As I have been trying to work out the intent for this series of posts, I reached out to several people that I deeply respect and was asked the question, how does faith impact cognitive decision making in combat? I am not sure I can answer that question fully just yet other than some rather scripted \u2018it provides the undergirding of moral decision making when faced with dilemma<\/em>\u2019 \u2026not exactly what I would like to convey in this space, but I can tell you a story.<\/p>\n

When I got back from my first deployment, I was holding court so to speak by telling some of our war stories about some instances we got ourselves in \u2018a tight spot.\u2019 To be honest, I had been drinking and was sort of enjoying the moment. I was home, my deployment went relatively well, and I was able to tell my story. It was in this moment that my sister-in-law asked me a question that I have thought about a lot now for over 20 years. \u201cDid I pray when I was in those situations?\u201d The honest answer was probably a bit more complicated than what I said but, the answer was no. I did not pray because I felt guilty asking God for help when I was in a tight spot but didn\u2019t go to him when times were good. It felt hypocritical to me. There may have been a touch more bravado in the response but that honesty profoundly disappointed me. I wish I could say that that level of honesty immediately impacted how I lived but it did not. It would take me years before I would attempt to commit more fully to an actual relationship with God, a relationship where we talk in the good times and the bad, and I am still working on it. So, what is the point of this story? Well, I guess it is because I believe that warfighters should have cognitive clarity that enables bold decisiveness. Where one errors to side of action as opposed to inaction bound by indecision. Looking back, I wasn\u2019t ready. There was a built-in hesitancy that I should have confronted earlier. Fortunately, it\u2019s never too late to start.<\/p>\n

For more on my faith journey and the reasons I generally didn\u2019t write about faith you can go here<\/a>. But as a reminder, the framework for this post is the discussion guide provided by our church about this Sunday\u2019s service. You can watch the entire service at the end of the article below.<\/p>\n

This Saturday, I was scrolling through headlines and come across this story on Zerohedge, From Vision To Reality: McDonald’s, Regenerative Agriculture, & A Cultural Shift<\/a>. <\/em>It is not everyday that I talk about a story originally printed in the Epoch Times, but this was really good and is something I believe in. I wanted to have a standalone article about regenerative agriculture, but I think it actually fits better here. This article sent me down the documentary rabbit hole where I watched both.<\/p>\n

Kiss the Ground<\/a><\/p>\n

And<\/p>\n

Common Ground<\/a><\/p>\n

I highly recommend both although I think the second was a bit unnecessarily political and if you had to choose one, it should be Kiss the Ground. For those of you that do not know, I was an environmental studies major when I was in college and there is a little activist still alive in me. That and I am a sucker for a good eviro-documentary!<\/p>\n

What is Regenerative Farming?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regenerative farming is a process that goes beyond conservation and sustainability, to actually leave land better than we found it. Not only is regenerative farming a beneficial practice overall, but it can also be used to rehabilitate overprocessed land that has previously been used for monocropping<\/em> [monoculture<\/u>] or intensive grazing.<\/em><\/p>\n

The core principles of regenerative agriculture focus on working with nature to rebuild soil health, enhance biodiversity, and improve the water cycle through practices that minimize soil disturbance, keep living roots in the soil, maintain diverse crops and livestock integration, and protect the soil surface with cover crops or mulch. <\/em><\/p>\n

I highly recommend watching both. However, this article is not about farming, but it is about the \u2018soil\u2019 that we are planted in, for if we are to be planted in the Word, our soil needs to be healthy. I thought that it was interesting that crops gown in a mono-culture<\/em> (or modern culture) degrades the soil and can leave you barren and susceptible to erosion. Can that physical erosion be a metaphor for our faith? Now that we have a little background on my mindset going into this weekends service, let’s jump in.<\/p>\n

(Editor’s Note: When you see \u2018Note\u2019 below, these are not entirely my words but are largely derived from my Live Application Study Bible’s note section. I cannot take credit for them and am not that smart.)<\/p>\n

Psalm 1:1-4 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 <\/sup>Oh, the joys of those who do not
\n    follow the advice of the wicked,
\n    or stand around with sinners,
\n    or join in with mockers.
\n2 <\/sup>But they delight in the law of the Lord,
\n    meditating on it day and night.
\n3 <\/sup>They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
\n    bearing fruit each season.
\nTheir leaves never wither,
\n    and they prosper in all they do.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in subtle ways\u2026Do your friends build up your faith or tear it down? True friends should help you draw closer to God, not hinder your relationship with him.<\/p>\n

1. The message reminded us that everything in our lives grows out of what we are rooted in. When you think about your own life, what voices, influences, or sources are you most rooted in day-to-day? How does the Bible compare in shaping your worldview?<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is the Word?<\/p>\n

John 1:1-14 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
\n    The Word was with God,
\n    and the Word was God.
\n2 <\/sup>He existed in the beginning with God.
\n3 <\/sup>God created everything through him,
\n    and nothing was created except through him.
\n4 <\/sup>The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a<\/a>]<\/sup>
\n    and his life brought light to everyone.
\n5 <\/sup>The light shines in the darkness,
\n    and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b<\/a>]<\/sup><\/p>\n

6 <\/sup>God sent a man, John the Baptist,[c<\/a>]<\/sup> 7 <\/sup>to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 <\/sup>John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 <\/sup>The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.<\/p>\n

10 <\/sup>He came into the very world he created, but the world didn\u2019t recognize him. 11 <\/sup>He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 <\/sup>But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 <\/sup>They are reborn\u2014not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.<\/p>\n

14 <\/sup>So the Word became human[d<\/a>]<\/sup> and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[e<\/a>]<\/sup> And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father\u2019s one and only Son.<\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong>Jesus is fully human and fully God. Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man, he never ceased to be God. The Word <\/em>was a term used by theologians and philosophers. In Hebrew scripture, the Word<\/em> was an agent of creation, the source of God\u2019s message to the people through the prophets and God\u2019s law. In Greek, the Word<\/em> was the principle of reason that governed the world. In Hebrew, the Word<\/em> was another expression for God.<\/p>\n

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

16 <\/sup>All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 <\/sup>God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.<\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong>Scripture is God breathed and inspired Word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it.<\/p>\n

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

20 <\/sup>Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet\u2019s own understanding,[a<\/a>]<\/sup> 21 <\/sup>or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.<\/p>\n

2. The Bible is inspired by God but communicated through human authors. How does that truth impact the way you approach Scripture\u2014both its authority and its accessibility?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bible is historically verified, Internally consistent and faithfully preserved.<\/p>\n

Romans 15:4 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

4 <\/sup>Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God\u2019s promises to be fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong>The knowledge of the Scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater confidence we have about what he will do in the days ahead. We need to diligently read our Bibles so we may have confidence the God\u2019s will is best for us.<\/p>\n

3. The Bible is not just a religious text but a trustworthy, powerful Word of God that brings stability and clarity in a world of change. Can you share an example of a time when God\u2019s Word brought clarity, encouragement, or correction to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Can I trust the Bible?<\/strong><\/p>\n