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Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thanksgiving 1863
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Where is the Bride?
When I was 16 God interrupted my world and proved to me that He was real, that He loved me, and that He was listening to every single thing I said. It was an amazing encounter and I have never been the same since.
When I was 27 He set me free from fears and torments I thought were a natural part of my existence. He showed me truth about Himself that set me free from lies I had grown up believing with all my heart. For the first time I believed I was truely loved by God.
When I was 33 He released me into a whole new world of freedom and fulfillment changing my life forever. I got married.
The more I think about God and His real-ness and His love, the more I want more of Him. I want to see Him reveal more of Himself and His ways. I want to see the big picture. I want to see the Bride of Christ become free from bindings and blindings that hold her hostage in slumber and foolishness. I want to know what God originally intended her to be. I want to watch her wake up and come alive. I want to see her finally able to fully revel in the Love of Christ, free and powerful.
Think about who the Bride is. Think about what she looks like right now compared to what the Father originally intended her to be. Think about the power of God and His ability in action to draw her away from her own self-made kingdom back to His. Watch her turn and stare in shock at the realization that these are two different things. See the Stone that makes men stumble. Watch the Ultimate Romace unfold!
Do you feel romanced?
When I was 27 He set me free from fears and torments I thought were a natural part of my existence. He showed me truth about Himself that set me free from lies I had grown up believing with all my heart. For the first time I believed I was truely loved by God.
When I was 33 He released me into a whole new world of freedom and fulfillment changing my life forever. I got married.
The more I think about God and His real-ness and His love, the more I want more of Him. I want to see Him reveal more of Himself and His ways. I want to see the big picture. I want to see the Bride of Christ become free from bindings and blindings that hold her hostage in slumber and foolishness. I want to know what God originally intended her to be. I want to watch her wake up and come alive. I want to see her finally able to fully revel in the Love of Christ, free and powerful.
Think about who the Bride is. Think about what she looks like right now compared to what the Father originally intended her to be. Think about the power of God and His ability in action to draw her away from her own self-made kingdom back to His. Watch her turn and stare in shock at the realization that these are two different things. See the Stone that makes men stumble. Watch the Ultimate Romace unfold!
Do you feel romanced?
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Stronghold
According to Scottish historians the Eilean Donan Castle was built in the reign of Alexander II to protect the area of Kintail from the Vikings who were relentlessly attacking the area. Since then it was given to the Clan Mackenzie as a thank you from Robert the Bruce for their help in the Battle of Bannockburn. They in turn gave the castle to the MacRaes who became constables of the castles, keeping law and order in the area. The Castle is located in the Scottish Highlands. Eilean Donan Castle was used in the film 'Highlander' it was from here that the MacLeods were seen to march out to their first battle. It was also the Northern base of the Secret Service in 'The World is Not Enough'. In 1719 it was garrisoned by Spaniards and was such a stronghold that when bombarded by English warships the castle was surrendered simply because the soldiers inside couldn't take it anymore. (Prior to that it had once been defended by only three people from its attackers.) The English then blew up the castle using gunpowder reducing it to ruins.
Reading the history of this castle stirs something in my heart. I think of so many times when I have felt bombarded by circumstances and/or life in general. How many times have I wanted to surrender and give up to the onslaught of the enemy of my soul simply because I am tired of being bombarded? How close am I, at those times, to victory? Can I not allow this castle to remind me that I am safe in the Hands of God, a much stronger hold, and if I can just rest and wait on Him for help, I will be delivered. I don't think I realize how strong my Castle is.
Hang in there.
As you may have guessed by the photo, the castle was rebuilt. In 1912 when Lt.-Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap decided it was time to restore the family fortress. He was helped by Farquhar MacRae who after seeking God for help, had a dream which told him exactly what the original structure had looked like. This was later confirmed by old plans kept in Edinburgh Castle. The rebuilt castle was completed in 1932. (see http://www.scotland- inverness.co.uk/Chatelaine/EDC/edc-history.htm)
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