Henry Knox

I was interested in knowing more about him because of what he did in the winter of 1775. What about this man whose name is familiar to most of us because of locations named after him? There’s Knoxville, Tennessee, nine counties in the US, a historic site in Windsor, New York; as well, there’s Fort Knox in Kentucky and Fort Knox in Maine.

At twelve years old, Henry Knox had to quit school after his father died suddenly to help support his family. He was an apprentice to a bookbinder. At twenty one, he opened his own bookstore and married Lucy Flucker in 1774. Her parents were British loyalists and when she married, her parents disowned her. In 1776, they sailed out of  Boston with other British soldiers and loyalists and Lucy never saw them again.

Knox became famous in 1775 when in the middle of winter in New York, he led the expedition to transfer sixty tons of captured British cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. What did that mean? In the middle of winter, Knox dragged 42 sleds loaded with the cannons across snow and frozen waters. The 3 month endeavor over 300 miles from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston was called by historian Victor Brooks “one of the most stupendous feats of logistics.” The placement of these cannons on Dorchester Heights in Boston forced the British to evacuate Boston and flee to Halifax, Canada. Knox was only twenty five years old at the time. 

There’s so much more I can write about this man who died suddenly at age 56, but I am humbled when I think about the many patriots who gave so much for the freedom we enjoy today.

He married Lucy Flucker, the daughter of Boston Loyalists, in 1774.  Ten of their 13 children died before they were grown.  They were formidable and conspicuous not only for their generous sizes—they both weighed over 250 pounds—but also for their gregarious personalities and love of the good life. DAR

A lot of people say they didn’t enjoy studying history in school. I must have had good teachers, for I loved learning and hearing about what happened in my own country and throughout the world.

In the morning, before I write, I always read passages in the Bible, another history book–but special because it is from God.

The Bible I use when reading early in the day, is special to me. Given for my birthday in 1982, it has pages that list marriages, births, deaths, family records, and church records. The pages of this book are thicker than most Bibles made today and have a nice solid feel to them. What is precious to me are the underlinings in different verses. There are splotches of what were tears and sometimes coffee stains. Here’s some of what I read today:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)…

I read this when I feared for my husband’s life in 2005.

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)…

I read this while recovering after delivering my stillborn daughter, Carrie.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalm 23 KJV)…

My mother had each of her five children memorize this chapter at age four. It has countless times soothed my sleepless nights, given me strength and courage in times of trouble. 

Finally, this:

The Lord bless you
and keep you (Numbers 6:24 NIV)…

My dad often closed Sunday morning worship service with this verse. What a charge to us!

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We plan to stay home this year and watch the fireworks on TV where the largest ever fireworks show will be broadcast from Washington DC.

In the past couple of years, we’ve tried to include reading out loud one of the important documents declaring our intention to become a nation apart from England. One historian recommended  reading President Calvin Coolidge’s Fourth of July speech given on the 150th Anniversary of our American Independence.

John Calvin Coolidge

No other theory is adequate to explain or comprehend the Declaration of Independence. It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. Calvin Coolidge, July 4, 1926.

John Calvin Coolidge was the thirtieth president of the United States. He was known as “cool Cal.” I knew very little about this president except he said few words and didn’t smile much. But I found a few facts that are interesting:

• He was famous for his extreme reticence
• He was vice president and became president after President Harding died in office. His father was a justice of the peace and swore him in
• He was the first president to join a church while in office (Congregational)
• He was fascinated by technology–his inauguration was the first to be broadcast on the radio
• Was an animal lover and had a variety of them at the White House, including a pigmy hippopotamus
• Born on the 4th of July (1872)
• Was president during the “Roaring Twenties”
• Deeply shaped by a professor at Amherst College whose teachings on a personal God and moral philosophy profoundly influenced Coolidge’s worldview.

• His mother and only sister died when he was a teenager. In 1924, his youngest son, Calvin Jr., died from an infected blister at age 16 while the family was in the White House. Coolidge later said he lost much of his drive for the presidency after that

• He spoke against racial prejudices and spoke out against the Klan
• He was frugal and personally reviewed Government expenses
• Named after the Protestant Reformer, John Calvin

I wonder if Coolidge was influenced by the death of his mother and only sister as a teenager and why he appeared so taciturn. He’d had much loss.

Often, we might see someone who appears unsmiling or looks grumpy. Yet, we don’t know what’s going on in their life. Have they like President Coolidge, experienced the tremendous loss of a mother and sister. And then, the loss of their child?

Just this week, I received an inquiry about our GriefShare program. In her email, she said: “Sometimes I’m great and feel like I’m over it, then out of nowhere comes deep sadness.”

As we celebrate the wondrous anniversary of our country, let’s remember the tremendous sacrifice so many have given. And perhaps give some slack to someone who seems to be unhappy. We don’t know what they’re going through. Instead of–quite honestly  I often do–criticizing their grumpiness and sour expression, say a prayer for them instead.

Enjoy our country’s birthday celebration tomorrow–and even the year 2026. Let’s celebrate the greatest country ever!

Happy Birthday, America!

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Enjoy this beautiful rendition:

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Our small group  from church–we call them LIFE groups–of fourteen sat around the table, our meal finished. Jim, our leader, asked each person to describe something positive about their fathers. One man described his dad this way: “I was about four years old,” he said. “My dad was a weight lifter. One time–probably because there’s a photo of it–I remember my father placed my feet on the palms of his hands. I stood on his hands like a stairway and as he moved his hands up, and I stepped up too, as far as he could reach,” he paused and then declared, “I could completely trust him!”  Others shared stories of their dads. Most were tender remembrances. Of course we could have also described where our fathers had failed us in some way.

Some of you don’t have good memories of your father. At another LIFE group and another time we described our fathers. One said, “I can’t think of anything good to say about my father except his name.” A sad, yet I believe her true description.

Perhaps you can’t even describe your dad because you never knew him. He was not in your life because of death or he was detached–by his own will or circumstances you don’t understand.

I have many positive memories about my own father who has been gone for twenty-five years now. He was not perfect. My dad was part of the “greatest generation.” A hard worker–often worked more than one job–to provide for our family. Though not perfect, I knew he loved me. Yet, I don’t remember ever hearing him say “I love you” when I was young. No memories of hugs and kisses. It was only after I became an adult, that my father became more affectionate and would fiercely hug me and tell me that he loved me and was proud of me.

I’m sitting on my father’s lap

Although we have imperfect fathers, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and is perfect. When Jesus came to earth as a human, yet God, he described his father this way:

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God (John 17:27 NET).  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6 NLT). For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will (John 6:38 NLT).

Our heavenly Father is the head of the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although each person in the trinity is equal, God the Father is the head of the trinity. This has been true for eternity. I can’t explain it any more than what Jesus described above. As I heard the description of the weight-lifting-father as one the young boy could trust, we can trust our Heavenly Father to be that perfect One. He is the true source:  For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen (Romans 11:36 NLT).

I hope you have good memories of your father. Yet, more than that, you have a Heavenly Father who is perfect. You have access to this perfect One through Jesus Christ. Take the time today to read John 17, where Jesus prays to his Father God. We have a glimpse of what their relationship was like and how much God loves us!

I’ll close with this song based on Proverbs 20:7: The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

You may not have had a father like the one described in the song, but you do have One in heaven you can trust.

Be sure to read to the end of this blog. I have a special link for you to check out–especially if you like something free!

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Here’s the link for something free: https://kingdomcollaborationnetwork.com/

Please share a special memory of your father in the comments. I’d love to read it.

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I have a daily ritual of reading the Bible. Most days, I read with my Jim, but on Friday mornings, I read by myself. This is the day I write my weekly blog. Today I read several passages about the Hope I have in Christ and read one of  my favorite passages:

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:1-3 NLT).

Reading that passage gave me comfort as I read, and brought me back to when I was with my mother the last time she was alive here on earth. She was in a group home with about eight other residents. I was sitting next to her along with the other residents, sitting in their recliners, watching TV.  “Let’s go into my room,” she said. So I helped her into her wheelchair and we moved into her room. So frail, my mother. Yet in the past such a capable, strong woman. She cooked and cleaned. An excellent seamstress. She gardened and canned produce. She studied her Bible and taught. She was an excellent teacher with adults and children. She was an artist. Everyone loved her. She had wisdom. But now, she depended on others to do for her. Today, it was me.

Our tradition had been I would visit and read her my stepson Greg’s sermon. He was a pastor and sent me his sermons each week. This week, his sermon was on the above passage.

I read the above passage and as I read, she would softly say, “Yes, that’s true.” I rarely talked to her about her dying. This time I asked her if she was looking forward to seeing her own mother, my dad, and other loved ones who’d put their trust in Jesus and were there in that “prepared place” Jesus talked about. She agreed it would be good.

As I read the sermon, I choked up with emotion a few times for I sensed this might be the last time I would be with her. I was right. Three days later, I received the call from her caregiver, “Your mom is not doing very well.” I asked some questions, and told him I’d be there soon. Twenty-five minutes later, I was there by her side. But she was gone. No longer here, but in the place that Jesus had prepared.

That Friday morning, she must have sensed she would not be here on earth for very long. She had some breakfast, but declined her medications that took so much time and energy to take. All dressed and in her chair, I am sure she was praying and reflecting on the many passages of scripture she knew by heart. Then, the angels surrounded her and might have said, “Come on Rose, it’s time.” And with that, she was gone. Gone to that prepared place with her Savior, Jesus.

I entered her room and there she was in her pink velvet chair. At peace. Eyes closed, head back. She exited that body so frail and was now in the arms of her Savior.

One day, because I’ve put my trust in Jesus, I’ll be with Jesus, too. I’ll get to see those people who’ve gone before me. And I’ll see my mama.

My ritual of reading and being encouraged by the Bible reminds me once again that He is preparing a place for us. We don’t have to be troubled. When everything is ready, he’ll come and get us so we can be with Him.

In the meantime, I suggest you establish a daily ritual of reading your Bible. Trust in Jesus. And, When everything is ready, I [Jesus]will come and get you. 

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Enjoy those verses in song.

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I was entranced by the massive beauty of the cathedral at Notre Dam.

We gazed at the stained glass windows.

We marveled as we toured The Louve. I was surprised at how small the Mona Lisa painting.

We visited the Louvre, October, 2015. Yes, that’s the Mona Lisa in the background.

We laughed at the Love Lock Bridge nearby, where lovers proclaimed their love by attaching a padlock to the rails of the bridge.

We strolled through the Monet gardens.

Claude Monet Gardens

What astounded me the most while touring parts of the country of France was driving to the village of Normandy. In our tour group, we faced the large statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising. While standing there, the tour guide gave us information about the statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising, and then asked to turn around, as taps were played.

Spirit of American Youth Rising, Normandy

And we saw this:

Normandy, France

There are really no words to describe this sacred ground. There were 2501 confirmed Americans killed on that one day, but many more Allied troops died during the siege that began on June 6, 1944.

“The eyes of the world are upon you … The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. Your task will not be an easy one … Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely … I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!” (General Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Freedom is hard fought. Two weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, where we remembered and honored those who had died to protect our freedom. D-Day is only one of the places to remember and honor those who fought and died.

Today–and tomorrow, June 6, let’s remember.

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Enjoy the cadets of West Point Band and West Point Glee Club:

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It was my first climb up Mt. Hood. It was hard. More difficult than I ever imagined. We’d purchased the equipment we needed to make the climb. Walked through the aisles at Andy & Bax, purveyor of used outdoor equipment to save money. I resisted buying a new backpack and told my husband a borrowed pack would be fine. It was a canvas one–very unlike the multiple styles of backpacks now–with thin canvas straps. Inside the pack were all my snacks, extra gloves, all the many things a climber needs to summit the highest peak in Oregon. We began the climb around midnight and depended on the snowy slopes to give us light along with the full moon. We tramped up the mountain for hours. Daylight was coming that May morning and I was exhausted. Worse yet, that borrowed pack was giving me trouble. My shoulder muscles were stiff and screaming out to me in pain. It would have helped to have had a backpack with padded straps. I didn’t want to complain because the other climbers in the group seemed to be doing fine. Finally, I told my husband I didn’t think I could finish my shoulders hurt so bad. My husband lifted the pack off of me and dropped it on the side of the trail. “It’ll be here when we come back,” he said.

I felt like I could fly after taking off the pack and we resumed the climb. We were nearly to the top and I knew I would make it. And we did. What relief the removal of the burden off of my shoulders made to me!

“Congratulations!” our climb leader said. “You made it to the top. Turn around. We need to get down.” There was no view, for a storm was coming. It was cold and our vision was blurred with blowing snow. The climb up was done. Now all we had to do was descend. Also difficult and dangerous, but I was giddy with relief the climb up was completed.

Another ascent up Hood with a better pack

Sometimes, we are in a situation where we want to quit. We can’t see the summit of what we’re going through. We are hurting. Sometimes physically, like my shoulders that early morning so long ago.  Sometimes mentally. You’re concerned about a loved one who has lost their way. You are ill and don’t think you’ll get better. A loved one is ill and the doctor says there’s no hope. It could be you are out of money and the month isn’t over yet.  What do we do about it when we’re in one of those situations?

Today, I read numerous passages in the Bible–the Old Testament and the New. I was inspired by what God did for people long ago. Reading them reminded me of times when I was weary or scared about something or someone. They reminded me of how much God loves me and how powerful He is and how He delights in us! These words are meant for us too. King David wrote after he’d been in deep trouble,  he rescued me because he delights in me (2 Samuel 22: 20). Another passage told me who God is: He gives power to the weak…Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. ³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:27-31). In the New Testament, I was reminded, ⁸He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:8-9). And finally, one of my favorite passages, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3: 17-18). 

There were many more passages I could quote, but these are the ones that encouraged me and I hope you as well. Read them over again. Copy them down. Read them out loud. They will strengthen you just as removing the poorly made backpack I wore on that mountain climb gave me new energy.

I finished my reading with this passage:  God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. ²⁵ He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).

I pray these passages I’ve quoted will give you energy, courage, and strength as you face this day, just as they did me.

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When I was a music teacher with elementary students, they loved singing with motions. I’m including one I think my students would have loved. I hope you do, too!

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And then, out of the blue, I prayed out loud, “If this marriage is out of your will, you will have to end it, because I cannot.” Within me, the Holy Spirit guided those words. I didn’t think any more about them and went about my day.

That evening, on the phone I heard a voice sounding cold, saying he didn’t want to get married. I was shocked. I didn’t understand. And then, I remembered my prayer earlier that day. God had answered that prayer.

Sometimes prayers are answered differently than we expect.

In the disappointment of the breakup, I realizedI had moved too quickly. I wanted companionship and rushed into a relationship that wasn’t right. I learned to trust God more completely and allow Him to be the companion I so desired. In those days I spent alone, I began to know God better. I begged God to help me move forward, away from the planned marriage, toward peace and to learn His future for me. Perhaps I would never be married again. In any case, I needed to submit my will to God. After that prayer, I surrendered all my thoughts to God and began to feel peace. I was sad, yet realized I wasn’t alone. I began to learn more about God through Bible study and prayer. I began to be content in my circumstances of living alone.

I’ve been reading about prayer this week and learned how the Apostle Paul prayed for people in the  Colossian church.

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT).

This prayer asks for 1. Complete knowledge of God’s will, 2. spiritual wisdom and understanding that will help us always honor and please the Lord. And 3. our lives produce every kind of good fruit, and 4. learn to know God better and better.

Sometimes we don’t know what to pray–for ourselves or others. We can be assured if we pray the above passage in Colossians we are praying in God’s will.

So you, dear readers, here is my prayer for you(insert your name or a loved one’s name in the blank): “I pray that ________, will gain complete knowledge of God’s will. ____will gain spiritual wisdom and understanding to help always honor and please the Lord. That ____ will produce every kind of good fruit and______ to know God better and better.”

I’ve had the pleasure of traveling this week and today, we have been watching our great grandson while his parents are at work. It has been pure joy! I pray that same prayer for him as well.

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Enjoy this song of prayer that is always perfect to pray. This young girl is now twenty-six, but age ten at this recording. Her voice is amazing!

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“You mean I can pray for a girl instead of a boy?” My six-year-old self asked my parents. It was the hour after dinner. The table was cleared, the dishes washed, dried, and put away. Before homework or TV, we sat in the living room as a family and read the Bible and each of us prayed. Quite honestly, sometimes I just wanted to go out and play if it was summertime, or watch my favorite TV program in winter. Yet the few minutes each evening are wonderful memories now. We each read out of the Bible and we’d talk about it briefly, kneel in front of our chair and pray out loud. For the past several months we knew a new baby brother or sister would be coming into our family and since there were already three girls and only one boy, we’d been praying for a boy. Something must have been said, for in that conversation somehow, I realized I could pray for a baby sister–which is what I really wanted.

That was the beginning of my learning how to pray, and has been the pattern of my life. Of course my prayers aren’t always answered in the way I want them answered, but because I have been in communication with God for so many years, now, I know my prayers are heard and are being answered in the best way.

I’ve learned that the optimum way to begin prayer is by praising God. Even during a difficult time when I begin my prayer with praising God and thanking him, something changes in me. My requests  don’t seem as urgent. I have peace. When there’s a crisis in my life, I go directly to that request. But even in the request, I’ve learned to thank God for his answer. He knows best.

Today I read that it is important to give thanks for my Christian friends who are sharing their faith with others. ² We give thanks to God always for you all, mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father (I Thessalonians 1:2-4 MEV). I learned in the book of 2 John, verse 4:  I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father.

As I was thinking about the prayers in the passages above, I realized I should pray for those who read my blog each week and give thanks for them–you! So here goes:

“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you for those who read my blog and believe in Your truth. I thank You, for their love that brings joy and encouragement to those they know. For their faith that grows, in spite of the problems of this life. I pray for those who don’t yet know You, but read my words. That they will believe in You today so they can know how much You love them. May each one who reads my words be encouraged by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Thanks for joining me on this beautiful May morning! I am very grateful for each of you!

By the way, those six-year-old prayers were answered. That baby was a girl. We call her Betsy!

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I thought it appropriate to share the song with two sisters. Enjoy!

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“Count not the candles…see the lights they give. Count not the years, but the life you live.”

I had a birthday this week.

Birthdays are a two edged sword. On one side, they are wonderful because the attention they give us. There might be presents, birthday cards, and a special meal with a favorite dessert. The other side a reminder that we are getting older and we only have a certain amount of time to live.

When you are young, you can’t wait to get older. When you are older, you realize you aren’t getting any younger.

Alice Fryling, author of Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older said, “Whatever our decade of life, we are never not aging.”

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

So with my remaining days, I hope I can focus more on how I live today, rather than the years I have on earth. I want to have a heart of wisdom. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).

What about you? Like me, do you sometimes fuss about new wrinkles or less mobility? You realize some things just won’t get done with the years remaining?

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me (Psalm 71:18 NLT).

So what will I proclaim to the next generation? That God is good. He loves me. That he wants a relationship with me. He wants me to accept his gift of salvation. That he is always with me–now and in the days to come.

For now, I will enjoy the light my birthday candles give me, and count not the years, but the life I live.

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Many things in life come with pain. Fighting a disease can be painful. Watching a loved one fighting a disease is painful. Keeping in good physical shape can be painful. A sleepless night is painful. Even  the seed struggles when pushing up through the earth to become a plant bearing fruit, vegetable, or flower.

Today I read what God promises us in pain:

I will never leave you or forsake you,  (Hebrews 13:6) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8: 35, 37-38). And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).

Pain doesn’t last forever. Joy will follow. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).

I’m not sure where you are today. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Enduring the pain of disease. Disappointment in someone you love. Even the pain of lost sleep. Joy does come. Sometimes it is when the disease is cured. The baby is born. Relationship  restored. Or when morning finally comes.

And sometimes it is death. But when we put our trust in Christ, and believe in him, he is with us here on earth or we are in his presence in heaven. That’s a promise.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Happy birthday, dear Annabel!

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