The firing on Ft Sumter
The firing on Ft Sumter is often marked as the beginning of the Civil War, but in truth it began much sooner. In December of 1860 seven states decided to secede from the union because of the election of a Republican President, Abraham Lincoln. The southern states did not want the government intruding on their rights to own slaves, so in February of 1861 the south established a government; THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. President Jefferson Davis was elected as president. They then began taking over the Union forts in the south. After 36 hours of battle, the small isolated Ft Sumter surrendered without anyone being killed. What both sides thought would be a quick victory for each, but with 620,000 killed it turned out to be the bloodiest war in American history, with more deaths than all subsequent wars combined.
If the Confederate States would have won, historians believe the contiguous states would be much like Europe, many smaller individual countries, weaker than the whole. They even feel that there may have been more battles down the line to increase territory. Because the war ended the way it did, it validated freedom and unified the country and the people making both stronger because of the unity.
While people and historians will always have conflicting opinions about the right and wrongs of this war; the fact remains a house, (or country) divided cannot stand. The same is true of a person who wars within himself on the way he should live. The Bible tell us; No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The meaning is pretty clear, you can’t call yourself a Christian and live like a reprobate. You are not being true to either personality, or lifestyle. When Joshua told his people to choose whom they would serve, he set the example by telling them; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Just as the states and the people had to choose sides, so must you. You cannot straddle the fence for ever, will you choose good or evil?
As parents it is important to stand for things in our lives. Hopefully the things you stand for will make you proud and your children will be able to see Christ in you. I have always said the best way to teach is by example!
We as authors often put our own personal feelings in our writings, and sometimes blurring the lines with those feelings. All we can do is be honest, and let the facts speak for themselves without casting shades of aspersions.
And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
Mark 3: 25-27
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Matthew 12:25-25,30