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| The White Witch lives in Devil’s Den (a picture of redemption) |
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Yesterday our family took a day trip to Pole Steeple, a stony mountain peak in south central Pennsylvania, for a view of the fall colors. We engaged in a few assorted activities leading up to our climb, purely for fun and to make the memory of the day sweeter. Most of these activities were planned, including breakfast at Dutterer’s (Hillcrest bakery was closed), a climb up the Culp’s Hill observation tower on the Gettysburg battlefield, a stop for treats at Sandoes fruit stand, and some playtime in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, which included fun in an old stone quarry and getting lost on the soggy “Swamp Trail”. However, it was an unplanned activity which the kids clearly enjoyed the most.
While at the observation tower, the idea to visit notorious “Devil’s Den”, another battlefield tourist attraction, popped into my mind. Devil’s Den is a labyrinth of boulders 2-3 stories high, and was the site of a series of bloody attacks and counterattacks on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, in the (American) Civil War. But for us, some 150 years later, these boulders were transformed into a rocky playground. My children, knowing nothing of the former death and suffering, scrambled gleefully over, under, and around the rocks as their daddy chased them while pretending to be the “White Witch” from the Chronicles of Narnia. They all said this was the most fun they had the entire day!!
It is good to remember fallen soldiers, and to acknowledge their sacrifices in making our great nation what it is today. However, I couldn’t help but see my children’s innocent delight at Devil’s Den as redeeming the boulder pile, from a place of death and horror into a place of joy and love. At least temporarily.
In the same way, we too have been redeemed. Only our redemption is a permanent one!
5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
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| To add a comment to "The White Witch lives in Devil’s Den (a picture of redemption)" |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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aawww, what a great time! How exciting!
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Ahhhhh Mike... I wanna play too :D... all kidding aside though... sometimes for me I get so caught up in the stress of life... or all caught up in myself... whatever ... that I forget how to feel joyful, and innocent, and.... redeemed... How dumb is that? Why would I ever trade those wonderful feelings for these icky ones?... Anyways... your blog has reminded me of where I am.... thanks brother... :) |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Mike that is beautiful and the soldiers I am sure would be happy to know that future generations were able to freely enjoy the land that they fought for. They preserved the ideal of the Union and today though we don't always agree on the political issues of the day, we are united in purpose, and in ideals that make America great. It is also similar to the body of Christ, where Jesus died to set us free and for us to enjoy the fruits of His labor and to walk in that freedom brings Him great joy. Yet even as Christians we don't always get along with each other, but we are united in the purpose and ideals of our Lord Jesus and that makes for sweet fellowship and a great time! That ground they played on is sacred, but so is their right to enjoy their freedom! Great parable Mike! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| SOUNDS LIKE A COOL DAY OUT MIKE...WE HAVE A CAVE IN THE PEAK DISTRICT OF DERBYSHIRE CALLED....WAIT FOR IT....THE DEVILS ARSE!!! REALLY! IT IS AN OLD BLUE JOHN MINE! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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"the soldiers I am sure would be happy to know that future generations were able to freely enjoy the land that they fought for." Todd, this thought is beautiful, it almost brought tears to my eyes...
So glad the Spirit reminded you through these words, dear Robin.
Cher, you are a sweet lady! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Funny Stu! Sounds like another place just waiting for a little redemption! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Not redeemed by perishable things, but by the precious blood of Jesus....
How awesome is that !!!! By his BLOOD not by things that will fade away... Praise God
Thanks brother for this message - |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Such Prices Paid for such Beautiful Freedoms That Our Children May Laugh & Play.
This is The Best Thing we can do, to leave some legacy that contributed to Beauty, & Peace, Civil,
Condition.
We all need to leave such a contrast, that.....We Were There!...We Made it Better.
That was a Great Observation, & Reflection.....It was not like it is Today ...at one Time.
We Must Do whatever it takes to Make Our World available for All to be just like Your Special & very Lovely
Day Spent With Your Beautiful Family.
Many , Many People are missing out & do not see The Great Beauty that You Saw that Fall Day full
of Color.
God Help Us Guide Men to see The Beauty You Created for Us to Experiece & Enjoy with You.
Restore Thanksgiving in Us toward You & All You have done for Us.
With Great Fear & Respect toward such a Great Love You have for Us. |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Wow, what an awesome trip. How Great thou Art. I wish I was there, sounds like a really good time and beautiful senery. |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Beautiful. |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Thanks doveagle and Terry (my neighbor), Michael, great insights brother, the place is not like it was and doesn't need to be "preserved" as a place of death. Mary, that is a redemption no one can interfere with or undo, amen? :-) |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Mike, What a wonderful adventure. The Lord does promise us beauty for ashes in Isaiah 43. What a beautiful way for this scripture to come alive in your day of fun with your kids! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Beautiful story! I am so grateful for the freedom that we have in America & as Christians. I cannot take it for granted! We are blessed! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Beauty for ashes - another great portrayal of redemption in scripture? There certainly isn't a shortage of those kinds of references, is there Starr? Indeed that could be considered one of the main themes of the entire bible, how God redeemed corrupt creatures, objects of his love. Thanks for the comment! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| RSDaniels, amen -- and thanks! We are blessed, blessed indeed!!! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Mike-You make me want to visit where you were! I love visiting historical places and am a huge fan of history. I loved how you used this story to illustrate our redemption. God bless you buddy. |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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America, America GOD shined his grace on thee and crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea........My country tis of thee sweet land of liberty, land where my fathers died, land of pilgrims pride........
The Lord does promise us beauty for ashes in Isaiah 43.Beauty for ashes - another great portrayal of redemption in scripture? There certainly isn't a shortage of those kinds of references, is there Starr? Indeed that could be considered one of the main themes of the entire bible, how God redeemed corrupt creatures, objects of his love
To GOD be the GLORY....We Will Arise in HIS-TORY! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Sounds like you all had fun. I must say I have always wanted to visit Gettysburg. |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| Mike, I love your daddy stories! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, so much fun and memories that you'll treasure in your heart forever. Thanks for sharing them with us!
BTW: we have a Devil's Den here also......almost camped out with our grandson there last Friday....but, brrrrrrr....it was 39 degrees, hehehehehe |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Dave, trust me, you would have enjoyed yourself!
Dan, wow, great point. Such a great point, brother.
Darla, we're praising him together!
Debra Lyn (Ima Grandma), thanks so much! They reaffirmed today, yesterday was a smashing success! (high praise!!)
Thanks Kathy, it's fun makin 'em!!! :-)
Shirley....yes, YOU MUST!!! (The history around the place is amazing.)
CindyLou, wow there's more than one? What's yours like? And we like camping out too, we do it in the yard! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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Do I hear a road trip??
A MyChurch road trip?? |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| to Gettysburg? lol! (Well, it would be fun) |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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| That sounds so fun! Your such an amazing dad, your kids are blessed :)!! Also thanks so much for the prayer on my blog, it means more to me than you could ever know! |
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| October 28, 2008 |
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I love the picture of children playing in the rocks. I myself found that even with the joyfulness of youth there was still an overwhelming solemness present. I'ver only felt that in a small number of places, Gettysberg, Arlington, and the Vietnam Wall. Still, joy ...how can you go wrong.
I'm struggling with writing Christmas songs at present, and that's one of the tensions I feel, the birth of a baby, the joy of the joy of the angels, yet the knowledge that the child would die on a cross, for us, for me. It's a good tension, but still tension, like at these places, solemness and joy. |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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| Awesome sounds like you had a great family trip together and that will be a memory that will last a life time..know how cool is that huh? |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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| Very cool parallel. I'm also glad you had such a refreshing time. |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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| Sounds like a great trip Mike...you were close to Ohio, you should have dropped in! |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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| Sounds like fun! I wish that I could take my grandchildren there for the fun and the history! |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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Ken, your grandchildren would have had a ball! (And maybe learned a little history too.)
Deb, my friend, PA is a huge state, and I am afraid we weren't very close to Ohio this time. If we go on a trip to western PA, I'll let you know!!! :-)
Jen, thanks - we did!! |
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| October 29, 2008 |
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Hi Megan... it was tremendously cool!
Angela, thanks so much sister. And you are welcome!
Dennis, better a tension between solemnness and joy, than pure solemness. Ah, redemption!! |
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| October 30, 2008 |
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cool... ! i love d chronicles of Narnia.. and the story beneath it :) So this post was good to read.. i can imagine 'white witch' chasing the pevensie kids.. back off you..! Aslan is here and he is king! Lol.. :D |
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| October 30, 2008 |
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It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I loved the Chronciles of Narnia. We all now that Aslan is are king and Stands for Our God.
God Bless
Thanks for Sharing |
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| October 30, 2008 |
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Amy-Jo, thanks, your comment is appreciated. Yes we had fun! Aravind- yes, the WW chased those Pevensies all over those rocks! lol (How's it going? Long time no hear!) |
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| October 30, 2008 |
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Sounds like the trip was well worth the drive for you and your family, Mike. But I do have to agree with Deb....that close to Ohio and you didnt come to see us?? LOL If my memory serves me right, Deb lives close to Mansfield, Ohio, which has a biblical wax museum that my wife says is worth taking a walk through. |
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| October 31, 2008 |
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Hello Matthew!! You don't visit us enough -- online that is!! :-)
As I told dear Deb, we really weren't all that close to y'all, or I would have loved to visit! Gettysburg is at least 4 hours away from Pittsburgh, PA, and that isn't even all the way to Ohio. Unless you wanna drive 2-3 hrs and meet us halfway, :-) |
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| October 31, 2008 |
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| ps... We drove thru the heart of apple country, USA. Biglerville, PA, home of Musselman's, makers and distributors of MANY apple products sold in supermarkets on the East Coast. At Sandoes market, we bought a few lbs of Stayman apples.....the BEST apples I've ever eaten!!!!! |
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| October 31, 2008 |
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| A wonderful family day isn't it amazing the ways God brings his Words to life for us. |
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