Liberty Home School Graduation Class of 2012

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  -Philippians 3:13-14

I used to think that this day would never come.  As a little girl I couldn't wait to grow up, be done with school, and finally become an adult as I had always wished to be.  I used to think that meant being able to do whatever I wanted to do, but the older I became, the more I realized this was the furthest thing from the truth.  And now, as I enter graduation, I realize it even more so.  True maturity is not just in age, but in behavior, and that is a hard lesson I am still learning.

It's almost a scary thought of never getting back a special period of life.  Eighteen years of my life have now been lived.  I have gone through much laughter and tears, sorrow and bliss, heartache and happiness, pain and pleasure, grief and joy, discontentment and ease, anger and peace, strife and harmony, and I can say without remorse, it has all been worth it.  I have had my own fair share of being an unthankful and rebellious daughter; I have experienced more than enough of doubting faith; I have lacked in many areas that I should have been triumphing in; I have wallowed in the mire of self-pity—yet God has never failed me nor left me to the evil devices of my sinful heart.

He has been good to me for eighteen years by giving me amazing parents that I don’t deserve, and seven wonderful siblings who have had to put up with me being the oldest.  Although we may not be the wealthiest family in material possessions, I believe I am the luckiest and richest girl to be alive.  I have love.  I have refuge.  I have protection.  I have friendship.  I have family.  I have salvation.  I have eighteen years to my credit.  I have an abundant life to look forward to.  I have joy.  I have unending love and forgiveness from my heavenly Father.  I have the life of a wife and mother to look forward to.  I have so many blessing to be thankful for!  As I look at the whole picture of life, it isn’t bleak; rather, life is bliss!

Twelve years is a long time.  During the middle of those twelve years I thought it was the longest period of my entire life.  I remember wanting to grow up more than anything else in the world.  Time ticked too slowly for my taste, although my parents prudently advised me that before I knew it I would be looking back wondering where the time went.  How right they were!  Now looking back I realize that I was in too much of a hurry.  My goal during school was just to get by so that I could be done.

Graduation was a mark of achievement in my mind of throwing away childhood and becoming an adult.  I also looked forward to never having to open a school book again (although I didn't realize that one day I would be teaching my own children, and thus, opening those once-dreaded school books).  I thought that once I was done with my twelve years of education, I would never have to worry about "school" again.  Now that my twelve years are up, I understand that all of life is learning.  We don't stop learning until the day we die.  Education doesn't stop with graduation, for I hope that I will continue to learn more and more the rest of my life.  Right now I feel like I still have so much to learn!

A phase of childhood is now passed.  I don't have the feeling I thought I would have.  I used to think that graduation would begin a new kind of "freedom" for me: freedom from rules, freedom from learning, freedom from long tedious hours hunched over a desk with a stubby pencil in my aching fingers while the clock still said two hours until torture was over, freedom from childhood, and freedom the restrictions of boredom.

Although it was subtle, those attitudes were really a form of feminist independence that I couldn't wait to exercise once I "grew up" and became able to do whatever I wanted to do.  But now, I actually feel like I am saying goodbye to a dear friend I will never see again, for I will never have those twelve years back.  Maybe my thoughts have changed towards my now-past school days.  What used to be an enemy has become a memory that I will hold forever—that of learning at home with my siblings under the careful wisdom and tutelage of my parents.

With this apprehension of melancholy sadness and sobriety comes excitement.  This day that I have looked forward to for so long has finally arrived!  I don't feel very worthy or proud in one respect.  There were times I hated doing school, as I'm sure every child feels at some point.     There were many days that I didn't care if I learned anything or not, for, quite frankly, there were times I was rebellious and didn't want to learn anything.

There were days when the work was harder than usual and I wanted to quit.  Then there were days when I was so lazy I just didn't want to do the simplest things.  Nevertheless, although there are things I regret, especially not making the most of my time and trying to learn all I could, I am very thankful for the time God gave me to learn, and the little bit of knowledge I have acquired in these twelve years.

I could not have succeeded if it had not been Christ who strengthened me (Phil. 4:13), and my parents who urged me on.  I can say, like Robert E. Lee, George Washington, Charles Spurgeon, and many others have said in the past, that I owe everything to the wisdom, guidance, and teaching of my parents.  Most young people do not realize until they grow older how much influence their parents really have on them, and how much they owe everything to the love and care of the ones who raised them.  I want to carry on the legacy that my parents have tried to instill in me, so that not only will they be proud of me, but so that my children and other future generations will be taught the same things my parents have taught, and continue to teach me.

I am thankful for the direction they have led me in.  Without their guidance I would be wandering and lost right now, with no direction, no futuristic goals, no dreams to live out, and certainly no purpose for my life.  Everything I am and ever even dare to hope to be can only be credited to my parents, who have always been faithful, even when I wasn't faithful to them.

3 John 4 says that, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  I want to be a cornerstone, polished after the similitude of a palace (Psalm 144:12).  I don't want to be an example of what a child should not be; instead, I want to make my parents proud.

This is not just an ending, but a very bright beginning.  My school days have ended, but so much life is still awaiting me.  All I have to do is live it out.  First and foremost my goal is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever in everything I do, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

One cannot have a wonderful, fulfilling life outside of Jesus Christ.  Without Him no one can be anyone.  A life without Christ is fleeting, unfulfilling, and completely worthless.  Christ is the only thing, but everything to live for!  Without Him there is no direction, no purpose, no goal, and no meaning to life.  My hope is to live a long, happy, and productive life, as I'm sure every human being hopes for, and that can only be accomplished in Jesus Christ who is sovereign over all of life.

Secondly, as a new beginning looms in front of me, my futuristic goal is to become a wife and mother, as God has ordained for women.  I don't see a homemaker's life as drudgery or a slave in chains under patriarchal tyranny.  Instead I understand that true biblical womanhood is a woman's greatest calling.  A woman is not just a wife and mother, but an entrepreneur, a helpmeet, a giver of progeny to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth, and so much more!  She is most successful in any work in her own God-ordained territory: the home.

What I have learned in these past twelve years will be the foundation for the rest of my life, as well as putting it into practice, not only in what I do, but when I begin to teach my own children in later years.  The principles and life lessons I have learned were designed to continue to teach me and lead me in the direction I am heading.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  -Proverbs 22:6

This is a big step I am taking, of one ending and another beginning, and it is my prayer that I do not fail in the tasks God has given me.  Presently my goal is to serve God in whatever capacity He leads me, whether it is the seemingly mundane chore of daily life, a trial I am tested with, or a brand new adventure that I have always dreamed of.  My prayer is that I always remain faithful to the calling therewith I have been called, as I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, as He leads me throughout life.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direct thy paths."  -Proverbs 3:5-6

As the old words ring true:
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Just What My Big Idea Is...

Just so that there isn't anyone confused about my big idea...

My topic will be dealing with the issue of brothers and sisters.  You know, why we can't get along, what the Bible has to say about sibling relationships, what the answers are to problems in the home, how we can actually like our siblings, all the trouble little brothers and sisters cause...

Oops.  Okay, all the trouble that oldests can cause too.

I know that there is already a tremendous book out there on the market, but because we can't have too much material on the subject (especially from different perspectives, and I have a good one with seven siblings)—and there isn't much to choose from anyway—I have been urged and propelled forward by my parents with a "go ahead" sign.  Or rather, "go ahead" words.  Anyway, there you have it.  My big idea.  Pretty big indeed.  So far things are looking good, but how can I say that when I know how critical I am of my own writings?  Well, okay, going good in the aspect that at least I'm finding things to write about.

On a serious note, I have determined to make this journey (let's call it a quest) one that will transform my relationships with my siblings.  I'm tired of the sub-par standard of just trying to get along.  It isn't enough any more, and it hasn't satisfied through the years.  As I grow older I see the damage I have caused in the lives of my siblings, and I don't want to live with the regret that I didn't fix the problem when I had a chance.  What are oldest sisters for (or brothers for that matter)?  So this book is a really a test of myself: do I have enough courage and fortitude to admit when I'm wrong, correct my mistakes, and press on toward making my siblings my best friends—truly?  For I genuinely want to be their best friend, and they to be mine.  But there are many bitter roots to weed out first.  Mostly from the deeds that I have done, because, after all, I am the oldest siblings who is the example (once I hated my mom constantly telling me that I was the example to the rest of my siblings, but just as it can be used for bad, it can definitely be used for good).

Pray for me as I write.  Pray for me as I attempt and resolve and conquer the obstacles before me.  I want to be able to persevere at the end of this book and say with all honestly, "My siblings are my best friends."  Of course, I may have many good outside friends, but I want my siblings to be my best friends.  Forever and ever.  Just like Anne and Diana in Anne of Green Gables.  They were inseparable.  They did everything together.  They shared secrets, passions, pursuits, hopes, dreams, ideals, expectations and thoughts for the future, fears, likes and dislikes, and spent all of their time together, from when they were little girls until they grew up.  Though they had other friends, they were the best of bosom friends.  That is how I want my siblings and I to be.

Just a summary so you don't leave my blog with a perplexed look.  Then again, you still might.  At least I tried.

Preacher's Kid

There is a lot of pressure on preacher’s kids.  (Face it—we're oddballs.)  We are supposed to act different, talk different, think different, watch different movies, listen to different music, wear different clothes, have different friends and families, read different books, and so on.  It all comes down to behavior.  Sometimes we may be referred to as weird.  On the other hand, if we don't live up to our expectations, we're scoffed at even more for not being a representative of Christ.  Suddenly, we're ironic.  Perhaps there isn't any truth to this Christian business after all.  Isn't that a truce broken in our Salt and Light mandate? (Matthew 5:13-16)

Being any kind of Christian in a humanistic world is hard.  I'm not talking about wishy-washy hypocritical Christians who proclaim good works in the streets and practice sin in their homes.  They may write a bestseller book with a big cheesy smile on the cover, but it doesn't mean they are right, honest, or Christ-like (Matthew 7:15, 21-23). Recognition by the secular world does not mean they accept Christianity.  In fact, Jesus said that we would be persecuted and reviled for His sake.  (Matthew 5:11; 10:22)  If the world didn't accept its Saviour when He came, why should it accept His disciples?

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."  ~Matthew 10:16

Yes, I'm a preacher's kid.  In addition, I am also a young woman living in a secular world.  I feel the pressure hitting me like a ton of bricks.  But I'm no different from y'all.  There's only one thing that makes me different from the world's young people.  Yep, you guessed it.  I'm a preacher's kid.

No, I'm not ashamed of my heritage.  My father is a pastor, my grandpa is a pastor, and one of my great-great-great-grandfathers was a pastor.  There are even more scattered throughout our ancestors.  The point is this: my life has been intertwined with God in the midst of it.  I'm a preacher's kid of a preacher's kid.  Where's the shame in that?  I'm proud of it.

The only thing I regret is my poor ability for handling certain situations.  I've stuck my foot in my mouth, I've stood back and followed the crowd, I've not been a leader, and I've spurted some pretty crazy ideas. (Just ask my mom.)  Right now I wish I had charged full ahead into my insecurities...but I didn't.  There have been many times I've wished to go back and redo my life.  Of course, we always wish for the impossible.

Although I may not be where I wish to be, I'd say I've come a long way in some areas.  Two years ago I never would have imagined this blog, my writing, our traipse through Georgia, the beginning of Covenant Baptist Church and Covenant Commission, the birth of Liberty (my baby sister), my 16th birthday (two years ago it seemed like forever), the crazy ups and downs of life...hey, even my photography!  Life is peculiar sometimes, isn't it? 

However, I could really better myself.  I may be swept up into the pressure of being a preacher's kid sometimes, but I don't have to be.  What I am can be a good thing.

Every aspect of this world has tribulation.  We may be hit with tragedy, trial, sorrow, or pain, but Christ foretold that these things would happen.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  ~John 16:33

 Isn't that comforting?

"What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?"  ~Romans 8:31

The world’s opinion should not matter to us.  Why should we care about the opinions of those who reject our Saviour and faith?

While we are to be God's witnesses for the gospel, the world just hardens their hearts against us.  From history, we can learn that tribulation worketh patience (Romans 5:3).  From the lives of the martyrs we see glory and fortitude and everlasting life.  They received their crown with the words "well done, thou good and faithful servant" for their service in the kingdom.  What is our persecution compared to theirs?  True, mental stress can be just as horrible as physical pain, but have we ever suffered starvation in a cold, damp dungeon, or felt the flames rise higher and higher around our legs?  Nor have we been tortured for Christ's sake in a country wholly hostile to Jesus.  Think again when all seems lost.  We live freely (for the most part anyway), breathe the clean air every day, walk wherever we please unconstrained, and worship God wherever we will.  How long our freedoms will last, God only knows.  For now we ought to be profoundly thankful that we live, and move, and have our being, for it is all through Jesus Christ. 
Anyway, Paul's words should give us comfort: 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  ~Romans 8:18  

That is saying a lot, considering all that Paul went through - beatings, a stoning, being left for dead, thrown into prison, and eventually beheaded—all for Christ's sake.  Surely we can bear our burdens easier when we really give it some thought.

So, I may be a preacher's kid with all its peculiar pressures, but I've found out that life is much better when I have a positive outlook.   Who cares if I'm a little bizarre?  I'm a preacher's kid, what do you expect?

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place."  ~2Corinthians 2:14

There is nothing sweeter than Scripture for a troubled heart.  God really is good.  But He is also just.  He destroys the wicked and cannot tolerate sin, yet He is faithful to those who love Him.  His words to us are sweeter than honey. (Psalm 19:7-11)  I believe He would rather see a smile on our faces and joyfully praising Him than to have a "woe is me" mentality.

I'm sure preachers kids can relate.  It's awfully hard to live up to high expectations when our nature is sinful.  Sometimes we are given bad names because of what we are.  The bad names really come from preachers kids who don't fulfill their God-given duty.  I may fail many times, but I don't like being categorized in that lot.   Sometimes it seems like we have to endure more than we can handle.  However, Jesus said we will not be tempted with more than we are able.  Hallelujah! Through Christ, we will conquer over all!

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, for Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither heath, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate s from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  ~Romans 8:35

God's Infinite Omniscience

It seems like every Sunday I express the same thought.

I wish everybody could have heard Daddy's sermon.

No, I'm not being judgmental.  I need biblical advice more than anyone.  Trust me.  But, the message was just so good that I wanted to share it.  Unfortunately, we have a very small congregation right now.  I'm not dissing small congregations...well, maybe you understand.  I'm thankful Covenant Baptist Church has grown a little bit in the past year, but I still can't help wishing more people could hear Daddy preach.  Yeah, he's that good.

I'm not saying he is perfect.  However, I'm prejudiced.  After all, he is my father.  I'm proud of him, if you don't know.

I could naively say every Sunday is an exception.  He outdid himself again.  Being young and inexperienced (even for 16); there are many things I don't comprehend.  I know many people say the gospel is easy to understand.  Didn't Jesus say that we are to have faith as a little child?  In Matthew 18:3 He also said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."   On the other hand, there are many who would claim the incomprehensibleness of the gospel.  There are always two sides in every matter. (Matthew 12:30)  However, the harder to understand concepts can be a little confusing to a naive young woman such as I am.  Take for example, the differences between postmillennialism, pre-millennialism, and amillennialism; all the different worldview "isms": Calvinism, Judaism, communism, fascism, Marxism, socialism, etc. etc.   I may be a preacher's kid (another article topic coming up, folks!), but most times I feel dumber than a box of rocks. (My dad's metaphor.)  I think I need a Dummies Guide to Life.  Ha. Ha.  Is it all the pressure?  I read many books, but sometimes they set me to wondering if I really have what it takes.  If I don't understand something, I'm automatically d-u-m-b.  It's just the way I roll and the way my brain works.  Self-consciousness maybe?  Don't I believe everyone has a limit in knowledge?  (My limit must be pretty small. Shh!)

The text was taken from Romans 8:28-30.  A Reformed Christian believer would know this passage contains God's grace and foreknowledge of the elect.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified."  

As my dad said, there isn't any way anyone can walk away from Romans 8 & 9 and deny God's grace and foreknowledge of His elect.  Even before the world began, God chose us from the very foundation of the earth.  He settled our lives beforehand.  He knew Adam would bring sin into the world, but He also knew the second Adam would bring life.  He knew our thoughts before we lived, and He even knows the very number of hairs on our head. (Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7)

Before the world began.  That's a long time span in our finite understanding.  Somewhere around 6,000 years ago, when God first created the universe, He knew us - what we would be and become - even our very actions and thoughts this day!  Isn't His omniscience grand!  To know that He knew us before the world began is amazing!  I could stop here and let y'all falsely misconstrue my meaning.  However, let's look at the meaning of this word "know."

There are several different meanings of the word "know."  To know someone intimately is to be familiar with their ways.  Brothers and sisters know each other.  Friends know and love each other closely.  Husbands and wives know each other.  All of these are the same word “know” yet have somewhat different meanings.

Then there is an acquaintance relationship.  To meet someone for the first time is to get to know them, although not yet personally.  To know your friend is more than you know an acquaintance.  To know your family is more than you do your friend.  God is the One with ultimate knowledge.  My dad used this example:  God knew who Hitler was, yet He didn't know him in a personal relationship.  God already knew what Hitler would do before he did it, but God didn't reign in Hitler's heart.  Adolf Hitler reigned there instead.

On the other hand, God knows His children intimately.  He speaks to them through His word and listens when they pray.  His elect have a relationship with Christ that the rest of the world does not.  God knows the thoughts and intents in every man's heart, but each relationship is different. To know is to know, but how much do we exactly know?  There is a big part of us that we don't want anyone to really know about.  Oh sure, we're all sinners, but we wouldn't dare display that particular part about us.  We can't know any heart other than our own.  God, however, knows everything.  He preordained the whole world for His glory.

"In whom we also have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."  ~Ephesians 1:11

Who can say that man can will/do whatever he pleases?  Can a finite mind overpower the infinite?

My advice is this: don't trust in what just anybody says.  Even what I say, don't take for granted.  The Bible gives the best advice on what to do.  "Search the scriptures."  (John 5:39)  Only the Bible can give the correct answer.  My reasoning has to be corroborated with Scripture, and so does everything else.  The Bible warns us against false philosophy.

"Beware lest any man spoil you though philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."  ~Colossians 2:8

The truth will set us free.  But what is truth?  Pilate couldn't find the answer.  However, Jesus said in John 14:6 that He is the way, the truth, and the life.  Because Jesus Christ is truth (for He cannot lie), so is His word.  Sola Scriptura ultimately means Scripture Alone.  Scripture alone can show us truth, for Jesus said His word is truth.

Because God knows His children, He also cares for them.  When we believe in His love and mercy, we can rest assured in His unfailing grace that gives us life.

(Paraphrased from September 26's sermon by James Brown Jr.)

The Importance of Womanhood

What woman understands the definition of courage?  Who has experienced real hardship?  When life is put to the test, when wealth is stripped away, and love seems forsaken, would we still rise to the height of our calling?

Womanhood is an essential important factor in life.  Although we are more frail and weak than men, the strength of our hearts can overcome even the greatest obstacle; then we are strong.

Such a caliber of womanhood is unheard of today.  In a society where women are men and men are women, we don't see motherly and wifely zeal.  Wives and mothers are no longer wives and mothers.  Instead, they are smokers, drunk drivers, and workmen all rolled into one.  They aren't submissive unto man, and especially not unto God.  Most women don't even know what femininity is.  Have godly feminine women ceased to exist?

To find such aforesaid women, we have to jump back into the 1700's.  Our country (then only 13 English colonies) was in the midst of a war with Great Britain.  The Continental Congress was desperately struggling for the right principles to lead a new nation.  55 men signed the Declaration of Independence.  But what was happening behind the scenes?  On the home front, how were the families of these men living?  Were they living in peace, or did they sacrifice much?

The women of yesterday were strong, brave, proud, and ultimately courageous in all that they did.  They too sacrificed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.  Many had to flee from house to house, always a step ahead of the British.  Many lost their homes, wealth, and livelihood.  Some even lost their lives.

Benjamin Rich, a signer of the Declaration, said this about America's women of that time:  "The women of America have at last become principals in the glorious American controversy.  Their opinions alone and their transcendent influence in society and families must lead us on to success and victory."   You see, the women didn't cower down in fear when they heard the tramp pf British feet or the thundering sound of cannons and musket fire.  They weren't "sissies."  Their lives and the lives of their families were at stake.  If the small 13 colonies had lost the War, the signers would have been hanged or beheaded.  As it was, during the War, their lives were forfeit.  What self-respecting women would wish such a cruel fate upon her husband?  That's why the women had to fight back.  They weren't wimpy crybabies.

Without firing musket, and without marching into battle, the women of colonial America did something even more valuable.  Their purpose was simple yet strong: to uphold the spirits of their men, support them in every action, take care of their families, love, honor, and obey till death did part them, and remain strong and passionate in the cause they were fighting for.  When they had to flee for refuge, when they kissed their husbands goodbye, not to see them for months upon months, when they prayed without ceasing...that took courage.  Yet one thing must remain clear: their courage came from Jesus Christ.

America would have lost the War if not for her faith and prayer.  God was with the little colonies, and eventually made them big and great states.  Everyone understood the power of prayer, which explains why George Washington would kneel down in the cold and snow of Valley Forge to cast his every care upon the Lord.

The women behind the Declaration of Independence are patriots not fully recognized by historians and people today.  If not for the women, the men would have fallen under the weight of all they had to bear.  However, the women readily shared the burden.  They weren't going to resign their posts, for they too longed for peace and freedom.  All they had to do was succeed.

David Barton said this:  "These women, although not pledging their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" in writing, nevertheless willingly sacrificed all for their country, their families, and their posterity.  We are that posterity, enjoying all the benefits of their sacrifices."

To recount the lives of each woman would be impossible. (For a summary, read Wives of the Signers, by Harry Clinton Green and Mary Wolcott Green.)  Each woman was important and took drastic steps toward freedom.  For example:

Mary Bartlett: forced to flee with her family from her burning home.

Elizabeth Adams: supported her family with needlework.

Elizabeth Lewis: imprisoned for months by the British, and suffered great hardships that eventually led her to her death.

Mary Morris: driven from her beautiful home.

Annis Stockton: homeless after the British burned her home.

Deborah Hart: driven from home, watched anxiously as her husband was hunted as a criminal, and finally died from exposure and anxiety.

There are countless others.  Take Abigail Adams for example, wife of John Adams, mother of John Quincy Adams, and the first lady of the White House.  She was constantly separated from her husband, yet she remained patriotic and cheerful.  She taught her young children at home, and wrote to her husband frequently.  She was strong in spirit and influential in life.

Every woman from that period deserves high praise for the sacrifices they made.  From their lives we see the pattern we are to follow.  Instead of following the world's model of "womanhood," we can learn better from the past.  Only, we have to realize one intrinsic detail.  It takes courage.

Poor As Church Mice

Living in this economically, socially, ecclesiastical, and civilly failing nation, life is hard.  Food and gas prices rocketing more than this generation has seen, Barak Obama's presidential election, moral anarchy, the bouncing stock market, our enormous debt and the money being printed without any security, thousands of jobless Americans, and many other countless problems occurring in the U.S.  Why don't we give up?  After all, the way things keep reoccurring, we're going to end up being a third-world nation with a Muslim dictator who forces our every move.  Why don't we find someplace to hide - somewhere where we can burrow our heads in the sand and never be forced to move?  Sound like an idea?  Okay, let's go! Where to...Scotland or...

Wait a minute.  We certainly cannot hide from God's omnipresence.  Jonah already learned that lesson for us.  If we can't hide or run away, surely there is something else we can do.

I love America, my beautiful homeland country.  But (small as it may be) I am so tired of hearing about our problems.  Sometimes I can pretend nothing is really happening...and I live my normal crazy life.  However, every once in a while "what-ifs" jumble about in my head.  If you want to feel deeply melancholy, start delving into America's numerous problems.

I don't want to focus on pain or sorrow or tribulation.  Life is plenty full of that.  Imagining what America used to be is even worse.  After everything our Founding Fathers did for us, this is what we've done to repay them.  Some gratitude.

Terrible things could occur that I don't even want to think about; things that make me shudder with dread.   We're faced with the issue anyway.  But for once, let's look at the bright side of things.  Optimistically, I prefer joy and happiness over gloom and despair.  As Ecclesiastes says, there is a time and season for everything.

Although life can be gloomy, troublesome, and downright hard, let's attempt to smile at our gloom, laugh at despair, and love during the hard times.  What is worth more than love, and a sparkling smile on a rainy day?  We can be the comfort of those who have given up all hope.  Through our lives Christ can be shown.  That takes real courage.

I've never known what "being rich" is like.  We all can be poor economically.   But what do true riches entail?  Many times life seems to defeat us with problems, but we can still be rich in the factual sense.  Remember when Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19: 23-24)  Perhaps that is why the poor and needy are always (most of the time anyway) reliant upon God because they have not riches to worship.  There is a reason for everything.

Being rich in God's grace, mercy, and love is worth more than all the jewels the world can produce.  As Jesus said in Matthew 4:4,  "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  Here is proof that we need spiritual food.  Getting enough to eat everyday cannot sustain us.  We need the nectar of God's love.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."  ~Matthew 5:6

We as Christians in the Church are the Bride, the Beloved of Christ.  Therefore we should trust Him in every aspect of life for He holds tomorrow in His hand.  He gives and He takes away, yet blessed be His holy name!  While we are to do our part as salt and light in this world, God directs the hearts of men.  He is our sustainer, so, "cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."  ~Psalm 55:22

Although we might be "poor and needy; yet the LORD thinketh upon me; make no tarrying, O my God."  ~Psalm 40:17

David said in Psalm 37:25,  "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

God sees America's problems.  He sees our personal problems.  And He cares!  Although America has turned her back upon the God of her fathers, He still cares for His own people.  Astonished though we may be, He still loves us with a deep and profound love.  That alone should put a song in our hearts.

"O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thoughts afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether."  ~Psalm 139:1-4  If God is acquainted with all our ways, don't you think He could possibly have a plan?  I know He does, which is why I determine to trust Him.  This world isn't getting any better yet, nor are we getting any richer, but God holds tomorrow - though we may not know what it brings.

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience."  ~Romans 5:3

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"  ~Romans 8:35

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)  If we therefore know, live it joyfully in every way!  Laugh a little, dance a while, and determine to live faithfully according to God’s Word.  Scripture is clear: if we love God we will obey Him.  Then we will reap rewards and blessings. (such as peace from this troubled world?)  But if we disobey and continue to disobey (as America has done) God will rain curses down upon us that could flatten any nation.  Even this unsinkable America.

When we are weak, then Christ can work through our weakness to display His strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) Therefore we can live life fully and steadfastly, abounding in His work, for our labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Don't we serve an amazing God? 

God’s Surpassing Grace to Sinners

John Bunyan's spiritual struggle up through the younger years of his life is a considerably interesting subject.  His autobiography, Grace Abounding, is just the story of that struggle.

John Bunyan was born to a considerable poor family in England of neither fortune nor noble blood.  Although lacking in means, his parents were able to send him to school.  However, Bunyan himself said that he "lost" all that he had learned, showing that in his boyhood he cared naught for his education. 

Sadly, during those years of boyhood, Bunyan tells of his exceedingly wicked young heart.  A reckless and heedless youth, he had an impulse to swear, curse, lie, and blaspheme the name of God.  He said his heart had been "filled with all unrighteousness."  Bunyan said, “...so settled and rooted was I in these things, that they became as a second nature to me...”

During those dreadful young years, Bunyan tells of his "greatly afflicted and troubled" mind, tormented with dreams and thoughts of hellfire and damnation forever.

However, as time flew by, the dreams passed.  Bunyan erased such terrible memories from his mind, and lived "as if they had never been."  He admitted his transgressions in his book by saying that he became the ringleader "in all manner of vice and ungodliness."  Thoughts of religion were "very grievous" to him, and he put aside all manner of Christianity.  He wanted nothing to do with Jesus Christ.

But God wanted everything to do with him.  Twice Bunyan was saved from the dreadful fate of drowning, all by the merciful providential hand.  Nevertheless, through God's many acts of mercy, Bunyan continued in rebelliousness.

Soon after living a soldier's life for a time, Bunyan married a poor woman of godly ancestors.    He became influenced by some good books which had been her father's.  Slowly, the "religion of that time" crept into his life.  He went to church twice a day, yet held onto his wicked life.  Thereafter he was influenced by a poor, religious man to read the Bible.  He also began to follow the Ten Commandments—believing that his good works would earn his way to heaven.  He actually believed that he "pleased God as well as any man in England."  Yet he had "not Christ, nor grace, nor faith, nor hope."

The one day, a year later down the road, Bunyan listened to a conversation about the "new birth."  His curiosity was aroused, and his trust in his good works began to weaken.  He was greatly affected.  He began to believe he truly wasn’t a good man.  Something was missing in his life.  He had no ambition, no fulfillment, nor peace and rest.  Bunyan began to read and study.  He prayed diligently for the Lord to open his eyes to the truth, so that he might find the way.  Very soon his eyes were opened, and he began to read the Scriptures with new eyes.  He daily cried to God for guidance.  Faith, a new word to him, troubled his spirit.  Did he have faith?  His mind became confused with so many details.  Was he one of the elect of God?  Would he be called?  Could he ever attain peace and assurance?  Doubts littered his mind.

As time drew on, his mind became weary with his doubts and fears.  What if he wasn't one of the elect of which he read?  What would happen is he should not be called?  Deep despair entered his soul.  Dark, blasphemous thoughts continually betook his mind.  He felt utterly wretched and hopeless.

Yet, throughout it all, hope still remained.  Slowly Bunyan's mind began to understand more and more that salvation comes through Christ alone (John 14:6), not of good works (Ephesians 2:4-9), but of faith and repentance.  However, though Truth quietly spoke, his mind was still overcome with temptations, doubts, and sorrow.  He felt that peace would never come to quench his fiery spirit because of his heinous sins.  He believed himself to be the most miserable sinner.

Years passed.  Bunyan believed only damnation abode with him.  He was constantly "full of sorrow and guilt."  He believed he could no longer be pardoned, as he said, "I had sold my Saviour."

Bunyan struggled bitterly with his doubts.  His sins were too dreadful for Christ's forgiveness, so he thought. Through it all he searched, but wandered on hopelessly, believing all was lost.

As time, passed, Bunyan became like unto a scale, as he said, "sometimes up, and sometimes down."  Peace and trouble fought desperately.  He would believe the words "My grace is sufficient for thee," but then doubts would arise, and his heart would sink back into despair.  Again and again this would happen: quiet, then torment; torment, then peace.

Finally, however, even through anguish and terror, hope and peace finally broke through.  Bunyan began to realize that God's grace is all sufficient, and can cleanse all ungodliness.  As he daily searched the Scriptures and prayed, he found complete assurance in God's love.  Then was his heart filled with unspeakable joy.  Doubt was no longer an enemy, for Christ had washed away every conflict that had ever raged within his mind!  The wonder and the glory!

The time came when Bunyan was called to the ministry, six years after he had been fully "awakened."  At first he was skeptical, believing he wasn't worthy of so high an honor.  He didn’t think he had the eloquence or ability.  He wondered who would listen to him. But soon he came to the realization that he might have that gift after all.  Humbly he began to preach.

A few years went by.  Bunyan continued preaching to all who would listen.  At times, hundreds came to hear him preach the Word of God.  As he preached, he spoke boldly and truthfully.

His boldness and honesty brought about consequences.  After five years in the ministry, Bunyan was apprehended and sent to prison.  His accusers wanted to stop his preaching.  Therefore accusations of the like were made: Bunyan, "an upholder and maintainer of unlawful assemblies and conventions," would not conform "to the national worship of the church of England."  Because he would not "conform," Bunyan was sentenced to a "perpetual punishment."

Twelve years he spent in prison.  But as those weak and feeble minded might do, he did not lose all hope, or become bitterly discouraged.  He tried to remain content, though he "met with many turnings."  Sweet Scripture passages ministered unto him, and comforted his soul.  Then he would "laugh at destruction."

In 1688, Bunyan contacted a violent fever.  For ten days he struggled on, but his end on earth had come.  Sixty years had he lived upon the earth, and, even in his wicked youth, God had a pan for him.  He died on August 12, 1688.  He will be a man, and a Baptist preacher, reverently remembered forevermore.

His life's story had been one of triumph through trial.