Savage Sam

We’ve owned the movie for many years.

Our children have grown up laughing at the way Bud Searcy made that “brag shot” and then promptly fainted.

They’ve discussed how spoiled Arliss was and how he should be more respectful to his elders and older brother.

They have always liked Travis, who never gave up trying to protect Lisbeth and Arliss, even enduring torture for trying to make a way of escape for them.

So, it seemed like a good idea when I had the opportunity to own an old library copy of the book.

I’d never read it, but figured if the movie was good the book would be better.

When I finished reading it aloud to our son, Jase, I was surprised.

I like the movie better.

The book was probably more true to life, but it was a lot sadder and more violent.

I didn’t grow up in Texas, nor am I old enough to know many “Old West” stories, besides a few told by a very elderly neighbor when I was a teen.

But I was born in the West, and I have known my share of people who understand wild animals, the danger they can pose; farmers and ranchers who never really stop working; as well as a few people whose families have lived in the same area since their ancestors crossed the prairie in search of a future.

There’s a separate feeling to those folks, which still bring a realness to stories like Savage Sam.

Although, it won’t make our “frequently read” list, I’m certain we will continue to enjoy the movie.

And the entire experience has reminded me, again, how evern in a fictional story, my heart cheers for those who are willing to sacrifice to save others from the grip of evil.

I’m even more thankful to God for His payment for us to escape the clutches of wickedness.

For our true enemy is not mankind, even when they fall prey to begin the mode utilized by evil, but rather it is our ancient foe, the devil and the demonic spirits.

Matthew 25:41 KJV — Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

But through Christ, we have freedom, redemption, and salvation from the ways of evil.

Psalm 9:16 KJV — The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation. Lord, thank You for the men and women whose names are unknown, but are people who have stood in the way of those trying to harm the innocent, who have sacrificed to protect the helpless. Lord, thank You that we can find faith and hope in Your Word and know that no matter the circumstances, You will judge, evil will not endure. Lord, thank You for Your promises and especially the confident expectation of Your return. Lord Jesus, for those who are being a pawn in the hand of the enemy of our souls, please help them to break out of the abuse, the self-destructive behavior, the ways of wickedness. Please help each one of Your followers to love others, to walk with integrity, and to speak the truth, that we might be used by You to thwart the efforts of the enemy. Lord, help us to remember that we don’t fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Thank You that You defeated sin and death once and for all. I praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

History for breakfast

It’s not unusual to see the history book with on our dining table, tucked among the breakfast things.

Our school day begins with prayer and then a history lesson, often while our son eats.

Last fall I discovered that our son’s interest in history grew a great deal if I could relate the people or place we were studying into something or someone he’s familiar with.

So, our American history lessons are often dotted with family.

Like the day after we read about Sherman’s march in the Civil War.

I read through an old family letter which told about my grandfather’s grandpa.

“On November 16, 1864 he enlisted for one year as a private in the Union army, (Company C, 17th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry) at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He joined his company on January 29,1865 at Pocotaligo, South Carolina. At enlistment he had given his age as 18 and used the name John Shuck. Shuck was his mother’s maiden name. (At some point they discovered his real age; 16) he was drummer boy in General Sherman’s army. Atlanta was burned on November 15th 1864, and the march to the sea was started immediately. Sherman entered Savannah in mid-December and started the march North in late January 1865. Through an affidavit signed by Grandpa we know he was on the march from Savannah to Goldsboro, North Carolina. The soldiers still plundered and laid waste the land. It was cold, wet and no tents were provided. Grandpa suffered from rheumatism and consumption in the winter and spring of 1865. Grandpa was honorably discharged on July 14, 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky.”

Although, he was interested by the fact that his grandfather was part of a famous march, Jase wasn’t glad about the suffering it caused to many, nor was he happy to hear about the illness of his grandfather, which marked his life permanently.

He was very glad the Civil War put an end to slavery in the United States.

This sparked questions and he wanted to hear more about Grandpa John.

Our history lesson turned into an extended family heritage study.

This rolled into Grandma Thekla and other moments of history, like the Chicago fire.

Grandpa lost everything he had, but both Grandma and their first child were safe, because both Mother and daughter had been sent back to Germany to visit her family as Grandma wasn’t feeling well with their second child.

Grandma’s doctor had prescribed an ocean voyage to help Grandma’s morning sickness and God used it to keep both Grandma, her expected baby and their little daughter safe.

(Not to mention that my great grandfather was the last of their six children.)

Grandpa John and Grandma Thekla

That day’s history lesson/family heritage were an opportunity.

Learning just to gain head knowledge is of little use, but to be able to look at the experiences of those from another era and see that God was working even then, that is valuable.

As we study history, I pray our son is learning so much more than names, dates, and the accomplishments of mankind.

I pray he understands that people have sin and therefore often harm themselves and others.

I pray he finds identity, not in who his great great grandparents were, but in being a child of God.

I pray he finds inspiration, for history is full of incredible people God used in amazing ways.

I pray his faith in Jesus grows daily, whether he’s studying or working or enjoying recreation.

For life is a gift from God and I want to use my gift well, and I know our son does too.

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for those You have used to record history, that we might grow in the understanding that mankind is flawed, but You are faithful. Thank You for using our family to teach both myself and our son. Thank You for the best truth of all, we have hope in Your eternal salvation! Lord Jesus, I pray for those who struggle to see Your hand at work in their lives and the lives of others. I pray that their understanding will be opened and they will be brought to a knowledge of Your goodness, Your mercy, Your grace. Lord throughout history we can see the tragedy of sin and the stain of wickedness, but through Your Word we can see that from the moment people chose sin rather than faith You have been making a way by which we can be saved. Lord Jesus, thank You! Thank You for life and the opportunity to live wholly for You. Thank You for truth and the reality that this world is not all there is. Thank You for Your love which washes away our sins. Thank You for Your Sovereignty, which: And 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 NKJV) I love You, Jesus. Amen.

1867

Today was memorable!

I was blessed to be able to tag along as a group of students were taken back in time.

The teacher waited at the door, ringing the bell.

She was lovely in a long blue skirt, blue patterned waist and a soft yarn shawl.

Her hair was up and she wore wire glasses.

She taught the children as if it were 1867.

They left brimming over with excitement.

The last thing the teacher taught was how this old school came to be sitting next to a modern-day school and how it had been rescued and restored thanks to some girl scouts and lots of volunteers.

I thanked the Lord for those people and the ones who keep the history alive by teaching others.

Just last Saturday I was doing the same thing.

I was thanking the Lord for the people who were working tirelessly to keep another piece of history alive.

This is the oldest house in our area.

The Applegate House was built by Charles Applegate and his family.

He, his family and his two brothers and their families were the first whites to move here.

They had asked permission from the local Native American tribe leader.

Charles and the chief became good friends and their families never forgot it.

To open the day of activities there was an Indian welcome song sung.

Afterwards the great great granddaughter of Charles explained the Native American lady who sang the song was the great great granddaughter of the chief.

Then we were able to tour the house and step back in time.

Charles was a blacksmith and they still have some of the tools he made.

His wife was an herbalist and they’re working at restoring her garden.

A phonograph was wound and played for us.

A drum from the Revolutionary War was sitting in the corner.

Paintings and drawings and old old photographs.

Stories of joy and hardship, tragedy and great blessing.

Yet, throughout both visits into history I kept smiling at the similarities.

Family is still very important.

Teaching our children is still a priority.

No matter how, we have to work to make a living.

Respect must be taught, but it’s also well worth the lesson.

Integrity is a noble quality, and should be taught as well as lived.

How valuable it is to savor these things and to work at passing them on.

How grateful I am that others value them and taught me their value.

How good God is!

Underneath it all I can see He’s hand guiding, restoring, preserving.

He is the One who created it all.

He’s the One who loves us enough to teach us the value of self sacrifice, work, the gift of wisdom,  and so much more.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for these two places and all the people who have made them possible. Thank You for the lessons of love and giving. Thank You for walking with me and showing me these things. Thank You Jesus, this was so special!

(This post was written last Thursday. I’m sorry I missed getting it published sooner!)

Something old

History has always had a flavor of interest for me.

As a child my parents took us to museums, art galleries, old missions along the California coast, and any other areas of history they could find.

My view of the world I live in has benefited from the extra hours of looking back through the struggles and success of others.

Whenever possible I have striven to expand my children’s experience by turning to the old, antique,  and things of another era.

It hasn’t always been pleasant.

The time we stood in an air museum and our oldest, who was 10 at the time asked about a plane the Japanese used during World War II.

“Why were they flying the planes into the ships? How did they get out of the planes before they hit?”

The answer was tougher than we had expected.

Yet we learned a lesson.

Even the ugly awful truths of the past can be learned from.

But it takes honesty to admit them.

Especially when it is ugly in our own past.

I had a “heart to heart” with our oldest yesterday and during it I was explaining why her Dad and I feel so strongly about a particular circumstance.

In doing so I had to remind her of a choice her Dad and I made when we were young and neither of us are proud of.

Despite our convictions of following the Bible we chose to ignore it when it came to boundaries within our relationship.

We built our time together on feelings and physical attractions instead of getting to know each other. Learning how to best serve the other.

We were both selfish.

Looking out for our needs, wants, desires.

So after a few months of dating I turned up pregnant with her.

But God stepped in.

He has forgiven us of our wrong and turned us into people who desperately love each other.

But the consequences of our sin still had to be dealt with and we had to repent.

She listened and understood.

I squeezed her hand and urged her to read the Bible looking for the answers to her questions.

And in my own heart I think of 1 John 3:1a “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! “