Commentary
Cal Thomas comments on what is happening politically in the state of Wisconsin right now.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Family Tree
Last week, our bible study group read Matthew 1 which gives the genealogy of Jesus back to Abraham. The very next day, my daughter had an article to read in God World News about the genealogy of African Americans, and how they cannot trace their ancestors because of how they were taken from their homeland and sold as slaves. Both of these reinvigorated my interest in my own family tree. By the end of the day Friday, I had my family tree book out,I had compiled one many years ago, and had post-it notes all over my wall, mapping out my family tree. I am able to go back five generations from myself, in some cases.
On Saturday, I bought a tri-fold display board and transferred the names from the wall to the board. Now, once a day, I pull out the board, open it up, and just sit and look at it. I scan the dates; birth dates, wedding dates, death dates, immigration dates, and wonder what it was like living at that time.
What was the world like then? What was happening? What was daily life like? Why did they come to America in the first place? What was that journey like?
I'm compiling a list of questions for my grandparents, the only set left. In fact, who's left and who's not became glaringly apparent in this process, because I used one color of construction paper for those who have passed on, and another color for those who are still with us. It really showed me that time does go quickly, and generations pass without us realizing, and unless we are deliberate in knowing our legacy it will pass without us understanding.
I've been doing some research on-line and in books. I actually found a ship log with my ancestors names listed as passengers on a ship from Liverpool, England to New York City dated September 5th, 1839. My ancestors hail from various parts of Germany and Ireland. I have a Lutheran and Catholic faith legacy and I'm discovering that both came to America for religious freedom and to escape persecution and oppression because of their faith.
America was the place to come for freedom and to practice their faith freely, and I wonder what happened, because America seems to be increasingly hostile to Christianity. I wonder, too, if my generation, or one after me, will have to stand up for our faith and say enough at some point Where will we go to continue our faith legacy in freedom, if it becomes too hostile here to do so? More importantly, would I, or would they, stand firm against oppression and persecution? Would we hang onto our Truth base despite the hardships, and be willing to fight for what we believe, and fight for our way of life?
As I review the history, it gives glimpses of the future. Stories seem to swirl in repeating patterns. If we don't learn from past mistakes, we tend to repeat history. It is possible that what defined my ancestors as defenders of their faith, may define me as well. The struggles they incurred to provide a good future for their children may not be the same as the ones, I, or future generations will have to face, but the underlying theme may be similar, in that, a struggle may be incurred to preserve our legacy as Christians.
God wants us to remember the past. Remember His promises and faithfulness to all generations, and see our need for a Savior throughout history, so we continue to walk in obedience to Him, and stand firm on the teachings we were taught as children. It's critical that we teach our own children about God. Don't drop the ball and risk the heritage of the faith of our fathers becoming void in the generations to come. What a shame that would be to raise a generation without God as the head!
I'll probably have more to say on this topic as I continue this journey into my heritage. Until then, have an insightful day!
On Saturday, I bought a tri-fold display board and transferred the names from the wall to the board. Now, once a day, I pull out the board, open it up, and just sit and look at it. I scan the dates; birth dates, wedding dates, death dates, immigration dates, and wonder what it was like living at that time.
What was the world like then? What was happening? What was daily life like? Why did they come to America in the first place? What was that journey like?
I'm compiling a list of questions for my grandparents, the only set left. In fact, who's left and who's not became glaringly apparent in this process, because I used one color of construction paper for those who have passed on, and another color for those who are still with us. It really showed me that time does go quickly, and generations pass without us realizing, and unless we are deliberate in knowing our legacy it will pass without us understanding.
I've been doing some research on-line and in books. I actually found a ship log with my ancestors names listed as passengers on a ship from Liverpool, England to New York City dated September 5th, 1839. My ancestors hail from various parts of Germany and Ireland. I have a Lutheran and Catholic faith legacy and I'm discovering that both came to America for religious freedom and to escape persecution and oppression because of their faith.
America was the place to come for freedom and to practice their faith freely, and I wonder what happened, because America seems to be increasingly hostile to Christianity. I wonder, too, if my generation, or one after me, will have to stand up for our faith and say enough at some point Where will we go to continue our faith legacy in freedom, if it becomes too hostile here to do so? More importantly, would I, or would they, stand firm against oppression and persecution? Would we hang onto our Truth base despite the hardships, and be willing to fight for what we believe, and fight for our way of life?
As I review the history, it gives glimpses of the future. Stories seem to swirl in repeating patterns. If we don't learn from past mistakes, we tend to repeat history. It is possible that what defined my ancestors as defenders of their faith, may define me as well. The struggles they incurred to provide a good future for their children may not be the same as the ones, I, or future generations will have to face, but the underlying theme may be similar, in that, a struggle may be incurred to preserve our legacy as Christians.
God wants us to remember the past. Remember His promises and faithfulness to all generations, and see our need for a Savior throughout history, so we continue to walk in obedience to Him, and stand firm on the teachings we were taught as children. It's critical that we teach our own children about God. Don't drop the ball and risk the heritage of the faith of our fathers becoming void in the generations to come. What a shame that would be to raise a generation without God as the head!
I'll probably have more to say on this topic as I continue this journey into my heritage. Until then, have an insightful day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)