New Year Resolutions

(These are just a few of the book I want to read and re-read)

I started this blog primarily to research and write about history. It has started drifting from it's stated goal and New Years is a great time to realign it.  This last April was the 150th anniversary of the start of the "Civil War" . We at Oak Cottage (Yes, we named the house.  Don't you like it?)  have become very, very interested in the Civil War.  So  I want to spend the next few years reading and talking about the causes of the Civil War, the people involved, the battles, the weapons, the daily life both of those in camp and those left at home, the clothes (I have mentioned that I like old clothes, haven't I?).  We have even talked about finding recipes and trying them!

But if History is not your thing, don't worry.  There will be plenty of posts about projects, politics, and daily life in general. 

I hope you look forward to the new year as much as I do.  I can't wait to see what God wants to show me in the next twelve months.  

{ Note:  As I am a History major  and not yet a historian , I reserve all rights to change my mind if I should come across new information in the next 80 years. :0)}

Answers

1st row L-R: John Calhoun, John Calvin, C.S. Lewis, Dorothy L Sayer, Lady Jane Grey

2nd row: Jane Austen, St. Augustine, Elizabeth Gaskell, Martin Luther, Charles Dickens

3rd row: William Wilberforce, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Winston Churchill, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry 

4th row:William Shakespeare, John Bunyan, Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Madison

5th row:Thomas (a.k.a Stonewall) Jackson, J.S. Bach, Robert E. Lee, King Edward VI, Sir William  Blackstone

We had a lot of fun looking up people and trying to decide who should go in the collage.  Some people's picture (like John Calhoun, Dorothy L Sayer, Patrick Henry, William Blackstone, and William Wilberforce) was totally unfamiliar to us so it was nice to have a face to go with the name. 

Behind the Name

On of the best things about history is that you can study a person's whole life.  You can see how the choices they made, both the good and the bad, came to fruition.  Hebrew 12:1, which is one of  the mottoes for this blog, talks about being compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses.  These are the people who have run and finished their race.  They now serve as examples to us, encouraging us to persevere to the end of  our races in a God-honoring, glorious manner.   

I have always been amazed by the wisdom of the past.  Its insights are so clear and its criticisms are so just, that I am constantly astonished how people hundreds of years ago, whose life is nothing like mine, can possible counsel me how to best deal with a problem or inspire me to be all that God expects me to be.  

This is only possible because the Truth of God's Word spans time.  The Truth that these men and women studied and then applied to their lives is constant.  What they wore, where they lived, what they ate is inconsequential when compared to the fact they loved God so much that they allowed His Word and His Truth to form their character and permeate every area of their lives.  This is what makes their lives and examples a timeless model and makes their advice worth having.

So how do we know who are the best models?  First off, we must know the Bible ourselves.  You can't steer clear of  bad thinking if you can't recognize it.  Then, assuming that the person has a Biblical worldview, we examine their lives and ask ourselves a few questions.  How do they develop their God-given talents?  How do they use their time?  How do they respond to trials?  What do they do when they fail?  

Proverbs 27:27 says, " Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."  By taking the advice of those who have gone before and learning from their lives I sharpen my character against theirs.  What could make them a more Worthy Friend?

Challenge:

How many of my Worthy Friends in the collage can you name?  Comment and let me know.

Integrity....

How would you define the word?  Webster's New World Dictionary defines the word as "the quality of state of being of sound moral principle".  Some synonyms are uprightness, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, faithfulness, justness, courage, principled.   We would also recognize that a person with integrity has good character, and character can be defined as what you do when no one else is around.

Thomas Jefferson personifies the word.

The Real Thomas Jefferson by Andrew M. Allison chronicles the life of Thomas Jefferson.  The author has chosen to allow Jefferson's own words to speak for him.  The first part of the book is a carefully documented biographical sketch drawn chiefly from Jefferson's own writing.  The second part is in an encyclopedia format and includes quotes on various topics, events and people.

Jefferson lived a life based upon high standards and ideals.  I'm not saying the man was faultless.  We will never be able to create a utopia--perfect will have to wait for heaven; but if you are looking for a man who not only espoused high standards but also lived his life in accordance with them, then Jefferson is your man.

Over the course of his life Jefferson became proficient in areas such as architecture, horticulture, animal husbandry,  music and the law.  He held positions as husband, father, farmer, violinist, inventor, college president, statesman, diplomat, ambassador, secretary of state, president, advisor and prolific writer.

He was able to achieve all of these by being highly self-disciplined.  It was his habit to rise before the sun and his day was structured.  He spent at least two hours daily reading--not novels.  He involved himself in the running of the estate and often incorporated new farming techniques.  When Jefferson was running the estate, it made a profit.  He distinguished himself early in his law career and was easily elected to the state legislature.  Although initially unknown outside of Virginia, his abilities were quickly recognized while serving in the Continental Congress and were later called upon to write the Declaration of Independence.

This pattern of public service continued until his death.  When he was no longer in the public eye, he kept up correspondence with many key figures and was frequently called upon for advice.  For example, Jefferson was in France when the Constitution was written, but his signature runs throughout the document.  Madison relied heavily upon him.

There are two examples I consider very revealing.  The first occurred at Monticello.  A servant named John Hubbard had stolen some nails.  Jefferson dealt with the situation directly.  Upon seeing the great remorse of the man, for he was crying and asking forgiveness, Jefferson quickly said, "Ah, sir, we can't punish him.  He has suffered enough already."  Jefferson's kindness impacted the man greatly.  The servant considered it a display of true religion and the act encouraged him "to find religion" himself.

On another occasion his grandson recalls

            "His manners were of that polished school of the colonial government, so remarkable in its day-under no circumstances violating any of those minor conventional observances which constitute the well-bred gentleman, courteous and considerate to all persons.  On [my] riding out with him when a lad, we met  a Negro who bowed to us.  [My grandfather] returned his bow; I did not.  Turning to me he asked, "do you permit a Negro to be more of a gentleman that yourself?"

These events were private, and since character is revealed when no one else is around--they speak volumes.

In stepping out of the way and allowing Jefferson to speak for himself, the author has given the reader the chance to know Jefferson the person and to draw your own conclusions regarding him.  This book is a great place to begin learning about Thomas Jefferson.

 Guest Posted By Momma...

America's History......Stolen

     I have recently read a book that infuriated me, in a good way.  It is called The Rewriting of America's History by Catherine Millard.  This book exposes how our Christian heritage is being methodically removed from all American monuments and historic sites.  It also reveals why the study of history is so important.

     History illustrates God's love and providence in the lives of His people.  Providence includes the concepts of sovereignty and predestination.  Mainstream Christianity acknowledges God's active role (sovereignty) in the lives of humanity, but we do not live in a way that reflects that belief.  When we forget all that God has done for us and the Godly men and women who helped make our country great, we became prideful and trust only ourselves. 

     This is why the study of history is so important.  Our ignorance of our founding has led to the removal of all traces of God from our history.  Here are some examples of how our Christian heritage is being taken from us and most people do not even know about them!

     When you enter Plimoth Plantation, you go through the Meeting House.  This was the primary place of worship.  Governor Bradford proclaimed

            "All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill… there to listen to the pastor, and render thanksgiving to the Almighty             God for all His blessings."

     Unless you understand the Puritan's goal of simplifying the church, you would not be able to recognize the Meeting House's true use because there is no plaque or marker to explain the importance it had in their daily lives.  The pulpit is pushed in a corner where no one can see it.  I doubt this is where it resided when the Puritans used it. 

     For years there has been an unwritten law in Philadelphia: nothing is taller then the statue of William Penn standing atop city hall. Tradition held that he watched over the city he founded.  However, in the late 1980's all this changed.  A developer decided to build a skyscraper.  The city council voted to allow this….over the wishes of the people of Philadelphia and without respect for a prominent Founder.

     The beautiful stained glass windows, which have adorned Christ Church in Philadelphia for more then a hundred years, were removed in the late 1980's and placed in storage.  The stained glass windows commemorated the patriots and their families worshipping God, and the first prayer at the first Continental Congress led by the minister of Christ Church, Reverend Duche.  There is no viable reason to remove these windows except to hide what they represent.

     I was indignant when I began reading, but by the end of the book I realized how weak many history curriculums are, even some of the ones I have used! It also showed me the importance of original writings.  Many historians have a tainted worldview and that must be considered when choosing works to read. This book has increased my interest in American history a hundred fold and I am very interested in reading more about the Puritans.