via TJC
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. -Hebrews 11:1
And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. - Mark 3:25
The following is a story of an imagined participant in the Battle of Gettysburg. This battle was a turning point for the United States, and the hopes and dreams of those involved are landmarks to the heart and soul of our nation. In anticipation of our annual Gettysburg battlefield training, TJC authors have taken creative liberty to generate some of those hopes, informed by history, that resonate through generations to our present time. Our hope is that it ministers to your spirit.
An entry in the journal of Samuel Carslon:
July 1st, 1863
I never thought I would see it...Union soldiers retreating through the streets of Gettysburg! I heard the fighting from my front porch earlier in the day and could scarcely believe the rebel dogs would take the town. It’s no longer safe here so I’m taking Cora to stay in Philadelphia with her brother. War is not for the eyes of those as pure as she is. Maybe General Lee’s army truly is invincible...but I certainly hope not. I remember years ago I voted for Mr. Lincoln because I heard what he said about slavery and knew it to be true. He said: "A house divided against itself, cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.
This just made good sense when I heard it years ago. I don’t think I really understood that this was going to be the cost. And now it has come to pass that the ragtag band of rebels that divided the house of these United States is on our doorstep. I am on the precipice of despair. What will become of me, my family, our farm? Are we all to be swallowed whole by the wretchedness of this war? All I can hope is that we will live to see days far brighter than today.
DAILY BATTLE ORDER:
The road to the battle of Gettysburg was paved through many years of division. Division of thought, division of purpose, and division of will are toxic to any nation. As Kingdom Men we are called to be the leaders, the unifiers, the peacemakers. Reflect today on the divisions that you see in America. Are we paving another road to a house so divided we have to resort to war? What can you do to promote unity?
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SIGN UP FOR GETTYSBURG: Calling all Kingdom Men! The Joshua Commission will hold its annual Gettysburg Battlefield training 15-16 October or meet us on the battlefield on 16 October at 0830
https://joshuacommission.org/gettysburg-battlefield-training-2021/
Click the link above to sign up. Please join us in Gettysburg, experience genuine fellowship with Christian men, and equip yourself for Victory as a prince and warrior in God’s kingdom!
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