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posted by Donald on 08/8/11

The winter before Salem’s first settlers staked their claims along the headwaters of Tenmile Creek in what was then northern Virginia, Washington delivered his first Annual Message (State of the Union address) to the Congress in New York City. It makes an informative and enjoyable read of about fifteen minutes. In it, his vision and practical experience are combined to present an outlook that may bring as much encouragement to us today as it did then to the first congress.

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posted by Donald on 07/25/11

“The heavens declare the glory of God”! But how?

Well, a study of the twelve constellations won’t foretell your fortune but it will fan the flames of your faith.

The names of the stars in Egyptian, Arabic and Syriac, as well as Hebrew give clues to what the original meaning of those “signs” were. Cancer, for instance, “the crab”, has an original meaning of “to hold close”, “to keep”. Originally it was not a crab at all but a type of sheepfold or inn where wanderers would find safe haven. By the way, since the star cluster at the center of cancer can mean “a manger” I wonder if it might be the first constellation to open the gospel story, followed by Leo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah picturing the prophecies that preceded Christ’s birth—If so, the constellations would begin their saga at the beginning of the Hebrew year in March or April—But for simplicity’s sake let me follow this outline as it is in the book I am referencing: God’s Voice in the Stars. For every observer they weave a beautiful and timeless story.

This story is for you.

• Virgo
  tells how Christ came to us as the Incarnate Son of God
• Libra
  tells how Christ was worthy to pay the balance of our sin debt
• Scorpio
  tells how Christ suffered in the mortal conflict for the crown
• Sagittarius (coming up in August!)
  tells how Christ “hit the mark” as conqueror
• Capricornus (along with Delphinus)
  tells how Christ brought life out of death
• Aquarius (along with Pegasus)
  tells how Christ will bring satisfaction and blessing
• Pisces
  tells how Christ brings liberation to the captive
• Aries
  tells how Christ brings glory out of humiliation
  Note: the sun gradually made its course through Aries, the Lamb, between the first Passover and the Crucifixion
• Taurus
  tells how Christ will come as Judge
• Gemini
  tells how Christ will come as King
• Cancer (along with Ursa Major and Ursa Minor)
  tells how Christ will bring eternal safety to His own
• Leo
  tells how Christ will bring eternal justice to His enemies

There it is, the story of the ages: written across the sky, un-aged by time, un-erased by a terrestrial tide of change. It can hardly be condensed in a post! They each reach their zenith in a Person: Christ.

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posted by Donald on 07/4/11

Of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence:

• 11 had their homes destroyed
• 5 were hunted and captured
• Abraham Clark had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship Jersey
• John Witherspoon’s son was killed in battle
• Francis Lewis’ wife was imprisoned and died from the harsh treatment
• Many, such as Thomas Nelson and Carter Braxton, lost their fortunes
• 9 died during the War.

After the Declaration was signed, John Adams wrote:

“You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.
“Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.
“And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

~

With equal veneration we are reminded of another One whose blood alone authoritatively signed our independence from the dictates of sin:

“Christ also suffered for us . . .
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered He threatened not; . . . Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree; that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed” (I Peter 2:21, 23, 24).

~

Facts and quote taken from Bill Federer’s American Minute

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posted by David on 05/18/11

Predicted showers were short. Instead of a hindrance to the event, storm clouds became a perfect backdrop. Then suddenly a crack like thunder sounded—FROM JUST BESIDE ME!

I turned to see a smoking cannon. I was shocked. We were standing by a field witnessing the reenactment of a Civil War Battle for the 150th commemoration of the War’s beginning. It was also in the spring that West Virginia became a State 148 years ago.

With white tents dotted across the hillsides and smoking wood fires interspersed among them, it felt exactly like we had gone back to the time of the Civil War. The realistic-looking tents were also waterproof, which allowed the reenactors to actually camp for the three days of the event. Wood was split and stacked by the tents. Horses came and went among the regiments. Cannons were positioned on the surrounding hill. The reenactors not only impersonated the generals and captains but doctors and nurses, blacksmiths, tailors and spies. Every uniform was made with historical accuracy in mind. It was amazing!

They used the uniforms and equipment of the soldiers on the battlefield and the day-to-day work clothes worn in the camp. For example, the  blacksmith, hammering at the forge wore a loose long-sleeved white  shirt. Hoop skirts were everywhere. And hats varied from Abe Lincoln’s top hat to the little forward-facing felt kepis and bummers for the soldiers.

One interesting thing to learn was about the saber. Infantry men carried sharp swords and bayonets for hand-to-hand combat. The cavalry on the other hand were armed with heavy sabers. Saber are not even sharp! They were used to disable opponents on the ground with a direct downward stroke on the collarbone.

The most memorable part of the day was meeting the men who impersonated Jackson, Lincoln and Lee. They looked just like real. We also met a friendly officer by the name of “Extra Billy Smith”. He  impersonated a stagecoach owner and he told us the story of how he got his name, as well as letting us try on his uniform. Each person was knowledgeable—they left no question unanswered. They were friendly  and it was evident they enjoyed their role. It was a great learning experience and fun day together.

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posted by Donald on 03/28/11

Your life, for you, is the “greatest drama of all time” for sure, as well as your greatest opportunity, but did you ever think that all of life, history and science is also one created entity, and therefore, under it’s Creator, the one “greatest riddle of all time”? I’ve reached as far as chapter one in Richardson’s book “Unhidden” and commend to you, from it’s first chapter, page 10, a quote about Sir Isaac Newton:

“He looked on the whole universe and all that is in it as a riddle, as a secret which could be read by applying pure thought to certain evidence, certain mystic clues which God has laid about the world to allow a sort of philosopher’s treasure hunt . . . He believed that these clues were to be found partly in certain papers and traditions handed down . . . He regarded the universe as a cryptogram set by the Almighty.”

– John Maynard Keynes, “Newton the Man”
Written for the Royal Society of London’s tercentenary [300th] celebration of Newton’s birth, 1942

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