Think On This

So some of you have been wondering how my wilderness skills are holding out during my back to basics experiment. If Ma and Pa Kettle could do it, my motto this week had become “So Can I!” As you may know, I have attempted to try out my “worst case” scenario motif, to a certain degree of late. It was inspired by my friends and their current ice storm dilemma. (That darn global warming. At it again!)

All I can say is, boy am I glad there was a guy at the propane tank when I pulled in to fill up my little blue container before I headed home to pour it into my portable heater. (Those of you who know about these things already see where this is going.) Anyway, I had decided to dig out my kerosene heater and was ready for action.  So you can imagine my surprise when the attendant at the KOA put his hands in his pocket and just shook his head. “Ma’am.” He said calmly. “Propane won’t fit in that kerosene container.” Gulp. I was so into my new challenge I had completely forgotten that “blue” meant kerosene! Since my friends from the north (that had taken refuge in my home) were on the hunt for propane, in my mind I said, “And me too!” And off I went with my little blue container. 

Thank the Lord for propane men and people who speak “Container. (By the way, the red ones are for gasoline. I have no idea what propane is. Maybe it’s Green? But I digress…)

With a flushed face and a heart full of gratitude I scampered off to find a gas station that sold my much needed kerosene. Ironically, it was the Asian 20 something behind the counter, whose owner/father explained to me how to get the heater back into working condition.  I had placed it in my storage area and had completely forgotten how to even make it work. A few English translations by the son and wild arm swingings from the father later I got the message.  Clean it out first.

At home, I googled the model number and did some research just to be sure.  Why was I surprised they didn’t even make this little gem anymore? Hmmm. Just my luck.  The guy up near the Catskills convinced me in his review that I would blow my house up within the first 5 minutes of my attempts, while Mr. Maine assured me that I was the smartest girl alive below the Mason Dixon line.

So, funnel in hand, I poured the greasy fluid into the well and waited for the magic to begin. Within minutes the kitchen warmed up and there was a happy, fiery glow. My dog of course decided to head out to the back 40. (Never can be too safe when ole Steph is up to a new project is his M.O.). Having done a bit more research, I’d learned from Wise in Wisconsin that if you put a whistling tea kettle on top of the heater, you’d always have hot water ready to brew. Who knew!

It was then I wondered how we, the people, ever decided modern technology was the only way to go.  Now all I need is a pot bellied stove and a cold frame out back and I should be able to weather out the winter just fine. Anybody out there got any extra mason jars?

Toasty in Nashville.

S.

A friend reminded me recently, “Pilgrims and Puritans weren’t the same thing.” So, for sake of clarification, before we completely put Thanksgiving back in boxes this holiday season, I thought I’d get in this one last plug for the P’s. 

PILGRIMS aka SEPARATISTS You may not be familiar with this term, but Pilgrims were also known by another name: Separatists. Apparently, our trusty Pilgrims didn’t want any part of the Church of England, so they completely “separated” themselves. Thus term Separatists. Uncomfortable with the heavy rituals and symbolism found in the Anglican Church they preferred a more simplified form of worship.  They felt their studies of the New Testament confirmed Scripture as portraying the original church (right after Jesus had been on earth) as a simple church.  Not having a need to take on the Anglican Church at that time, they decided to just “separate” themselves from it completely.  And so they did.

Their pastor, Richard Clyfton also taught them a form of democratic self-government where the majority ruled all decision making and they believed in equal rights and equal duties for members of its congregation.  (Sounds like a Personal Responsibility program if you ask me). 

History books show that the Pilgrims were warm, generous, and thoughtful towards fellow citizens and with the Indians they met in America. They wore the ordinary fashions you’d have found in England at that time and Wills and Inventories of that period show that some of the leading men wore brightly colored clothing such as red, green or violet leggings or pants. This is a far cry from the dark, boring clothing of the Puritan image that we have been spoon-fed. The Pilgrims were good-natured, fun-loving people who loved life while insisting on the freedom of choice. 

Remember: It was the Pilgrims who established Plymouth Colony. It was the Pilgrims who celebrated that first Thanksgiving with the Indians and it was the Pilgrims who ushered in the American principles of democratic government - not the Puritans. So, who then were those notorious Puritans? 

GLAD YOU ASKED. The Pilgrims weren’t the only believers who weren’t too thrilled with the Church of England at the time. The Puritans wanted to “purify” the church in the area of worship.  Since they too didn’t feel a church war would be successful, they quietly formed a rather severe, militant group of believers. The church leaders ruled the parishioners lives and they weren’t the least bit tolerant to those with opposing views. Committed in their quest for “pure” religion, they were pretty relentless when it came to punishing anyone who went against their doctrines (think Salem Witch Trials). Their attire was dark and plain and accessories were unacceptable as they were deemed the work of the devil. (Man, would I have been in major trouble!) 

So, the moral of our lesson today kids is simply this: the Pilgrims and the Puritans were worlds apart in their religious views, their governing style, their everyday attitudes, and their choice of clothing.  Just a little food for thought on this post Turkey, stuffing, and pie holiday weekend. 

Selah.

In January of 2009 the 44th President of the United States of America will be sworn into office. Interestingly, though he is a Democrat, his latest book of choice is titled Team of Rivals. It focuses on how Abe Lincoln (a Republican) put together his cabinet. And it is quite a read I hear. For those of us that don’t remember who, and how, and why Lincoln did what he did, it was apparently a bit revolutionary if not controversial at the time.

All that to say, I was reading about a guy that was heading into a restaurant in Philadelphia. Before he entered, he saw a homeless man holding a sign that read: Please vote for Obama. I need the money. As the customer was seated at his table, he was then greeted by a server that had on an Obama tie. When the check came, the man stated that he was going to practice Obama’s “spread the wealth” idea. Instead of leaving the server the tip, he was going to give it to the homeless Obama supporter outside. Needless to say, the waiter was furious. But the man left and did just that dropping a $10 bill into the hand of the man outside in need.

Shortly after hearing about this incident, I was digging through some old files and ironically came across this quote from dear old Abe. Our 16th President. It goes like this:

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independnece. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” - Abraham Lincoln

And with that, just my, or better yet, a past President’s thoughts for your day.

S.

Keep Your Powder Dry

If you have not used this statement before, chances are pretty good that you have at least “heard tell of it”, as we say down here in the south. I always thought it meant to simply stay calm and remain cool when under pressure. Never let them see you sweat, kind of thing. So you can imagine I was a bit surprised when I learned that the saying originated during the Revolutionary War period.

The phrase actually goes like this, “Trust in God, but Keep your Powder Dry.” (Not too surprising that over the years we’ve dropped the “Trust in God” part, but let’s get back to the topic at hand.)

I am a huge American History buff. And George Washington crossing the Delaware (then taking out the German mercenaries on Christmas Day) is one of my absolute favorite stories. A remarkable event.

Legend has it that General George Washington said to his soldiers before they began to cross the river in boats with their rifles in hand, “Trust in God, but keep your powder dry!” In other words, if we have come this far, and if all we have are our guns to do the job on the other side, do not, I repeat, do not let that gun or the gunpowder get wet! Protect your gear and your ammunition. It will be what leads us to victory or it will lead to our demise.

What in your life needs to be ultimately protected? Is there something that you need to focus on completely that could either mean life or death to a particular moment or situation? Maybe it’s mental, emotional, physical or spiritual. Only you know. It could mean a marriage, your job, a relationship, an event. It can be many things. And it might not be easy, but you know deep down, you’re going to need it down the road.

My thought today is, when you get to the really scary part of whatever it is that you have to do, Trust God. Trust Him to help you cross that river, in the dead of night, no matter how tired you are or how dangerous the task. Just keep going. Do what you have to do, and above all else, protect and keep your powder dry. Whatever that precious commodity is in your life. It’s all you will have with you when you land. And it is what you will desperately need with you when you come to the other side.

A little deep today, but I think you can navigate the literary waters.

S.