P.S.

If you want to find out what happened to King Sennacherib after he mocked God, I encourage to read 2 Kings 18-19.

I came across this resource which goes deeper.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-stories/the-bible-story-of-king-hezekiah.html

I don’t know who put this together but it’s beautiful.

Testimony Tuesday

The believer’s walk in Christ has often been described as a race.
Not a sprint, but an endurance race.

As Bible believing Christians we’ve often hear the term “Finish the Race.”

And, we all want to “Finish well.”

Life is a race. Hard sometimes. But even the Bible tells us; “…run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus.”

We are to run the race of life.

I’ve never been a runner, but I have cycled and have done a Century ride on my rode bike before.

My daughter and I did an endurance ride back in May of 2007 called Reach The Beach from Beaverton to Pacific City, Oregon a small coastal town. A 100 mile course.

We had trained for several months prior. Then the day of the race we saddled up and took off naively under estimating how difficult it would be.

There would be several challenges along the course.
I’d be lying if I said it was easy.

The scenery was beautiful though.
We started in the valley across beautiful pastoral farmland and wine country. So far very pleasant with minor hills to speak of.

Until it wasn’t…(insert sardonic grin)

Traveling west on Hwy 18 heading towards the coast with the winds kicking up, I was singing Bob Seger’s song “Against the Wind” under each breath as I focused on pedaling one rotation at a time…then, riding through the hills it was Sound of Music’s…”Climb every mountain, search high and low. Follow every by way, every path you know.”

Oh my! What were we thinking?

We veered off the highway onto two lane country roads through the Coastal range, a series of big and little hills. At the end of every hill, it’s downhill…rest, reprieve until the next one…and so on.

And that included steep hairpin turns on two lane roads, one way traffic bridges, and several big logging trucks that can suck you under their wheels if they got too close to you.

Praying for safe passage the entire ride, we kept at it.

During the course, there were Support Stations to fuel up with snacks, and restroom breaks. We stopped at every single one of them. Three stations every 25 miles until the Finish Line.

At one point the odometers on our bikes told us we reached the 80 mile marker but our body’s engine light was telling us we are maxing out. Time for a break.

We pulled over on the side of the road and rested as we watched a few other cyclists pass us by. We contemplated whether if the remaining 20 mile course was still worth pursuing.

We decided to keep pushing ourselves, even if it meant to pedal our bikes standing up the rest of the way because our bottoms were really sore in spite of padded bike gear.

Each time we crested a larger hill, we could see the ocean. We were that close.

That view alone was all we needed to motivate us. It was possible but our bodies were having none of it.

There were no more support stations until the finish line. But we did see the *SAG wagons pick up stranded cyclists who did give up for one reason or another. (*SAG stands for support and gear. During a race, a SAG vehicle would be a welcome sight as you fatigue or encounter mechanical complications with your bike.)

Yes, it was tempting to wait for the SAG wagon to pick us up, but we were committed and we were determined.
We had a steadfast spirit in us to press on.
That inner voice told us, “Keep going, you got this!”

Eventually we arrived at the Finish Line. We finished the race.
We have the photos and medal to prove it.
There was a huge celebration party, live music and lots of food. It was like coming home!

We were so proud of ourselves.

It may have taken us 10.5 hours but we did it.
And no; we were not the last ones to cross the finish line. But even if we were, it still would have been okay.

We never did it again after that.
We proved to ourselves we could do it.
We checked that box off!

It’s true when they say victory and defeat happens in the head first.

Life is a race.
No matter how hard it can be, I still want to finish well.

How easy it would have been to give up.
But we have a Coach who is cheering us on.

Our Coach can see ahead and knows the path. Trust Him.
Listen to His voice.

He’ll be the support you need along the way.
When you feel like giving up, take a support break. Refuel.

Get back in, because there is a race to finish.

He’ll give you just enough strength you’ll need to get over each hill one at a time.

He is your biggest cheerleader.

One day, our race will finally end here on earth and we will cross that finish line with the grandest Finish Line Party we will ever experience.

Finish well friends.
He is with you!

Blessings,
—Paula
@CallToBattle

You may have figured out which movie she is talking about. But in case you haven't seen it. Here is the trailer to the movie she is referring to.
https://youtu.be/Le05vmahdXQ?

We finished the race! Pacific City, Oregon May/2007

The beauty of November is not in what the season takes away, but in what it teaches us to cherish...the little things we often forget to notice.

Let November be a month of kindness, gratitude, and simple joys.🍁️️️️️️🍂️️️️️️🙏️️️️️️

Testimony Tuesday

Given today is Election Day here in America, I thought it would be appropriate to share something more fitting. And of course, the most important time for U.S. citizens, not only the right to vote but a privilege.

Most of us here in the United States grew up learning about America and how it came to be.

We learned about the battles that were fought on the grounds of what was to become a new nation, the men who set the ball in motion for changes, and the men who died for a revolution for freedom and rights unlike any other country in the world.

A new government system was placed that would have checks and balances to keep America from being overtaken by rogue tyrannical ideology.

But there was something that was divinely involved in the hearts of the forefathers of this country.

God himself.

This is the first time I’ve heard the testimony of how we got to be here as a nation by way of the Hand of God Himself.

I am not going to explain the history of America here today because we should all know by now the basics in the civics of our country. But I am going to make a recommendation.

If you haven’t already seen the documentary, ‘The American Miracle’: A Michael Medved Film. Explores the Hand of God in US History.
(Or you can read the book)

I highly recommend it.

Some of you perhaps saw it early this past Summer as it was released for the 250th anniversary of the birth of America.

“This is the forgotten and true story of America’s founding.”

The movie itself gives a testimony of the providence of God moving the hearts of Christians that formed our nation.

It’s more than just a documentary and more of a testimony how God’s divine intervention or rather the providence of God and how it set the course for our country.

PROVIDENCE:
“The belief that all things are ordered and regulated by God towards His purpose.”

The movie explores moments of crisis in our nation’s history that were interrupted by the hand of Providence, or as President George Washington described it, “the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men.”

“The history of the American Experiment is a fabric woven of countless instances of improbable, unimaginable success. Whether it is the supernatural protection that surrounded George Washington – the Father of our Country – throughout his life, the mysterious weather conditions that favored the movements of the Continental Army at critical battlefield junctures, or, the unique, longstanding success of a revolution unlike any other in recorded world history; it is difficult, nearly impossible to explain the outcome of any of these, and so many more events like them, without allowing for divine intervention,” the website for the movie explains.


So, if you’re interested in learning about this incredible testimony and the role of God’s providential hand over our nation you can find it on Amazon Prime or click the link just above.

Blessings,
—Paula
@CallToBattle


“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
1 Chronicles 16:24

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”
Psalm 33:12

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/VPp1jEDzDNk?

Some interesting facts about the painting: “Prayer at Valley Forge”

Although there has been many depictions of the above painting. And maybe even some controversy as to question this even happened depending which resource you use.

The ‘Prayer at Valley Forge’ by Arnold Friberg is one of the best known paintings of the American Revolution. It depicts George Washington at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in prayer on his knees beside his horse Nelson at the Continental Army’s encampment, during the terrible winter of 1777-1778.

The legendary story was told by a local Quaker Tory named Isaac Potts, who said he spied George Washington praying fervently in the woods alone during one of the bleakest times of the war for the Americans. You can learn more about the horrible conditions at Valley Forge, the alleged prayer of George Washington, including a personal testimony from someone to whom Mr. Potts told the story and the dramatic turnaround that came in the spring.

Isaac Potts passed through the woods and spied the commander in chief of the American armies on his knees at prayer next to his horse, crying out to God.

He observed Washington until the general concluded his devotions, at which point Potts returned home to report the encounter to his wife. He reminded her of his Quaker vow to pacifism, declaring;

“I always thought that the sword and the gospel were utterly inconsistent. But George Washington has this day convinced me of my mistake.”

The General’s reverence converted Potts to the American cause, now certain that “Washington will yet prevail” and “work out a great salvation for America.”

It was at that moment that Isaac Potts realized America would win.

About the artist:

‘The Prayer at Valley Forge’ by Arnold Friberg has become one of the most recognizable paintings in American history.
Friberg’s painting is a poignant portrayal of General George Washington during one of the most critical moments in the American Revolution. In the harsh winter of 1777–78, amid the immense hardships faced by the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Washington is depicted kneeling in a moment of solitary prayer, seeking guidance and strength from God. This moment has been depicted by other artists, but never as remarkably as this original work by Arnold Friberg.

Arnold Friberg (1913–2010)
Friberg spent his decades-long career memorializing important people and events throughout American and world history.

Be encouraged warriors. It's been a long haul.
It goes with what I posted on Testimony Tuesday.
Thank you @KimFairchild for sharing this.

If the link above doesn't work or you're not on X...here is the transcript below:👇️️️️️️



⭐️🇺🇸 KEEP THE FAITH, PATRIOTS! 🇺🇸⭐️

This morning, I’ve been thinking about something our Founding Fathers wrote 250 years ago…

Imagine being in Philadelphia in July of 1776.

You’re about to put your name on a document declaring independence from the most powerful empire on earth.

The British have the world’s greatest navy, a professional army, and the resources of an empire. You have 13 colonies that can’t even agree on everything among themselves…

And signing your name could cost you your home, your fortune, your family, or your life.

Would you have signed?

56 men did.

Now look at the final words of the Declaration of Independence…

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

With a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence. 🙏🏻

Think about that...

They didn’t know whether they’d live long enough to see an independent America.

They didn’t know that Washington would cross the Delaware on Christmas night, or that the British would surrender at Yorktown five years later.

They certainly didn’t know that 250 years later, millions of Americans would still be reading and living by the words they wrote…

But they knew what they believed. They knew what they were willing to sacrifice. And they placed their trust in Almighty God.

I wonder how many of them had moments when they questioned whether their signatures even mattered, or whether they’d made a terrible mistake.

How many nights did they lie awake wondering if freedom was slipping through their fingers?

And yet, here we are, the shining city on the hill…

The United States of America. 🇺🇸

Patriots, I know these past few days have been difficult. I know many of you are tired, frustrated, and wondering what comes next. But I want you to remember something…

Our Founders didn’t win our independence on July 4, 1776.

THEY DECLARED IT.

Then they spent years fighting, sacrificing, praying, and persevering to secure it.

There’s a lesson in that for all of us.

Don’t confuse the difficulty of the journey with the impossibility of the destination.

And please don’t let disappointment convince you that your prayers, your courage, or your efforts have been wasted.

The Apostle Paul asked a question in Romans that I think we could all use a reminder of this morning…

“If God be for us, who can be against us?” ~ Romans 8:31

Notice that Paul didn’t say we’d never face opposition. He reminded us where our confidence belongs when we do.

Our Founders understood that. It’s why they appealed to divine Providence while pledging everything they had to the cause of liberty.

And 250 years later, that same responsibility to preserve our republic rests with WE THE PEOPLE.

So whatever challenges lie ahead, let’s meet them with faith, courage, and the determination to leave our children and grandchildren the freedoms we’ve been blessed to inherit.

I don’t know what tomorrow holds Patriots…

But I know Who holds tomorrow. ✝️

And I still believe America is worth every prayer and every effort we make on her behalf.

Keep your heads up, your eyes open, your hearts strong, and your faith firmly planted in God.

We’ve got a beautiful country worth preserving. ❤️🇺🇸

Hold the line. 👊🇺🇸

✝️ God Has Already Won!