Celebration of God's Mercy and Forgiveness

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it...

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

John 1:1-5,11-13

His Wounds, Our Cure

Matthew Hale

The Prince of Darkness, flushed with vict'ry

In our first parents' first apostasy,

Usurped a lawless sovereignty on man,

Revolted thus from his first Sovereign.

And though by that apostasy he found,

Under the chains of death, his vassal bound,

Yet to secure his empire, he overspread

The world with darkness, and thereby did lead

His captives as he please. Thus he bears

His rule usurped near four thousand years;

Except some small confined plantation,

within a family or nation.

But now to put a period to this reign

Of this usurper, and reduce again

Man to his just subjection, 'tis decreed

That man from this subjection shall be freed.

And this not by the absolute command

Of an immediate pow'r, nor shall the bands

Of angels, glorious hosts, engaged be

To rescue man from this captivity.

But God an unsuspected means intends,

And yet most suitable unto this end.

Sin stained our nature, and the serpent's wile

Did man of innocence and life beguile;

By man his head is crushed; the lawful Lord

Unto His creature man to his life restored;

A virgin's Son is born; this rising sun

The world's enthralling darkness overruns.

A Child to us is born, whose innocence

Our nature's spot and stain doth purge and cleanse;

His wounds, our cure; His bonds, our liberty;

His death becomes our life, our victory.

"But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Philippians 2:7-11

Puritan Poetry

The Puritans have been poorly portrayed as stern, legalistic, and in general an over bearing group. But in reality a more God honoring people there never was. The poetry that came from them is amazing! I was lent this book for some research and found it to be treasure trove!

Here is a couple of poems that show how fully they trusted in God as their Lord and Master. I hope these poems inspire you to look more fully to God as the merciful, gracious Saviour that He is.

Election - Sovereign and Free

Behold the potter and the clay,

He forms His vessels as He please;

Such is our God, and such are we,

The subjects of His high decrees.

Doth not the workman's power extend

Over all the mass, which part to choose

And mold it for a nobler end,

And which to leave for viler use?

May not the sovereign Lord on high

Dispense His favors as He will,

choose some to life, while others die,

And yet be just and gracious still?

What if , to make His terror known,

He lets His patience long endure,

Suff'ring vile rebels to go on,

And seal their own destruction sure?

What if He means to show His grace,

And His electing love employs

To mark out some of mortal race,

And form them fit for heav'nly joys?

Shall man rely against the Lord,

And call his Maker's ways unjust,

The thunder of whose dreadful word

Can crush a thousand worlds to dust?

But, O my soul, if truths so bright

Should dazzle and confound thy sight,

Yet still His written will obey,

And wait the great decisive day.

Then shall He make His justice known,

And the whole world before His throne

With joy or terror shall confess

The glory of His righteousness.

Isaac Watts

From The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God

What wisdom, majesty, and grace,

Through all the gospel shine!

'Tis God that speaks, and we confess

The doctrine most divine.

Down from His starry throne on high,

The almighty Savior comes;

Lays His bright robes of glory by,

And feeble flesh assumes.

The mighty debt that sinners owed,

Upon the cross He pays;

Then through the clouds ascends to God,

'Mid shouts of loftiest praise.

There He, our great High Priest, appears

Before His Father's throne;

Mingles His merits with our tears,

And pours salvation down.

Great God, with reverence we adore

Thy justice and Thy grace;

And on Thy faithfulness and pow'r

Our firm dependence place.

Samuel Stennett

From The Works of Samuel Stennett, D.D.

Patches

Our beloved pet Patches died early this morning at the ripe old age of 13. She was my brother's first dog and my dad's little girl.

We got her when she was almost a year old back in 1996. She was very energetic and always talking!

Here are some pictures of Patches through out her life with us...

Our first year with her...

Our first hike...

Her favorite game was holding a stick or even more impressive a tennis ball in her paws while laying on her back. Then with an expert aim she would drop it right into her mouth.

She was a wonderful dog and we're all going to miss her.

Our Very First Egg!

One of our Silver Lace Wyandottes just laid her very first egg! Hopefully the rest will follow her lead and start laying. This is our first time owning chickens so finding your first egg is REALLY exciting! I guess the first eggs are always small so at first mom didn't even see the egg. Hopefully, they will start producing larger eggs soon! 'Tis a brave chicken that will lay in only 18 degree weather! I hope to post more on our chicken project soon!

I'm Selling My Horse

$700 OBO

To good home with good pasture land only. Polish Arabian Mare, 26 yrs. grey with pedigree and titles.

Great with little children!

She really needs a place where people will ride her and give her good exercise. A good beginner/intermediate horse with lots of spunk! She has had a lot of different training through out the years; from jumping and English riding as a young thing, to a therapy horse for handicap children and trail riding, to just riding to and from an arena and in fields.

Ashley is an easy keeper if she has grass to eat and maybe even another horse to keep her company. She has never worn shoes and just needs a simple trim once ever two – three months.

She comes with all the things you’ll need to get started. Everything has been kept in good condition:

A synthetic western saddle only two yrs. Top of the line.

Two saddle blankets well kept

Bridle w/bit

Two horse blankets;

One light weight

One winter blanket

A halter

A nearly new adjustable helmet

A lunging line in great condition.

Lunging whip in great condition

Washing tools

Tool box

Up to-date on vaccinations

Hoof picks

Curry comb

Hard brush

Main & tail comb

Salt block

Hay rack

Equine antiseptic spray

Hoof conditioner

Fly spray

Fly mask

and Tack room hangers

If you are interested please leave a comment on my blog with your e-mail and questions and I will reply via e-mail.

The Way to Heaven

I found this in a book called 'Golden Thoughts of Mother, Home, and Heaven' by Gene Fedele. I then went searching for where she got it from. I found that it was one of Jonathan Edwards sermons that was compiled in 'The Works of Jonathan Edwards' by Edward Hickman. I also found that was much longer then the version that Gene Fedele writes, but I decided it was too good, so I have given you the last part of Sermon 8. I hope you find it as much of an insight to God's saving grace and mercy as I did.

'How poor you are if you have no heaven but only this world. you have nothing but a little part of this clod of earth, and what is it all worth! If you have a little more land than some of your neighbors, or if you are in a way to make more money than others, if your accommodations are better than others, and you have more worldly conveniences and pleasures than others, or if you are promoted a little higher among men than some others are, what a poor portion is this, and how miserable are you who have no better happiness that you can call your own! How happy do these things make you? Are such things as these the "rivers of pleasure" that you choose for your portion? O how miserable! When a few days have passed you must go to the grave and into eternity, and then your glory shall not descend after you. Then how wretched are you, if when you are done with worldly enjoyments, it may be said that you have received your consolation! "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation." Luke 6:24

To what misery are you exposed! You not only have no lot in this happiness and glory, but you are hanging over endless misery, and are in danger every day of being irrecoverably lost.

You have now an opportunity to obtain this blessedness. It is true that now you are exposed to this misery, but yet this glory is offered to you; the time is not past wherein the offer is made; you have yet an opportunity to be made happy for ever. The opportunity you now have to obtain the happiness of another world, is worth ten thousands of this world.

But here I would say something by way of direction in answer to this.

Inquiry. What must I be brought to in order to get to heaven?

Answer. 1. You must be brought entirely to renounce all hope of obtaining heaven by any thing that you can do by your own strength, -that you cannot do it either directly or indirectly. Many are sensible that they cannot get to heaven by their own strength directly, but yet they hope to do it indirectly, they hope by their own strength to bring themselves to a disposition to close with Christ, and accept of him for a Saviour; they are hoping to bring themselves to a compliance with the terms of salvation. You must be brought off from all confiding in your own strength; and you must also be brought to renounce your own righteousness as the price of heaven. The consideration of what has been said of the glory and happiness of the saints, may show us the exceeding folly of those that think to purchase so great happiness by their own righteousness. What a vain thought have men of their performances to think them a sufficient price to offer to God to purchase such glory of him! How would God dishonour himself, and dishonour such riches of his own goodness, if he should bestow them on men for their righteousness, and should accept their miserable performances as the price of them!

2. Your heart must be brought to close with him who has purchased heaven. Renouncing all other ways, your heart must entirely close with him, and adhere to him, as the way, the truth, and the life. Your heart must be drawn to him, and it must be pleasing and sweet to you to have heaven as a free gift, as the fruit of mercy and saving grace, and you must assuredly believe that Christ is a sufficient Saviour, and your soul must acquiesce in the way of salvation by him, by his blood and his righteousness, as a wise, holy, sufficient, and excellent way. Your heart must incline to Jesus Christ as a Saviour above your own righteousness and all other ways. Your delight must be in this holy way of salvation.

3. You must choose the God of heaven for your portion. You must be of the same temper and disposition with the Psalmist who says, Psalm 73:25 " Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none on the earth whom I desire beside Thee." You must esteem and relish the enjoyment of Him far above all other things. You must be brought to see that there is that in the enjoyment of God and communion with him that is far better than all the profits or pleasures of the world. It must be so with you, that if you could have your choice of all kinds of happiness you could devise, and you which you would, and in what degree you would, to all eternity, this would be what you would far prefer.

4. Your heart must be brought sincerely to close with the employments of heaven. In heaven they are not idle, but they are continually employed, and their employments are holy employments; they spend their time wholly in holy exercises ; in contemplating on God, in praising and serving Him. Rev. 22:3 "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him." If ever you go to heaven, your heart must be brought beforehand to such a temper as freely to choose such employments, you must have a relish of them, and must account them excellent and delightful employments.

5. You must be pure in heart, and clean in hands. The pure in heart alone shall see God. Matt. 5:8. They that shall ascend into God's holy hill, are those that are of pure hearts and clean hands. Psalm 24:4. You must hate and abhor all sin, and allow none in your life. Sin must become to you a great burden. You must loathe yourself for it, and fight and strive against it, to purge yourself more and more from it; striving more and more to mortify sin, earnestly desiring and seeking to be more holy, more conformed to the will of God, and to walk more becoming a Christian.

6. You must be brought to sell all for heaven Matt. 13:44, 45, 46. Heaven must be to you like the treasure hid in a field; or like the pearl of great price. If you would have heaven, you must take it as your whole portion; you must in your heart part with all other things for it, and it must be your manner actually to part with them whenever they stand in the way of your getting forward towards heaven. If you would have heaven, you must sell your worldly profit and your credit, and the good will of your neighbours, and your worldly pleasures and conveniences, and whatever stands in your way. Many flatter themselves that they shall obtain heaven without this, and think they have a right to heaven, though they were never brought to this, but they are sure to find themselves disappointed.

7. You must never expect to go to heaven in any other than a strait and narrow way. Some expect to get to heaven who are not walking in a narrow way. The way they are walking in is a way of indulging their ease, and of shifting off the hard and difficult parts of religion. It is not the way of self-denial, and toil, and laboriousness, but they walk in a broad way, a way wherein they are not pinched, but can go on without labour, or watchfulness, or bearing the cross. But such as these, let their hopes be what they may, and their profession what it may, and their pretences to"experiences what they may, are not like to get to heaven. To some, the way that the Scripture has laid out is too narrow and-strait;" therefore they are endeavouring to get to heaven in a broad way ; but it is in vain for you to contrive this. If you can find out any way of getting to heaven that is not a strait and narrow way, it will be a way that you are the first inventor of. If you go thither, you must go in the way of the footsteps of the flock. If you would go to heaven, you must be content to go there in the way of self-denial and sufferings, you must be willing to take up the cross daily and follow Christ, and through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

8. This subject furnishes ground of solemn exhortation to the godly, to strive earnestly after holiness of life. What manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness, who have received such infinite mercy of God, and entertain such glorious hopes; seeing God has admitted you to such happiness, earnestly labour that you may walk in some measure answerably; seeing God has admitted you to the happiness of children, walk as children. Eph. 5:1 "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children." imitate your heavenly Father; be ye holy, for He is holy. Seeing that you are admitted to the blessedness of disciples and friends of Jesus, walk as the friends of Christ, imitate your glorious Lord and Head. Here consider several things : particularly,

1. What great love God hath bestowed upon you in choosing you to such unspeakable blessedness before the foundation of the world. How wonderful was the lore ot God in giving his Son to purchase this blessedness for you, and how wonderful was the love of the Son of God in shedding his own blood to purchase such glory for you! How ought you therefore to live to God's glory! Let me therefore beseech, by those great mercies of God, that you give yourself up a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Give the utmost diligence that you may keep all the commandments of God: study that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God ; study that in all things you may be found approved : seeing God hath so loved you, strive earnestly that you may bring forth the fruits of the love of God ; and seeing Christ hath so loved you, see that you love one another; let love be without dissimulation; be ye kindly affectioned one with another with brotherly love; be of the same mind one towards another, in honour preferring one another; have fervent charity among yourselves. Seeing God hath mercy on you, be ye merciful as your Father which is in heaven is merciful. Look not everyone on his own things; be pitiful, be courteous; be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another. Christ hath thus loved you while an enemy; therefore recompense to no man evil for evil but contrariwise blessing; do good to them that do evil to you. Such things as these become those that are the heirs of the glory that we have heard of.

2. Consider how much above the world that blessedness is which God has given ; how therefore ought you to live above the world. God has redeemed you out of the world, and therefore do not live as though you had your portion in this life. Live as pilgrims and strangers; as those that are not at home; as fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. How dishonourable will it be to you that God had so advanced and entitled you to such glory, to set your heart upon the dust of the earth; how you dishonour the grace of God in giving you such blessedness: and how will you dishonour the blessedness that God has given, no more to set your heart on it, and to set it so much on the world!

3. Consider what a vast difference has God made between you and other men, how vastly different is your relative state from theirs, how much more has God done for you than for them. Seek therefore those things which are above, where God is. Will it not be a shame if one that is entitled to such glory conducts no better than a child of the devil? Consider it seriously; and let it not be asked with reference to you, Matt. 5:47. What do ye more than others? Other men love those that love them ; other men do good to those that do good to them: walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; and let it appear that you are of a spirit more excellent than your neighbour; manifest more love, and more meekness, and more humility, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering. Put ye on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, gentleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another; and let your light so shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven. Seeing God has given you so much, God and men may well expect of you, that you should be greatly distinguished in your life from other men.'

Our Growing Garden!

This is our second garden in two years. Our garden this year did much better then last years' "garden". This year I thought it would be more cost effective if I started getting more heirloom varieties instead of the hybrids. This year I tied out Amish Paste (a Roma type tomato), Silvery Fir Tree ( a small slicing tomato), King of the North (a sweet pepper), and Tiger eye (dry beans). I had a lot of "left overs from previous years so I tried to get rid of some of them this last year. It didn't work very well, I still have about one years' supply of 4 different lettuces, 3 different types of carrots and other random assortments.

I did 15 3x3' boxes with a 3' walking area around each set of 5 boxes...

Yes, there's Curio now a year old! He was kick out of the garden for a while because of his love of pepper stems, onions, digging and other destructive pass times.

Dad came up with this really great idea for the peppers and tomato plants. We built these 3' high structures with the top and two sides covered in heave duty plastic. We also had a wooden pole in the center to keep the roof up and water flowing a way from the planter.
It work wonders!

Below is my late last minute idea of planting a cucumber plant in early June. It grew really well and gave me over ten cucumbers. Below is my King of the North peppers. They grew wonderfully. I dried most of them and cooked with the rest. I had a few finally turned red inside after I picked them. Which is more then I ever got in years before.

This year I planted 'Black-seeded Simpson and was very pleased with it! It isn't a heirloom, but it did work very well.

Above is my Silvery Fir Tree tomato. They didn't seem to like being in pots on the porch so next year I think I'll have them in the garden with the others. They do have very beautiful foliage though!

To the left and below is my Amish Paste tomatoes they grew like weeds! I kept trimming them back but they kept growing! Some of the tomatoes weighed 1 pound! The plants themselves reached well over 5 feet high.

With out the Lord's mercy and grace we wouldn't have had any of this bounty!

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." Psalm 107:21-22

Standing Up For The Next Generation

In Washington this year there has raged a battle between right and wrong that never would have been considered until now in our nations history.

In March we gathered on the steps of the Capitol building in Olympia to protest against SB5688 which was designed to redefine marriage and open the doors for legalized marriage between lesbians and homosexuals. The bill was touted as a "needed" piece of legislation for homosexuals to give them rights in the arena of health care benefits, etc. Yet, the entire wording of the bill blantantly redefines marriage as not being between one man and one woman but rather an institution that includes domestic partners of any persuasion (i.e. homosexuals, lesbians, bigomists, etc.)

Over 2,400 (2) people attended the rally! I've never seen the steps of the Capitol building that full before. It became shoulder to shoulder in a cold drizzle for 2 hours. Men and women of all ages were there.

We saw media cameras and thought that this might help spread the word but the media didn't think an event with over 2,400 people filling the sidewalks, the steps, speeches being made, and hundreds of people standing in the rain worth broadcasting.

As a Christian my duty is to stand firm on the morals that God has put forth in His word no matter what others may like or dislike about it. If I believe that the Bible is the inherent word of God ("All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," 2 Timothy 3:16, Romans 15:4), then I must oppose the homosexual lifestyle and all it represents. It is a lifestyle that isn't Biblical, is anti-family, it is morally corrupt, it distorts civil liberties, and it is, frankly, sinful.

"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, deceitful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Romans 1:26-32)

Our founding fathers understood this. Noah Webster stated this in 1833, "The Bible is the Chief moral cause of all that is good, and the best corrector of all that is evil, in human society; the best book for regulating the temporal concerns of men, and the only book that can serve as an infallible guide to future felicity... It is extremely important to our nation, in a political as well as religious view, that all possible authority and influence should be given to the scriptures, for these furnish the best principle of civil liberty, and the most effectual support of republican government."

Here are some pictures taken at the rally in March.

Marriage between one man and one woman is something that Christians around Washington must fight for.
Join a Rally near you! Check out Faith and Freedom Network!

The Higher Will

By Edgar A. Guest

There is much we cannot see.

There is much we cannot know.

Why the sorrow has to be?

Why the heart must suffer so?

But faith blossoms out of pain

As the flowers after rain.

If God granted every prayer,

Made the will of man supreme,

Then more terribly unfair

Would the hurts and sorrows seem.

By the good allowed to me

Countless others wronged might be.

Falty judgment ours at best,

Since so much we cannot know.

None has ever rightly guessed

Whether good or ill the blow.

To grant all for which we plead

Might to greater sorrow lead.

Since we cannot understand

Why the disappointments fall,

For what purpose they are planned,

Faith must strengthen one and all,

Trusting God's will rather than

The self-serving will of man.

A Resolute Generation

There was a time when men were men of a resolute mind. Resolute to do what they thought to be right. Resolute in the carrying out of the difficult and, at the time, life threatening tasks. Resolute to stand firm on God's laws and commands.
Unfortunately, today we have left that determination to do what is right and just and have rather chosen to blend into the world around us. Christians in the last century have failed in being examples of Christ to the world. Instead of standing firm on the Word of God we have been blending with the world and its ideologies (See John 17:14; John 15:18-19; James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15). The Christian men that lived at the time of the American Revolution had that steadfastness that so many Christians of today have lost. So I thought it only fitting to give you a taste of that resolve and trust with the following quotes that you may be encouraged to stand firm on God's Word and principles.

Alexander Hamilton

"The Fundamental source of all your errors, sophisms, and false reasoning, is a total ignorance of the natural rights of mankind. Were you once to become acquainted with these, you could never entertain a thought, that all men are not, by nature, entitled to a parity of privileges. You would be convinced, that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator, to the whole human race; and that civil liberty is founded in that; and cannot be wrested from any people with out the most manifest violation of justice."

"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man"

Shortly after the Constitutional Convention of 1787 Mr. Hamilton stated this;

"For my own part, I sincerely esteem it a system which without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests."

Noah Webster

"Education is useless without the Bible."

"The Bible was America's basic text book in all fields."

In 1832 Noah Webster published "History of the United States". In it he states this;

"The brief exposition of the Constitution of the United States, will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and it is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion."

"God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct."

Samuel Adams

As the Declaration of Independence was being signed Mr. Adams declared,

"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."

"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader .... If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security."

"Neither the wisest Constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt."

John Adams

On June 21st, 1776 John Adams wrote;

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.

The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."

In retorting Thomas Paine's assertions, John Adams stated in his diary, July 29th 1796;

"The Christian religion is, above all the Religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and Humanity. Let the Blackguard Paine say what he will, it is Resignation to God, it is Goodness itself to Man."

George Washington

"We may, with a kind of grateful and pious exultation, trace the finger of Providence through those dark and mysterious events, which first induced the States to appoint a general Convention and then led them one after another into an adoption of the system recommended by that general Convention; thereby in all human probability, laying lasting foundation for tranquillity and happiness."

"I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."

I could go on with many more such quotes, but I hope that these will encourage you to hold God's standards higher than any other and to look at everything you face in life through the eyes of God's Word.

The Winner Is...

Sarah Pollock!

Congratulations on winning one of the new DVDs from the set "Reclaiming the Culture". You will be sent your prize directly.

The answer to this quote "The Bible must be considered as the great source of all the truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as in all social transactions." is ....

I will be posting another contest soon, but I promise it will not be so easy next time.

Congratulations again Sarah and to all of those who sent in their answers!

Runners up are: Graydon Langford, Sarah Holston, and to the Everett Family.

Vision Forum Contest!

Yes, it is a Vision Forum contest! I'm going to give away one DVD from the Reclaiming the Culture Set new to the Vision Forum collection! 

You must read the instructions below and respond by May 13 to have a chance to win.

Here is a quote from ... well I don't want to give it away but I will give you a hint: 

Go back to our country's foundation and you will find the answer.

"The Bible must be considered as the great source of all the truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as in all social transactions." 

When you have your answer send it with your full name, mailing address, and the name of the DVD you would like sent to you. Mail your response to this email  theopportuntiy88@yahoo.com. The first one with the right answer wins! I will announce the winner on my blog with the correct answer.

Let the Game Begin! 

Help Little Tait, Support The Body of Christ!

Tait Edward Zimmerman Jr. was born as 27-week preemie at 2 pounds 9 ounces in November of 2008. After being in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Providence in Anchorage, AK for the first 3 months of his life he was taken home on February 6 weighing 8 pounds 15 ounces. The Lord has been with little Tait and his family through all of this difficult time.
During Little Tait's time at the NICU Tait and Lauren were approached by social workers, informing them that, because of their son’s low birth weight Medicaid would automatically cover their hospital bills in full and contribute to meals, lodging, transportation, and any future therapies. While it was a tempting option to just sign over their son’s substantial bill to the government programs, Tait and Lauren stood firm on their pre-marriage commitment not to accept government welfare, but to seek to cover the costs on their own with help of the Lord and through private support.

Here is what we as their Christian brothers and sisters need to do...

"We are currently attempting to raise $51,644 by June 3rd. If we do not raise that amount by the 4th, then our bill will be turned over to collections, and will skyrocket to the original total of $186,769. With God's blessing, work on our part, and the help of the body of Christ, it can be done!"
"We now have less than 30 days to reach our June 4 deadline. The Lord has blessed us greatly in the past few weeks, especially, and we now have over $25,000 toward our $50,000 goal."

You can help Little Tait by clicking on the title below.

Little Tait now weighs a solid 14 pounds, 11 ounces - more than 90% of 27 week preemies are usually at his age! God's abundant grace and mercy is a wonder to see!