Advertures In American History

A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman

2011-09-30T14:33:00.000-04:00

A Heart Revealed

Winds of Change #2

by Julie Lessman

Description:
The ring on her hand belongs to one man …

but her heart belongs to another.

As a battered woman, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston ten years ago, seeking shelter for a heart badly bruised by both her husband and guilt. But when she falls in love with Sean O’Connor, a man who wrestles with demons of his own, fear and shame almost destroy her … until she is finally set free by a heart revealed.
My Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

When I received my copy of A HEART REVEALED, I was excited because I knew I was in for a treat. All of Julie Lessman's novels are a treat to read, but this one blew me away. I didn't expect to find the forbidden romance of Sean, the oldest brother of the O'Conner clan, and Emma, Charity's best friend, to be my favorite Lessman story yet. Sean is a confirmed bachelor hiding a secret past that haunts him. Emma is married to an abusive womanizer who scarred her for life. She left him years ago, she feels she must stay true to her vows. But she also has a secret. The trouble comes because Sean and Emma's easy friendship is blossoming into love without either of them being aware of it.

The novel also has Charity and Mitch at the forefront which always is a lot of fun. Charity is one of my favorite characters. Wait until you see how she handles a women who is after her husband, We also get to see a glimpse of the early days of the tumultuous marriage between Luke and Katie. Julie Lessman is never easy on her characters, and this novel is no exception. The best part of this story is the theme of freedom in Christ through forgiving others, forgiving ourselves, and receiving God's forgiveness. I love how Julie shows her passion for God through the characters' passion for each other. Oh, and Julie Lessman never fails to surprise me with her plot twists, something that is hard to do for me.

History of Independence Day

2011-07-04T03:00:00.000-04:00

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress commission five men to list grievances against the king of England and to declare the United States of America to be an independent nation. Those five men were Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Thomas Jefferson wrote the document.

The Declaration of Independence was accepted on July 4^th, 1776 although it wasn’t signed until August 2^nd.

The first Independence Day celebration took place on July 8^th when the document was read in the square in Philadelphia. The next year, the day was celebrated with picnics and fireworks, a tradition that continues to this day.

John Adams believed Independence Day would be celebrated on July 2^nd when the first draft presented. He wrote to his wife, "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

Independence Day didn’t become a legal holiday until 1941 when Congress passed the law declaring it a national holiday.

The Declaration of Independence

2011-07-04T02:00:00.000-04:00

In honor of Independence Day, here's the words of the Declaration of Independence, the document that started it all.

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and, when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining, in the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our Constitution and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;

For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states;

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world;

For imposing taxes on us without our consent;

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury;

For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offenses;

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies;

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments;

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity; and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

[Signed by] JOHN HANCOCK [President]

New Hampshire
JOSIAH BARTLETT,
WM. WHIPPLE,
MATTHEW THORNTON.

Massachusetts Bay
SAML. ADAMS,
JOHN ADAMS,
ROBT. TREAT PAINE,
ELBRIDGE GERRY

Rhode Island
STEP. HOPKINS,
WILLIAM ELLERY.

Connecticut
ROGER SHERMAN,
SAM'EL HUNTINGTON,
WM. WILLIAMS,
OLIVER WOLCOTT.

New York
WM. FLOYD,
PHIL. LIVINGSTON,
FRANS. LEWIS,
LEWIS MORRIS.

New Jersey
RICHD. STOCKTON,
JNO. WITHERSPOON,
FRAS. HOPKINSON,
JOHN HART,
ABRA. CLARK.

Pennsylvania
ROBT. MORRIS
BENJAMIN RUSH,
BENJA. FRANKLIN,
JOHN MORTON,
GEO. CLYMER,
JAS. SMITH,
GEO. TAYLOR,
JAMES WILSON,
GEO. ROSS.

Delaware
CAESAR RODNEY,
GEO. READ,
THO. M'KEAN.

Maryland
SAMUEL CHASE,
WM. PACA,
THOS. STONE,
CHARLES CARROLL of Carrollton.

Virginia
GEORGE WYTHE,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
TH. JEFFERSON,
BENJA. HARRISON,
THS. NELSON, JR.,
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE,
CARTER BRAXTON.

North Carolina
WM. HOOPER,
JOSEPH HEWES,
JOHN PENN.

South Carolina
EDWARD RUTLEDGE,
THOS. HAYWARD, JUNR.,
THOMAS LYNCH, JUNR.,
ARTHUR MIDDLETON.

Georgia
BUTTON GWINNETT,
LYMAN HALL,
GEO. WALTON.

The Shot Heard Around The World

2011-07-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

After the Intolerable Acts resulted in uniting the American Colonies, tensions grew between the Americans and the British. Three colonists at the forefront of the fight for Independence were John and Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. The British planned to raid military supplies at Concord and arrest the Adams’ brothers and Hancock. Paul Revere, along with Dawes and Prescott, carried a signal to warn them when the British invaded.

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere rode through Lexington and Concord sounding the alarm. He hung two lanterns from the church-steeple in Boston to show the British were headed to Concord. He also warned Hancock and Adams at Reverend Jonas Clark’s parsonage in Lexington. The patriots escaped before the British got there.

As Revere and his men rode through the countryside, minutemen (men who were ready at a minute’s notice) came out in droves. The British reached concord at 5:00 am. A fight began when four hundred and fifty Americans rallied to meet the British. The fighting took place between two detachments at the North Bridge, where “one the embattled farmers stood, and fired the shot heard round the world.”

American Captain Isaac Davis was killed at the first shot. The British detachment retreated in disorder. As they marched toward Lexington, they were exposed to constant guerilla fire by minutemen. Militia were ready for them as they reached Lexington at 2:00 pm. Ninety-three Americans were killed wounded and missing that day. The British lost two hundred and seventy-three men. The Revolutionary War had begun.

The Intorerable Acts

2011-06-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

After the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament acted to punish Massachusetts and the colonies by enacting the Intolerable Acts. Lord North was given the responsibility to enact these measures.

The Boston Port Act: March 30, 1774, the Boston Port Act closed the Port of Boston to all shipping until full restitution was made to the East India Company and the King for the lost tea and taxes. Protesters claimed that this punished the city for an act of a few. Supplies in Boston dwindled and other colonies sent relief to the blockaded city uniting the American Colonies.

Massachusetts Government Act: May 20, 1774, the Massachusetts Government Act increased royal control over the colony's administration by ending colony charters. Executive councils for the Massachusetts would no longer be democratically elected. Instead they would be appointed by the king. Other offices previously were also to be appointed by the royal governor. Town meeting were severely limited by law. Only one town meeting was allowed a year unless approved by the royally appointed governor.

Administration of Justice Act: May 20, 1774, the Administration of Justice act made it so British official could request to be tried in Great Britain if accused of a crime. This, of course, made it so no British official was tried since witnesses could not travel to London. This infuriated colonists since they pointed out that even after the Boston Massacre, British soldiers received fair trials. It was called the Murder Act by some because they felt it allowed royal officials to get away with murder.

Quartering Act: In 1765, the Quartering Act was passed and ignored by colonial assemblies. In 1774, a revision of the Quartering Act expanded the types of buildings in which soldiers could be billeted and removed the requirement that they be provided with provisions. Contrary to popular belief, it did not permit the housing of soldiers in private homes. Typically, soldiers were first to be placed in existing barracks and public houses, but thereafter could be housed in inns, victualing houses, empty building, barns, and other unoccupied structures.

Quebec Act: The Quebec Act didn’t have a direct effect on the thirteen colonies, but it was considered part of the Intolerable Acts. Intended to ensure the loyalty of the king's Canadian subjects, the act greatly enlarged Quebec's borders and allowed the free practice of the Catholic faith. Among the land transferred to Quebec was much of the Ohio Country, which had been promised to several colonies through their charters and to which many had already laid claim. In addition to angered land speculators, others were fearful about the spread of Catholicism in American.

Reaction to the Intolerable Acts: In passing the acts, Lord North had hoped to detach and isolate the radical element in Massachusetts from the rest of the colonies while also asserting the power of Parliament over the colonial assemblies. The harshness of the acts instead caused colonists from all the American colonies to rally around Massachusetts. They felt that it was only a matter of time before their rights would be violated too.

Colonial leaders formed committees of correspondence to discuss the repercussions of the Intolerable Acts. These led to the convening of the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia on September 5. Creating the Continental Association, the congress called for a boycott of all British goods. If the Intolerable Acts were not repealed within a year, the colonies agreed to halt exports to Britain as well as support Massachusetts if it was attacked. Rather than exact punishment, North's legislation worked to pull the colonies together.

The Original Boston Tea Party

2011-06-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

One of the taxes Parliament imposed on America was a tea tax. America began to buy their tea from companies other than British companies. May, 1773, Parliament gave a monopoly of the importation of tea to the East India Company. They redeuced the duty colonies would have to pay making the tea a cheaper price than they could pay elsewhere. But if colonists paid the duty tax on the imported tea, they acknowledged Parliament’s right to tax them without their representation. The British assumed the colonists would pay a cheaper price for tea, a staple of colonial life, rather than stand on principle and refuse to buy tea. They underestimated the colonist’s determination.

East India Company sent shipments to Philadelphia and New York where they weren’t allowed to land. In Charleston, the were permitted to dock, but the tea was consigned to a warehouse where it remained until the revolution.

In Boston, three tea ships arrived causing an angry reaction when 7,000 agitated colonists gathered at the wharf where the ships were docked.. One December 16, 1773, a mass meeting at the Old South Meeting House resolved that the tea ships should leave the harbor without payment or duty. A Collector of Customs refused to allow the ships to leave without the duty payment.

A group of around 200 men disguised as Indians assembled on a hill close to the wharf. They let out was cries, marched to the ships, and dumped the cargos of tea into the harbor. Most colonists approved to the action.

London’s response was swift. In March, 1774, Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts which closed the Port of Boston, violated the rights of the colonists, and led directly to the American Revolution.

George Hewes was one of the men boarding the tea ships that evening. His recollection of the event was published some years later. Here’s his account.

"It was now evening, and I immediately dressed myself in the costume of an Indian, equipped with a small hatchet, which I and my associates denominated the tomahawk, with which, and a club, after having painted my face and hands with coal dust in the shop of a blacksmith, I repaired to Griffin's wharf, where the ships lay that contained the tea. When I first appeared in the street after being thus disguised, I fell in with many who were dressed, equipped and painted as I was, and who fell in with me and marched in order to the place of our destination.

When we arrived at the wharf, there were three of our number who assumed an authority to direct our operations, to which we readily submitted. They divided us into three parties, for the purpose of boarding the three ships which contained the tea at the same time. The name of him who commanded the division to which I was assigned was Leonard Pitt. The names of the other commanders I never knew. We were immediately ordered by the respective commanders to board all the ships at the same time, which we promptly obeyed. The commander of the division to which I belonged, as soon as we were on board the ship, appointed me boatswain, and ordered me to go to the captain and demand of him the keys to the hatches and a dozen candles. I made the demand accordingly, and the captain promptly replied, and delivered the articles; but requested me at the same time to do no damage to the ship or rigging. We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard, and we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water.

In about three hours from the time we went on board, we had thus broken and thrown overboard every tea chest to be found in the ship, while those in the other ships were disposing of the tea in the same way, at the same time. We were surrounded by British armed ships, but no attempt was made to resist us.

...The next morning, after we had cleared the ships of the tea, it was discovered that very considerable quantities of it were floating upon the surface of the water; and to prevent the possibility of any of its being saved for use, a number of small boats were manned by sailors and citizens, who rowed them into those parts of the harbor wherever the tea was visible, and by beating it with oars and paddles so thoroughly drenched it as to render its entire destruction inevitable."

Boston Massacre

2011-06-28T07:24:00.000-04:00

On June 29, 1767, the British Parliament passed a series of taxes in the American colonies to recoup their losses from a costly war with France and to reestablish control over the colonies. These taxes called The Townshend Acts imposed taxes on common products imported to the colonies like paper, glass, and tea. Colonists protested these unfair taxes citing the British were enacting taxation without representation. Boston, Massachusetts led by men like Samuel Adams organized the protests.

British troops arrived in Boston in October, 1768 to squelch the protests and maintain order. The troops were considered invaders and taunted with name calling, spitting, and fighting. Bostonians kept the soldiers from carrying out their duties. Tension mounted. In March, 1770, the British sent more troops. The redcoats, led by Captain Thomas Preston, were met with a crowd chanting “Fire, and be damned”. Captain Preston was unable to disperse the crowds. He ordered the troops not to fire, but they probably didn’t hear and opened fire on the crowd killing five men.

Captain Preston was tried eight months later for murder in a Boston courtroom. He was defended by revolutionaries John Adams and Robert Auchmuty and acquitted. One reason he was acquitted was because of a deathbed account of one of the witnesses that the soldiers were acting in self-defense. Eight soldiers were also tried. Six were acquitted. Two were found guilty of manslaughter because of overwhelming proof that they fired into the crowd. They were branded on their thumbs with the letter M and released to return to their units.

The Boston public took the verdicts in good order. There were letters expressing outrage in the local newspapers, the work of Sam Adams and other disappointed agitators, but no public demonstrations. This calm reflected the feelings of many that mob action had gotten out of hand and that British soldiers, hated as they were, could not be blamed for defending themselves.

After the massacre, the Townshend Acts were partially repealed and a period of calm remain until the Tea Act of 1773 led to the Boston Tea Party.

American Terrorists

2011-06-21T11:58:00.001-04:00

Terrorists loom the thoughts and fears of many Americans in the twenty-first century. But it isn’t the first time in history, our nation has worried about being killed by a group of blood thirst terrorists on United States soil. In the 1860’s, terrorism during the Civil War was a fact of life. Guerilla bands with both Union and Confederate sympathies raided towns and farms and killed civilians. Citizens of Kansas on the Union side and Missouri on the Confederate side had the most to fear from these terrorist raids.

One community suffered from these terrorists attacks more than any other. On August 21, 1863, over 400 raiders led by William Quantrill executed a well planned attack on the city and surrounding farms of Lawrence, Kansas. Before they rode back to Missouri, around 200 men and boys who were old enough to take up arms were murdered and many homes and businesses were burned to the ground.

Some of the men who rode with Quantrill that night were Bloody Bill Anderson, Frank James, Cole Younger, and maybe Jesse James. These men called bushwhackers felt they had reason enough for what they did. The Union terrorists called jaywalkers felt they had reason too. Terrorists always believe that atrocities and bloodshed justify the murder of innocent civilians.

The History of Father's Day

2011-06-15T02:00:00.000-04:00

The first Father’s Day to be celebrated in the United States was believed to be in Spokane, Washington on June 19th, 1910. A year earlier, Mrs. John B. Dodd was listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day. She wanted to do something to honor fathers since her father, William Smart, a Civil War Veteran, was a widower who raised her alone. So she arranged the celebrations. Other cities soon joined in days honoring fathers.

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. But that didn’t happen until 1963 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill enacting a national Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June.

Good, honorable men who have taken the role of fatherhood seriously have always had a profound impact on their children’s lives. It is only right and fitting to have a day to honor them.

Happy Father’s Day!

US Flag Etiquette and the Flag Code

2011-06-11T04:00:00.000-04:00

Flag Etiquette

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used.

They are:The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors:

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.

No other flag ever should be placed above it.

The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag:

The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.

The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors:

When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag:

When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute:

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem:

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.

When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning:

To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

Quotes About the US Flag

2011-06-10T02:00:00.000-04:00

US Trade Center Flag

The Meaning Of Our Flag
Henry Ward Beecher

If one asks me the meaning of our flag, I say to him: It means just what Concord and Lexington meant, what Bunker Hill meant. It means the whole glorious Revolutionary War. It means all that the Declaration of Independence meant. It means all that the Constitution of our people, organizing for justice, for liberty and for happiness, meant.

Under this banner rode Washington and his armies. Before it Burgoyne laid down his arms. It waved on the highlands at West Point. When Arnold would have surrendered these valuable fortresses and precious legacies, his night was turned into day and his treachery was driven away by beams of light from this starry banner.

It cheered our army, driven out from around New York, and in their painful pilgrimages through New Jersey. This banner streamed in light over the soldiers' heads at Valley Forge and at Morristown. It crossed the waters rolling with ice at Trenton, and when its stars gleamed in the morning with a victory, a new day of hope dawned on the despondency of this nation.

Our Flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. Beginning with the Colonies, and coming down to our time, in its sacred heraldry, in its glorious insignia, it has gathered and stored chiefly this supreme idea: divine right of liberty in man. Every color means liberty; every thread means liberty; every form of star and beam or stripe of light means liberty - not lawlessness, but organized, institutional liberty - liberty through law, and laws for liberty!

This American Flag was the safeguard of liberty. Not an atom of crown was allowed to go into its insignia. Not a symbol of authority in the ruler was permitted to go into it. It was an ordinance of liberty by the people, for the people. That it meant, that it means, and, by the blessing of God, that it shall mean to the end of time!

Besty Ross Flag
An American Without Reserve
by Daniel Webster

I was born an American; I live an American; I shall die an American; and I intend to perform the duties incumbent upon me in that character to the end of my career. I mean to do this with absolute disregard of personal consequences.

What are the personal consequences? What is the individual man, with all the good or evil that may betide him, in comparison with the good or evil which may befall a great country, and in the midst of great transactions which concern that country's fate?

Let the consequences be what they will, I am careless. No man can suffer too much, and no man can fall too soon, if he suffer, or if he fall, in the defense of the liberties and constitution of his country.

Raising of the US Flag at Iwo Jima - WW2

Rights and Duties
by Calvin Coolidge

We do honor to the stars and stripes as the emblem of our country and the symbol of all that our patriotism means.

We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home. We see it in the great multitude of blessings, of rights and privileges that make up our country.

But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done. A yearly contemplation of our flag strengthens and purifies the national conscience.

The Star Spangled Banner

2011-06-08T02:00:00.000-04:00

The Flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.

The Star Spangled Banner
By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution!

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust":
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

History of The Star Spangled Banner:

Francis Scott Key, a Washington attorney wrote the poem The Defence of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Later the poem was set to music and renamed The Star Spangled Banner.

Key sailed to the British fleet to obtain the release of captured Americans. He was detained by the British and forced to witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry near Baltimore on the night of September 13th, 1814. The sight of the American flag still flying at dawn inspired Key’s poem later set to music.

The song became the official national anthem by executive order of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. It was confirmed by an act of Congress in 1931.

The reason The Star Spangled Banner is played before ball games is because in 1918, during World War I, the United States considered canceling the World Series. But when they heard soldiers were looking forward to hearing about the series, officials compromised and went ahead with the games. But they played the song during the seventh inning stretch. Everyone stood and sang along. Since then it’s been a tradition to start ball games and major sporting events with the National Anthem.

The flag that inspired the song was sewn by Mary Pickersgill and is hanging at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Pledge of Allegiance, Red Skelton's Pledge, John Wayne's Pledge

2011-06-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

The Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the republic for which it stands,
One nation, under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.

Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance:

I – Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge – Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance – My love and my devotion.

To the Flag – Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United – That means that we have all come together.

States – Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic – Republic, a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation – One Nation--meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible – Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty – Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice – The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All – For All, which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton

John Wayne's Pledge of Allegiance:

History of Flag Day

2011-06-06T01:00:00.000-04:00

Orginal 13 Stars and Stripes Flag

Since June 14th is Flag Day, I thought it might be fun to look at some fun facts about our flag including the history of Flag Day, The Pledge of Allegiance, Red Skelton’s Pledge of Allegiance, the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner, The American’s Creed, some famous speeches about our flag, and a guide to flag etiquette. I'll be posting some of these all week.

History Of Flag Day:
In 1885, BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher in Fredonia, Wisconsin celebrated June 14 as the birthday of the flag or Flag Day. June 14th was the anniversary of the adoption of the Flag Resolution in 1777. The idea became popular and was celebrated in many schools, and by local and state celebrations across the country.

On May 30th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day. In 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designation June 14th and National Flag Day.

Pictures of US Flags:

For a timeline in pictures of US Flags, click on this link.

History of Memorial Day

2011-05-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

In the spring of 1866, the first organized Decoration Day took place in Waterloo, New York. Local springtime tributes to the Civil War sprang up in various places. Another one of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well.

A Civil War Union veteran organization call the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) formed a committee to discuss officially having a day of remembrance. On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander of the GAR declared Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th and established Decoration Day to be a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. May 30th was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including General and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30th throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for observing Memorial Day.

Many Southern states have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26th. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10th, Louisiana on June 3rd, and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19th, and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day.

It was not until after World War I that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

A Heart Divided Featured Novel

2011-05-18T10:26:00.000-04:00

A Heart Divided

by Kathleen Morgan

A Family Feud Threatens Sarah Caldwell’s Dreams For a Better Life…

Could Love Be Her Salvation?

Sarah’s jumbled thoughts gradually righted themselves. No matter what she had promised her mother, she could do nothing for her father unless he chose to change. Indeed, she was just as likely to sacrifice her own life and happiness – and that of her little brother’s – and still not get her father to give up his hopeless quest.

Description:

After a brief respite from writing, award-winning author Kathleen Morgan pens a masterpiece novel set against the backdrop of the beautiful Colorado Rockies. A Heart Divided (ISBN: 978-0-8007-1884-8, May 2011, $14.99) will capture readers with a saga of family feuding, abandonment, intriguing love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

It is 1878. The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for twenty-seven years. The patriarchs of each family will not let the feud end; their hearts are bent on destruction. Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright ranch. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, Sarah realizes she needs to lay low. But Cord spots her in town and, with the sheriff away, makes a citizen's arrest, dragging her off to the Wainwright ranch until the sheriff's return. As the family feud continues to smolder, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they are falling in love. Can they betray their families for love? Or will their families betray them?

In a powerful and historically authentic love story, Morgan explores themes of family loyalty, self-determination, what it meant to be a hero in the Old West and, above all, how love can change everything.

Kathleen Morgan is the award-winning author of many novels, including those in the bestselling Brides of Culdee Creek series. She lives in Colorado with her husband.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Endorsements:

"Be still my heart--Kathleen Morgan is back, and she's better than ever! With deft writing, engaging characters, and a family feud that takes the Hatfields and McCoys to a whole new level, A Heart Divided is a powerful love story that will quicken your pulse and speak to your soul."--Julie Lessman, author, the Daughters of Boston series and A Hope Undaunted

“Exceptional! Kathleen Morgan turns the classic feuding families plot into an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness. Her lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of life in the Rockies. A powerful story of love and the true meaning of family. A Heart Divided is a book to be savored again and again.”—Amanda Cabot, author, Tomorrow’s Garden

"A well-crafted story of two hearts divided by vengeful fathers and feuding families that threaten to destroy true love. A Heart Divided is a thoroughly enjoyable romance set in the magnificent Colorado Rockies!"--Maggie Brendan, author, Heart of the West series

My Review: 4 Stars

A Heart Divided is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in the Colorado Rockies of the late 1800's. The difference is this romance set during a family feud has a happy ending. The attraction between Sarah Caldwell and Cord Wainwright is believable. I love how the author starts with the physical attraction that both are fighting because of feuding fathers and builds their relationship when they get to know each other. Cord sees Sarah's love and sacrifice for her brother and realizes she's caught in the same situation with her father as he is with his. Sarah sees Cord's compassion for her brother Danny and realizes he's not the heartless Wainwright her father claims he is. It grows from there into love. The conflict between the two families and the bitterness and resentment it causes make the drama and romance even better. It's a bit predictable in places, but that's true of most romances.

Portrait of an American Terrorist

2011-05-09T01:00:00.000-04:00

William Quantrill, the infamous raider and terrorist of the Civil War, invented guerrilla warfare tactics that would be used by famous outlaws of the old west who rode in his gang. His hit and run tactics received fame when, on August 21, 1863, he led 450 raiders into Lawrence, Kansas to murder and plunder innocent civilians. 183 men and boys were pulled from their homes and brutally murdered, sometimes in front of their families, and many homes and businesses were burned to the ground. After the Lawrence Massacre, Quantrill became a folk hero to many Missouri Confederate sympathizers. But to the north, he became a symbol of the tyranny of warfare.

Quantrill was born in Dover, Ohio in 1837. His father, who was a tin smith and petty criminal abused his wife and children He died when Quantrill was a teenager. Quantrill taught school to earn money and moved to Utah.

Finding that teaching didn’t pay much, Quantrill took up gambling under the alias, Charles Hart. In 1858, he moved to Lawrence and taught school. While there, he learned the profit of returning escaped slaves to their masters for the reward. During one incident, Quantrill pretended to join forces with four jayhawkers in freeing captured slaves. But for a price, Quantrill warned the slave owners the jayhawkers were coming. Three of the four men were killed. When it was discovered Quantrill was wanted for murder in Utah, he escaped to Missouri.

Quantrill moved to Texas when the Civil War broke out and joined the Confederate Army. But he soon left the organized army to start his own band of raiders in Missouri. He only accepted men in his band who were bent on revenge against the jayhawkers.

After assisting Confederate soldiers by ambushing Union forces, Quantrill was commission as a captain by the south and declared an outlaw by the north. Quantrill fed his men’s thirst for revenge by telling stories of jayhawkers killing his brother, something that never happened.

In 1863, an incident happened that fueled the raiders’ hatred. Four women were captured by jayhawkers, including Senator Jim Lane from Lawrence, for helping Quantrill’s raiders. The women were held in a make-shift jail that collapsed and killed them. Quantrill accused the jayhawkers of purposely sabotaging the jail’s structure.

When Quantrill’s raiders rode into Lawrence, the mayhem that followed sickened even some of the raiders. Most of the men and boys killed were civilians. Quantrill and his men didn’t wear uniforms that night. Many of the men killed were gunned down after surrendering.

Quantrill forever sealed his reputation as a terrorist. Many throughout history have followed in his footsteps. There were atrocities committed by both sides. But no atrocity excuses the murder of innocent civilians.

In 1864, Quantrill and his raiders fought in the battle of Westport. When the Confederates lost the battle, the raiders disbanded. A Union terrorist, Terrell, was hired to track down Quantrill. On May 12, 1865, Terrell trapped Quantrill and twenty-one of his raiders in a barn outside of Wakefield, Kentucky. Quantrill and some of the raiders were killed that day ending his reign of terror. But some of his band, including Frank and Jessie James and Cole and Jim Younger were just beginning their careers of terror and bloodshed.

History Of The National Day Of Prayer

2011-05-03T15:33:00.001-04:00

The National Day of Prayer is May 5, 2011.
Theme: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Verse: I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Psalm 91:2

This year, it is more important to pray for our nation than ever before. In the last week, storms ravaged the South, David Wilkerson died, and Osama Bin Laden died. Muslim terrorists have vowed to retaliate. We need to seek God as our Mighty Fortress.

History of The National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer has been around for a long time. In 1952, Harry S. Truman signed it into law. In 1988, Ronald Reagan designated it as the first Thrusday in May. Every president since Truman has issued a proclamation designating a day of prayer including President Obama.

But the have been days of prayer since the beginning of United States history. The Contenintal Congress called for prayer in 1775 asking the people to pray for wisdom. Abraham Lincoln called for a day of prayer during the Civil War. There have been 135 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States (1789-2009). In fact, 33 presidents have declared a national day of prayer. Four of the presidents who didn’t, died in office.

To find out how you can be a part of the National Day of Prayer, click this link.

Why Jesus Died On The Cross

2011-04-20T13:38:00.000-04:00

This Youtube music video from Nicole Nordeman shows the reason for Jesus dying on the cross.

Featured Book - The Fight of Our Lives

2011-04-11T14:03:00.000-04:00

The Fight Of Our Lives

Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth & Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam

by William J. Bennett & Seth Leibsohn

Book Description:

Want to know the dirty little secret in the war on terror? Some of us have already surrendered.

Since the dreadful events of 9/11, America has waged an international war on terrorism. But are we prepared to win, or are we practicing surrender? We have foiled dozens of terrorist attacks since then. But while the Fort Dix terrorists were stopped, an Islamist terrorist at Fort Hood unleashed hell on American servicemen. Despite Maj. Nidal Hasan’s shouting “Allahu Akbar” as he pulled the trigger, the official Pentagon report refused to mention Islam or use the word Muslim. And said the army chief of staff, “As horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse.” As William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn show, for lack of clarity, conviction, and determination, America is on the verge of declaring preemptive cultural surrender in the war on terror. The Fight of Our Lives will reinvigorate the discussion and embolden those who wish to win the war on terror.

My Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

If we lose the war on terror, it won't be because our enemy is stronger than us or because their cause is just. It will be because we surrender unconditionally rather than fight against the cultural political correctness that preaches diversity at all costs. This book is informative and chilling. If we don't learn the lessons it teaches us about radical Islam, we may very well lose this war. Our enemy doesn't want peace or compromise. Our enemy wants our total destruction. Every American should read this book.

The Dawn Of A Dream by Ann Shorey

2011-03-29T15:04:00.000-04:00

The Dawn of a Dream

by Ann Shorey

Book #3 in At Home In Beldon Grove Series

Available in April, 2011

Description:

Twenty-two-year-old Luellen O'Connell is stunned and confused when her husband of just one month tells her he is leaving her. Deeply wounded by this betrayal, Luellen decides to follow the dream she had set aside of obtaining a teaching degree.

More than anything, she wants to teach children in communities like hers and help them recognize that education opens a path to future possibilities. But her wayward husband left something behind when he abandoned her. Can Luellen overcome the odds and achieve her dream? Can she hide her secret, or will it destroy her dreams forever?

A moving story of tenacity and perseverance in the face of opposition, The Dawn of a Dream will inspire readers to discover and follow their own dreams.

Click here, to enter the Railway Dreams by April 5th.

Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This novel finishes off Ann Shorey's "At Home In Beldon Grove Series". I've enjoyed reading about Molly who wouldn't let being a young widow with four young children stop her and about her brother, Matthew, who fought discouragement during a time of great grief to keep a town and a church together. But I think I like Luellen, Molly's daughter, the best of all. Shorey kept throwing insurmountable odds ins Luellen's direction, and Luellen would not give up. She kept fighting to do what she believed God called her to do. She not only has her mother and uncle's perseverance, she surpasses it. I won't tell you what happens, but this novel will encourage anyone who's had to deal with obstacles blocking their way. Another great novel by Ann Shorey.

The Altar Call

2011-03-23T11:52:00.000-04:00

The altar call, beloved by Christians everywhere, is a relatively new phenomena in church history. Nowhere is it mentioned before the 1820’s. Charles Finney and other evangelists introduced it to the church world during the Second Great Awakening when he travelled as a circuit preacher.

When altar calls were first given, the altar was called an anxiety bench. People from all walks of life would come to the front at the end of the sermon and cry out to God about their sins at the anxiety bench. In the 1860s and 1870s, the word, anxiety bench began to be replaced by the word, altar. By the turn of the century, altars were firmly in place in most evangelical churches.

Don’t be disheartened that altar calls weren’t always around though. God is a God of variety and uses many methods to call His people unto Himself. Methods change, but God never changes. Remember, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and Church Camp have only come about in the last 150 years also, and, like the altar, many lifes have been changed because of them.

The History of St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

Just As I Am

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just As I Am

Charlotte Elliot wrote this hymn in 1835. While visiting friends in London, she met a minister named Cesar Malan. Dr. Malan asked if she was a Christian. Charlotte became offended at the question, but later returned to Dr. Malan and asked how she could come to know Christ. Dr. Malan told her, "Just come as you are." She did come to Christ that day and wrote this beautiful hymn to encourage others to do the same.

The hymn was used countless times through the next century during the invitation to be saved. Only God knows how many have been saved while this hymn was playing in the background.

In 1948, Billy Graham decided to use this hymn in his crusade. He first coined the term "sinner's prayer" and led many in that prayer as they came to know Christ. More than 2.5 million people have come forward to "Just As I Am" and have said the sinner's prayer with Rev. Graham. Last week, Billy Graham celebrated his nintieth birthday.

Lyrics:
Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just a I am; thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Featured Historical Novel: Angel Sister

2011-02-22T13:02:00.000-05:00

Angel Sister

by Ann H. Gabhart

A Little Girl Abandonded on the Church Steps Awaiting her Angel…

“You have to be an angel.” said Lorena. “Why do I have to be an angel?” asked Kate. “Because mommy said that if I sat here and didn’t cry an angel would come and take care of me…” said Lorena.

Description:

It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together during the Great Depression. While her father tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to it, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need?
In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times. Multidimensional characters face real and hard-hitting problems while maintaining their family bonds, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer. Readers will be drawn into the story and find themselves lingering there long after they’ve finished the book.

My Review:

There's a lot to like about this story. The characters are charming and show how God's love and mercy can get us through the most difficult times. First there's Kate Merritt, the spunky fourteen year old that is holding her family together. Then there's her father who is suffering from a tragedy in his past, his father's lack of love for him, and his own emotional baggage from the war. He turns to alcohol to get him through the day but feels guilty about what he's putting his family through. Kate's mother struggles with the load of having an alcholic husband, a judgmental father, and raising three daughters with little money during the Depression. When a abandoned little girl named Lorena enters their lives, she will cause more love, heartache, and redemption causing this troubled family to honestly look at their lives.

The story and subplots are good. So are there characters who I instantly began rooting for even when I was frustrated with them. But this is a very slow moving story and requires more patience than I have to get through it. I admit that's my preference. Many enjoy slow moving stories that enable them to set the book down for periods of time. Those who do, will enjoy this story. But I'm afraid that even with the great storyline and characters, I found it a tad boring.

“Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

The Faith of George Washington

2011-02-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

Throughout history, people have known the founding father of the United States, George Washington was a man of faith. Recently his reputation as a Christian has been tarnished, not because any new documents have been discovered, but because some historians want to prove our founding fathers did not rely upon God. It has become politically incorrect to consider George Washington as any more than a Deist, someone who believes in a distant God who doesn’t interfere with the plans of man.

This theory became popular in 1963, when Professor Paul Boller wrote a book, George Washington and Religion. Professor Boller wrote, “Broadly speaking, of course, Washington can be classified as a Deist.” But the evidence that Washington was more than a Deist is overwhelming. To debunk this theory, Peter A. Lillback wrote a biography based on fifteen years of research called George Washington’s Sacred Fire.

Here’s a few things that prove George Washington had a strong Christian faith in God.

At age thirteen, Washington transcribed and memorized "110 Rules for Young Gentlemen," written by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits in the 1590's. They teach that man is God's servant who lives not for self, but for others. They became part of his character.

When Washington was twenty, he wrote prayers to say each morning and evening. On Sunday mornings he prayed, "...pardon, I beseech Thee, my sins; remove them from Thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept me for the merits of Thy son, Jesus Christ..."

Captain Washington, at the age of twenty-three, was caught in a surprise ambush by the French and Indians near what is now Pittsburgh. Every British and American officer was shot but Washington though he rode back and forth across the battlefield. He later wrote to his brother, "By the all powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation, for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me."

As Commander and Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, on July 2, 1776, General Washington told his troops: "The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance or the most abject submission. We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die."

As Commander and Chief, he pushed for army chaplains and required church attendance among the soldiers.

Seven weeks later, British General Howe had trapped Washington and his 8,000 troops on Brooklyn Heights, ready to crush them the next morning. Washington gathered every vessel from fishing to row boats and spent all night ferrying his army across the East River. By morning many troops were still exposed to the British. This gave the British a chance to win the war. But the fog that almost always lifts from the river in the mornings, that day, stayed thick and covered Washington’s retreat until the entire army escaped.

In 1777 at Valley Forge, a dozen soldiers died a day in the freezing cold. They lacked supplies such as blankets or shoes. A Quaker named Isaac Potts reported seeing Washington on his knees in the snow praying aloud for his beloved country. He thanked God for exalting him to the head of a great nation which was fighting at fearful odds. Potts told his wife, "Till now I have thought that a Christian and a solider were characters incompatible, but if George Washington not be a man of God I am mistaken, and still more I shall be disappointed in God does not through him perform some great thing for this country."

On May 5, 1778 Washington learned the French would join America as allies. The General told his troops, "It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our liberty, and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness..."

While encamped on the banks of a river, Washington was approached by Delaware Indian chiefs who desired that their youth be trained in American schools. In Washington's response, he first told them that "Congress... will look on them as on their own children." That is, we would train their children as if they were our own. He then commended the chiefs for their decision: You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.

In 1781, General Washington's southern army defeated a detachment of British troops. Lord Cornwallis was infuriated and began pursuing the outnumbered Americans. He waited the night at the Catawba River, which the U.S. troops had crossed just two hours earlier. Miraculously, a storm arose during the night causing the river to be uncrossable for five days. Cornwallis nearly overtook Americans at the Yadkin River, but another flood arose, allowing Americans to escape.

The French navy seized control of the Chesapeake Aug. 30, 1781, driving out British ships. Washington rejoiced and besieged Cornwallis' stronghold at Yorktown. With no ships to escape upon, Cornwallis surrendered.

Washington wrote Congress, "I take a particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing Hand of Heaven...has been most conspicuous and remarkable."

During the oath of office, when Washington became president, he chose to take the oath with a Bible.

As president, Washington often spoke on the importance of prayer and signed the first official Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in US history.

It is clear that faith in God was very important to President Washington and that he was a Christian.

Abraham Lincoln - Overcoming Obstacles

2011-02-12T01:26:00.000-05:00

On February 12, some states will celebrate Abraham Lincoln birthday. Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president the United States ever had. Among his accomplishments, he kept the nation together during the Civil War, and he freed the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation. During his presidency, there was a lot of controversy about every decision he made and every speech he delivered. The constant criticism and barrage of attacks made it unlikely this president would be remembered fondly, let alone become one of our most beloved presidents. But he did.

Lincoln confronted obstacles, not only in his presidency, but throughout his entire life. In fact, when you look at his road to the White House, it’s incredible that he ever became president. But he overcame every obstacle presented to him.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a one-room log cabin, located on a farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky (a state that permitted slavery at the time). When he was only nine years old, his mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died. A year later, his father, Thomas Lincoln, remarried a woman named Sarah Bush, who had a tremendous influence on the young Abraham Lincoln.

To support his family, Abraham had to work at a neighboring farm. Working denied him the opportunity to go to school, so the total amount of formal education he received was less than one year. He read a variety of books and educated himself until he became a lawyer.

He started a law practice that failed in 1831. In 1832, he applied for law school but didn’t get in. Then he lost his job.

Lincoln wanted to make a difference, so he entered politics. He ran for Illinois House of Representatives in 1832 and lost miserably, eighth out of thirteen running. But Lincoln didn’t give up. He decided that to influence the government to change, he would have to become President of the United States. That became his lifelong goal.

In 1833, he started a business that failed. He went bankrupt and spent the next seventeen years paying back his debt.

Finally in 1834, Lincoln ran for and won a seat in the Illinois Legislature. He served a four-year term, and he soon developed a reputation as a capable and honest politician.

In 1835, Lincoln fell in love and was engaged to be married. His fiancé died leaving him with a broken heart. After all these setbacks, he had a nervous breakdown in 1836 and spent six months in bed. But even depression couldn’t defeat him.

In 1836, Lincoln won an election to Congress. It was during this time that he took an unpopular stand against President James K. Polk regarding the Mexican War. Abraham thought the war was unjust. Because Lincoln's viewpoints were so different from many other government officials, he became unpopular among them. In 1838, he ran for and lost the office of speaker of the Illinois Legislature and in 1840 lost an election for elector. In 1843, 1846, and 1848, he ran for and lost elections for Congress.

During this time, on November 4, 1842, he married Mary Todd Edwards, and they had four children over the next 12 years. Only one of them survived until adulthood.

In 1849, Lincoln took the next five years off from politics and focused on his law practice and ran for a Land Office position in his hometown which he lost. He encountered more business setbacks. But again, he persisted, and did not let failures discourage him.

In 1854, he returned to the political arena. One of the first things he did was to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which threatened to extend slavery to other states saying “A house divided against itself cannot stand. This nation cannot long endure being half slave and half free.”

In 1855, he ran for the Senate but was defeated. The next year he went after the Vice Presidency position, and was also defeated only receiving 100 votes. In 1858, he lost an election for the US Senate.

He Pressed On!

In 1860, Lincoln's years of persistence and hard work paid off when he was elected the 16th President of the United States.

History of Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

2011-02-08T01:20:00.000-05:00

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday is celebrated on February 12th in the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, and New York. It is combined with George Washington’s Birthday and celebrated as President’s Day in Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809 and moved to Indiana before settling in Illinois. He grew up to become the sixteenth president of the United States. As president, he kept the nation together during the Civil War. In 1865, he became the first president to be assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth.

It has been recorded that Lincoln’s Birthday was first celebrated as a holiday in 1866, one year after his death.

Various museums and monuments are dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. Also paintings, drawings, statues and photographs, have been created in Lincoln’s image and preserved to honor him.

Some examples include:

• Lincoln’s likeness on Mount Rushmore
• Lincoln’s portrait on the American five dollar bill.
• The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.
• Daniel Chester French’s sculpture inside the Lincoln Memorial.
• The Lincoln stamp issued in 1965.
• The Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois.

Lincoln’s death made him a martyr in the eyes of many Americans, and many polls have ranked Lincoln as one of the greatest presidents in United States history.

In 2009, many celebrated Lincoln's 200th birthday. Here's a video of the celebration in Springfield, Illinois.

The History of Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

In the 1700’s, German settlers moved to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. They brought with them a tradition know as Candlemas Day. It came at the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition held that if the weather was fair, the second half of Winter would be stormy and cold.
For the early Christians in Europe, it was the custom on Candlemas Day for clergy to bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of winter. A lighted candle was placed in each window of the home.

The day's weather continued to be important. If the sun came out February 2, halfway between Winter and Spring, it meant six more weeks of wintry weather.
The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College:
February 4, 1841 - from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary..."Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."
If the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of winter. Germans watched a badger for the shadow. In Pennsylvania, the groundhog, upon waking from mid-Winter hibernation, was selected as the replacement.

Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 2nd, 1886 with a proclamation in The Punxsutawney Spirit by the newspaper's editor, Clymer Freas: "Today is Groundhog Day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow."

The groundhog was given the name "Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary''.

Punxsutawney Phil became famous throughout the United States when Bill Murray starred in the movie, "Groundhog Day" in 1993.

Official Site of the Groundhog Club

Old English Saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Scotland Saying:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

German Saying:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.
For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.

American Saying:

If the sun shines on Groundhog Day;
Half the fuel and half the hay.

Hymn - Amazing Grace

2011-01-26T01:00:00.000-05:00

The hymn, Amazing Grace, was written by clergyman John Newton and published in 1779. Newton as a young man was pressed into service in the British Navy. He deserted and was captured and flogged. He lived a life of depravity and sin, sometimes wanting to commit murder, sometimes suicide. He ended up working as a sailor on slave ships.

One night, when he was 23 years old, his ship was in a severe storm, and he cried out to God for mercy. It took a few years for his conversion to be complete. During that time, he became a captain on a slave ship. After an illness he finally married, gave up a life at sea, and studied theology. In 1764, he was ordained and began to write poems and songs. Amazing Grace was written to illustrate a New Year's Eve Service. The tune it was set to might have been a folk song, a barroom song, or a tune he'd heard from the slaves. The original name of the song was Faith's View and Expectation.

Original Lyrics:

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Added Verse:

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Then when we first begun.

History of Epiphany

2011-01-05T01:00:00.000-05:00

Epiphany means "to show", "to make known", or "to reveal" and is the Christian festival day celebrating the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. In some Latin and European countries, it's also know as Three Kings' Day. Epiphany is mostly celebrated by Eastern Orthodox churches.

Epiphany is the climax of the Advent/Christmas Season. The Twelve Days of Christmas are counted beginning the evening of December 25th until the morning of January 6th. Some churches and cultures celebrate by baking of a special King's Cake as part of the festivities.

In Western churches, Epiphany remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents.

Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the child Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.

Quiz About the Wise Men: (answers at the end)

There were three wise men.
The wise men were kings from far off lands.
The wise men followed a star to find a new king that was born.
The wise men visited Jesus in the manger the night he was born.
The wise men brought gifts because they always gave gifts to new babies.

Answers:

false - The Bible doesn't say how many wise men there were.
fase - The wise men were from the East, but the Bible doesn't say they were kings.
true - The wise men were astrologers who looked for signs in the sky. The new star told them a king was born.
false - The wise men visited Jesus in a house. They told King Herod they first saw the star two years earlier. Jesus might have been up to two years old at the time.
false - The wise men brought gifts to honor the new king. The gifts they brought were meant for royalty.

The Bible Account:

Matthew 2:1-23 (NKJV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.”

Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Auld Lang Syne

2010-12-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

Auld Lang Syne is the song that will be sung across the world at midnight on December 31st to ring in the New Year. Auld Lang Syne means "old long ago", or "the good old days".

History:

Auld Lang Syne was a song sung in the 1700's. Nobody know for sure who all wrote it, but it was at least partially written by Robert Burns. It was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition.

Guy Lombardo, a famous bandleader, made the song a popular tune for ringing in the new year. Starting in 1929, he had annual radio and television broadcasts that played the song as the clock struck midnight.

The song was known to be sung before that to celebrate the new year. In 1896, it was sung a a holiday party in Massachutes, and 1910, it was sung at a New Year's celebration at St. Paul's Church in London.

Burn's Scottish Lyrics:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We twa hae paidl’d i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
and gie's a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

Modern Lyrics
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
and surely I’ll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

History and Traditions of New Years Day

2010-12-28T18:00:00.000-05:00

The new year began in March in the American colonies until 1752 when the British Empire adopted the Gregorian Calendar which started the new year on January 1st. Here are a few New Year's Day traditions.

New Year's Resolutions: The first New Year's Resolutions started with the Babylonians in 4000 BC. The Romans adopted the tradition when in 153 BC, the head of Janus, the mythical Roman emperor, was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year. In the first century, early Christians used the first day of the year to reflect on ways to improve and make vows or resolutions before God for the coming year.

Tounament of Roses Parade: This parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Times Square Celebration: The first Ball Lowering celebration atop One Times Square was held on December 31, 1907 and is now a worldwide symbol of the turn of the New Year, seen via satellite by more than one billion people each year. The original New Year's Eve Ball weighed 700 pounds and was 5 feet in diameter. It was made of iron and wood and was decorated with 100 25-watt light bulbs.

Baby: The tradition of using a baby to signify the new year was begun in Greece around 600 BC as a symbol of the rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.

Although early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position. The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the new year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

New Years Eve Parties: Parties became a tradition because it was believed the first visitor of the New Year brought either good luck or bad luck. A tall dark stranger was supposed to bring the best luck. Also it was believed that whatever happened the first few minutes of the new year set the tone for the rest of the year. Because of this, people wanted to spend the time with their family and friends.

Foods: Certain foods are considered good luck to eat on New Year's Day. Black-eyed peas are eaten in the South in the United States. The German tradition is to eat pork and sourkraut. The Dutch tradition is to eat cabbage.

History Of Saint Nicholas

2010-12-13T18:32:00.001-05:00

Santa Claus is a legend loved by millions of children throughout the centuries. While the story of Santa Claus is a myth told to illustrate the spirit of giving at Christmastime, there was a real man named Saint Nicholas.

Nicholas was born in the third century in the village of Patara. When he was born, Patara was a part of Greece. Now it’s located in Turkey. His parents were rich and raised him to be a Christian, but they died when he was young.

He used up his inheritance caring for the needy, the sick, and the suffering. When he was a little still a young man, he was appointed as bishop of Myra and became well known for his generosity to the needy, his love of children, and his care for sailors.

One story tells about three dowerless girls. In that time, girls whose fathers were too poor to provide dowries often had to be sold into slavery. On these three occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home providing enough for the dowries. People suspected Saint Nicholas of leaving the gifts. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

The Roman Emperor, Diocletian, persecuted the church. Nicholas was exiled and imprisoned in a prison that was so full of Christians, it didn’t have room for criminals. Eventually he was released and returned to Myra and attended the council of Nicaea in 625.

Nicholas died on December 6, 643. A substance grew on his grave called manna that was reported to heal people. Since then, December 6 has been known as Saint Nicholas Day.

The History of the Christmas Tree

2010-12-07T17:00:00.000-05:00

There are many misconceptions about the history of the Christmas tree. Some believe it started during the Winter Solstice when Druids worshipped trees. But from the beginning, Christmas trees have been used as Christian symbols to teach about Christ.

The Upside Down Fir Tree

During the 7th century, a monk from Devonshire spent time there preaching the word of God. He used the triangular shape of the Fir tree to teach about the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. By the 12th century, the Fir tree was hung upside down from ceilings in Central Europe as a symbol of Christianity at Christmas time.

Boniface and Thor's Oak

St. Boniface became a missionary to the Germans in the 700's A.D where he encountered Druids who worshiped trees. To stop their sacrifices at their sacred Donar Oak near Geismar, St. Boniface chopped the tree down in 725 A.D. With one mighty blow, Saint Boniface felled the massive oak, and as the tree split, a beautiful young fir tree sprang from its center. Saint Boniface told the people that this lovely evergreen, with its branches pointing to heaven, was indeed a holy tree, the tree of the Christ Child, a symbol of His promise of eternal life. He instructed them to carry the evergreen from the wilderness into their homes and to surround it with gifts, symbols of love and kindness.

The Paradise Tree

From the eleventh Century, religious plays called "Mystery Plays" including the popular Paradise Play depicting the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and thier banishment from Eden. An evergreen tree was used for this winter festival and decorated with apples symbolizing the forbidden fruit. The play ended with the promise of the coming Savior. Wafers were also hung from the tree symbolizing the forgiveness of sins in communion making it now not just the tree of knowledge but also the tree of life. This resulted in a very old European custom of decorating a fir tree in the home with apples and small white wafers representing the Holy Eucharist at Christmas time. These wafers were later replaced by little pieces of pastry cut in the shapes of stars, angels, hearts, flowers, and bells. In some areas the custom, was still to hang the tree upside down.

In addition to the paradise tree, many German Christians set up a Christmas Pyramid called a Lichstock - a open wooden frame with shelves for figurines of the Nativity covered with evergreen branches and decorated with candy, pastry, candles, and a star. The star represented the star of Bethlehem, the candles represented the light of Christ coming into the world, the evergreens were the symbol of eternal life, and the candy, fruits, and pastries, the goodness of our life in Christ, the fruits of the spirit, etc. By the seventeenth century the Lichstock and the "Paradise Tree" became merged into the modern Christmas tree.

Luther's Christmas Tree

There is a popular tradition that Martin Luther was walking on a bright snow-covered, star-lit night pondering the birth of Christ. Enthralled by the evergreen trees, the stars and the landscape, he took a tree inside and put candles on it to represent the majesty he felt about Christ's birth as Jesus came down from the stars to bring us eternal life.

Featured Novel Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith

2010-11-29T20:10:00.001-05:00

Abigail

The Wives of King David Series Book #2

by Jill Eileen Smith

Turmoil marked her life – what price must she pay for love?

Description:

What price must she pay for true love?

Her days marked by turmoil and faded dreams, Abigail has resigned herself to a life with a man she does not love. When her husband Nabal’s foolish pride angers David and his men, she boldly steps forward to save her family—and David, the would-be king, takes notice.

Circumstances offer Abigail a second chance at happiness with the handsome David, and she takes a leap of faith to join his wandering tribe. But her struggles are far from over. How can she share his love with the other women he insists on marrying?

Abigail follows the bestselling Michal and continues Jill Eileen Smith’s rich story of David’s wives.

My Review: 5 Stars

If you want the people of the Bible, particularly King David and his wife Abigail, to come to life as flesh and blood people who live, love, and make mistakes like we do, you can't go wrong by reading the novel, Abigail. Abigail is the second novel Jill Eileen Smith wrote about some of the wives of David. I loved the first novel, Michel, and wondered if the author could write as compelling a story about Abigail. She has exceeded my expectations.

Abigail is a woman who wants to serve God but has been frustrated by what life has thrown her. She is married to an abusive man and can see no way out. But when her husband suddenly dies, she's approached by David, the man Samuel anointed as king. She follows her heart and marry David. But life doesn't get any easier when you're on the run with a future king. But it's even worse to share the man you love with other women.

Any woman who wants to honor God but has been frustrated with the men in her life or who has been thrown some curves will relate to this wonderful story. I highly recommend it and can't wait to read Jill Eileen Smith's next novel about the life of Bathsheeba.

History of the Pilgrims and Puritans

2010-11-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is coming soon. There are many facts about America’s spiritual heritage ingrained in the Pilgrims and Puritans. These are some of the facts that children are not taught in school.

Most children are taught that pilgrims came to America to flee religious persecution. That’s not exactly true. Pilgrims and Puritans were persecuted for believing that Christians could have a personal relationship with Jesus separate from the Church of England. But they traveled to Holland to flee the persecution, not America.

So why did they travel to America? There were many reasons, but the main reason is they felt compelled by God to come to America and establish a colony of people that honored God. Many called this colony, New Jerusalem, believing that God had established this new land to spread the gospel to the world. William Bradford wrote in his journal that the motivation came from "a great hope for advancing the kingdom of Christ."

Pilgrims and Puritans were not the same. Pilgrims were separatists who believed they should separate themselves for the Church of England and the world systems. Puritans believed in working within the system. When they came to America, Puritans wished to set up the government so that religious freedom of expression would be established. Pilgrims wanted freedom of religion so they were free to worship without fear of persecution. Both Pilgrims and Puritans wanted freedom of religion to protect the church from the government, not to protect the government from the church.

Many schools teach that Thanksgiving was a secular celebration. But letters written by the Pilgrims tell a different story. God was such a part of their everyday life that they included God in everything. One such letter states that Thanksgiving was a celebration called so that “God be praised” for what He had brought them through.

John Winthrop called New England a City on a Hill in one of his sermon. He, as well as many other Puritans and Pilgrims, believed they had made a covenant with God to be a new nation that was a model of Christianity to the world. William Bradford believed that America was called to spread the gospel to the world. Since the Pilgrims and Puritans came to America, the United States of America has sent missionaries to more nations and more remote places in the world than any other nation on Earth. Could it be they were right?

National Bible Week

2010-11-22T07:19:00.000-05:00

The National Bible Society has declared Sunday, November 21st through Sunday, November 28th as National Bible Week.

The first year of National Bible Week was 1941. Bible reading was broadcast on NBC Radio. It was interrupted by the announcement of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The radio station was encouraging to continue the Bible reading in between news reports.

According to the National Bible Society:

National Bible Association’s signature event has been celebrated the week of Thanksgiving every year since 1941. Our goal is to raise awareness of the Bible’s importance and relevance to our nation as a whole, as well as in the lives of individuals.

The National Bible Society encourages churches, communities, and government to get involved by holding public readings of the Bible. You can click here to find out more about this event.

Psalm 119 (New Living Translation

Published by Tyndale

Aleph1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
  and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
  and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
  to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
  reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
  when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
  I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
  Please don't give up on me!
Beth
9 How can a young person stay pure?
  By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
  don't let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
  that I might not sin against you.
12 I praise you, O LORD;
  teach me your decrees.
13 I have recited aloud
  all the regulations you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your laws
  as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments
  and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees
  and not forget your word.
Gimel
17 Be good to your servant,
  that I may live and obey your word.
18 Open my eyes to see
  the wonderful truths in your instructions.
19 I am only a foreigner in the land.
  Don't hide your commands from me!
20 I am always overwhelmed
  with a desire for your regulations.
21 You rebuke the arrogant;
  those who wander from your commands are cursed.
22 Don't let them scorn and insult me,
  for I have obeyed your laws.
23 Even princes sit and speak against me,
  but I will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your laws please me;
  they give me wise advice.
Daleth
25 I lie in the dust;
  revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
  Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
  and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
  encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
  give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
  I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
  LORD, don't let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
  for you expand my understanding.
He
33 Teach me your decrees, O LORD;
  I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
  I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
  for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws
  rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
  and give me life through your word.*
38 Reassure me of your promise,
  made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
  for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
  Renew my life with your goodness.
Waw
41 LORD, give me your unfailing love,
  the salvation that you promised me.
42 Then I can answer those who taunt me,
  for I trust in your word.
43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
  for your regulations are my only hope.
44 I will keep on obeying your instructions
  forever and ever.
45 I will walk in freedom,
  for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
46 I will speak to kings about your laws,
  and I will not be ashamed.
47 How I delight in your commands!
  How I love them!
48 I honor and love your commands.
  I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
49 Remember your promise to me;
  it is my only hope.
50 Your promise revives me;
  it comforts me in all my troubles.
51 The proud hold me in utter contempt,
  but I do not turn away from your instructions.
52 I meditate on your age-old regulations;
  O LORD, they comfort me.
53 I become furious with the wicked,
  because they reject your instructions.
54 Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
  wherever I have lived.
55 I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD;
  therefore, I obey your instructions.
56 This is how I spend my life:
  obeying your commandments.
Heth
57 LORD, you are mine!
  I promise to obey your words!
58 With all my heart I want your blessings.
  Be merciful as you promised.
59 I pondered the direction of my life,
  and I turned to follow your laws.
60 I will hurry, without delay,
  to obey your commands.
61 Evil people try to drag me into sin,
  but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
62 I rise at midnight to thank you
  for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
  anyone who obeys your commandments.
64 O LORD, your unfailing love fills the earth;
  teach me your decrees.
Teth
65 You have done many good things for me, LORD,
  just as you promised.
66 I believe in your commands;
  now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
  but now I closely follow your word.
68 You are good and do only good;
  teach me your decrees.
69 Arrogant people smear me with lies,
  but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are dull and stupid,
  but I delight in your instructions.
71 My suffering was good for me,
  for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
72 Your instructions are more valuable to me
  than millions in gold and silver.
Yodh
73 You made me; you created me.
  Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
  for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O LORD, that your regulations are fair;
  you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
  just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
  for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
  meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
  with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
  then I will never be ashamed.
Kaph
81 I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
  but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
  When will you comfort me?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
  but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84 How long must I wait?
  When will you punish those who persecute me?
85 These arrogant people who hate your instructions
  have dug deep pits to trap me.
86 All your commands are trustworthy.
  Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
87 They almost finished me off,
  but I refused to abandon your commandments.
88 In your unfailing love, spare my life;
  then I can continue to obey your laws.
Lamedh
89 Your eternal word, O LORD,
  stands firm in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
  as enduring as the earth you created.
91 Your regulations remain true to this day,
  for everything serves your plans.
92 If your instructions hadn't sustained me with joy,
  I would have died in my misery.
93 I will never forget your commandments,
  for by them you give me life.
94 I am yours; rescue me!
  For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
  I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
96 Even perfection has its limits,
  but your commands have no limit.
Mem
97 Oh, how I love your instructions!
  I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
  for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
  for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders,
  for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path,
  so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven't turned away from your regulations,
  for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me;
  they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding;
  no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
  and a light for my path.
106 I've promised it once, and I'll promise it again:
  I will obey your righteous regulations.
107 I have suffered much, O LORD;
  restore my life again as you promised.
108 LORD, accept my offering of praise,
  and teach me your regulations.
109 My life constantly hangs in the balance,
  but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
110 The wicked have set their traps for me,
  but I will not turn from your commandments.
111 Your laws are my treasure;
  they are my heart's delight.
112 I am determined to keep your decrees
  to the very end.
Samekh
113 I hate those with divided loyalties,
  but I love your instructions.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
  your word is my source of hope.
115 Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
  for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
116 LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
  Do not let my hope be crushed.
117 Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
  then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
118 But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
  They are only fooling themselves.
119 You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
  no wonder I love to obey your laws!
120 I tremble in fear of you;
  I stand in awe of your regulations.
Ayin
121 Don't leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
  for I have done what is just and right.
122 Please guarantee a blessing for me.
  Don't let the arrogant oppress me!
123 My eyes strain to see your rescue,
  to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
124 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
  and teach me your decrees.
125 Give discernment to me, your servant;
  then I will understand your laws.
126 LORD, it is time for you to act,
  for these evil people have violated your instructions.
127 Truly, I love your commands
  more than gold, even the finest gold.
128 Each of your commandments is right.
  That is why I hate every false way.
Pe
129 Your laws are wonderful.
  No wonder I obey them!
130 The teaching of your word gives light,
  so even the simple can understand.
131 I pant with expectation,
  longing for your commands.
132 Come and show me your mercy,
  as you do for all who love your name.
133 Guide my steps by your word,
  so I will not be overcome by evil.
134 Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
  then I can obey your commandments.
135 Look upon me with love;
  teach me your decrees.
136 Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
  because people disobey your instructions.
Tsadhe
137 O LORD, you are righteous,
  and your regulations are fair.
138 Your laws are perfect
  and completely trustworthy.
139 I am overwhelmed with indignation,
  for my enemies have disregarded your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
  that is why I love them so much.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
  but I don't forget your commandments.
142 Your justice is eternal,
  and your instructions are perfectly true.
143 As pressure and stress bear down on me,
  I find joy in your commands.
144 Your laws are always right;
  help me to understand them so I may live.
Qoph
145 I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD!
  I will obey your decrees.
146 I cry out to you; rescue me,
  that I may obey your laws.
147 I rise early, before the sun is up;
  I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
148 I stay awake through the night,
  thinking about your promise.
149 In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry;
  let me be revived by following your regulations.
150 Lawless people are coming to attack me;
  they live far from your instructions.
151 But you are near, O LORD,
  and all your commands are true.
152 I have known from my earliest days
  that your laws will last forever.
Resh
153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
  for I have not forgotten your instructions.
154 Argue my case; take my side!
  Protect my life as you promised.
155 The wicked are far from rescue,
  for they do not bother with your decrees.
156 LORD, how great is your mercy;
  let me be revived by following your regulations.
157 Many persecute and trouble me,
  yet I have not swerved from your laws.
158 Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
  because they care nothing for your word.
159 See how I love your commandments, LORD.
  Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
160 The very essence of your words is truth;
  all your just regulations will stand forever.
Shin
161 Powerful people harass me without cause,
  but my heart trembles only at your word.
162 I rejoice in your word
  like one who discovers a great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor all falsehood,
  but I love your instructions.
164 I will praise you seven times a day
  because all your regulations are just.
165 Those who love your instructions have great peace
  and do not stumble.
166 I long for your rescue, LORD,
  so I have obeyed your commands.
167 I have obeyed your laws,
  for I love them very much.
168 Yes, I obey your commandments and laws
  because you know everything I do.
Taw
169 O LORD, listen to my cry;
  give me the discerning mind you promised.
170 Listen to my prayer;
  rescue me as you promised.
171 Let praise flow from my lips,
  for you have taught me your decrees.
172 Let my tongue sing about your word,
  for all your commands are right.
173 Give me a helping hand,
  for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
174 O LORD, I have longed for your rescue,
  and your instructions are my delight.
175 Let me live so I can praise you,
  and may your regulations help me.
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
  come and find me,
  for I have not forgotten your commands.

United States of America: A City On A Hill

2010-11-15T03:24:00.004-05:00

In 1630, John Winthrop sailed to Massachusetts on the ship, Arbella. During this time, he preached a sermon where he described America as “a city on a hill”. For many years, his message was in school textbooks.

The entire sermon is worth reading. The passage most people remember from the sermon is this:

For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.

In the 1980’s, Ronald Reagan referred to “a city on a hill” throughout his term as president.

Here’s the sermon John Winthrop preached in its entirety:

GOD ALMIGHTY in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.

The Reason hereof:

1st Reason. First to hold conformity with the rest of His world, being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of His power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole, and the glory of His greatness, that as it is the glory of princes to have many officers, so this great king will have many stewards, counting himself more honored in dispensing his gifts to man by man, than if he did it by his own immediate hands.

2nd Reason. Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his Spirit: first upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate, in exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance etc., and in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience etc.

3rd Reason. Thirdly, that every man might have need of others, and from hence they might be all knit more nearly together in the bonds of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more honorable than another or more wealthy etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his Creator and the common good of the creature, man. Therefore God still reserves the property of these gifts to Himself as Ezek. 16:17, He there calls wealth, His gold and His silver, and Prov. 3:9, He claims their service as His due, "Honor the Lord with thy riches," etc. --- All men being thus (by divine providence) ranked into two sorts, rich and poor; under the first are comprehended all such as are able to live comfortably by their own means duly improved; and all others are poor according to the former distribution.

There are two rules whereby we are to walk one towards another: Justice and Mercy. These are always distinguished in their act and in their object, yet may they both concur in the same subject in each respect; as sometimes there may be an occasion of showing mercy to a rich man in some sudden danger or distress, and also doing of mere justice to a poor man in regard of some particular contract, etc.

There is likewise a double Law by which we are regulated in our conversation towards another. In both the former respects, the Law of Nature and the Law of Grace (that is, the moral law or the law of the gospel) to omit the rule of justice as not properly belonging to this purpose otherwise than it may fall into consideration in some particular cases. By the first of these laws, man as he was enabled so withal is commanded to love his neighbor as himself. Upon this ground stands all the precepts of the moral law, which concerns our dealings with men. To apply this to the works of mercy, this law requires two things. First, that every man afford his help to another in every want or distress.

Secondly, that he perform this out of the same affection which makes him careful of his own goods, according to the words of our Savior (from Matthew 7:12), whatsoever ye would that men should do to you. This was practiced by Abraham and Lot in entertaining the angels and the old man of Gibea. The law of Grace or of the Gospel hath some difference from the former (the law of nature), as in these respects: First, the law of nature was given to man in the estate of innocence. This of the Gospel in the estate of regeneracy. Secondly, the former propounds one man to another, as the same flesh and image of God. This as a brother in Christ also, and in the communion of the same Spirit, and so teacheth to put a difference between Christians and others. Do good to all, especially to the household of faith. Upon this ground the Israelites were to put a difference between the brethren of such as were strangers, though not of the Canaanites.

Thirdly, the Law of Nature would give no rules for dealing with enemies, for all are to be considered as friends in the state of innocence, but the Gospel commands love to an enemy. Proof: If thine enemy hunger, feed him; "Love your enemies... Do good to them that hate you" (Matt. 5:44).

This law of the Gospel propounds likewise a difference of seasons and occasions. There is a time when a Christian must sell all and give to the poor, as they did in the Apostles’ times. There is a time also when Christians (though they give not all yet) must give beyond their ability, as they of Macedonia (2 Cor. 8). Likewise, community of perils calls for extraordinary liberality, and so doth community in some special service for the church.

Lastly, when there is no other means whereby our Christian brother may be relieved in his distress, we must help him beyond our ability rather than tempt God in putting him upon help by miraculous or extraordinary means. This duty of mercy is exercised in the kinds: giving, lending and forgiving (of a debt).

Question: What rule shall a man observe in giving in respect of the measure?

Answer: If the time and occasion be ordinary he is to give out of his abundance. Let him lay aside as God hath blessed him. If the time and occasion be extraordinary, he must be ruled by them; taking this withal, that then a man cannot likely do too much, especially if he may leave himself and his family under probable means of comfortable subsistence.

Objection: A man must lay up for posterity, the fathers lay up for posterity and children, and he is worse than an infidel that provideth not for his own.

Answer: For the first, it is plain that it being spoken by way of comparison, it must be meant of the ordinary and usual course of fathers, and cannot extend to times and occasions extraordinary. For the other place the Apostle speaks against such as walked inordinately, and it is without question, that he is worse than an infidel who through his own sloth and voluptuousness shall neglect to provide for his family.

Objection: "The wise man's eyes are in his head," saith Solomon, "and foreseeth the plague;" therefore he must forecast and lay up against evil times when he or his may stand in need of all he can gather.

Answer: This very Argument Solomon useth to persuade to liberality (Eccle. 11), "Cast thy bread upon the waters...for thou knowest not what evil may come upon the land." Luke 16:9, "Make you friends of the riches of iniquity..." You will ask how this shall be? Very well. For first he that gives to the poor, lends to the Lord and He will repay him even in this life an hundredfold to him or his. The righteous is ever merciful and lendeth, and his seed enjoyeth the blessing; and besides we know what advantage it will be to us in the day of account when many such witnesses shall stand forth for us to witness the improvement of our talent. And I would know of those who plead so much for laying up for time to come, whether they hold that to be Gospel Matthew 6:19, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth," etc. If they acknowledge it, what extent will they allow it? If only to those primitive times, let them consider the reason whereupon our Savior grounds it. The first is that they are subject to the moth, the rust, the thief.

Secondly, they will steal away the heart: "where the treasure is there will your heart be also."

The reasons are of like force at all times. Therefore the exhortation must be general and perpetual, with always in respect of the love and affection to riches and in regard of the things themselves when any special service for the church or particular distress of our brother do call for the use of them; otherwise it is not only lawful but necessary to lay up as Joseph did to have ready upon such occasions, as the Lord (whose stewards we are of them) shall call for them from us. Christ gives us an instance of the first, when he sent his disciples for the donkey, and bids them answer the owner thus, "the Lord hath need of him." So when the Tabernacle was to be built, He sends to His people to call for their silver and gold, etc., and yields no other reason but that it was for His work. When Elisha comes to the widow of Sareptah and finds her preparing to make ready her pittance for herself and family, he bids her first provide for him, he challenges first God's part which she must first give before she must serve her own family. All these teach us that the Lord looks that when He is pleased to call for His right in any thing we have, our own interest we have must stand aside till His turn be served. For the other, we need look no further then to that of 1 John 3:17, "He who hath this world's goods and seeth his brother to need and shuts up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Which comes punctually to this conclusion: If thy brother be in want and thou canst help him, thou needst not make doubt of what thou shouldst do; if thou lovest God thou must help him.

Question: What rule must we observe in lending?

Answer: Thou must observe whether thy brother hath present or probable or possible means of repaying thee, if there be none of those, thou must give him according to his necessity, rather then lend him as he requires (requests). If he hath present means of repaying thee, thou art to look at him not as an act of mercy, but by way of commerce, wherein thou art to walk by the rule of justice; but if his means of repaying thee be only probable or possible, then he is an object of thy mercy, thou must lend him, though there be danger of losing it. (Deut. 15:7-8): "If any of thy brethren be poor ... thou shalt lend him sufficient." That men might not shift off this duty by the apparent hazard, He tells them that though the year of Jubilee were at hand (when he must remit it, if he were not able to repay it before), yet he must lend him, and that cheerfully. It may not grieve thee to give him, saith He. And because some might object, why so I should soon impoverish myself and my family, he adds, with all thy work, etc., for our Savior said (Matt. 5:42), "From him that would borrow of thee turn not away."

Question: What rule must we observe in forgiving (a debt)?

Answer: Whether thou didst lend by way of commerce or in mercy, if he hath nothing to pay thee, thou must forgive, (except in cause where thou hast a surety or a lawful pledge). Deut. 15:1-2 --- Every seventh year the creditor was to quit that which he lent to his brother if he were poor, as appears in verse 4. "Save when there shall be no poor with thee." In all these and like cases, Christ gives a general rule (Matt. 7:12), "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye the same to them."

Question: What rule must we observe and walk by in cause of community of peril?

Answer: The same as before, but with more enlargement towards others and less respect towards ourselves and our own right. Hence it was that in the primitive Church they sold all, had all things in common, neither did any man say that which he possessed was his own. Likewise in their return out of the captivity, because the work was great for the restoring of the church and the danger of enemies was common to all, Nehemiah directs the Jews to liberality and readiness in remitting their debts to their brethren, and disposing liberally to such as wanted, and stand not upon their own dues which they might have demanded of them. Thus did some of our forefathers in times of persecution in England, and so did many of the faithful of other churches, whereof we keep an honorable remembrance of them; and it is to be observed that both in Scriptures and latter stories of the churches that such as have been most bountiful to the poor saints, especially in those extraordinary times and occasions, God hath left them highly commended to posterity, as Zaccheus, Cornelius, Dorcas, Bishop Hooper, the Cutler of Brussels and divers others. Observe again that the Scripture gives no caution to restrain any from being over liberal this way; but all men to the liberal and cheerful practice hereof by the sweeter promises; as to instance one for many (Isaiah 58:6-9) "Is not this the fast I have chosen to loose the bonds of wickedness, to take off the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke ... to deal thy bread to the hungry and to bring the poor that wander into thy house, when thou seest the naked to cover them ... and then shall thy light brake forth as the morning and thy health shall grow speedily, thy righteousness shall go before God, and the glory of the Lord shalt embrace thee; then thou shall call and the Lord shall answer thee," etc. And from Ch. 2:10 (??) "If thou pour out thy soul to the hungry, then shall thy light spring out in darkness, and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in draught, and make fat thy bones, thou shalt be like a watered garden, and they shalt be of thee that shall build the old waste places," etc. On the contrary most heavy curses are laid upon such as are straightened towards the Lord and his people (Judg. 5:23), "Curse ye Meroshe ... because they came not to help the Lord." He who shutteth his ears from hearing the cry of the poor, he shall cry and shall not be heard." (Matt. 25) "Go ye cursed into everlasting fire," etc. "I was hungry and ye fed me not." (2 Cor. 9:6) "He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly."

Having already set forth the practice of mercy according to the rule of God's law, it will be useful to lay open the grounds of it also, being the other part of the Commandment and that is the affection from which this exercise of mercy must arise, the Apostle tells us that this love is the fulfilling of the law, not that it is enough to love our brother and so no further; but in regard of the excellency of his parts giving any motion to the other as the soul to the body and the power it hath to set all the faculties at work in the outward exercise of this duty; as when we bid one make the clock strike, he doth not lay hand on the hammer, which is the immediate instrument of the sound, but sets on work the first mover or main wheel; knowing that will certainly produce the sound which he intends. So the way to draw men to the works of mercy, is not by force of Argument from the goodness or necessity of the work; for though this cause may enforce, a rational mind to some present act of mercy, as is frequent in experience, yet it cannot work such a habit in a soul, as shall make it prompt upon all occasions to produce the same effect, but by framing these affections of love in the heart which will as naturally bring forth the other, as any cause doth produce the effect.

The definition which the Scripture gives us of love is this: Love is the bond of perfection. First it is a bond or ligament. Secondly, it makes the work perfect. There is no body but consists of parts and that which knits these parts together, gives the body its perfection, because it makes each part so contiguous to others as thereby they do mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain. To instance in the most perfect of all bodies: Christ and his Church make one body. The several parts of this body considered a part before they were united, were as disproportionate and as much disordering as so many contrary qualities or elements, but when Christ comes, and by his spirit and love knits all these parts to himself and each to other, it is become the most perfect and best proportioned body in the world (Eph. 4:15-16). Christ, by whom all the body being knit together by every joint for the furniture thereof, according to the effectual power which is in the measure of every perfection of parts, a glorious body without spot or wrinkle; the ligaments hereof being Christ, or his love, for Christ is love (1 John 4:8). So this definition is right. Love is the bond of perfection.

From hence we may frame these conclusions:

First of all, true Christians are of one body in Christ (1 Cor. 12). Ye are the body of Christ and members of their part. All the parts of this body being thus united are made so contiguous in a special relation as they must needs partake of each other's strength and infirmity; joy and sorrow, weal and woe. If one member suffers, all suffer with it, if one be in honor, all rejoice with it.

Secondly, the ligaments of this body which knit together are love.

Thirdly, no body can be perfect which wants its proper ligament.

Fourthly, All the parts of this body being thus united are made so contiguous in a special relation as they must needs partake of each other’s strength and infirmity, joy and sorrow, weal and woe. (1 Cor. 12:26) If one member suffers, all suffer with it; if one be in honor, all rejoice with it.

Fifthly, this sensitivity and sympathy of each other's conditions will necessarily infuse into each part a native desire and endeavor, to strengthen, defend, preserve and comfort the other. To insist a little on this conclusion being the product of all the former, the truth hereof will appear both by precept and pattern. 1 John 3:16, "We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Gal. 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burden’s and so fulfill the law of Christ."

For patterns we have that first of our Savior who, out of his good will in obedience to his father, becoming a part of this body and being knit with it in the bond of love, found such a native sensitivity of our infirmities and sorrows as he willingly yielded himself to death to ease the infirmities of the rest of his body, and so healed their sorrows. From the like sympathy of parts did the Apostles and many thousands of the Saints lay down their lives for Christ. Again the like we may see in the members of this body among themselves. Rom. 9 --- Paul could have been contented to have been separated from Christ, that the Jews might not be cut off from the body. It is very observable what he professeth of his affectionate partaking with every member; "Who is weak (saith he) and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not?" And again (2 Cor. 7:13), "Therefore we are comforted because ye were comforted." Of Epaphroditus he speaketh (Phil. 2:25-30) that he regarded not his own life to do him service. So Phoebe and others are called the servants of the church. Now it is apparent that they served not for wages, or by constraint, but out of love. The like we shall find in the histories of the church, in all ages; the sweet sympathy of affections which was in the members of this body one towards another; their cheerfulness in serving and suffering together; how liberal they were without repining, harborers without grudging, and helpful without reproaching; and all from hence, because they had fervent love amongst them; which only makes the practice of mercy constant and easy.

The next consideration is how this love comes to be wrought. Adam in his first estate was a perfect model of mankind in all their generations, and in him this love was perfected in regard of the habit. But Adam, himself rent from his Creator, rent all his posterity also one from another; whence it comes that every man is born with this principle in him to love and seek himself only, and thus a man continueth till Christ comes and takes possession of the soul and infuseth another principle, love to God and our brother, and this latter having continual supply from Christ, as the head and root by which he is united, gets predominant in the soul, so by little and little expels the former. 1 John 4:7 --- Love cometh of God and every one that loveth is born of God, so that this love is the fruit of the new birth, and none can have it but the new creature. Now when this quality is thus formed in the souls of men, it works like the Spirit upon the dry bones. Ezek. 37:7 --- "Bone came to bone." It gathers together the scattered bones, or perfect old man Adam, and knits them into one body again in Christ, whereby a man is become again a living soul.

The third consideration is concerning the exercise of this love, which is twofold, inward or outward. The outward hath been handled in the former preface of this discourse. From unfolding the other we must take in our way that maxim of philosophy, "simile simili gaudet," or like will to like; for as of things which are turned with disaffection to each other, the ground of it is from a dissimilitude or arising from the contrary or different nature of the things themselves; for the ground of love is an apprehension of some resemblance in the things loved to that which affects it. This is the cause why the Lord loves the creature, so far as it hath any of his Image in it; He loves his elect because they are like Himself, He beholds them in His beloved son.

So a mother loves her child, because she thoroughly conceives a resemblance of herself in it. Thus it is between the members of Christ; each discerns, by the work of the Spirit, his own Image and resemblance in another, and therefore cannot but love him as he loves himself. Now when the soul, which is of a sociable nature, finds anything like to itself, it is like Adam when Eve was brought to him. She must be one with himself. This is flesh of my flesh (saith he) and bone of my bone. So the soul conceives a great delight in it; therefore she desires nearness and familiarity with it. She hath a great propensity to do it good and receives such content in it, as fearing the miscarriage of her beloved, she bestows it in the inmost closet of her heart. She will not endure that it shall want any good which she can give it. If by occasion she be withdrawn from the company of it, she is still looking towards the place where she left her beloved. If she heard it groan, she is with it presently. If she find it sad and disconsolate, she sighs and moans with it. She hath no such joy as to see her beloved merry and thriving. If she see it wronged, she cannot hear it without passion. She sets no bounds to her affections, nor hath any thought of reward. She finds recompense enough in the exercise of her love towards it.

We may see this acted to life in Jonathan and David. Jonathan a valiant man endued with the spirit of love, so soon as he discovered the same spirit in David had presently his heart knit to him by this ligament of love; so that it is said he loved him as his own soul, he takes so great pleasure in him, that he strips himself to adorn his beloved. His father's kingdom was not so precious to him as his beloved David, David shall have it with all his heart. Himself desires no more but that he may be near to him to rejoice in his good. He chooseth to converse with him in the wilderness even to the hazard of his own life, rather than with the great Courtiers in his father's Palace. When he sees danger towards him, he spares neither rare pains nor peril to direct it. When injury was offered his beloved David, he would not bear it, though from his own father. And when they must part for a season only, they thought their hearts would have broke for sorrow, had not their affections found vent by abundance of tears. Other instances might be brought to show the nature of this affection; as of Ruth and Naomi, and many others; but this truth is cleared enough. If any shall object that it is not possible that love shall be bred or upheld without hope of requital, it is granted; but that is not our cause; for this love is always under reward. It never gives, but it always receives with advantage:

First in regard that among the members of the same body, love and affection are reciprocal in a most equal and sweet kind of commerce.

Secondly, in regard of the pleasure and content that the exercise of love carries with it, as we may see in the natural body. The mouth is at all the pains to receive and mince the food which serves for the nourishment of all the other parts of the body; yet it hath no cause to complain; for first the other parts send back, by several passages, a due proportion of the same nourishment, in a better form for the strengthening and comforting the mouth. Secondly, the labor of the mouth is accompanied with such pleasure and content as far exceeds the pains it takes. So is it in all the labor of love among Christians. The party loving, reaps love again, as was showed before, which the soul covets more then all the wealth in the world.

Thirdly, nothing yields more pleasure and content to the soul then when it finds that which it may love fervently; for to love and live beloved is the soul’s paradise both here and in heaven. In the State of wedlock there be many comforts to learn out of the troubles of that condition; but let such as have tried the most, say if there be any sweetness in that condition comparable to the exercise of mutual love.

From the former considerations arise these conclusions:

First, this love among Christians is a real thing, not imaginary.

Secondly, this love is as absolutely necessary to the being of the body of Christ, as the sinews and other ligaments of a natural body are to the being of that body.

Thirdly, this love is a divine, spiritual, nature; free, active, strong, courageous, permanent; undervaluing all things beneath its proper object and of all the graces, this makes us nearer to resemble the virtues of our heavenly father.

Fourthly, it rests in the love and welfare of its beloved. For the full certain knowledge of those truths concerning the nature, use, and excellency of this grace, that which the holy ghost hath left recorded, 1 Cor. 13, may give full satisfaction, which is needful for every true member of this lovely body of the Lord Jesus, to work upon their hearts by prayer, meditation continual exercise at least of the special influence of this grace, till Christ be formed in them and they in him, all in each other, knit together by this bond of love.

It rests now to make some application of this discourse, by the present design, which gave the occasion of writing of it. Herein are four things to be propounded; first the persons, secondly, the work, thirdly the end, fourthly the means.

First, for the persons. We are a company professing ourselves fellow members of Christ, in which respect only, though we were absent from each other many miles, and had our employments as far distant, yet we ought to account ourselves knit together by this bond of love and live in the exercise of it, if we would have comfort of our being in Christ. This was notorious in the practice of the Christians in former times; as is testified of the Waldenses, from the mouth of one of the adversaries Aeneas Sylvius "mutuo ament pene antequam norunt" --- they use to love any of their own religion even before they were acquainted with them.

Secondly for the work we have in hand. It is by a mutual consent, through a special overvaluing providence and a more than an ordinary approbation of the churches of Christ, to seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship under a due form of government both civil and ecclesiastical. In such cases as this, the care of the public must oversway all private respects, by which, not only conscience, but mere civil policy, doth bind us. For it is a true rule that particular estates cannot subsist in the ruin of the public.

Thirdly, the end is to improve our lives to do more service to the Lord; the comfort and increase of the body of Christ, whereof we are members, that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruptions of this evil world, to serve the Lord and work out our salvation under the power and purity of his holy ordinances.

Fourthly, for the means whereby this must be effected. They are twofold, a conformity with the work and end we aim at. These we see are extraordinary, therefore we must not content ourselves with usual ordinary means. Whatsoever we did, or ought to have done, when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go. That which the most in their churches maintain as truth in profession only, we must bring into familiar and constant practice; as in this duty of love, we must love brotherly without dissimulation, we must love one another with a pure heart fervently. We must bear one another’s burdens. We must not look only on our own things, but also on the things of our brethren.

Neither must we think that the Lord will bear with such failings at our hands as he doth from those among whom we have lived; and that for these three reasons:

First, in regard of the more near bond of marriage between Him and us, wherein He hath taken us to be His, after a most strict and peculiar manner, which will make Him the more jealous of our love and obedience. So He tells the people of Israel, you only have I known of all the families of the earth, therefore will I punish you for your transgressions.

Secondly, because the Lord will be sanctified in them that come near Him. We know that there were many that corrupted the service of the Lord; some setting up altars before his own; others offering both strange fire and strange sacrifices also; yet there came no fire from heaven, or other sudden judgment upon them, as did upon Nadab and Abihu, whom yet we may think did not sin presumptuously.

Thirdly, when God gives a special commission He looks to have it strictly observed in every article; When He gave Saul a commission to destroy Amaleck, He indented with him upon certain articles, and because he failed in one of the least, and that upon a fair pretense, it lost him the kingdom, which should have been his reward, if he had observed his commission.

Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work. We have taken out a commission. The Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these and those accounts, upon these and those ends. We have hereupon besought Him of favor and blessing. Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath He ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, and will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it; but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles which are the ends we have propounded, and, dissembling with our God, shall fall to embrace this present world and prosecute our carnal intentions, seeking great things for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, and be revenged of such a people, and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant.

Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck, and to provide for our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah, to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end, we must be knit together, in this work, as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’ necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other; make others’ conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as His own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies; when He shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, "may the Lord make it like that of New England." For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God's sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going.

And to shut this discourse with that exhortation of Moses, that faithful servant of the Lord, in his last farewell to Israel, Deut. 30. "Beloved, there is now set before us life and death, good and evil," in that we are commanded this day to love the Lord our God, and to love one another, to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments and his ordinance and his laws, and the articles of our Covenant with Him, that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whither we go to possess it.

But if our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our pleasure and profits, and serve them; it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good land whither we pass over this vast sea to possess it.

Therefore let us choose life,

that we and our seed may live,

by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him,

for He is our life and our prosperity.

History of Veteran's Day

2010-11-08T00:44:00.001-05:00

While Memorial Day honors those who have died in service to the United States of America, Veteran’s Day honors all American veterans who fought in wartime. It is a national holiday held every year on November 11th.

On November 11th, 1918, an armistice was declared, and Word War One, declared the war to end all wars, ended. Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson and celebrated the following year on November 11th. The first Armistice Day was celebrated with parades and a brief pause of activities at 11:00 am, the time the aggression ceased.
In 1921, on Armistice Day, an unidentified soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetary in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Unknown soldiers were also buried in London and Paris. Congress declared the day a national holiday.June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution to commemorate November 11th with “thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and understanding between nations”. In 1938, it became a legal federal holiday known a Armistice Day.
Because of all the veterans that fought in World War Two and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day became a day to honor all American veterans of wars.

In 1975, Gerald Ford signed legislation to keep the observance of Veterans Day on November 11th unless it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Then it is celebrated on the previous Friday or following Monday.An official wreath-laying ceremony is held every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.

The Veterans Administration and the History Channel are working on a project called “Take A Veteran To School Day”. Veterans visit school to talk about their experiences with the students. You can find out more about this project at this link.

Take A Veteran To School Day

2010-11-02T11:41:00.000-04:00

The Veteran's Administration and The History Channel have come together to honor our veterans around Veteran's Day by sponsoring Take A Veteran To School Day. This year, the designated day is November 6. You can find out more about the program by contacting your local school or through this link.

Here's a Youtube video of one experiance.

History of Veteran's Day:

While Memorial Day honors those who have died in service to the United States of America, Veteran’s Day honors all American veterans who fought in wartime. It is a national holiday held every year on November 11th.
On November 11th, 1918, an armistice was declared, and Word War One, declared the war to end all wars, ended. Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson and celebrated the following year on November 11th. The first Armistice Day was celebrated with parades and a brief pause of activities at 11:00 am, the time the aggression ceased.
In 1921, on Armistice Day, an unidentified soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetary in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Unknown soldiers were also buried in London and Paris. Congress declared the day a national holiday.
June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution to commemorate November 11th with “thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and understanding between nations”. In 1938, it became a legal federal holiday known a Armistice Day.
Because of all the veterans that fought in World War Two and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation to change Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day became a day to honor all American veterans of wars.
In 1975, Gerald Ford signed legislation to keep the observance of Veterans Day on November 11th unless it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Then it is celebrated on the previous Friday or following Monday.
An official wreath-laying ceremony is held every Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country.

Pheobe Warroll Palmer - Woman Evangelist of the 19th Century

2010-11-01T00:50:00.003-04:00

Phoebe Warroll Palmer was a prominent woman evangelist in the church in the United States before women were recognized or licensed as preachers. She was born in New York City on December 18, 1807. Her parents were devout Methodists that held family worship services twice a week.

Phoebe married Dr. Walter Palmer, a homeopathic physician and devout Methodist, when she was nineteen years old. They had four children, but three died in early childhood. Phoebe was distraught and thought God was punishing her. She sought God’s guidance, and with the help of her sister, Sarah Lankford, came to a new understanding of sanctification and holiness.

Phoebe’s sister encouraged her to take a more active role in the church. In 1835, Phoebe and her sister began having church meetings for women in her home. Attendance grew to several hundred, and soon Dr. Palmer built extra space in the crowded home.

In 1839, Phoebe opened the meetings up to men as well as women. Her popularity grew, and soon, pastors, bishops, and people from other denominations attended. Phoebe and her husband began having protracted meetings (revivals) made popular by Charles Finney, and preached at camp meetings and Holiness revivals. In 1850, they toured across the United States and Canada preaching.

In 1850, Phoebe established a mission to help people in New York City because she felt sanctification required works of service for others. She spoke out against slavery and alcohol and promoted more freedom for women in the church and in society.

Phoebe also wrote many books and became the editor to Guide To Holiness in 1862 when her husband bought the publication.

She developed the concept of "altar theology," which explained the idea of the "second blessing," or immediate sanctification. As a basis for this concept, she drew on the Apostle Paul, who had advanced the idea of placing ourselves as "living sacrifices" on the altar of God to represent complete consecration. This "altar theology" simplified sanctification into a three-step process that included consecration, faith, and testimony. This concept, as well as her central theme of holiness of heart and life, gained popularity although some criticized it as simplistic.

After the Civil War, Phoebe served as a leader of the National Camp Meeting Association for the Promotion of Holiness. In 1867, she and her husband established the National Association for the Promotion of Holiness, which encompassed much of her evangelical work. She also continued holding her Tuesday meetings right up until she died in New York City on November 2, 1874.

Phoebe Palmer showed what a life devoted to God can do even when the culture and some leaders in the church came against her because of her stand on sanctification and because she was a woman.

Featured Novel: A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

2010-10-25T07:06:00.000-04:00

A Passion Denied

by Julie Lessman

Book 3 Daughters of Boston Series

Description:

Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back?

Book 3, A Passion Denied, is the story of Faith and Charity’s little sister, Lizzie, a shy bookworm who dreams of a fairy-tale romance. It unfolds a man’s dark past and a young girl’s shattered dreams … and the God who redeems it all.

Elizabeth O’Connor is the little sister John always longed for. With a fire for God in his belly, he has been her spiritual mentor since she was thirteen, sharing her love of literature and her thirst for God. But when his gangly protégé blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving him, he refuses to act on the attraction he feels. His past won’t let him go there. Unfortunately, “Lizzie” won’t let him go anywhere else … until his dark and shocking secrets push her away.

My Review: 5 Stars

Julie Lessman's Daughters of Boston Series is a masterpiece of passionate Christian writing. Each novel has deep spiritual theme, plot twists, emotional rollar coasters and passionate scenes that make me anxious for my husband to get home without crossing the line. In a myriad of ways, this was my favorite of the series. In one way, it was my least favorite. But in every way, I highly recommend it.

There was a lot of great stuff going on in this novel. We got to see married life with Mitch and Charity when Charity was pregnant. But a pregnant Charity didn't make Mitch's life any easier. I also loved married life with Collin and Faith and how it addressed concerns of the era. Collin is trying to get Faith pregnant to the point where she never gets any peace. Faith's career is taking off, and she wants to pursue that before having children. A street urchin, Cluny, who John Brady has befriended has eyes for Katie. I also loved the deep abiding friendship between John Brady and Collin. Collin prayed for him and stood by him no matter what. There was also a rocky bump in the road for Marcie and Patrick because of a secret in Marcie's past. Patrick can't forgive her and is almost ready to throw away his marriage and the respect of his children. I loved the scene where Mitch reluctantly confronted Patrick.

But the main storyline focused on John Brady and Lizzie O'Conner. Lizzie has grown up and loves God and Brady passionatly. But Brady considers her his little sister and won't accept her advances. As we get further into the story, we find out the reason why. Brady has a secret past that causes him pain and shame. He's afraid if he responds to passion on any level with a woman, he might fail God. Lizzie has problems of her own because of her niave fairy tale idea of love. When she finds out Brady's secret, she's horrified because she thinks he's perfect. This novel has passionate and dark themes and shows just how far God's forgiveness goes.

The thing that made this my least favorite book is that Julie Lessman was too easy on Brady and Lizzie at the end which is not like her. Normally she wrings everything out of them. But that is a minor thing and a matter of opinion. I still absolutely love this novel and can't wait for the new novels about Stephen and Sean.

"A Passion Redeemed" by Julie Lessman

2010-10-22T21:04:00.001-04:00

A Passion Redeemed

by Julie Lessman

Book 2 of The Daughters of Boston

Description:

No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought.

Book 2 is Charity's story, a woman who puts her faith in her beauty rather than in God. It is a story of redemption and faith rising from the ashes of temptation, desire and shame.

Depth of beauty … shallow of heart, Charity O’Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. She sets her sights on a man who wants nothing to do with her. Although the sparks are there, he refuses to fan the coals of a potential relationship with a woman who ruined his life. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won’t play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants—one way or another.

My Review: 5 Stars

What can I say? I'm a big Julie Lessman fan, and I can't get enough of the O'Conner family. This novel focuses on the stormy romance of Charity and Mitch. Charity manipulates and lies to get the man she wants. Mitch falls hopelessly in love with Charity but can't allow her into his heart because he doesn't trust her. I'll admit I wasn't sure the author could make me like Charity, let alone have me want her to get together with Mitch. But she did. Without giving any spoilers away, the story explained the heartache that caused Charity to be the vamp she was and showed God's redemption and love for even the most unlovable of people. I also loved watching Mitch and Charity butt heads. It's hard to tell which one is more stubborn.

Columbus Day

2010-10-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus set foot on American soil on and island in the Bahamas named San Salvador. He mistook his discovery for India and named the islanders, Indians. It took him twelve years to realize his mistake; he had arrived in uncharted territory.

The first celebration of Columbus Day in the United States was in New York in 1792. It commemorated the 300th anniversary of Columbus arrival in the Americas. The next celebration, also in New York, was organized by Italian Americans on October 12th, 1866. In 1869, a celebration took place in San Francisco. In 1905, Colorado became the first state to observe Columbus Day. In 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt declared October 12th as Columbus Day. In 1971, the day was changed to the second Monday in October to make it a federal public holiday.

Columbus Day is a national holiday celebrated on the second Monday in October. The United States is not the only country that celebrates Columbus’ historic landing. Canada celebrate Columbus Day with Thanksgiving. In most of South America, Day of the Race celebrates the first visit of Europeans with native people. In Venezuela, the day is known as Day of Indigenous Resistance to protest the invasion of America.

Featured Novel: Passion Most Pure

2010-09-25T13:03:00.000-04:00

Passion Most Pure

Daughters Of Boston Series Book 1

By Julie Lessman

Julie's new book about the O'Conner Family, A Hope Undaunted, from her new series, Winds of Change, is out now. While each of her novels are stand alone, I recommend reading them in order. Julie Lessman has so many plot twists and surprises in her novels that if you read them out of order, you'll run into some spoilers. This is the first book of the first series.

Description:

She's found the love of her life. Unfortunately, he loves her sister ...
As World War I rages across the Atlantic in 1916, a smaller war is brewing in Boston. Faith O’Connor finds herself drawn to an Irish rogue who is anything but right for her. Collin McGuire is brash, cocky, and from the wrong side of the tracks, not to mention forbidden by her father. And then there’s the small matter that he is secretly courting her younger sister. But when Collin’s affections suddenly shift her way, it threatens to tear Faith's proper Boston family apart.

My Review: 5 Stars

Julie Lessman is one of the best Christian authors around today. I'm not that fond of Christian romances as a whole because they tend to be predictable. But Julie Lessman's novels are anything but predictable. Each novel takes me on an emotional roller coaster ride that leaves me guessing where I'll finally end up. This, the first in her O'Conner Family novels, is no different. I love the O'Conner family. It's not the traditional perfect Christian family, but it's a family full of love, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. You'll love them too.

In this novel, Faith O'Conner, who is always reminded by her younger sister, Charity, that she's the less attractive one, is in love. But Collin, the man she's in love with, can't keep his eyes or hands off of Charity. And Charity's love for Collin is intensified by the knowledge that the romance is breaking Faith's heart.

I do admit I'm a little perturbed at Julie Lessman. I have my own novels to write, housework to do, and other odds and ends to take care of. But I can't get enough of the O'Conner family, and I fear nothing will get done until I've read all of her novels.

Technology and Romance Kindle Giveaway

2010-09-21T10:11:00.002-04:00

It's a Giveaway Extravaganza! Kindle Giveaway, Facebook Party and Book Bomb - OH MY!

Visit the Roaring 20’s with Julie Lessman in the Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway! Julie’s latest series has just ‘shimmied’ it’s way onto the scene with book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted!

Find out more about the book, Julie here.

Enter The Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a KINDLE preloaded with Julie Lessman's latest title. The Prize Pack (valued at over $150.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, with Wi-Fi

* A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form and be sure to tell your friends about the contest.

Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 7th.

Not only is Julie hosting the fabulous KINDLE giveaway, but also a FACEBOOK PARTY and a BOOK BOMB!!!

Are you ready for PRIZES GALORE??? Then come to the Facebook Party!

How does a gift certificate and a signed book given away EVERY 10 minutes during an hour-long Facebook party sound? (Yeah, we think it sounds pretty great too!) On October 7th at 5pm PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, & 8:00 EST) Julie is inviting you to attend the A Hope Undaunted Facebook Party! She'll announce the winner of the KINDLE and in addition to the prizes every 10 minutes, she'll also be giving away great prize baskets filled with even more Romance and Technology (Netflix, Starbucks, Amazon.com, Champagne body Lotion, Pearls, & more!)!

BUT WAIT … there’s more (and no, this is not an infomercial … it’s WAY better!). If you participate in the Book Bomb on October 7th you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. All you need to do to participate is buy a copy of A Hope Undaunted on October 7th and send your receipt (just transaction number from store, store name & date) to mailto:amy@litfusegroup.com?subject=I%20bought%20a%20copy%20of%20A%20Hope%20Undaunted%21! Each book purchased equals one entry, buy 10 books get 10 entries!

All this fun begins with Revell’s blog tour SEPTEMBER 19-25, when 122 blogger/reviewers will post reviews about A Hope Undaunted, followed by the Book Bomb and Facebook Party!

So mark your calendars with these important dates:
September 19-25: A Hope Undaunted will be making an appearance on blogs across the country (and beyond!) in Revell's blog tour!

September 20th: The Technology and Romance KINDLE Giveaway launches (contest runs 9/20 - 10/6)

October 7th: Book Bomb Day (where everyone is encouraged to buy the book online at the same time!) and Facebook Party - meet and chat with Julie, win some great prizes & find out who won the KINDLE!

Want to help us spread the word about all this fun and be entered to win a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate?

Share Julie's Giveaway Extravaganza on Facebook, Twitter or your blog and we'll enter your name into our random drawing to win 50 smackers to Amazon.com!

Once you've tweeted, posted on Facebok or added the button to your blog/website - simple email Amy and let her know you helped spread the word. Easy.

Here is a sample post for both Twitter/Facebook:

Tweet This: @JulieLessman is giving away a KINDLE and tons more during her giveaway extravaganza! Details here: http://ow.ly/2Czbn Pls RT

Share on Facebook: Julie Lessman is celebrating her new release, A Hope Undaunted by giving away a KINDLE, having a Book Bomb and a Facebook Party! Prizes Galore - don't miss the fun! http://ow.ly/2Czbn

Or add this button to your blog or website! Simply copy and paste the code in the box into the HTML screen of your blog or website. Then email Amy and let her know you did!

Featured Novel: A Hope Undaunted

2010-09-14T19:26:00.000-04:00

A HOPE UNDAUNTED

by Julie Lessman

Book 1 of WINDS OF CHANGE SERIES

Description:

What happens when the boy she loved to hate ... becomes the man she hates to love?
The 1920s are drawing to a close, and feisty Katie O'Connor is the epitome of the new woman--smart and sassy with goals for her future that include the perfect husband and a challenging career in law. Her boyfriend Jack fits all of her criteria for a husband--good-looking, well-connected, wealthy, and eating out of her hand. But when she is forced to spend the summer of 1929 with Cluny McGee, the bane of her childhood existence, Katie comes face to face with a choice. Will she follow her well-laid plans to marry Jack? Or will she fall for the man she swore to despise forever?

My Review: 5 Stars

Katie O'Connor has her life planned out, but life never goes as planned. When I first started reading this novel, I was intrigued by a novel set in the roaring twenties. Katie, although I didn't really like her that much at first, was an interesting character and a woman who knew what she wanted in an age where women's rights were coming of age. Luke, the love interest she tried her hardest to resist, was also a fun character. He was a lawyer, a soda jerk, a champion of orphan children, and a man who grew up on the streets of New York. I enjoyed reading the novel thinking I knew where the story and the romance was headed. I was wrong. This story had layers upon layers and plot twists I didn't see coming. I was blown away by the theme that finally emerged from the story - sacrificial love for a friend.

I've never read a Julie Lessman novel before, but after I read this one, I checked out her other novels. It turns out she has a series of novels about Katie O'Conner's older sisters that I came to know in this novel. I loved A HOPE UNDAUNTED so much that I plan to buy her other novels and read them all. I highly recommend this novel.

September 11, 2001 Never Forget

2010-09-11T00:01:00.011-04:00

Moments Caught On Tape: 9/11 Terrorist Attack President Bush's Reaction

2010-09-10T01:00:00.001-04:00

Here's video of President Bush when he first learned of the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001.

Here's the first speech President Bush made after 9/11 attacks.

Here's President Bush's bullhorn speech.

September 11: A Day Of Rememberance and Prayer

2010-09-09T09:33:00.000-04:00

The United States of America was shocked by the attacks by terrorists on September 11, 2001. America had always been a nation blessed by God. How could this happen? For a short time, the nation turned from its devisivness toward a common goal, to make sure this never happens again. Also for a short time, Americans turned back to God in prayer. But it was short lived.

Here's a video of US Congress standing as one in front of the capital, no matter what party, singing God Bless America.

One September 11, 2010, Christians are united in front of courthouses all over America to again cry out to God for this nation. It's being called the Patriots Day. Some communities are organizing to have a program at the courthouse, but even if your community doesn't have a program in place, you, as a citizen and a Christian, can go to your nearest courthouse and pray for America. Here's a video made to do just that.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Moments Caught On Tape: CNN Coverage of 9/11 Terrorist Attack

2010-09-09T01:00:00.003-04:00

Here's CNN coverage of the first few moments of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks.

Moments Caught On Tape: FOX News 1st Moments of 9/11 Attack

2010-09-08T20:47:00.002-04:00

It's hard to believe it's been nine years since the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001. Here's FOX News coverage of the first moments of that tragic day.

Moments Caught On Tape: The Holocaust

2010-09-02T01:00:00.001-04:00

Although one of the most documented events in history, both in film and photographs, the Nazi concentration camps and the holocaust are being called a hoax by some. Anti-semitism is at an all time high since before World War Two.

Many of this is propogated by terrorists in Arab nations who believe Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth. This is not surprizing since Adolf Hitler was friends with Bin Laden's father and had close ties to these nations.

Warning: These videos are graphic and disturbing.

The first video is a film shot by soldiers as they liberated these death camps. Dwight Eisenhower ordered the making of these films because he believed without them, people would deny the horror of this and not learn from history.

This is another film made by the US armed forces.

The next video, Whispers Of The Past, shows photographs of the Holocaust.

Moments Caught On Film: First Man On The Moon

2010-08-31T01:08:00.005-04:00

For the next few weeks, I'll show moment of history caught on film. Today I'm starting with an inspiring event, the first man on the moon.

I remember being on vacation with my family in Washington D.C. on July 20, 1969. I was ten years old at the time. We all huddled in the hotel room around the television to watch Neil Armstrong take the first step on the moon and utter the words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Oberlin College - A School Ahead Of Its Time

2010-08-23T18:22:00.002-04:00

Oberlin College, founded in 1833 in Northern Ohio, was a college ahead of its time in many ways. In 1835, it became the first college in the United States to regularly admit African Americans. It’s also the oldest co-educational college in the US. In 1837, it admitted four women, three of whom graduated and earned a college degree. Mary Jane Patterson, another Obeberlin graduate, became the first African American woman in 1862 to earn a Bachelor of Arts college degree.

One of Oberlin’s founders once bragged that “Oberlin is peculiar in that which is good”. Oberlin was peculiar in many ways in advancing the causes of the time. Charles Finney, the second president of the college, helped it earn it's controversial reputation. He was the founder of the Second Great Awakening, a Christian revivalist movement in the early and mid 1800s.

Oberlin College was the hotbed of abolitionist activity and a stop for the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. It was once called “the town that started the Civil War” because of its participation in the Oberlin Wellington Rescue in 1858. Slave catchers came to Oberlin to capture an escaped slave and return him to Kentucky. Most of the town came to the slave’s aid and rescued him. For their trouble, over twenty were arrested and put on trial for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. During the raid on Harper’s Ferry by John Brown, three men from Oberlin participated.

Oberlin College was also well known for the women who graduated from the college and participated in the suffrage and prohibition movements. Lucy Stone, considered a pioneer for the women’s movement, graduated from Oberlin College in 1847.

Oberlin was also very well known in the missionary movement of the late 1800s. Between 1860 and 1900, 90% of missionaries sent overseas by the American Missionary Society were graduates of Oberlin College. Between 1899 and 1901, thirteen missionaries from Oberlin were martyred during the Boxer Rebellion of China. An arch in Tappan Square at the center of Oberlin pays honor to their sacrifices.

Featured Novel: A Bride Most Begrudging

2010-08-19T18:00:00.000-04:00

A Bride Most Begrudging

By DeeAnne Gist

Do You Believe In Love At First Fight!

Book Description:

Any ship arriving from England means good news for Virginia colony farmers. The "tobacco brides" will be on board--eligible women seeking a better life in America, bartered for with barrels of tobacco from the fields.

Drew O'Connor isn't stirred by news of a ship full of brides. Still broken-hearted from the loss of his beloved, he only wants a maid to tend his house and care for his young sister.

What he ends up with is a wife--a feisty red head who claims she is of noble birth, brought to America against her will. She constantly demands to be treated like an equal. She fails at even the simplest housekeeping.

Headstrong and intelligent, tempestuous but captivating, deeply moral but incredibly enticing, Constance turns what was supposed to be a marriage of convenience into something most inconvenient, indeed.

My Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I love this romance set in 1640's Jamestown Colony. It's not the typical sweet Christian romance. It has an edgy side with a woman who care more about mathematical equations than marriage and a man who's so distraught from grieving those he loves that he doesn't want to risk another heartbreack. This romance is not predictable, but it is full of adventure, history, and emotional angst. It's my kind of historical romance.

Featured Novel: The Last Operative

2010-07-08T19:21:00.000-04:00

The Last Operative

by Jerry Jenkins

Description:

Jordan Kirkwood wants to go quietly into the sunset. His career as an NSA intelligence officer has taken a significant toll. His two adult children are little more than distant acquaintances. His wife has been patient and supportive, but he knows she has deserved better. That was part of the reason they were going to London. He wanted her to see Europe like a tourist. But that was before he was given intelligence information during the recent mission to Germany. The threat is grave—bigger than 9/11. And the risk is compounded by the fact that someone inside the NSA is involved. The most hidden place in Kirkwood’s past will have to be unmasked in order to meet the challenges of this mission.

My Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This is not a historical, but I have always loved spy novels. The suspense, the adventure, the danger, and stakes that involve the survival of civilization make them exciting reads. This novel by the Left Behind Series author has all that and more. This operative is a Christian. And that changes the dynamics in a good way. Jordan Kirkwood is not as close to God as he once was. He loves his wife and adult children but knows he has not given them the time they deserve because of his job as a NSA operative. He also knows he's allowed his job to affect his relationship with God and caused him to become cynical. But everything is about to be challenged in a new way when he discovers a plot by terrorists that will make 9/11 look tame in comparison. And someone in the NSA is involved. While he tries to make amends with his family and sort out mistakes of his past, he must contend with the greatest threat he has ever faced as an NSA operative. But he doesn't know who he can trust. I highly recommend this novel. I hope there's a sequel.

Featured Novel: Touching the Clouds

2010-07-07T15:19:00.001-04:00

Touching The Clouds

Alaska Skies Series #1

By Bonnie Leon

Description:

Kate Evans is an adventurous and independent young woman with a pioneering spirit. She pilots a mail-delivery plane in the forbidding Alaskan wilderness, the lone woman in a male profession. But even that seems easy compared to finding true love. She likes a fellow pilot and would even consider marrying him--if it weren't for Paul, a mysterious man on her mail route with a gentle spirit and a past to hide. Can Kate break through the walls Paul has put up around his heart? And will her quest for adventure be her demise?

My Review:

Kate Evans is a young woman pilot in the 1930s who craves adventure and runs from a wedding and a normal life with her childhood sweatheart to become a bush pilot in Alaska. But that isn't the only thing she's running from.

This is a wonderful slow read. The author's descriptions of Alaska and the characterizations of the people Kate meets there are vivid and will help the reader to escape to what Alaska must have been like in the 1930s. It's an interesting story about a Christian woman who follows her sense of adventure instead of playing it safe. It's not non-stop suspense and drags a little at times, but it is a great escapist novel, and overall, I loved it. I recommend it.

The American's Creed

2010-06-15T17:49:00.000-04:00

The American's Creed
By William Tyler Page

I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the People, by the People, for the People; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; A democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many Sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Humanity for which American Patriots sacrificed their Lives and Fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to Love it; to Support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to Respect its Flag; and to defend it against all enemies.

History Of The American's Creed

World War 1 was a turbulant time in American history. Woodrow Wilson championed involvement in the war in Europe. Congress resisted but finally declared war. The draft was enacted for men age 21 through 30, but protests sprang up about the draft and the war. Congress passed the Sedition Act making it unlawful to protest against the war.

During the time, a nation-wide essay contest was held by Congress to develop an American's Creed. William Tyler Page of Friendship Heights, Maryland won the contest. Page was a descendent of President John Tyler and former Congressman John Page who served in the House of Representatives from 1789-1797. William Tyler Page served as a Congressional Page in 1881.

D Day

2010-06-05T12:49:00.000-04:00

D Day, June 6, 1944, was the day during World War Two where the allied forces launched an invasion at German occupied Normandy, France. It was also known as Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord. The airborne assault landed 24,000 American, British, Canandian, and Free French troops. The amphibian landing at 6:30 am was the largest invasion of all times. 5,000 ships were involved, and over 160,000 troops made it to land. The landing took place on a 50 miles radius of beach and took the German forces by surprize. They marched through to the heart of Germany where they met Russian troops who invaded from the west. D Day was the start of the end for the European front of World War Two.

General Eisenhower's Speech To The Troops Prior To Invasion:

Transcript:

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Featured Book: The Portable Patriot

2010-06-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

The Portable Patriot

Documents, Speeches, and Sermons That Compose the American Soul

By Joel Miller and Kristen Parrish

Book Description:

An accessible and unique collection of foundational American documents, speeches, and sermons that shed light on where we came from and where we might go.

The American soul was forged in the smithy of the spoken word and printed page. Our reliance on the word goes back to the Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact. It continues through the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. It emerges in the political struggles of the Revolution and the ratification arguments of our national charter. Americans needn't turn to biased media to find our national identity. It's already written richly into our history. The Portable Patriot makes the choicest and most valuable selections accessible again.

My Review:

This book is a must have for any student of American history and for anyone who is a patriot of the United States. In it's pages are all the important documents created during the founding of this country at your fingertips. I highly recommend it.

Honoring Those Who Died This Memorial Day Week

2010-05-31T01:00:00.002-04:00

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was officially observed on May 30, 1868 to decorate the graves of soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War One, it changed to become a day to honor American soldiers who died during wartime throughout American history. Later the name was changed to Memorial Day.

The following list the wars and the number of soldiers who died. All figures are approximate and taken from the History.com website.

American Revolution (1775-1783): 4,435 deaths

War of 1812 (1812-1815): 2,260 deaths

Mexican War (1846-1848): 1,733 deaths

Civil War (1861-1865): Union deaths 140,414; Confederate deaths 74,524

Spanish American War (1898): 385 deaths

World War 1 (1914-1918): 53,402 deaths

World War 2 (1939-1945): 291,557 deaths

Korean War (1950-1953) 33,741 deaths

Vietnam War (1954-1975) 47,424 deaths

Persian Gulf War (1990-1991) 147 deaths

Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (2001-present) 1,030 deaths

Iraq War (2003-present) 4,370 deaths
We honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Please comment by listing names of those you know who have died in service to their country and the war the fought in.

US Statesmen Quotes About God

2010-05-25T15:19:00.000-04:00

Pilgrims came to America to advance the Christian faith. Their intention was to create a Christian nation. Christianity has also been the strength of the United States.

William Bradford, Mayflower Compact:

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God…

Alexis de Tocqueville, French philosopher who visited America during the American Revolution:

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.

Here’s some other statements about God from our nation’s forefathers and leading citizens.

Samuel Adams, Signer of the Declaration of Independence:

I ... [rely] upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.

The name of the Lord (says the Scripture) is a strong tower; thither the righteous flee and are safe (Proverbs 18:10). Let us secure His favor and He will lead us through the journey of this life and at length receive us to a better.

Abigail Adams, Wife of John Adams:

The Scriptures tell us righteousness exalteth a Nation.

Patrick Henry, American Revolutionary Leader:

There is a book [the Bible] worth all the other books ever printed.

This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great Nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John Jay, First Chief-Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:

Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is their duty - as well as privilege and interest - of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.

The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.

Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence:

The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments.

John Witherspoon, Continental Congress:

He is the best friend to American liberty, who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion, and who sets himself with the greatest firmness to bear down on profanity and immorality of every kind. Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy to his country.

Benjamin Franklin:

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.

In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered… do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?”

Daniel Webster, Early American Politician:

Education is useless without the Bible.

Noah Webster, Author of Webster's Dictionary and Schoolmaster:

The most perfect maxims and examples for regulating your social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best rules of morality and religion, are to be found in the BibleÉThe moral principles and precepts found in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitution and laws. These principles and precepts have truth, immutable truth, for their foundationÉAll the evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the BibleÉFor instruction then in social, religious and civil duties resort to the scriptures for the best precepts.

Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic text book in all fields. God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conducts.

In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things n which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed ... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.

Joseph Story, U.S. Congressman & Supreme Court Justice:

I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law ... There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations.

There is not a truth to be gathered from history more certain, or more momentous, than this: that civil liberty cannot long be separated from religious liberty without danger, and ultimately without destruction to both. Wherever religious liberty exists, it will, first or last, bring in and establish political liberty.

William McGuffy, author of McGuffy Reader, which was used for over 100 years in American schools as the primary textbook:

The Christian religion is the religion of our country. From it are derived our nation, on the character of God, on the great moral Governor of the universe. On its doctrines are founded the peculiarities of our free Institutions. From no source has this author drawn more conspicuously than from the sacred Scriptures. From all these extracts from the Bible, I make no apology.

James Iredell, Supreme Court Justice:

I think the Christian religion is a Divine institution; and I pray to God that I may never forget the precepts of His religion or suffer the appearance of an inconsistency in my principle and practice.

Robert E. Lee, General of Confederate Army:

Knowing that intercessory prayer is our mightiest weapon and the supreme call for all Christians today, I pleadingly urge our people everywhere to pray. ... Let us pray for our nation. Let us pray for those who have never known Jesus Christ and redeeming love, for moral forces everywhere, for our national leaders. Let prayer be our passion. Let prayer be our practice.

My chief concern is to try to be an humble, earnest Christian.

Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander-Allied Forces in the Pacific during WWII:

History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline.

Blaise Pascal, Father of the Science for Hydrostatics:

How can anyone lose who chooses to become a Christian? If, when he dies, there turns out to be no God and his faith was in vain, he has lost nothing - in fact, he has been happier in life than his non-believing friends. If, however, there is a God and a heaven and hell, then he has gained heaven and his skeptical friends will have lost everything in hell!

Benjamin Rush, Signer of Declaration & Father of Public Schools:

My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the Cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am perfectly satisfied that the Union of the States in its form and adoption is as much the work of a Devine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testaments.

Roger Sherman, Signer of all four major founding documents:

I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, an the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. That the Scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

James Wilson, Signer of the Constitution:

Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority for that law which is divine...Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other.

First Prayer in Congress September 7, 1774, Jacob Duche, Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia

O LORD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, high and mighty King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the kingdoms, empires and governments; look down in mercy we beseech Thee, on these American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring henceforth to be dependent only on Thee; to Thee they have appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support which Thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious design of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause; and if they persist in their sanguinary purpose, O let the voice of Thy own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the counsels of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation, that the scene of blood may be speedily closed, that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety prevail and flourish among Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them, and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Savior. Amen.

US Documents:

Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

US Constitution, First Ammendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Northwest Ordinance, Article 3, July 13, 1787

Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.

Acts of Congress:

United States Congress 1782 printed a Bible for America:

The United States in Congress assembled ... recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States ... a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools.

United States Congress 1782

The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.

United States Supreme Court:

United States Supreme Court Decision in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 1892

This is a Christian nation.

United States Supreme Court Decision in Church of the Holy Trinity v. United States, 1892

Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of The Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian...This is a Christian nation.

US Presidents Quotes About God (Andrew Johnson thru Obama)

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This is part 2 starting with Andrew Johnson, but I have no quotes from Andrew Johnson to share. I find it interesting that the worst two presidents in US history, Andrew Johnson and William Buchanan who would have been included in part one, have no quotes attributed to them about God that I could find. Yet the greatest two presidents, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, have so many quotes about God, I had to limit what I posted. There are two other presidents I greatly admire that I believe will go down in history as great presidents. They are Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. These men also have numerous quotes about God. I don't believe any of this is a coincidence. There are other presidents in this series I couldn't find quotes for, but none of them are ever pointed to as one of our great presidents.

Ulysses S. Grant:

Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.

Rutherford B. Hayes:

Conscience is the authentic voice of God to you.

Grover Cleveland:

I know there is a Supreme Being who rules the affairs of men and whose goodness and mercy have always followed the American people, and I know He will not turn from us now if we humbly and reverently seek His powerful aid.

Theodore Roosevelt:

Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and intertwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally, I do not mean figuratively, but literally impossible for us to figure what the loss would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards toward which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves.

A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.

I believe that the next half century will determine if we will advance the cause of Christian civilization or revert to the horrors of brutal paganism.

Woodrow Wilson:

America was born a Christian nation.

Here is the nation God has builded by our hands. What shall we do with it?

America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness, which are derived from Holy Scripture. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a very simple thing to ask of you. I ask of every man and woman in this audience that, from this night on, they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their daily perusal of this great Book of revelations. (The Bible) That if they would see America free and pure they will make their own spirits free and pure by the baptism of Holy Scripture.

Calvin Coolidge:

It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow.

The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible, that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.

If American democracy is to remain the greatest hope of humanity, it must continue abundantly in the faith of the Bible.

No ambition, no temptations, lures her thought to foreign dominations. The legions, which she sends forth, are armed, not with sword, but with the Cross. The higher state to which she seeks the allegiance of all mankind is not of human, but of Divine origin. She cherishes no purpose save to merit the favor of Almighty God.

Herbert Hoover:

Our strength lies in spiritual concepts. It lies in public sensitivities to evil. Our greatest danger is not from invading armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior.

Franklin D. Roosevelt:

'Peace on earth, good will toward men' - democracy must cling to that message. For it is my deep conviction that democracy cannot live without that true religion which gives a nation a sense of justice and moral purpose.

I am a Christian and a Democrat, that's all.

[The United States is] founded on the principles of Christianity.

Harry S. Truman:

I do not believe there is a problem in this country or the world today which could not be settled if approached through the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.

The fundamental basis of this Nation's law was given to Moses on the Mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings which we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.

This Nation was established by men who believed in God. ... You will see the evidence of this deep religious faith on every hand.

This is a Christian nation.

We believe that all men are created equal because we were created in the image of God.

Dwight D. Eisenhower:

Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.

John F. Kennedy:

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

Lyndon B. Johnson:

The separation of church and state is a source of strength, but the conscience of our nation does not call for separation between men of state and faith in the Supreme Being.

We need to remember that the separation of church and state must never mean the separation of religious values from the lives of public servants. . . If we who serve free men today are to differ from the tyrants of this age, we must balance the powers in our hands with God in our hearts.

Richard M. Nixon:

Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

God bless America.

Gerald Ford:

I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.

I have asked your help and your prayers, not only when I became President but many times since. The Constitution is the supreme law of our land and it governs our actions as citizens. Only the laws of God, which govern our consciences, are superior to it.

As we are a nation under God, so I am sworn to uphold our laws with the help of God.

I do believe, with all my heart and mind and spirit, that I, not as President but as a humble servant of God, will receive justice without mercy if I fail to show mercy.

Jimmy Carter:

I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.

We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon.

You can not divorce religious belief and public service. I've never detected any conflict between God's will and my political duty. If you violate one, you violate the other.

You just have to have a simple faith.

Ronald Reagan:

Without God, there is no virtue, because there's no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we're mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what our senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.

Going around this country, I have found a great hunger in America for spiritual revival; for a belief that law must be based on a higher law; for a return to traditions and values that we once had. Our government, in its most sacred documents - the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and all - speak of man being created, of a Creator; that we're a nation under God.

Freedom prospers only where the blessings of God are avidly sought, and humbly accepted.

Sometimes it seams we've strayed . . . from our convictions that standards of right and wrong do exist and must be lived up to. God, the source of our knowledge, has been expelled from the classroom. He gives us His greatest blessing, life, and yet many would condone the taking of innocent life. We expect Him to protect us in crises, but turn away from Him too often in our day-to-day living. I wonder if He isn't waiting for us to wake up.

Our goal is to help revive America's traditional values; faith, family neighborhood, work, and freedom. Government has no business enforcing these values, but neither must it seek, as it did in the recent past, to suppress or replace them. That only robbed us of our tiller, and set us adrift. Helping to restore these values will bring new strength, direction, and dignity to our lives and to the life of our nation. It is on these values that we'll best build our future.

If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under.

Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.

Deep religious beliefs stemming from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible inspired many of the early settlers of our country, providing them with the strength, character, convictions, and faith necessary to withstand great hardship and danger in this new and rugged land. These shared beliefs helped forge a sense of common purpose among the widely dispersed colonies -- a sense of community which laid the foundation for the spirit of nationhood that was to develop in later decades.

The Bible and its teachings helped form the basis for the Founding Fathers' abiding belief in the inalienable rights of the individual, rights which they found implicit in the Bible's teachings of the inherent worth and dignity of each individual. This same sense of man patterned the convictions of those who framed the English system of law inherited by our own Nation, as well as the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
For centuries the Bible's emphasis on compassion and love for our neighbor has inspired institutional and governmental expressions of benevolent outreach such as private charity, the establishment of schools and hospitals, and the abolition of slavery.

The Congress of the United States, in recognition of the unique contribution of the Bible in shaping the history and character of this Nation, and so many of its citizens, has by Senate Joint Resolution 165 authorized and requested the President to designate the year 1983 as the ``Year of the Bible.
Inside the Bible's pages lie the answers to all the problems that mankind has ever known. I hope Americans will read and study the Bible.

George H.W. Bush:

We asked for God's help; and now, in this shining outcome, in this magnificent triumph of good over evil, we should thank God.

America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world.

You cannot be President of the United States if you don't have faith. Remember Lincoln, going to his knees in times of trial in the Civil War and all that stuff.

George W. Bush:

When George W. Bush was interviewed before becoming president, he talked openly about his faith and why he was running for president.

I feel like God wants me to run for president. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen. I know it won't be easy on my family, but God wants me to do it.

Faith is the framework for living. It gives us the spirit and heart that affects everything we do. If gives us hope each day. Faith gives us purpose to right wrongs, to preserve our families, and to teach our children values. Faith gives us conscience to keep us honest, even when nobody is looking. And, faith can change lives; I know first hand, because faith changed mine.

Do I think faith will be an important part of being a good president? Yes, I do.

I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire to live in freedom.

Barrack Obama:

You know, my faith is one that admits some doubt.

Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason. I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all . . . Politics depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. It involves the compromise, the art of what's possible. At some fundamental level, religion does not allow for compromise. It's the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to live up to God's edicts, regardless of the consequences. To base one's life on such uncompromising commitments may be sublime, but to base our policy making on such commitments would be a dangerous thing.

Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation and a nation of nonbelievers.