Faith of Our Fathers

Our firstborn son with his firstborn son.

We recently went to the cemetery to show the grandkids the stones of some of their ancestors. Isaac Timblin, our grandson's great great great great grandfather, whose headstone is pictured here, fought for the Union in America's Civil War. Apologies to my hero General Longstreet. Next to the headstone there is a United States flag along with a metal star and 'G.A.R.', standing for Grand Army of the Republic.

I think it's important for each generation to learn about those who've gone before - how they lived, the heritage of faith they passed on to us, how they worked and fought to make and keep us free.

I think it's interesting how even those who completely reject the very idea of God are surrounded by and daily take for granted the 'collateral benefit' from the blessing God has bestowed upon His people. No one can even imagine what it would be like for God to completely remove His hand from their lives. 

As Christ followers, we want to pass on a heritage of faith to our children. Not only do we love God, but we know that our only hope, plus the only hope for this country lies in repentance and obedience to God. 

II Chronicles 7:14: '...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.'

Repentance - the word little spoken in many of today's churches. 

I thank God for the heritage of faith in Jesus Christ that was passed down through the generations to me and my family. I am thankful for my own godly father and every father who teaches his children to love and trust Jesus.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

This stack of encyclopedias is what's remaining from a set of the New Americanized Encyclopaedia Britannica, published by A.F. Sheldon & Co., Chicago, in 1896. I know that this set was in our home when I was growing up, but am not sure where they came from. It's possible that they were given to us by my great aunts. I remember an odd volume they gave my parents, entitled The Horse and Buggy Doctor. I always thought buggy was an adjective.

What I remember most about the set of encyclopedias is that I was allowed to cut one of them up to use for illustrations for a paper I had to write for my English class - probably in grade 7 or 8. I think the paper was about President Lincoln, so I wanted pictures of Lincoln. Shocking behavior, wasn't that!! I can hardly believe I ever did that. Now I have a hard time throwing out even totally useless books that only litter our shelves and add nothing of literary, monetary, or any other sort of value. Still, it's difficult to throw a book away. CUT IT UP???!!! Shudder!

Here are the encyclopedias in the slightly-greater context of our bedroom, on the headboard of our bed. That lovely jug belonged to Kevin's mother. I love the rather muted colors. On the shelf below are a few of my Civil War books and of course the ubiquitous German Shepherd Dog, given to me by...who else? BOBBY, of course. She knows I love shepherds and is my generous shepherd supplier. :-)

I realize that this was a very disjointed post, starting with the encyclopedias and ending with German Shepherds, but blame that on my operating system. It's affected by coffee.

I bet no one else out there has Civil War books, old encyclopedias, an antique piece of pottery, and a German Shepherd Dog on their headboard!! :-)