Albert Einstein: Young Thinker

First off, I'll remind you that I read some children's history books this year, the ones that the younger ones got for Christmas :P. I love history! And these happen to be the perfect size to finish in a day without much effort, with short chapters, so I can fit them in at odd times of the day ;). Think of them as productive boredom killers (what is boredom?...). Haha!
No, really, in all truthfulness, now, I'll tell you the real reason I picked the first one up, and why it lead to more. It was because there was one about Albert Einstein. I had heard a lot about him in different places over the past few months (more than usual), and although I had a basic idea, I wanted to learn more about who he was, and what he did.
This great scientist, and mathematician, who loved people, and especially children, and who remained humble and helpful even in fame, was born into a Jewish family in Germany, a family that included his Father, Mother, one sister, and uncle Jacob. As a child he was a very good thinker. He often visited his father's electrical shop next door, and, on at least one occasion, was left in the office, due to having fallen asleep trying to come to an answer to a question he was puzzling over while watching the men work..
Although he was very good at mathematics and science, with most other school subjects he struggled. His family left for Italy, but he stayed behind to finish school. There was a little problem, though... he asked questions. And he was asked to leave due to that fact- it didn't sit well with the teachers, who often found it difficult to answer his deep, thoughtful questions, which he asked in front of the rest of the class.
He tried to get into a college a few years later, but as his grades were so poor in everything but math and science, it was impossible to let him in without a diploma. He headed back to school, and eventually made it back with his diploma to college.
Later he became a citizen of Switzerland, where he took a job as a patent examiner. He later became a professor, and moved back to Germany. A few years later he moved to the United States, though, during the time that Hitler was persecuting the Jews. He was considered one of the world's greatest scientists.

Monument Av. ~Virginia trip Part six

Next we drove through Monument Avenue, a road with monuments for the following men...

"Stonewall" Thomas Jackson.

Jeb Stuart.

Robert E. Lee

 Jefferson Davis.

...And some tennis player, but we didn't get pictures of that one... it seemed very wrong to place him with statues of Civil war heroes...

Reformation day

To much of the world, this day has become a day to celebrate evil and the dead. But a few know that today should really be the celebration of the anniversary of something much better.
Martin Luther was born to a wealthy family, and had good schooling. He planned to be a lawyer, much to his father's delight, as the job paid well. But one day, as he was heading back to school from a visit to his parents, he was caught in a thunderstorm. He promised "St. Anne" that he would become a monk if he lived. He kept his promise- he felt it was a sign from God. But, he felt that something was missing in his walk with God. Later, he came to see that it was grace! He couldn't earn his salvation; it was a gift.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle church in Wittenburg. (I posted these theses in my last post, if you haven't seen it.) Although he was not the first reformer, he was one of the first to make the reformation public.
Martin Luther headed the translation of the Latin bible into German, and wrote many letters, books, and hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress is Our God". He also became the Father of six children, three boys and three girls born to him and his wife Katie, a former nun.
Our family has celebrated reformation day for years- we started a year or two before we found out were the evil roots of Halloween came from, and what it stood for. We no longer participate in Halloween and that leaves us with more time to learn... We usually read Luther's 95 Theses, the book "Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World", and look at pictures of the church he nailed the theses to, of his house at Eisleben (he was born and died in Eisleben, although he left!), and other things. We usually do our Christmas "kick off" today, too, but we did that last night. We did get a movie about Martin Luther, that we'll watch sometime soon, if not today. I hope it's truthful ;). Nothing bugs me more than a movie that doesn't tell the truth, especially if it is about history- it's bad enough in a movie based off a fiction book ;). Mommy researched it, so we're pretty sure this movie will be fairly accurate :).
Although Martin Luther and those who believed as he did were persecuted, they stood firm in their faith in God, and did so much for the freedom of future generations! Praise God for his many blessings, and for the way he uses people he has drawn to himself to do his work. May he receive all the glory!

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe—
His craft and pow’r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He—
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him—
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also—
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still:
His kingdom is forever.

                                                                  ~Martin Luther, 1483-1546

Martin Luther's 95 Theses

Out of love and concern for the truth, and with the object of eliciting it, the following heads will be the subject of a public discussion at Wittenberg under the presidency of the reverend father, Martin Luther, Augustinian, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and duly appointed Lecturer on these subjects in that place. He requests that whoever cannot be present personally to debate the matter orally will do so in absence in writing.

1. When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said "Repent", He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
2. The word cannot be properly understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, i.e. confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.
3. Yet its meaning is not restricted to repentance in one's heart; for such repentance is null unless it produces outward signs in various mortifications of the flesh.
4. As long as hatred of self abides (i.e. true inward repentance) the penalty of sin abides, viz., until we enter the kingdom of heaven.
5. The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law.
6. The pope himself cannot remit guilt, but only declare and confirm that it has been remitted by God; or, at most, he can remit it in cases reserved to his discretion. Except for these cases, the guilt remains untouched.
7. God never remits guilt to anyone without, at the same time, making him humbly submissive to the priest, His representative.
8. The penitential canons apply only to men who are still alive, and, according to the canons themselves, none applies to the dead.
9. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit, acting in the person of the pope, manifests grace to us, by the fact that the papal regulations always cease to apply at death, or in any hard case.
10. It is a wrongful act, due to ignorance, when priests retain the canonical penalties on the dead in purgatory.
11. When canonical penalties were changed and made to apply to purgatory, surely it would seem that tares were sown while the bishops were asleep.
12. In former days, the canonical penalties were imposed, not after, but before absolution was pronounced; and were intended to be tests of true contrition.
13. Death puts an end to all the claims of the Church; even the dying are already dead to the canon laws, and are no longer bound by them.
14. Defective piety or love in a dying person is necessarily accompanied by great fear, which is greatest where the piety or love is least.
15. This fear or horror is sufficient in itself, whatever else might be said, to constitute the pain of purgatory, since it approaches very closely to the horror of despair.
16. There seems to be the same difference between hell, purgatory, and heaven as between despair, uncertainty, and assurance.
17. Of a truth, the pains of souls in purgatory ought to be abated, and charity ought to be proportionately increased.
18. Moreover, it does not seem proved, on any grounds of reason or Scripture, that these souls are outside the state of merit, or unable to grow in grace.
19. Nor does it seem proved to be always the case that they are certain and assured of salvation, even if we are very certain ourselves.
20. Therefore the pope, in speaking of the plenary remission of all penalties, does not mean "all" in the strict sense, but only those imposed by himself.
21. Hence those who preach indulgences are in error when they say that a man is absolved and saved from every penalty by the pope's indulgences.
22. Indeed, he cannot remit to souls in purgatory any penalty which canon law declares should be suffered in the present life.
23. If plenary remission could be granted to anyone at all, it would be only in the cases of the most perfect, i.e. to very few.
24. It must therefore be the case that the major part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and high-sounding promise of relief from penalty.
25. The same power as the pope exercises in general over purgatory is exercised in particular by every single bishop in his bishopric and priest in his parish.
26. The pope does excellently when he grants remission to the souls in purgatory on account of intercessions made on their behalf, and not by the power of the keys (which he cannot exercise for them).
27. There is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of the purgatory immediately the money clinks in the bottom of the chest.
28. It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest avarice and greed increase; but when the church offers intercession, all depends in the will of God.
29. Who knows whether all souls in purgatory wish to be redeemed in view of what is said of St. Severinus and St. Pascal? (Note: Paschal I, pope 817-24. The legend is that he and Severinus were willing to endure the pains of purgatory for the benefit of the faithful).
30. No one is sure of the reality of his own contrition, much less of receiving plenary forgiveness.
31. One who bona fide buys indulgence is a rare as a bona fide penitent man, i.e. very rare indeed.
32. All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned, together with their teachers.
33. We should be most carefully on our guard against those who say that the papal indulgences are an inestimable divine gift, and that a man is reconciled to God by them.
34. For the grace conveyed by these indulgences relates simply to the penalties of the sacramental "satisfactions" decreed merely by man.
35. It is not in accordance with Christian doctrines to preach and teach that those who buy off souls, or purchase confessional licenses, have no need to repent of their own sins.
36. Any Christian whatsoever, who is truly repentant, enjoys plenary remission from penalty and guilt, and this is given him without letters of indulgence.
37. Any true Christian whatsoever, living or dead, participates in all the benefits of Christ and the Church; and this participation is granted to him by God without letters of indulgence.
38. Yet the pope's remission and dispensation are in no way to be despised, for, as already said, they proclaim the divine remission.
39. It is very difficult, even for the most learned theologians, to extol to the people the great bounty contained in the indulgences, while, at the same time, praising contrition as a virtue.
40. A truly contrite sinner seeks out, and loves to pay, the penalties of his sins; whereas the very multitude of indulgences dulls men's consciences, and tends to make them hate the penalties.
41. Papal indulgences should only be preached with caution, lest people gain a wrong understanding, and think that they are preferable to other good works: those of love.
42. Christians should be taught that the pope does not at all intend that the purchase of indulgences should be understood as at all comparable with the works of mercy.
43. Christians should be taught that one who gives to the poor, or lends to the needy, does a better action than if he purchases indulgences.
44. Because, by works of love, love grows and a man becomes a better man; whereas, by indulgences, he does not become a better man, but only escapes certain penalties.
45. Christians should be taught that he who sees a needy person, but passes him by although he gives money for indulgences, gains no benefit from the pope's pardon, but only incurs the wrath of God.
46. Christians should be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they are bound to retain what is only necessary for the upkeep of their home, and should in no way squander it on indulgences.
47. Christians should be taught that they purchase indulgences voluntarily, and are not under obligation to do so.
48. Christians should be taught that, in granting indulgences, the pope has more need, and more desire, for devout prayer on his own behalf than for ready money.
49. Christians should be taught that the pope's indulgences are useful only if one does not rely on them, but most harmful if one loses the fear of God through them.
50. Christians should be taught that, if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence-preachers, he would rather the church of St. Peter were reduced to ashes than be built with the skin, flesh, and bones of the sheep.
51. Christians should be taught that the pope would be willing, as he ought if necessity should arise, to sell the church of St. Peter, and give, too, his own money to many of those from whom the pardon-merchants conjure money.
52. It is vain to rely on salvation by letters of indulgence, even if the commissary, or indeed the pope himself, were to pledge his own soul for their validity.
53. Those are enemies of Christ and the pope who forbid the word of God to be preached at all in some churches, in order that indulgences may be preached in others.
54. The word of God suffers injury if, in the same sermon, an equal or longer time is devoted to indulgences than to that word.
55. The pope cannot help taking the view that if indulgences (very small matters) are celebrated by one bell, one pageant, or one ceremony, the gospel (a very great matter) should be preached to the accompaniment of a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
56. The treasures of the church, out of which the pope dispenses indulgences, are not sufficiently spoken of or known among the people of Christ.
57. That these treasures are not temporal are clear from the fact that many of the merchants do not grant them freely, but only collect them.
58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the saints, because, even apart from the pope, these merits are always working grace in the inner man, and working the cross, death, and hell in the outer man.
59. St. Laurence said that the poor were the treasures of the church, but he used the term in accordance with the custom of his own time.
60. We do not speak rashly in saying that the treasures of the church are the keys of the church, and are bestowed by the merits of Christ.
61. For it is clear that the power of the pope suffices, by itself, for the remission of penalties and reserved cases.
62. The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
63. It is right to regard this treasure as most odious, for it makes the first to be the last.
64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is most acceptable, for it makes the last to be the first.
65. Therefore the treasures of the gospel are nets which, in former times, they used to fish for men of wealth.
66. The treasures of the indulgences are the nets which to-day they use to fish for the wealth of men.
67. The indulgences, which the merchants extol as the greatest of favours, are seen to be, in fact, a favourite means for money-getting.
68. Nevertheless, they are not to be compared with the grace of God and the compassion shown in the Cross.
69. Bishops and curates, in duty bound, must receive the commissaries of the papal indulgences with all reverence.
70. But they are under a much greater obligation to watch closely and attend carefully lest these men preach their own fancies instead of what the pope commissioned.
71. Let him be anathema and accursed who denies the apostolic character of the indulgences.
72. On the other hand, let him be blessed who is on his guard against the wantonness and license of the pardon-merchant's words.
73. In the same way, the pope rightly excommunicates those who make any plans to the detriment of the trade in indulgences.
74. It is much more in keeping with his views to excommunicate those who use the pretext of indulgences to plot anything to the detriment of holy love and truth.
75. It is foolish to think that papal indulgences have so much power that they can absolve a man even if he has done the impossible and violated the mother of God.
76. We assert the contrary, and say that the pope's pardons are not able to remove the least venial of sins as far as their guilt is concerned.
77. When it is said that not even St. Peter, if he were now pope, could grant a greater grace, it is blasphemy against St. Peter and the pope.
78. We assert the contrary, and say that he, and any pope whatever, possesses greater graces, viz., the gospel, spiritual powers, gifts of healing, etc., as is declared in I Corinthians 12 [:28].
79. It is blasphemy to say that the insignia of the cross with the papal arms are of equal value to the cross on which Christ died.
80. The bishops, curates, and theologians, who permit assertions of that kind to be made to the people without let or hindrance, will have to answer for it.
81. This unbridled preaching of indulgences makes it difficult for learned men to guard the respect due to the pope against false accusations, or at least from the keen criticisms of the laity.
82. They ask, e.g.: Why does not the pope liberate everyone from purgatory for the sake of love (a most holy thing) and because of the supreme necessity of their souls? This would be morally the best of all reasons. Meanwhile he redeems innumerable souls for money, a most perishable thing, with which to build St. Peter's church, a very minor purpose.
83. Again: Why should funeral and anniversary masses for the dead continue to be said? And why does not the pope repay, or permit to be repaid, the benefactions instituted for these purposes, since it is wrong to pray for those souls who are now redeemed?
84. Again: Surely this is a new sort of compassion, on the part of God and the pope, when an impious man, an enemy of God, is allowed to pay money to redeem a devout soul, a friend of God; while yet that devout and beloved soul is not allowed to be redeemed without payment, for love's sake, and just because of its need of redemption.
85. Again: Why are the penitential canon laws, which in fact, if not in practice, have long been obsolete and dead in themselves,—why are they, to-day, still used in imposing fines in money, through the granting of indulgences, as if all the penitential canons were fully operative?
86. Again: since the pope's income to-day is larger than that of the wealthiest of wealthy men, why does he not build this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of indigent believers?
87. Again: What does the pope remit or dispense to people who, by their perfect repentance, have a right to plenary remission or dispensation?
88. Again: Surely a greater good could be done to the church if the pope were to bestow these remissions and dispensations, not once, as now, but a hundred times a day, for the benefit of any believer whatever.
89. What the pope seeks by indulgences is not money, but rather the salvation of souls; why then does he suspend the letters and indulgences formerly conceded, and still as efficacious as ever?
90. These questions are serious matters of conscience to the laity. To suppress them by force alone, and not to refute them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian people unhappy.
91. If therefore, indulgences were preached in accordance with the spirit and mind of the pope, all these difficulties would be easily overcome, and indeed, cease to exist.
92. Away, then, with those prophets who say to Christ's people, "Peace, peace," where in there is no peace.
93. Hail, hail to all those prophets who say to Christ's people, "The cross, the cross," where there is no cross.
94. Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells.
95. And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.

 Taken from this site :). http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/95theses.htm

Promised pictures from Musgrove and the Star Fort- finally!

The Star Fort was named because of it's shape, and Ninety-Six was named because it was thought that it was 96 miles from an Indian tribe. The Star fort was a lot of fun. As I've mentioned before, I love history, and we have to stop and read every single plaque :). We went on living history day. It was fun to see them going about a normal day (well, normal for that time period :)!). They were living in a "tavern".
It was really hot, even though it rained part of the day we were there, but it was well worth it!

Wearing the loyalist actor's hat.

I love this picture! Daddy has such great ideas in photography!

I like this picture too. I was almost afraid that Daddy would 

laugh because it's a "rustic" picture... but a few minutes later I

turned around, and Daddy was also taking a picture of it :)...

Strange trees...

(I couldn't decide which I liked best...)

 Looks like a teapot :)!

  I really liked this one :). This is from Musgrove, 

the first three were from the Star Fort.

Beautiful plants...

Does this count as a plant picture? Haha :).

Not sure about this one, either....

This is my favorite (this is also the only one from the Star Fort.).

Water...

The little waterfall :), haha...

Here's how big it really is :)...

This picture took forever! First my settings were wrong... then 
Tori and I couldn't coordinate where she would throw 
the rock, and when  I should take the picture... then 
somebody else and I had the same problem...  
Then Grandpa came to the rescue, and guess how many 
times it took us to get a picture of the splash caused 
by a thrown stick? 

Exactly one. This one :).

Other items of interest... 

Do you see the toad?!

My precious sister Tori :)!...

 Taken at the star Fort.

In memory of the Titanic

100 years ago, a ship sank. This ship was said to be un-sinkable. She was the most luxurious ship known. And many people boarded her, 2,340, to be exact. 1,635 of these would never return. And to this day, the world is fascinated with the story of the Titanic.
They are fascinated by the ship that, after repeated warnings that icebergs were in their path, went at almost full speed ahead, running into the iceberg that caused such a disaster. They are fascinated by the story of the men who gave their lives for their wives, children, and other women and children they did not even know. Fascinated by the fact that there would have been time to get all of the passengers off the ship before it rose up in the air and then cracked in two, but most of the lives were lost because of the fact that there were not near enough life boats on the ship to save so many because "the ship would never sink". We are fascinated that the captain would give his life that others might live, while he went down with his ship. That others would refuse to go when loved ones would be left behind. That the band would play while sinking. And that the signal "C.Q.D.", or, "Come quick, danger", would turn to "S.O.S."... "Save our souls."
Our family (especially Mommy and I) has always loved history. I believe we first heard about the Titanic from one of Mr. Doug Phillip's tapes. We later learned more through one of the books that Vision Forum published ("Nothing Can Separate Us: The Story of Nan Harper"), and then through another one of the books they carry, "The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters". (I would recommend both books, also "The Titanic's Last Hero"!) We learned even more, and saw some really neat artifacts, while at our state museum a couple months ago. 
Did you know that the ship would not have sunk if the captain had decided to go straight ahead instead of trying to move to the side? Since he turned, there were not enough air compartments left to keep the ship afloat after the ice tore a hole all across the side instead of just in the front. And if they had just had enough lifeboats, they would have had time to get all the passengers off. But, I think God had a reason for that ship sinking. I know of at least one man who was saved while the Titanic was sinking. And it has become a good example of what pride can do... but also what it means for men to risk their lives for the women and children in their lives.
At the museum they had an iceberg for you to touch. Have you ever touched one? More people died from freezing, or the shock of the cold water, than drowning.
Many passengers were supposed to go on other boats, but, because of delays in their departure, or wanting to ride on a better class boat, they chose the Titanic instead. John Harper himself was suppose to be on another ship.
And many people were going to board the lifeboats, but perished looking for family members, some of whom were already on a lifeboat, or giving their place to "lower class" passengers just because they had young children who needed them.
Our favorite Titanic passengers are John Harper and his daughter, Nan. Little Nan was only six when her preacher Father went to be with the Lord. But even as he was swimming in the frigid water, he was swimming to as many people as he could, sharing with them the gospel. He would not hold onto any of the boards of the ship to help him stay afloat as others did- he would not ruin the chances of rescue for others when he knew that he was ready to face his Master in heaven. One man that he witnessed to while so close to death actually became saved, and lived to tell about the work that Mr. Harper did for his Lord during this trial. While John Harper gave his life-vest to another, some others were making sure that their dogs were put in lifeboats!
A couple months ago, our family took a trip to the Titanic exhibit at our state museum. It isn't too far away, but we make a day of it whenever we go, eating an early lunch on the way there and staying until suppertime :). (It took us about four of those trips to get through the whole museum. Daddy laughs at us all the time, because we have to read everything. Well, what did they write it for?!) When we got to the Titanic exhibit, they handed out "passenger cards" to everybody who went in, you got a card for one of the real passengers, and when you got to the end of the exhibit, you looked on the wall and found out "who" you were, whether "you" lived or died. Ironically, all of us girls lived, while Daddy and Andrew and Peter "died". I always knew they would follow the Lord's commands and that they loved us :).
But what was more interesting was that Daddy's character was- would you believe it?!- John Harper!
As our cards were being handed out, the sweet lady who passed them out was explaining how it worked, and Daddy glanced at his card. As soon as she was done talking, he raised his hand and said "I died."
"You don't know that!"
"Yes, I do."
"How? Are you just saying that because you were a man, or...?"
At this point, Mommy asked who he got, and Daddy announced that it was John Harper.
At this point, the lady behind the counter kind of "got it", and asked if we had researched this particular person. Of course we answered that he was our favorite passenger :).
It was really interesting, seeing how the different cabins would have looked, getting to see things like brushes, combs, make-up (!?), plates, watered out letters, haha, touching icebergs, keeping children away from the cases that would send alarms off if you touched them (amazingly, nobody (in our family :)) touched them while we were there!), and learning so much about it. They had models of the Titanic before and after she cracked, and they had a video of items on the ocean floor from the ship. I also found it kind of entertaining that the music playing went from gay in the first half, which was all about the building of the ship, to the foreboding music that played as you got to the part that actually addressed the disaster. (That is the only room in the museum with music playing, might I add.)
Anyway... You would really have had to go to really experience it. But I thought it was really neat, in a kind of of sad way. I mean, we were looking at things that belonged to the people who died because of the ship this whole thing was about, but...
After we got home that night, of course we had to look up even more about the whole thing. We saw interviews with some of the people who survived. We saw one of Eva Hart, Nan's best friend on the Titanic.
And, of course, the next day (it was too late when we got home that night) we looked up our characters. I think some of the neatest things we found were that Bethi was Abbi's "Mother", and  Andrew was to ship's photographer :). (And the fact that I was about twice Mommy's age, while Tori, true to life, was four years younger than me :).)

  

 "It is amazing that something so lovely, so incredibly beautiful, 

could be the cause of such a disaster."*

"Even in death there is victory if you have the Fathers love."*

Both quotes taken from "Nothing Can Separate Us: The Story of Nan Harper".

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea: even there your hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." ~Psalms 139: 9-10

"By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straightened" ~Job 37:10

Happy Fourth of July

I just wanted to share a few things my Mother just read to us out of the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal......We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America...

appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world... do

...Publish and declare, That these United Colonies are...

Free and independent States...And for the

support of this Declaration,

with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we...

pledge to each other our lifes, Our fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

........................................................................................

And a quote from George Washington when he took his leave from his post in war:

"As my last official duty, I want to commend the interests of our dear country to the protection of Almighty God. I now take my leave."

........................................................................................

And some say that we were never a Christian nation?

I'll post our Fourth of July tomorrow ;).

What I've read

Saturday I finished the biography "George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans" by Janet & Geoff Benge. Did you know that at first he was a "common thief"? His first wife was 8 years older then him and his second wife was 21 years younger! He had a daughter and a son (his son died at 15 months) Their daughter (Lydia) was 1 year older then her brother (Elijah). Lydia died at the age of 57. And did you know that George started 4 Orphan houses and then had to... move them ALL to a new Orphan house! Then he started 4 more Orphan homes! His second wife died when they had been married 23 years. He himself died when he was 92 years old. George Muller never asked for ANYTHING AT ALL to take care of all of those orphans!