As we made our way southwest toward the Bluegrass State, we paid a much-anticipated visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As you get to know our Joshua, you’ll discover that among his varied interests lies an insatiable passion for all things Civil War. He usually instructs us regarding the historical details that his mind guards like the proverbial steel trap.

The photo is Josh standing on the top of Little Round Top. To his right and below are Plum Run and the Valley of Death, where — on the second day of the 3-day battle — Union forces were able to seize the strategic high ground. You can see some of the maze of boulders and rock formations that were the backdrop for Pickett’s Charge. Confederate General Robert E. Lee instructed George Pickett to strike the Union enemy, but the 13,000 Confederate soldiers had little protection from what followed.

The Union line opened up with such ferocity that 836 bullets struck a single 16-foot fence plank. The tiny town of Gettysburg, where no one had intended to fight in the first place, became an overflowing morgue from unthinkable casualties on both sides. Those who managed to live through the battle faced so much incurable disease that only one in four of the wounded survived.

The departing wagon train of maimed Southern soldiers was 17 miles long. The men fled the battlefield blinded by a driving rain that turned every road and path of escape into bloody mud. I wonder what they discussed as they began to realize the extent of their defeat in terms of the wider war.

The psalmist cried (Psalm 23:4): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” David understood that where there is a shadow, there must also be a Light.

Is our confidence in God today? Be it a day of triumph or a day of tragedy, are we holding on to the Lord Jesus Christ? Is our hope truly in the Lord?

The good news of the gospel is that the war against human sin has been won. At the cross, Jesus secured our pardon with His own blood. “It is finished!”

Yes, we’re still watching some battles play out, and sometimes those struggles against remaining sin seem a little too awful and close to home. But don’t ever confuse the skirmishes of sanctification with the ultimate victory of Calvary’s cross. As a matter of fact, the justification assures the sanctification (Romans 8:28-30).

If you’re in Christ but still longing for God’s affirmation, I’ll leave you with a quote from the professed self-talk of Big Daddy Weave: “Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won. I am redeemed!”

Ah … I am redeemed.

Our last day in New England included sea kayaking at Cape Cod. I thought you might enjoy a photo of the boys ready to set out, and one of Joshua crabbing with his cousins. Both ventures were successful, though mildly traumatic for thirteen crabs.

As we prepared to head south, we enjoyed a family discussion about Josh’s school schedule for the fall, and the importance of good note-taking and study habits. (His new academy offers a class on academic enrichment.) These are the kinds of life-skills that we all want to impart to our children, and it’s encouraging to think of our kids growing in readiness for college and beyond.

As Jesus prepared His disciples for the future, He seemed always to focus their attention on what really mattered. Matthew 16 records several components of our Lord’s model for discipleship: solid teaching (“beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”); personal faith (“who do you say that I am?”); and willingness to embrace suffering for God’s glory (“let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”).

As I think about discipling my own son in these regards, I recognize in the mirror my own continuing need  for discipleship in the same areas. How quickly I fall into the trap of wanting an easy life that’s centered on my own happiness here and now.

I need a body of believers in whose gracious company I can be rescued from myself. Maybe you do too.

Let’s be that disciple-making church! In the same chapter, our Lord promises to build His church through His people (16:18). “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Wow! I can scarcely wrap my mind around the power, purpose, and privilege that are ours in Jesus Christ. (Hmmm … alliteration for a future sermon?)

Said another way: I need you.

Truth be known, we need each other. By Christ’s grace, let’s stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Let’s make disciples for Christ, as we truly become Christ’s disciples.

As we prepare to leave New England, I thought I’d send you a photo of the National Monument to the Forefathers located right here in Plymouth, but unfortunately largely obscured not only by tall trees, but by cultural values somewhat unkind to the ideals that the monument so clearly expresses.

The cloudy, gray sky did not provide a picture-perfect backdrop for the 180-ton gray-ish statue (actually the largest granite monument in the world, and just a half-mile inland from Plymouth Rock). But you can appreciate its size and beauty even from this quick snapshot.

The monument’s largest figure is “Faith” with her right hand pointing toward heaven and her left hand clutching a Bible. Upon four lower buttresses are seated four figures symbolizing four different “outworkings” (my term) of Faith that the Pilgrims envisioned as foundational to a society that honors God: Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. (You have to see this to believe it: the Christian symbolism and history are undeniable.)

I can’t crawl into the minds of those who planned the monument in 1850, but it appears to me that the four “outworkings” are intended to be recognized by us as flowing from the very feet of Faith. There’s a profound lesson there for us, or maybe a series of lessons.

I know it’s not Thanksgiving time on the calendar, but I’m ready to celebrate! A monument explicitly dedicated to the cause of religious freedom, as evidenced by its own frontal inscription — even listing the names of those Mayflower voyagers — beckons me to praise God for the Pilgrims who seemed to know no fear that overrode their desire to worship freely.

I don’t need to tell you what those brave men and women gave up, or what dangers they faced at every turn. Or what price they paid. But they did have one pervasive fear worth noting: the Pilgrims feared God.

Though we, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are to walk in freedom from fear (Second Timothy 1:7), may you and I never lose the holy fear of a holy God. We must fear the Lord.

In a day when many tour buses skip the Forefathers Monument altogether, may we thank God for this clear expression of our American and spiritual heritage. May we thank the Lord for the privilege of living in a nation where we can assemble for the public worship of our Savior. And may we pray our hearts out that our great God will maintain our national religious freedom.

It might not be an easy road for us. John Wayne said: “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

Maybe it’s time to saddle up!

I’ve been thinking about grace. God’s grace. Good thoughts. Not sure why grace has been so much on my mind, but I suppose it has much to do with my constant need for it. Maybe you can relate.

We worshipped Sunday morning at Winthrop Street Baptist Church in Taunton. Pastor Baeckel preached from Lamentations 3: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end!” Sweet. Good news indeed for a wretch like me.

Why would a holy God pour out His love upon a rebel? Why would He welcome home a wayward child? Why would my Heavenly Father choose to see even me through the lens of the accomplished, finished, saving work of His spotless, sinless Son? Grace.

Delight in it, Beloved. Grace.

I see it in our Lord’s good provision for us. Daily. I see it in His eternal promises. I see it in His gospel. I see it at the cross where Jesus died. I even see it in God’s loving discipline of you and me. Grace.

I see grace in our Savior’s resurrection. He lives! He lives! He lives! For those of us who are trusting in Christ alone, it’s Easter every day.

I see abundant grace in the hydrangeas of a New England July. (This is a shot from Eileen’s sister’s backyard.) A gloriously and meticulously adorned sanctuary if you’ll choose to see it. A wee taste of heaven. The varying colors from white to deep purple blooms reflect the acidity of the surrounding soil.

Jesus taught us about soil. The soil is everything. Is the soil of your heart ready for a new work of Christ’s amazing grace?