Things My Father Taught Me

My father, Stanley Kevan Myers taught me a lot.  Here are some of those things...

How to love to read books.
How to come as soon as I was called.
How to swing a hammer and use a circular saw.
How to camp and tent and love adventure.
How to appreciate good food and graciously eat whatever I was given.
How to receive correction and discipline.
How to milk goats and get eggs from a chicken's laying box.
How to run, hike, and climb.
How to skip a rock.
How to drive a car.
How to endure thirst, heat, cold, and pain, and keep going.
How to be a diligent worker, with a good attitude.
How to bait a hook (was with me when I caught my first trout).
How to hunt and clean a deer (you shoot it, you clean it).
How to build a tree stand or shelter off the land.
How to sing with all my heart.
How to observe, identify, and love animals: domestic, lifestock, and wildlife.
How to leave a campsite, or anywhere cleaner/better than I found it. 
How a man is to love and give himself for his wife and children.

He taught me to love water, forests, and mountains.
He taught me to value my family's heritage.

He taught me to love my family, my neighbours, and strangers.

He taught me to be a man of honour and duty.

He taught me to honour my elders.

He taught me to stand up for the weak and the vulnerable.

He taught me never to hit a girl.

He taught me to delight in worshipping God with a local church.

He taught me to know, fear, love, and serve the true and living Triune God.

He taught me to search the Scripture, and reckon them to be true.

I cannot tell you all the things my dad taught me, but I can tell the most important thing he ever taught me.

From before I was born, He would talk to me, and preach the Gospel to me in the womb.  And when I was 3 1/2 years old, and came to him greatly troubled, telling him that I was a sinner, on my way to Hell, he showed me the way of salvation.  

He reached out and got his Bible, and opened it to John 3:16, the same verse his dad turned to, when Dad went to him at age 4.

He declared what Jesus Christ, the Son of God had done on my behalf, laying down his life shedding his blood on the cross, taking my punishment, and rose the third day so that I could be saved.  At the young age, I bowed my heart, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was turned from death unto life!

SO SO SO grateful for my father!

And I pray that the heavenly Father will make me into the "Da" that my children need, the kind of Dad and I had growing up.

Abortion must be abolished.

The Meaning of a Name - The Ed Word (Edward)

Today is my son Edward's birthday.  He is now 1 year of age.  Though Tirzah and the rest of us often call him "Bubber", Edward's full name is much longer and filled with meaning for us.  

The name of our little guy is Edward Borden Benjamin Myers

Edward comes from the Old English ead meaning "blessed, rich" and weard, meaning "guardian, watcher".  

In Hebrew, Ed is a proper name meaning "witness".  It is the name given to a great altar built by the two and a half tribes (Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh) on the east side of Jordan, as a testimony to future generations that the LORD IS GOD (Numbers 22).  We desire for our son to become a bold witness for Christ, whose life will so given for Christ that it will alter the course of history as those who come after see what God has done!

I also appreciate that in the heart of the name is the word WAR.  We are in a great conflict of spiritual warfare.  I call him my little warrior, and desire him to grow to "be strong in the LORD" (Ephesians 6:10), and "turn the battle to the gate" (Isaiah 28:6).  We love having both our children join us each week at we minister at the abortion mill!  And my prayer for my son/warrior is that he will gain a great desire to defend those who are weak, be a hero for the fatherless and widow, win souls to Christ, do battle in the heavenlies, and that the Lord will mightily use him to "brake the jaws of the wicked, and pluck the spoil out of his teeth" (Job 29:17)!

Edward is the middle name of my father's father, Harold Edward Myers.  His birthday was March 27th, only 5 days earlier than Edward's (in fact, the 27th was one of the possible due dates we were given for Edward'a arrival).  Grandpa Myers taught me so much about life and family, God's creation, hard work, and integrity, and is now in Heaven with his blessed Redeemer.  Grandpa Myers was the one to lead my father to salvation in Jesus, and my father led me.  And I pray daily for Edward to come to saving faith in Christ alone!

Edward is a name that carries a royal weight.

King Alfred the Great's eldest son was named Edward.  In the last hours of Alfred's life, he called for Edward, to give him a last charge as king:

"Thou my dear son, set thee now beside me, and I will deliver thee true instructions.  I feel that my hour is coming.  My strength is gone; my countenance is wasted and pale.  My days are almost ended.  We must now part. I go to another world, and thou art to be left alone in the possession of all that I have thus far held.  I pray thee, my dear child, to be a father to thy people.  Be the children's father and the widow's friend.  Comfort the poor, protect and shelter the weak, and, with all thy might, right that which is wrong.  And, my son, govern thyself by law.  Then shall the Lord love thee, and God Himself shall be thy reward.  Call thou upon Him to advise thee in all thy need, and He shall help thee to compass all thy desires."

History tells us that this son, who succeeded Alfred, became a good and just ruler, and gained such renown, that the name Edward remained in popular use even after the Norman conquest, when Norman names replaced English ones.  In fact, eight other monarchs of England were given the name of Edward in honour of that son of Alfred.

One of those "Edward kings" (and my favorite), was Edward VI, by some called "the British Josiah", whose short life of fifteen years and brief reign of only six years, nevertheless burned brightly for the Scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and altered the course of England's history.  When preparations for his coronation were being made, it is said that three swords were brought out to be carried in the procession, as emblematic of his three kingdoms.  The young Edward said, "There was one yet wanting."  The nobles inquired what it was and he answered, 

"The Bible.  That book is the sword of the Spirit, and to be preferred before these swords.  That ought in right to govern us, who use them for the people's safety by God's appointment.  Without that sword we are nothing, we can do nothing, we have not power.  From the Bible we are what we are this day.  From it we receive whatsoever it is that we at present do assume.  He that rules without it is not to be called God's minister or king.  Under the Bible, the word of God, we ought to live, to fight, to govern the people and to perform all our affairs.  From it alone we obtain all power, virtue, grace, salvation and whatsoever we have of divine strength."  O, that our son Edward would treasure that Sword, and wield it faithfully!

Edward Ruthledge was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Though he was cautious to come to the decision to separate from Britain, Ruthledge, at age 26, became the youngest of the 56 signers, to pledged his life, fortune, and sacred honour to see his fledgling nation free from the tyranny of George III.

Borden means "from the boar valley".  This is interesting, since my dear wife Deana's name means "from the valley".  We desire for our son to take on the challenges and dangers of life with an incorrigible trust in the living God, no matter his outward circumstance.

The father of the Borden family came to England circa the Norman conquest, following King William the Conqueror, and was granted land and named a Baron in recognition of his assistance in the Battle of Hastings. 

We named our son after the stalwart young millionaire, William Whiting Borden (1887-1913), who forsook the world and followed Jesus Christ to the mission field.  Though he died at age 25 in Cairo before ever reaching his beloved China, the incredible life of dogged love for souls and daring givenness of William Borden has caused multitudes of Christians since to be moved to the mission field.  We desire for our son to be ready for God's call to missions, and to "Say No to Self, Yes to Jesus every time."  

It is special to us that in Borden, our son Edward is named after a William, since we lost his older brother, William Livingstone Samuel, before birth.  Each and every child is a blessing to be cherished, welcomed, and valued as the "heritage of the LORD" (Psalm 127:3).

Benjamin is Hebrew, meaning "son of the right hand".  Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, and Joseph's brother, whose family became a tribe.  A few of the heroes that came from the tribe of Benjamin are Ehud, Jonathan, Mordecai, and the apostle Paul.  "Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of  man whom thou madest strong for thyself" (Psalm 80:17).  

My mother's father is named Benjamin Russell Markley, Jr.  He too, has taught me an incredible amount about diligence, character, heritage, and service for the Lord.  At 91, he is still with us, and we plan to visit him this weekend.  Both I and my son Edward have the middle name of Benjamin.   

There were three signers of the Declaration of Independence named Benjamin:
Benjamin Franklin - Pennsylvania  
Benjamin Rush - Pennsylvania
Benjamin Harrison - Virginia

   Of these three signers, my favorite is Benjamin Rush, who was a staunch Christian, a passionate patriot, and being an early Abolitionist, he founded the first abolitionist society in America.  Even while King George outlawed such groups.  Rush was also a scientist and dedicated physician, who risked his own life to stay and care for hundreds of patients during an epidemic in Philadelphia, even as many other doctors were fleeing for their own safety. Dr. Rush wrote a powerful defense of the use of the Bible in public schools, which later became a widespread tract.  He served under three U.S. Presidents of different parties.  Benjamin would find a man who followed Biblical principles, and would stand with him.  He said once "People have alternately called me an Aristocract and a Democrat.  I am neither.  I am a Christocrat."

We are humbled and grateful for the honour of receiving and raising this son, and do seek God's wisdom and direction as we train our children to know, fear, love, and serve God with all their hearts!  

Happy Birthday, Edward!  Love you, Bubber!

Abortion must be abolished.

A Delight by No Other Name - Tirzah Carmichael

On the 26th day of November, 2011, we met our firstborn child.  When it was announced that she was a girl, Deana and I were flooded with emotion.  Our own little Tirzah Carmichael Myers!  Now she is three years old, and such a treasure!

Often when we are introducing our family, people ask where we got the name "Tirzah".  This affords a wonderful chance to share.  The name comes from the Bible.  Each of our children have been given Bible names, and I love to tell about their origin.  I especially delight in the lesser known Bible people, those which many are not familiar.  Many times we can get the idea that we know all the stories and characters in the Scriptures, so it is profitable to be reminded and encouraged to dig deeper.

The name Tirzah is found 18 times in the word of God.  It is a proper Hebrew name with the meaning "Delight, Delightful, Delightsomeness".  (Besides being found in Scripture, it was the name chosen by Lew Wallace for the sister of Judah in the classic novel, Ben Hur.)  In the Bible, we find Tirzah the girl, and Tirzah the city. 

First, we find her name in the book of Numbers as one of (and probably the youngest of) five daughters of a man named Zelophehad.  Numbers 26:33 "And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah."

In the next chapter (Numbers 27:1-11), we see her approach Moses along with her sisters, making an appeal concerning the inheritance and possession of their father now deceased.  Moses brought their petition before the LORD, and God responded that "the daughters of Zelophehad speak right..." (Numbers 27:7).  Their wise appeal created a precedent that protected the concerns of family, property, and possession for the whole nation of Israel. (If England had adopted that statute, the Bennett family would not have faced entailment away from their five daughters, but then of course, we would not have the story of Pride and Prejudice, would we?)  

We find these same five daughters featured again at the end of that book, where we hear of their marriages (Numbers 36:1-13): "...For Mahlah, Tirzah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married...And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father..."

Finally, we find them in the land, as the tribes of Israel are taking possession of the Promised Land. Joshua 17:3-6 "But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren.  Therefore according to the commandment of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father..."  What a fitting last mention, as we see the LORD giving them the desires of their heart as they committed their way unto Him!

We desire that our little Tirzah would also learn to make wise appeals and speak what is right.

The other times we find this name, it is speaking of a city, the City of Tirzah. 

It was a name of a royal city, which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:24).

The city of Tirzah in Ephraim was chosen to be the capitol city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel when the kingdom was divided.  From the reign of Jeroboam through to the half point of Omri's 12 years, it was the city of kings (I Kings 14:17; 15:21,33; 16:6,8,9,15,17,23).  It continued to be a city of influence at least until the reign of the rebel king Menahem ten kings after Omri (II Kings 15:14-16).  The city of Tirzah evidently was a delightful place.  To have been chosen out of all the cities of the northern ten tribes, it must have been a place of beauty (being well situated, pleasant to look upon, and with impressive architecture) and strength (being defensible, with walls and towers).  Even before the nation divided, King Solomon likened its attractiveness and charm to the beauty of his beloved wife in Song of Solomon 6:4 "Thou are beautiful, my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem...".

We desire for our daughter Tirzah to be beautiful, inside and out, with strength, as she allows the true King to dwell and reign within her heart. 

From the beginning, we planned to also give our children names of faithful missionaries, in order to inspire and challenge them to exploits for Christ.  Tirzah's middle name is Carmichael, after Amy Carmichael (AD 1867-1951), the amazing Irish missionary to India, who heroically rescued hundreds of young women, and little girls and boys from temple slavery.  The life, ministry, and writings of this devoted and selfless emissary of the cross of Christ has been a challenge and encouragement to both of us, especially to Deana.  

Here are some quotes from Amy Carmichael:

"He said 'Love...as I have loved you.'  We cannot love too much."

"We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could."

"I wish Thy way. 

And when in me myself should rise, and long for something otherwise,

Then Lord, take sword and spear

And slay."

"The word comfort is from two Latin words meaning 'with' and 'strong'--He is with us to make us strong.  Comfort is not soft, weakening commiseration; it is true, strengthening love."

"Can we follow the Saviour far, who have no wound or scar?"

"All along, let us remember we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey..."

We desire for our daughter Tirzah Carmichael to learn to submit to God, and live to see Him glorified, and the lost, the weak, and the vulnerable rescued.  It has been a delight to see her, even as a small child, standing with us at abortion mills, showing care for the babies in danger, and handing information to mothers heading inside.

The name Carmichael has various rendered meanings, such as "Child of Michael", "Friend of Michael", "Follower of Michael", and "Fort of Michael" (the prefix Car, coming from Caer "fort").  I have always liked the name Michael, as it is the middle name of my brother Bryan.  The name Michael is Hebrew and means "Who is like God?"  It is actually a question. The answer is, of course, there is no one like the true and living God, the God of the Bible.

We desire for our daughter to know God and became His child through faith unto salvation, to live as His friend, following Jesus faithfully.  We pray for the Lord Who is like no one else to be her Defense, her All in all.

Abortion must be abolished.

The Hands, Heart, and Heritage of my Grandfather, Ben Markley!

Yesterday was the 91st birthday of my mother's father.  He was named after his father, and several of his descendants also bear the name Benjamin, "son of the right hand." I am proud to be one of them! Benjamin Russell Markley, Jr. is to me, and others of his kith and kin, a tremendous blessing; a peaceful hero; a quiet servant who thinks little of himself, and pours out for others; a walker with God.  He is a man who has lived a strenuous life, intensely given to God and family.  His life has been a testimony of God's faithfulness. This man exudes with dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  He embodies, truth, humility, and love in action--incorrigible in his desire to be there for people in need.

When I think of my grandfather,
I see what the proverbs call "the hand of the diligent" (Proverbs 10:4; 12:22).
   Hands that are brown from both Cherokee blood and work in the sun, scarred and calloused from laboring for others, aged but still surprisingly strong.
   Those hands that worked machinery, that seemed to handle every tool with ease and dexterity, that tousled my hair, that lifted me onto the telephone books on the chair at the table, that handed me my first rubberband gun, that he used when telling a story, that led singing with great animation, that provided for his family, that tenderly held his wife throughout life, and that carried his Bible with care and familiarity.  Those hands upon my little shoulders.  Those hands that he would raise, both of them, whenever he was waving good-bye as we drove away.
   Grandpa was one of the men who taught me to "fear God and work hard," as David Livingstone said.  Those hands were ever available to aid his neighbors, and just about everyone WAS his neighbor.  I hardly remember a visit as a child, that Grandpa didn't put me in his old green truck to help him pick up sticks, or rake someone's yard, or cut wood, etc., for others in need.  Even just a few weeks ago He proved this to be true during clean up at a family reunion.  When somebody mentioned taking some chairs to a pickup truck Grandpa beat me to the remaining chairs, taking FOUR of them, leaving me with ONE!

When I think of my grandfather,
I see what the proverbs call the "light of the eyes" (Proverbs 15:30)
Eyes that I have seen light up with humor, shine while teaching the Scriptures, blur with emotion about those he loves, grow firm with chastening and correction, darken with indignation at injustice, and soften with manly gentleness.  His eyes always were in harmony with his voice, and as a child, I love looking into those Cherokee Brown eyes that mirrored my own.  Grandpa's eyes had a way of looking into yours, a manner about him that set one at ease, but commanded honesty.

   One word that well describes Grandpa Markley is meekness.  Meekness is NOT weakness.  It is strength under control.  A wild stallion has great strength, but it does not aid mankind unless it yields control to someone else.  Grandpa's strength was harnessed by the Lord Jesus Christ, and he willingly submitted to his Master, to give to the Lord and others, and continues in the same spirit today.

   I cherish his story-telling.  How I loved to hear of our ancestors--Cherokees, homesteaders, blacksmiths, and circuit riding preachers among them.  The adventures they had, and the challenges they overcame!  There were lessons to be learned from their lives, and warnings too.  And I wish that I knew more. One of the most treasured accounts he told me was how he got saved, as a boy of 12, and how God propelled him from salvation to service in teaching and preaching very quickly.  How he learned to love and study the Bible, and invest in the lives of the rowdy boys he taught in Sunday School as a youth of 16.

Grandpa delights in the Lord, and in his family, and especially in seeing his descendants following the Lord in their lives!  I am always intensely moved when this great man in my life, one whom I greatly esteem, comes up to me and humbly takes my hand in his, grips it firmly, looks me in the eye and tells me he is grateful for me, and prays for me and my family, and the way the Lord is leading us.  He prays for all his household, and like Mordecai, can be described as "speaking peace to all his seed" (Esther 10:3).  Brethren, let us each not only take the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, but may we each walk with the Lord in the light of His word.  May we not neglect to pass on the heritage we have received.  "Let us not remove the ancient landmarks which our fathers have set" (Proverbs 22:28).

There are so many memories that I didn't mention.  Any one else who is of the ranks of family and friends of Ben Markley, I am sure, have stories, remembrances, and such of their own are welcome to comment to add them for the benefit of all who read.

Suffice it for me to say, I am grateful for my Grandpa Markley.  He's Ben.  He's "Ben" Grandpa all my life.  And I love him.

Written for the Generation to Come

The Bible tells us that it is good for us to share our testimony, of how we each came to know Jesus as our personal Saviour from sin.  Paul shared his testimony many times to bear witness of the grace of God.  It is a powerful way to declare the truth of Gospel, to encourage our fellow believers, and to give glory to our Redeemer.  It is especially important to pass on the truth of our faith in Jesus Christ to those who are younger, both in age, and in the faith. 

Psalm 145:4 “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”

Have you ever shared with others (friends, family members, fellow believers, etc.) about how the Lord saved you?  How you came to know you were a sinner?  How you heard the Gospel of what Jesus did for you, giving His precious blood, dying on the cross, and rising again (I Corinthians 15:3-4)?  How you turned to Him and trusted in Him to save you?  No testimony is boring.  Some are saved as children, and others as adults.  Some sinners were saved out of the gutter, and others were churchgoing sinners who were just as mightily saved out of a church pew.  Your salvation testimony is powerful, whether or not you feel it was dramatic.  Please share it.  I’d like to encourage you to do this, so that others can be edified in Christ.  Do your children and/or grandchildren know how you were saved? One of the greatest blessings I possess is knowing how my parents and grandparents came to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 38:19 “The father to the children shall make known thy truth.”

Psalm 78

v. 3 “Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.”

v. 4 “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”

v. 5 “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:”

v. 6 “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children”

v. 7 “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:”

One great way to start sharing your testimony is to write it down.  Just write out your thoughts; put it down on paper.  Tell about how old you were, what was going on in your life, what showed you were a sinner in need of forgiveness and salvation, how you heard about what Jesus did for you, and how you came to trust in Him alone for your salvation from the condemnation your deserved because of your sin.  Share a Scripture verse about being saved that is special to you.  Your written testimony could be a paragraph or 5 pages long!  Once you have written out your testimony, you will find that it is easier to verbalize it too.

A testimony that is written down becomes a fast way to witness.  You can make copies and share them with friends, neighbors, family and strangers through e-mail, letters to grandchildren, or even in this year’s Christmas card!  It may be one of the greatest gifts you could give.  What a blessing for everyone you tell, to read how you came to know Jesus Christ!  It may even cause others to consider whether they have believed and turned to Jesus Christ, and be used to draw them to salvation as well!

“This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD” (Psalm 102:18).

It is the Same Sword

From a child, I have loved the stories of history.  What joy to read of noble men and women!  To hear rousing accounts of clashing battles!  To learn of significant points (both high and low) in the history of mankind and gain instruction from the past!  These have ever thrilled and challenged my adventurous heart.  O how I have longed to be where great things happened!  To walk and stand where heroes trod!  Even to view and touch articles that were used by those who went before me.

   

You can then understand my feelings as a child, when blessed at times to go and see places that I had read about.  I am so grateful that my parents took our family to places to see for ourselves.  What learning times I had! I recommend such trips for every family.  You don't always have to travel far.  Here are just a few of the places I was able to experience.

In Diamond, Missouri, at the George Washington Carver National Monument, I stood and saw the site of the cabin where he was born.  My brother, sister, cousin, and I walked, nay, ran down the trail to the spring (still flowing) where George fetched water as a boy.  I remember looking up at the life-size statue of the young "plant doctor," and wondered, "If I had lived back then, would he have wanted to be my friend?"

In St. Joseph, Missouri, my family and I went to see where Johnny Frye, the first Pony Express rider, set out west towards San Francisco.  Think of it—ten days to traverse plain, mountains, and desert!  Through weather, outlaws, and Indian attack those young wiry lads brought the mail with speed and devotion.  As a young boy, I stood at the Pony Express Stable museum and trembled deliciously to think, "It happened here."  Years later, as a man, I was in Wyoming and went out on some friends' ranch and saw where a Pony Express station once stood.  There I experienced the same shiver.  "How exciting to think, I got to see this!"  

I hiked the hill of the Little Bighorn region in Montana, and saw the place where General George Armstrong Custer and his men had their last stand.  I'd look at each marker, and wonder what each man thought as he tried to hold his ground.  And I'd try to picture Crazy Horse and his warriors, as they gained victory thinking about these mighty men on both sides, wishing I could have been able to sit with each and learn why they were fighting and that I would have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

We toured Daniel Boone's last home in Defiance, Missouri.  How incredible to see the narrow windows crafted for defense, amazing furniture the great woodsman had fashioned with his own skillful hands, and even the threaded door hinges he designed to keep the wooden floors from getting scratched.  It was there I saw Ticklicker, Daniel's famous rifle, and I would have touched it too, but it was on the other side of the glass. 

I got to walk through Squire Boone's Caverns, and remembered how God had saved the life of Daniel's kid brother by having him fall into the cave while he was pursued by hostile natives.  The escapades of this Revolutionary War hero and the first Baptist preacher in Kentucky filled me with fervor.  God's providence and care was made very evident to me as I looked at the spot where he was delivered.  The words he carved on the stones of his mill nearby, still ring in my ears: "My God my life hath much befriended; I'll praise Him till my days are ended."

Whenever I see an historical marker, I want to stop and see what it says.  Even just this spring, My wife, daughter, and I stopped several times while driving through Kansas to see an old train station, stone arch bridge, church, and a one room schoolhouse from 1896.  The stone schoolhouse stood alone on one end of a pasture.  We pulled over, piled out, and looked in wonder.  You could see the bell still in the tower, two stone outhouses (presumably one for boys and one for girls), and the pump for the schoolyard well.  We imagined children walking up the lane to school, and wondered what became of them. Who taught in this place?  Who were the students?  Did a courageous student stand up to a bully in that yard?  What was accomplished in history because of truths taught?  What has been lost in education in the generations following?  How I wished to venture closer, to explore, to peek in the windows.  I would have paid for a tour, but alas, it was desolate, the only signs of life in the area a herd of cattle grazing a hundred yards off.  So we drove on.

For years I have picked up various items for my collection: 

—a Civil War bullet that was found on a battlefield (perhaps the Battle of Wilson's Creek)
—stone arrowheads and chippings left by native Americans in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Wyoming

—a couple tin cans (used and discarded by pioneers) that I found along the Oregon Trail

—various articles, including instruments from a ship, salvaged on an historic beach in Two Harbors, Minnesota
—ancient pottery I dug out of the earth with my own hands in Israel

These and other objects are great tools for teaching lessons from the past, giving inspiration for the mind in our present day, and can stir up motivation to take up a challenge for the future.  Being able to see and even hold pieces of history can make events become more "real", assist us in understanding what others went through, and encourage us to live uprightly in our generation.

Our daughter, Tirzah Carmichael is named in honor of Amy Carmichael, the Irish missionary to India, who served faithfully for 55 years.  Amy's life, ministry, and writings have been a blessing to multitudes and a testimony to the grace and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let's consider her words in one instance...

"Someone gave me a bit of brick and a little slab of marble from Rome.  It was wonderful to touch one of them and think, Perhaps the apostle Paul or one of the martyrs touched this as they passed.  But how much more wonderful is it to think that we have, for our own use, the very same Sword our Lord used when the devil attacked Him...We have the same Book that He had, and we can do as He did.  So let us learn [His words] that they may be ready in our minds; ready for use at the moment of need - our Sword which never grows dull and rusty, but is always keen and bright.  So once more I say, let us not expect defeat, but victory.  Let us take fast hold and keep fast hold of our Sword, and we shall win in any assault of the enemy."

What delight we should take in the Scriptures!  Think of it—God inspired men to write His words down, and has preserved those words for us even today.  The very same "sword of the Spirit"!  The "quick and powerful"!  The trusty two-edged weapon!  The Book that declares "the end from the beginning"!  That reveals the truth of the God of the universe!  That can make a sinner "wise unto salvation", and can grow a believer to be "throughly furnished unto all good works"!  The same Book which was wielded by Jesus Christ, the apostles, the martyrs, missionaries such as Livingstone, Hudson, and Carmichael, and so many others, has been laid in your hand. 

Let us NOT lightly esteem it!
Let us NOT neglect the use of it!
Let us NOT despise the treasure which our Lord has entrusted with us!

"Let us take fast hold and keep fast hold of our Sword, and we shall win in any assault of the enemy."

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Training Children in the Truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III John 4).

“How can we train our children in the Christian faith, to walk in the Truth?”

This question came from a father and mother who really desire that their children not only have salvation, but that they grow in faith and follow Jesus Christ with all their hearts.

I know many parents who have this same desire for their sons and daughters. Though it is true that each individual is responsible for his or her own decisions and can accept or reject the truth and training they receive, there is a definite general principle that if you “Train up a child in the way he should go...when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). There are many way in which this principle can be implemented, but I will zero in on three major parts:

[Important note to consider - Have your children trusted in Jesus as their personal Saviour yet? All the training in the world will have no eternal worth if your child doesn't have salvation.  When your child understands he is a sinner and Christ's payment for his sin, he can be saved. I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ when I was three and a half.]

From what I have read in the Bible, I would counsel that parents do the following three things:

1. Train their children to love the Truth. 

Instill in them a love for good books, especially the Book of books, the Bible.  Read the Bible to them and with them every day.  Starting young is important.  My parents starting reading the Bible to me when I was still in the womb. 

Remember what Paul said about Timothy--that from a child, he had knows the Holy Scriptures (II Timothy 3:14-17).  Teach your children (even your young ones) how to read, study, memorize, and meditate on the Bible (Psalm 1; Psalm 112:1-10; Psalm 119; II Timothy 2:15).  God promises rewards of wisdom and understanding to those who meditate on His word.   

Also, you can read the exciting biographies of great Christians like David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, Brother Andrew, and George Muller.  Help your children find heroes that are pleasing to the Lord. Have you read Ten Peas in a Pod, by Arnold Pent? That is a great book to read as a family. 

Being in the word yourself, and applying the Scripture to you personally, will give your children an example to follow. Share videos and books on creation and truth, so they will have answers, and be able to share with others. 

2. Train them in the way of the Truth. 

Help your children find good friends that will build them up in the Lord (Proverbs 13:20).  Teach them to fear the Lord (Psalm 34:11).  Encourage them and nurture them in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Live out for them the truth of redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16).  Make sure right priorities are demonstrated in your home, and show them how not to waste time on things that are not profitable.  Video games or other independent play can become a time waster--if not balanced with family time, Bible reading, hiking in the great out-of-doors, learning valuable skills, and other beneficial past times. 

Find ministry that you can involve your young children (giving away tracts, helping teach Bible clubs, writing letters to missionaries, singing in nursing homes, visiting the elderly, etc.). Be faithfully involved in your local Bible-believing church, and bring your children along to share in the church's ministry (Hebrews 10:25).  Help them learn the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). 

3. Love them in Truth. 

Be there for them (Proverbs 29:15).  Play with them.  Use teachable moments (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).  Show you love them by your words, your actions, your attitudes, and how you relate to your spouse.  Be a godly example (Titus 2:7).  Children pick up up a lot more than many people commonly think. 

Make sure you are open and loving and joyful in the Lord and your children will see the sincerity in your lives.  This also includes being consistent in godly discipline (Hebrews 12:6).  Hold them accountable for their actions (Proverbs 20:11). 

And pray, pray, pray for your children (I Thessalonians 5:17)!  Prayer is vital. Remember how fervently Job prayed for his children (Job 1:5).
 

If these steps are taken and applied, I am convinced that it will produce good fruit, and help your children “walk in Truth” in their personal lives when they are older (Proverbs 22:6).

There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.

Abortion must be abolished.