Tatonka

A Christian leader in North Dakota gave a fascinating insight about the bison, explaining that these massive animals which the Native Americans call Tatonka, surivive the brutal winters by walking toward the storms, not fleeing from them like domesticated cattle. Tatonka knows the only way to survive is to go through the storm. “God give me grace to face my fears and not try to run from them.”

Martin Luther Stood his Ground

“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason (I do not accept the authority of popes and councils because they have contradicted each other), my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. So help me God. Amen.”

Luther’s collected works, issued later under his supervision, give the closing words as, “Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.” 

He Fortified in a Time of Peace

The kingdom was quiet under [Asa]. 6 And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest. 7 Therefore he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us, because we have sought the Lord our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered. 8 And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand from Judah who carried shields and spears, and from Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand men who carried shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor (2 Ch 14:5–8).