What Can Our Ancestors Teach Us About History? - Guest Post by Dr. Rebecca Price Janney

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta 

This week's post is by Dr. Rebecca Price Janney. She has written a six-book series set in the Revolutionary War period of America. The main character in all these books is actually an ancestor of hers. As a person whose favorite part of history is this Revolutionary period, I learned a lot about some of the battles and hardships our founding fathers experienced. Travel back in time through these books and you will have more to appreciate as we celebrate our 250th birthday. She has also written two books about the Great Awakening in the early 1900's in Korea and the Korean War. Since we lived in Korea for two years, I found these novels fascinating. I think you will too! Welcome, Rebecca. Links to her books are at the end of the post.

             Four years ago, I got to address a group of newly-naturalized citizens from around the world. Most of them were with family members and wore big smiles to go with their American flags. What could I say to encourage and welcome them? Since I believe my family’s story reflects “the American dream,” I went with some of the details before bringing my journey to bear upon theirs.

3 Biblical Remedies for Guilt and Shame

 

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Even since Adam and Eve took one bite of fruit humans have dealt with guilt and shame.

God warned them.

Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV)

Up until that time they had only known good. Then a serpent’s words carried more weight to their minds than what their Creator told them.

The temptation to know everything sucked Adam and Eve into the trap.

Through mercy, God brought the skins of a slain animal to cover the guilt. The couple was forgiven.

But the shame continued. Their minds probably ran away with the accusations that came from the mouth of their tempter. “You are bad.” “Look at what you did.” “The human race is doomed because of you.”

This is what the devil does. He tempts and then when we give in, he accuses and condemns us.

What is the difference between guilt and shame?