390 Years Ago Yesterday

390 years ago yesterday... yes, 390; the Pilgrims first set foot in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I have been to Plymouth a couple of times and it is one of my favorite places to visit. I love history and that place is full of it!

It's a shame but most people today don't know very much of our nation's history. At least, they don't know it accurately. These people that we commonly refer to as "Pilgrims" endured harships that we can't even imagine. Not only did they come for religious freedom, they came as missionaries to a new world.





I toured the replica of the Mayflower one of the times I was in Plymouth vacationing with friends and let me tell you; it was no luxury cruise ship! 102 passengers plus crew all packed onto one tiny ship for a two month voyage across the sea. It is so small and cramped it's a wonder that any of them made it over here alive. When we walked off of the boat I looked at the girls and said, "The Pilgrims are my new heroes!" To endure such hardships they must have had very strong convictions in their reasons for coming here.





Gov. William Bradford (who's grave I have seen), wrote in his book, Of Plymouth Plantation, that despite many setbacks they, "committed themselves to the will of God and resolved to proceed." Because of their "resolve" to carry on, you and I are enjoying a life in this "new world" as they termed it, benefiting from their sacrifies. Just because they survived the two month journey (which not everyone did) didn't mean that they had it easy from then on. They went on to face many more obstacles the likes of which we will probably never have to see.

So as Christmas approaches this week let's be thankful that there were those who came before us and thought of posterity more than their own comforts. Let's also think ahead to what will be said of us... 390 years from today!

Merry Christmas

One of my favorite times of the year is fast approaching. I love the Christmas season. The combination of family together, the beauty of the Christmas tree decorated and beautifully lit, the good food that I eat too much of, the snow on the ground (hopefully) and yes the presents under the tree all leave me feeling warm and cozy inside. And although I have been called a grinch because I don't like most Christmas music... it's still one of my favorite times of the year.

Sometimes it's hard to keep perspective in the world we live in. Christmas for many people has become just another money-making holiday that is so commericalized that most of the world has lost sight of the true meaning of the season.

These days we live in a society obssessed with political correctness. It's not politically correct to say "Merry Christmas". Instead we're supposed to say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" or replace Christ with simply an "x", lest we offend anyone. I've never been politically correct and I'm not about to start being that way now.

Why is it that anything that includes the name "Christ" in it has to be found as offensive? I believe it's because the name of Jesus Christ is powerful. And what the world needs most is to know Jesus Christ intimately as Lord and Saviour. The devil knows his time is short and he is working overtime to keep people from the truth.

Christmas is all about Jesus Christ coming to this earth in human form and redeeming us from our hopeless state. And I'm sure that Satan loves it when the world forgets about that. Whenever I'm at the store or anywhere where people say "Happy Holidays", I have made it a point to say "Merry Christmas" instead.

We as Christians have been given the ministry of reconcilation (2 Cor. 5:19) to tell the world of what Jesus has done. What better time to do that than right now during this Christmas season? In Luke 2:14 the angels are announcing the birth of Christ and the Bible says, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" The word for "peace" here in the Greek is, "eirene" and means, "A state of rest, quietness, and calmness; an absence of strife; tranquilty and includes a harmonious relationship between God and men, men and men, nations and families."

The world we live in is in desperate need of this message. Let's take it to them and fulfill the Great Commission. Merry CHRISTMAS!!!

I've been wanting to post something but not much has gone on of note so I decided to just do a short post with one picture.

In the fall of '02 thru the spring of '03 I attended Rosedale Bible College. There I met lost of people and walked away with some amazing friendships. Anyone who has ever gone to school at RBC can testify the strong friendships that are formed there. It's something special no doubt.

This week Mom and Dad were out of town so I've been hanging with my good friend Kristi Bender who I met while attending RBC. It used to be that a group of us girls would get together at least once a year for some sort of trip. It's getting harder to do that as time goes on. I'm glad Kris only lives 45 mintues away because we get to see each other quite often that way. When we're together we're usually wishing everyone else could be here too. It's hard telling what will happen whenever we're together. If you don't hear from me again it's because Kristi killed me for putting this picture up!


Thank you, Rosedale Bible College.