An assortment of enduring thoughts from an old tree
Every February we remember the birthdays of our three greatest U.S. Presidents: Ronald Reagan on the 6th, Abraham Lincoln on the 12th and George Washington on the 22nd. God raised up each one in their own era to serve His special purpose, much like He did Queen Esther of Babylon in the Bible’s book of …
The children of Arthur Hobart Snelling and Gertrude Bullard posed for this photograph in 1983. This, the last time they would all be together, was to attend the funeral of their father in Zion, Illinois. (Their mother having passed away in 1937.) They are shown here seated left to right in their birth order. Missing …
“For Thou did form my inward parts; Thou did weave me in my mother’s womb. I will gave thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought …
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh; most everyone associates this trio of gifts with Christmas and the Wise Men’s visit, but few have given much thought to the gifts themselves. Why did they bring these particular gifts? Gold is perhaps understandable because it is widely used and recognized for it’s value and beauty, but what about the …
Thanksgiving means “giving thanks” to . . . ? The government? The Indians? Each other? To whom? Psalm 100:3-5 “Know that the Lord Himself is God. It is He who has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His …
A number of years ago, a six page document came into my hands. Alas, but I do not recall the four ‘W’s and ‘H'(who, what , where, when and how.) Titled,”Historical and Biographical Sketch of The Oak(e)-Oaks-Oakes Family,” these tattered, forlorn pages became lost in my hodgepodge of important items to keep and sort out …
Read More “Coat of Arms Discovered for Nathaniel Oak Family”
100 years ago today, October 20, 1918, my uncle died as part of the infamous 1918 Flu Pandemic. David Arthur Snelling contracted the flu, as did his mother, Gertrude Snelling. David, the fourth child of Arthur and Gertrude, died on this day at just 14 months old. Fortunately, his father and siblings did not …