Last week, I had several people ask me how I was doing and feeling after the threat to my kids. (See previous post for the exact quote.) And I had to immediately think of one of my favorite historical figures of all time.

Stonewall Jackson was a brilliant tactician during the civil war. His childhood as an orphan and the events of his life lead him to a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ.

One of the first battles of the Civil War was the battle of Bull Run. There as the Union began to over run the Confederate line, Jackson was seen at the front of the battle line inspite of the heavy fire all around him. His name “Stonewall” comes from this moment. During this battle, Jackson’s horse was wounded he had several bullet hole through his clothing and a bullet had broken the finger of his hand.

Someone asked him how he could be so vulnerable in the face of such danger. Jackson replied:

Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in the field of battle as in bed. He has fixed the hour of my death. I do not concern myself about that but to be always ready no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, then all would be equally brave.”

That is the way we should all live. That is the way I am walking this through with my children. Their destinies were not complete on Sunday. Our destinies are not complete today. In this spiritual battle, God has appointed my hour of death. Until that moment comes, I am as safe in my own home as I am anywhere in the world.

Courage and Confidence

If the cherubim, serephim, elders and living creatures around the throne have been fascinated for all eternity past by the revelation of God Alimighty, how can we as those who only see with simple human eyes even begin to presume that we know him?

I am reading a book called The Gospel According to Job, by Mike Mason, and ran across this quote last week:

“Isn’t it funny how a person can be a Christian and not really know the gospel? Isn’t it strange how Christ can live inside us without our really enjoying Him? But perhaps it is not so strange. After all, we have only had this gospel two thousand years. That is not a very long time for a fallen race to assimilate the incredible reality of inexhaustible mercy and eternal life. This gospel, it turns out, is not only good news, it is much better news than any of us has yet imagined.”

That put a whole new spin on the picture of eternity for me. To eternally be fascinated by the unveiling of the Eternal. – Wow! That is Good News.