Freedom- Just another Word
Thursday, August 1, 2024 by Brave Knight Writers

One of the great desires espoused by people the world over is to be free. Freedom is also one of the high marks of Christ and Christianity. Yet so many people continue to crucify Christ and enslave themselves. One may wonder why or how these things can be—is it because the human mind creates its own truth or embraces short-term pleasures at the price of long-term peace? Our chemistry tricks us, it fluctuates and becomes influenced by our lifestyles. One of the best chain breakers is to indulge in true love, but issues may lie in confusion over the real meaning of freedom and love. Love should have its basis in freedom and giving support to others. Love never seeks to control or oppress, but it also doesn’t ignore.

There is an ease with being drawn into the physical aspects of life, but the spiritual realm requires effort and courage. Mathew 15:19 states: “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.” All things which enslave us, either by self or by others. Notice, we use the heart to symbolize love but never to symbolize any of these words. Such deceptions mask reality. In Jeremiah 17:9 we see, “The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” These two passages are stand-alone truths. If you find a need to argue over them, you are perhaps under the influence of one of the things listed in Mathew.

In our attempts to bring others to understand the truth in our faith, we must remain mindful of Mathew’s words. Christianity was never meant to be spread by oppression. Christ made offers and let those who heard him use their freewill to make their decisions. When Christianity looks like a baited trap, all is lost, and the enemy uses this approach to undermine all efforts of good.

“Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose”, so the lyrics of Janice Joplin go. How tragic. Such words were spoken by someone self-enslaved by chemical stimulants. Even so, the words bear truth and can be found boldly stated in the Bible when Jesus said to his disciples in Mathew 19:21 “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Now that is a hard sell, but it is one way to prove pure love. Anything less is less.

If you look at Proverbs 21: 26, “He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don’t hold back.” Surviving in a physical world requires selfish thoughts and actions, this makes the above difficult to grasp, we see trickery and selfish motives in these commands because what we see in others is what we know of ourselves. God doesn’t want us to live in poverty, what he wants is for us to loosen our grip on the physical, to clench the spiritual.

 Keep in mind, this world and all it offers only exist for today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed so view what surrounds you as of little value. To be free, cling to nothing of this earth. Janice and the Bible speak the truth, and as in John 8:32, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Freedom requires courage. Untethered from all your perceptions and experiences, you may have the urge to run back to familiar things. Those who seek to control any aspect of existence will never experience freedom, but when we let go of the controls an inner spirit takes over. That can be a frightful concept. Human nature clings to stuff, it helps with terrestrial balance.

 Freedom can be likened to standing on water in a raging storm, clinging to nothing but faith. Even though letting go of faith will drown you, the urge overcomes you and you sink beneath the waves.

We have free will, we make choices. And many of them are counter-intuitive to our best interest. Yet we continue to make our bad choices, then double down to defend and justify them.

So where do we put our freedom to work and what results can we expect? What if someone close to you says, “You are the last person in the world I would ever want to work with”? Two years later, they need help, and you chip in.

Or what if you buy an expensive piece of equipment and you need help to pay for it? So, you offer to do work for someone in a close relationship and instead they hire a stranger? A year later they asked to borrow the equipment. You lend it to them.

You find out your partner has been lying to you for years and unrepentantly cheating. Instead of destroying all you worked for, you help them establish a new independent life.

 What if you generously overpay someone to do work for you, mostly so you can get to see them? As a gift, they hand you a book with the premise “Don’t Expect Those You do Favors For to Owe You”. In this case, it only means they have no idea wherein lies your heart and who you are.

Freedom can be painful, challenging, and on the surface appears to be without reward. The liberty to float above the mess refreshes and frees one from the bondage of revenge and grudges. Don’t expect your actions to change others. But watch for signs and pray for understanding.

In the end, God gives us a get out jail free card. Strive to love no matter the circumstance. Love is not the easy road, it’s the best road.  Romans 5:8 tells us “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Sacrifice your needs and wants in honor of Jesus Christ. Vengeance begets more pain and suffering. Free yourself.

In The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis said, “Christ did not teach and suffer that we might become, even in the natural loves, more careful of our own happiness. If a man is not uncalculating towards the earthly beloveds whom he has seen, he is none the more likely to be so towards God whom he has not. We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armour. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it.”

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.”

 

Baker of Gettysburg

 

The Baker of Gettysburg July 1, 2024Jenny Ashcraft It’s been 161 years since the Battle of Gettysburg raged from July 1 to 3, 1863. It was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with more than 50,000 casualties. Amidst the fighting in Adams County, PA, one young woman emerged heroic when she refused orders to flee and baked bread for hungry, weary, and wounded soldiers. The Boston Globe – October 3, 1886 Josephine Rodgers Miller Slyder was born on October 9, 1836. She was living in a farmhouse occupied by her relatives, Peter and Susan Rodgers, on the edge of Emmitsburg Road in Gettysburg when the war came to her front door. Josephine had bread in the oven when the shooting began. Peter and Susan Rodgers fled the farm, but Josephine wanted to wait until her bread came out of the oven. The smell of freshly baked bread attracted hungry soldiers, so Josephine sliced and distributed the fresh bread. With the bread gone and hungry soldiers wanting more, Josephine decided to mix another batch of bread. As fighting intensified, Josephine kept baking. The soldiers offered to pay Josephine for the bread, but she declined. Union General Joseph B. Carr warned Josephine that she was unsafe and needed to flee. Josephine promised to leave soon, but hearing the cries of hungry and wounded soldiers, she continued to bake and distribute bread that was quickly devoured. She also tended to the wounded from both sides. Muncie Evening Press: March 23, 1892 During the battle, artillery shook the foundation of the Rodgers farmhouse, Pickett’s men charged past the house, and Josephine continued to bake. The farmhouse was hit by dozens of shells and bullets, and numerous dead were in the yard. When the battle was over, Josephine was uninjured, but seventeen soldiers were found dead in the house, having crawled there before succumbing to their wounds. Josephine spent days nursing the wounded. Josephine Slyder in 1886 – photo via Find a Grave Following the war, Josephine married her neighbor, William J. Slyder, and moved to Ohio. In July 1886, veterans of the Battle of Gettysburg reunited in Gettysburg. Surviving members of the 1st Massachusetts gathered to unveil a monument on Emmitsburg Road, just south of the Rodgers house. The house still bore the scars of ferocious fighting, bringing back memories of Josephine’s kindness. The 1st  Massachusetts discovered Josephine was alive and living in Ohio, so they paid for her train passage and invited her to Gettysburg as their guest of honor. Josephine was awarded several military decorations and made an honorary member of the 3rd Corps, the only woman to achieve that distinction. Josephine Slyder and veterans from the Battle of Gettysburg in front of the 1st Mass Infantry Regiment monument – photo via Find a Grave Soldiers returned to the old farmhouse and retrieved Josephine’s stove, placing it in front of the regiment’s monument. Josephine was photographed along with many of the soldiers whom she had helped. Josephine died in 1911, but memories of her heroism and kindness have outlived her. If you would like to learn more about Josephine or the Battle of Gettysburg, search Newspapers.com™ today. Share using:

Illumination

 

Illumination
Monday, July 1, 2024 by Brave Knight Writers

A recent event gained me new insights and qualifications. This blog is not intended to bring attention to my situation but rather to everyone’s. It is our nature to go about our daily lives with a feeling of wellbeing, it’s a healthy attitude for our physical existence. Where it all goes awry, we place too much value on our stuff, our importance, and false beliefs. Nothing sorts out reality more than finding yourself crossing over.

In my experience, I lost half my blood due to abdominal aneurysms. My blood pressure dropped to 50/30 and I sensed myself leaving my body. They say your life flashes before you, well, it was more of an awareness of how little, so much means. Daily dramas over trivial and petty disputes really gain nothing. In the big scheme of things, we leave it all behind.

As the medical staff worked to resuscitate me, I had no awareness of their efforts. My wife said there were about a dozen people taking part. A nurse told me they had me hanging by my feet. My memory of this event, although vivid from my own perspective, left me with no recollection of the physical world. Instead, I remember questioning if I should pray to stay in my damaged body or move on to another space. Peace embraced me as I let go of all my worldly blessings and gratefulness overwhelmed me for all my life’s experiences. The prayer I remember mulling was for God’s will be done and to be wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, to conceal my shortcomings.

My week in the hospital was filled with humor. I harassed my room mate a bit, joked with the doctors and nurses. When the Angio doctor came into the operating room, I asked him if he had watched the latest YouTube videos on the procedure. When my pastor came to pray over me and shared how close I had come to dying, I said, “I saw no bright light, just some flickering flames. What do you think it means?” I asked. He laughed, I guess I need more work. God wants us to laugh, he wants us to celebrate the gift of life and our spiritual birth.

We love our home, it is the fruit of much labor, but I remind myself constantly of the fact we must be willing to walk away at any time. Like our body, everything is temporary. We can’t cling to any of it, nor should we place too high a value on it. In Romans 12:2 we see this lesson, ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’

The support, encouragement, and prayer offerings were overwhelming. I received messages from Australia, Africa, Europe, and all over the United States. Most people offered to pray for me, those who stated this showed me they had no fear of scoffers and mockers. Others said I would be in their thoughts, so what does that mean? To me, it meant they didn’t believe in any powers higher than themselves. If true, how would their thoughts do me any good? I appreciate the gesture, but did it have any real value? I refer to Revelation 3:16, the NIV: So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Then there were those who offered nothing—no inquiry, no prayers or thoughts— close blood relatives who blew off this near-death event as if I were a stranger.

 Well, the event provided great insight into how people would view my passing. Not many people are blessed with such knowledge, it is a game changer. Honesty and truth can be harsh and heart-breaking but it also sets you free and lets you focus on where to place your future efforts and concerns.

Recovery has proven to be a tough process, both physically and emotionally. The doctors have helped physically, and many friends have risen to show their love and concern. The process has shed light on those who care as well as those who don’t. No bitterness forms in my heart, and our prayers will continue for the lost. One question has been answered, would I have what it takes to walk away from everything if the government put stipulations on receiving a number to pay property taxes or engage in business transactions? When Y2K occurred, I watched as people horded and stockpiled supplies. It was never my style. In the event of some worldwide catastrophe, I will let go and walk toward the chaos. My survival will be ushered in by Jesus Christ. Do I wish for death or the world to end? Absolutely not, no one knows when either event will occur, so it is best to build treasures in heavenly places.

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV tells us: ‘Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.’

One of the best medicines for my recovery has come from the children who surround me. In the days prior to my bleeding event, we took five children to Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA. to see the Daniel play. We were filled with joy by the performance, special effects, and delight of the children. Boom. From this high point, the next day I found myself bleeding to death. It wasn’t a low point though; it was just an event to remind me how fragile physical life can be. Live, and appreciate every moment you are granted. At my homecoming from the hospital, grandchildren ran to me arms wide for hugs screaming, “Pappy!”

 Luke 18:15-17 ‘Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it. They rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’

Grateful?” You betcha.    

Food faith fitness

Hello,

Just wanted to share this with you, my new online presence! 

Brave Knight Writers functions in many venues, in this one we writer for a company based in the United Kingdom.

Our mission is to inspire good health through nutrition, our bodies and spirirts become what we consume.

Donning the full armor of God, requires the strength and courage. It also requires a sense of humor, the best way to ward off fear is ti laugh. 

Follow our blogs, webs and look for us on Amazon. 

 https://www.foodfaithfitness.com/author/edmisd/

https://braveknightwriters.com/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Above-and-Beyond-Radio-Silence/dp/B0CTKV7SSX

https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-A.-Wright/author/B0164HULKG?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Quantum Physics

 

https://youtu.be/n7cOlBxtKSo?si=u1kNzjE5B4dOx1zV

How can we reconcile gravity with quantum physics? Why are there different types of particles? How can we verify the existence of additional dimensions? All these answers in 16 minutes! 0:00 - Introduction 2:17 - Strings and vibrations

4:03 - Dynamics and interactions 7:14 - Superstrings 10:09 - Compact dimensions 13:50 - Conclusion

Losing everything makes you aware of what to value.

 Losing everything makes you aware of what to value.

https://womenofchristianity.com/treasures-by-martha-snell-nicholson/

“The light that you discover in your life is proportionate to the amount of the darkness you are willing to forthrightly confront.” Jordan Peterson

https://www.fatherly.com/health/how-parents-experience-the-death-of-a-child

When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”

― C.S. Lewis

 

Treasures by Martha Snell Nicholson

Published July 10, 2018 | By womenofchristianity

One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.

And I walked earth’s highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
“Lift your empty hands to Me!”

So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
Till they could contain no more.

And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!

Foxburg, an event

 

Foxburg, an event

Recently we attended an event in Foxburg, Pa. Foxburg is a small town along the Allegheny river and is home to the oldest golf course in the United States. This excerpt is from GolfWRX December 23, 2017, “Consider the Foxburg Golf Club (Pennsylvania), and The Oakhurst Golf Club (West Virginia). Both Foxburg and Oakhurst had records of playable courses in 1884. The Foxburg, however, was a private course on private property that originally only had eight holes. In 1887, the Foxburg added nine new public holes to their course, and that course has been in continuous working existence ever since.” This isn’t a sports blog, so let’s move on.

Foxburg has a rich history, founded on land owned by the Fox family of Philadelphia. Samuel and brother George purchased the land in the 1790s comprised 6600 acres. Samuel’s son Joseph established a residence in 1826 near the confluence of the Clarion River. The residence became known as “the Mansion” where the succeeding generation of Foxes would take up season residence for 140 years. Oil development in 1870 stimulated the founding of the town with a peak population of 1000. Two railroads served the borough, with one lasting into the 1960s, but by 2008 the railroad remnants were no more, and the beds now host Rails to Trails.

The Fox family founded the Quaker religion in the 1600s in England, and the family built vast investments, business holdings and wealth in America. At one point, the hundreds of employees included a junior accountant named Benjamin Franklin. The Mansion legacy witnessed many upgrades over the years, including four powder rooms, wine cellar, conservatory, music room. 17 fireplaces and English-style pub. The entire estate grew to 26 structures, including additional homes. The grounds offer 23 ponds, hiking trails, an aviary, complete arboretum, sugar house for maple syrup, greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind carriage house and much more. Known as the River Stone Estate, it is the largest private estate in Pennsylvania.

Now you know the backstory, what is happening today, why do I offer this post? We are members of ARCA, Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts based in Foxburghttps://alleghenyriverstone.org › about › riverstone-estate. World-class performers come to this little town’s Lincoln Hall to perform. Names such as Barbara Nissman, https://www.barbaranissman.com, David Wickerham, https://www.manasotatheatreorgan.org/dave-wickerham/ but here is a 2024 season schedule, https://alleghenyriverstone.org/event-calendar/. On May 5, 2024, we were in attendance for the last performance on the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer before it enters a yearlong renovation. There are only 350 organs left of the ten thousand originally built between 1910 and 1940. Only 38 remain in their original venues. The McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer has a history of its own before finding its way to Foxburg. On November 22, 1928, this instrument played during silent films and vaudeville in Cleveland’s Uptown Theater. Lincoln Hall is in the center of Foxburg with a view of the Allegheny River. The town also offers a winery, an art gallery (Red Brick Gallery), a library, hotel https://foxburginn.com/ and restaurants https://www.opentable.com/r/allegheny-grille-foxburg with balconies overlooking the river. Tickets for Lincoln Hall events sell out fast, so if you plan to attend, make your purchases and reservations early. The patrons prove friendly and easy to talk to.

My first forays into Foxburg occurred years ago, as a canoeist navigating overnight river adventures. Just below the town, on the riverbank, you’ll find free campsites to pitch a tent. In the evenings, we would walk the railroad tracks into town to watch the Steelers play football. The town also became a destination for our motorcycle rides. On any weekend of summer, you’ll find motorcycles packed in the parking lot (no outlaws) but just people enjoying their ride. Foxburg can serve a wide variety of interests. We’ve motorcycled through Europe, and the Foxburg reminds me of sleeping German village along the Mosel River. 

For additional information, www.alleghenyriverstone.org, join the concerts and RBG exhibits. Brave Knight Writers support the arts, literature, and music of the region. Visit us at braveknightwriters.com.