Seeking the Way

God has called all His saints to live according to His commands.
Obedience.
God has called all His spirit-indwelling ones to shine His light.
Kindness.
God has called all His dearly beloved to reach out to His world.
Mercy.
God has called all His followers to walk in His footsteps.
Faithfulness.
God has called all His sheep to listen intently to His voice.
Humility.
God has called all His ministers to rejoice in all His promises.
Joy.
God has called all His children to proclaim His truth.
Constancy.
God has called all His servants to stand for His name.
Fearless.
God has called all His disciples to learn His way.
Diligence.
God has called all His redeemed to show His face.
Love.


Is Jesus Christ truly your Lord and Savior?
Has your Heavenly Father given you His Holy Spirit?
If so, all of these are your callings for your life on this earth.

Alex, Brett, and William

The Harris twins, Alex and Brett, have recently written the book Do Hard Things. (http://www.therebelution.com/dohardthings/) I finished reading this book yesterday. This evening I watched (for the first time) the movie about the work of William Wilburforce, called "Amazing Grace." (http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/) I could not help jumping to my feet after this movie and yelling, "Why aren't we doing anything NOW for the slaves around the world!?!?!!" This is something that NEEDS to change!! Too many people, especially children, are kidnapped and/or sold into slavery today and being forced to be, among other things, sex slaves. What is our world coming to!? We, the US as a society, are far too concerned about our personally comfort and convenience than about the GREAT SUFFERING around the globe!!! Why don't we wake up and do something!? I am a college sophmore majoring in Biblical Studies and, as Wilburforce says in the movie, I too often prefer to meditate on God; why is that? Because just meditating is easy. Doing something with the Truth is far more difficult. I have also been helping out some at the local Pregnancy Care Center this summer. To hear a few of the stories of the lives of these women and girls...it would break your heart. Yes, some are the stario typical dumb teen who gave her boyfriend too much one night, but many aren't. I can't tell any details for legal confidence sake, but they make me want to cry (and if you know me at all, me crying is significant). Abortion. Have you ever really considered how truly gruesome and terrible it is. A baby can't talk, but they have all the other functions which we use everyday. Why are we letting them be MASS MURDERED everyday!!??!!

Why does the world not value life above a payable price? Why does the US care more about its economy than its people? Why do we only meditate on God and what He has told us? Why have I not done anything?

Lord God! Show us what battles we should be fighting! Show me how I am supposed to respond to this enormous burden on my heart!! Lord Jesus, may all that I do be to Your glory! May Your will be done! Father God, I pray this in Jesus name.

Camp Site 41

This past weekend, I went camping! Elijah, his sister, Lydia, and my brother, Daniel were my companions. We meet at Kings Mountain National Military Park and camped Saturday night at Kings Mountain State Park. Walking/hiking around, playing frisbee, playing cards, attending the campground chapel service, singing accompanied by Daniel on the guitar, and engaging in various conversations filled our time. I had a wonderfully refreshing and enjoyable weekend! Praise God for all His awesome, amazing blessings!!!
The Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780 was a major turning point in the American Revolution. The British forces had put Col. Patrick Ferguson in charge of recruiting colonist loyal to the British Crown. The battle that occurred at Kings Mtn was fought between 1,000 of these Loyalist and 910 "Overmountain men." The Overmountain men came from what was called the backwoods of Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, which essentailly was made up of the areas west of most the colonial settlements. The different forces of Overmountain men rallied together at three locations: Sycamore Shoals, in present day Carter County, TN (where I was born); Quaker Meadows, the easte of the McDowell family in present day Burke County, NC (where my family now lives); and Cowpens, SC. These untrained, rugged mountain men came in answer to Ferguson's proclamtion that if they would not “desist from their opposition to the British army, and take protection under his standard, he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword.” The Battle at Kings Mtn lasted only about an hour, but the Loyalist forces were totally defeated and Col. Ferguson was among those killed.
Walking around on Kings Mtn gave me an extra thrill because this was more to me than just another battle fought a long time ago; one of my ancesters, Thomas Francis, and his relative, Henry Francis, Jr, were among those who came down with Col. William Campbell and charged the hill that day. Yes, I am an US American right through. I must admit, however, that I struggle to be proud of what this nation has become. One of the best conversations I had with Elijah and Lydia this weekend concerned the US church today and our personal life callings. Are we going to be loyal to that which appears safest, strongest, and most promising as the British Empire did in 1780? Or are we going to stick out our necks, stand for what is right, and fight against all odds for the glory of God as the American patriots from "over the mountains"?

What about you? Where will you pledge your aliegence and stand when the fighting comes?