Mittens for the Children

At this point, I've completed ten pairs of mittens for my special project. The results of work are such a blessing. I can't say how very much I have enjoyed creating these mittens, stitch by stitch by stitch. So far, no two pairs are alike in color. I'll not bore you with the specifics this time -- yarn is only yarn, after all. (chuckle) I believe the pictures will be sufficient.

America

Devotional by Pastor Willard Thomas; from Baptist Bread

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen...

Much more exciting than a fireworks display is the untold story of the Christian influence on the Declaration of Independence and the Fourth of July. In 1773, a growing feeling about British domination erupted so that, as the news was being celebrated, in the colonies they began to proclaim, "Death is better than slavery! A freeborn people are not required by the religion of Jesus Christ to submit to tyranny," and the word went up and down the colonies, "No king but Jesus!" "No book but the Bible!"

In 1776, the Continental Congress was in the greatest debate of all about the rise of this new nation. The representative from Pennsylvania stood to speak against independence. John Adams sat in silence until the representative finished; then he rose and said, "Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!"

Leviticus 25:10a And ye shall... proclaim liberty thoughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof:...

Patrick Henry's Stirring Address

Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

Let's Continue On

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green; from Baptist Bread

Hebrews 6:1b & 19 ...let us go on unto perfection... Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Lots of folks quit way too soon--let's keep on keeping on! Let us go on in spite of the spirit of the age and even our own faults and failures. There is great nobility in getting up and going on after you have been flattened by circumstances and conditions. It is great to have the illuminating attitude of I won't quit! Dr. Tom Malone once said, "If preachers wouldn't quit, U-Haul would go out of business!" I think too, that it would be ridiculous to quit due to others' discouraging displays or outright defections. Let's continue on! So what if resources have dried up, material blessings have been besieged, or physical health decimated--who cares! What you have in Christ, you have in spite of all the diversions and defeats the devil can throw your way. What you have at hand is sufficient for the day. Think about it, all Moses had was a rod. All David had was a sling. All Samson had was an ass' jawbone (think about what he could have done with a 30.06!). Hey, even Paul's thorn became a long-range positive in his life. What you have is what God has supplied you at this point in your life--use it! Let's continue on! Our hope is in the Lord, and He can do with our widow's mites, handfuls of meal in barrels, and poured-out lives.

Remember: "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (I John 3:3).

No Need to Pack

Devotional by Bro. Mike Goerlich; from Baptist Bread

Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing: go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.

In the eighth century B.C., the nation of Assyria invaded the northern tribes of Israel; and in the sixth century B.C., Babylonianish armies did the same to the remaining tribes in Judah, destroying Jerusalem as well. After seventy years in Babylon, the captives of Judah were allowed to return to rebuild Jerusalem. Prophesying that return, the prophet Isaiah warned Judah not to bring "Babylon" back to Jerusalem--to "go out of the midst of her... [and]... be clean..." (vs. 11).

The apostle Paul picked up on Isaiah's words and applied them to Christians. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (II Cor. 6:17). We aren't leaving captivity in Babylon, but we are leaving the captivity of sin. The temptation when leaving spiritual Babylon and returning to Christ is to bring that lifestyle with us--the lifestyle of the world. But Paul says to separate ourselves from the world--its lifestyle, its priorities, its values, and its methods.

Did you pack your bags when leaving the world and coming to Christ? If not, it may be time to divest yourself of that baggage. All Jesus needs is you. You cannot take the extended hand of Christ if your hands are filled with that which you have brought from the world. C.H. Spurgeon said, "Hold everything earthly with a loose hand."