Jesus Prays in a Peaceful Garden
A long time ago, olive oil was prepared by crushing olives in a large wooden or stone bowl called a mortar. Oil presses were also used. “Gethsemane” comes from the Hebrew for “oil press”. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray before He went to the cross, may have held an oil press. Numerous olive trees grew on the Mount of Olives, which is the hillside where the garden was located, outside of Jerusalem. From the Mount of Olives, Jesus had a great view of Jerusalem and the Temple to the west. Bethlehem was to the south. The Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley were on the east. Bethany was located on the Mount of Olives where Jesus often visited Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Luke 21 tells about the final week before Jesus’ death on a...
Read MorePresident Abraham Lincoln Loved Animals
Did you know … When people asked Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s wife, if the president had any hobbies, she answered, “Cats.” Lincoln enjoyed playing with cats. Orphaned kittens Lincoln visited one of his generals, Ulysses S. Grant, in March of 1865. He noticed three stray kittens in the telegraph hut and asked about their mother, who had died. He played with them and didn’t leave until he knew that someone would find them a good home. White House goats There were two pet goats, Nanny and Nanko, at the White House where the president lived with his family. His sons, Tad and Willie, often hitched the goats to kitchen chairs and then rode the chairs through the White House. The goats often got in trouble for chewing up things like...
Read MoreCivil War Animals and Mascots
Did you know … There were many different animals that traveled with the soldiers during the Civil War. Horses pulled the cannons on caissons. Horses worked hard during the war. Hauling cannons was one of their important jobs. The cannons were placed on a two-wheeled structure and pulled from battle to battle by horses. Horses were also used by soldiers in the cavalry. These soldiers rode horses to find enemy camps. The most famous horse was Traveller, ridden by General Robert E. Lee. General Stonewall Jackson rode Little Sorrel. General Ulysses S. Grant’s favorite horse was named Cincinnati. Mules pulled supply wagons. There were about 25,000 mules at the Battle of Gettysburg alone, so thousands of the animals worked hard throughout the war. Mules were...
Read MoreOld Abe, the War Eagle
Did you know … During the Civil War, the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment had a very special mascot, a bald eagle. The soldiers named him “Old Abe” in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. Old Abe’s freedom in camp leads to trouble. While the soldiers from Old Abe’s regiment camped at Camp Clear Creek in 1862, his eagle-bearer, Thomas Hill, gave the eagle a lot of freedom. This led to some trouble for the soldiers. The eagle tipped over fire pails filled with water which the soldiers had to refill. Old Abe chased large insects through the camp and knocked down laundry left out to dry. The soldiers played games by rolling round bullets on the ground. Old Abe learned to catch the bullets as they rolled. Old Abe wants to be safe, too. When the...
Read MoreNellie, General Robert E. Lee’s Pet Chicken
Did you know … During the Civil War, a little black hen looked for a place to lay her egg and wandered into the tent of the famous Confederate (southern) General Robert E. Lee. Lee adopts the hen as a pet. Since General Lee liked to eat fresh eggs for breakfast, he decided to keep the hen as a pet and named her Nellie. Nellie sometimes slept in General Lee’s tent. Nellie provided an egg for General Lee’s breakfast nearly every day. The hen sometimes slept in Lee’s tent. He left the tent flap open for her. The little hen wanders off after the Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was a huge battle that lasted from July first until July third in 1863. After the fighting ended, the Confederate Army planned to leave Gettysburg. When...
Read MoreSallie, the Loyal Civil War Bull Terrier
Did you know … Sallie was a four-week-old puppy when someone gave her as a gift to First Lieutenant William R. Terry. William was a soldier in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry, part of the Union Army in the Civil War. Sallie grows up around the soldiers. The soldiers trained often during the early days of the war. Sallie watched the men as the leaders taught skills to keep them safer in a battle. She stood near by at shooting practice. She heard the drummers beat exact rhythms and the buglers play specific tunes for different commands like “Charge!” The bugler played a song known as Reveille every morning to wake up the soldiers. After the music started, Sallie considered it her job to wake them up, too. Sallie is friendly and lovable. Sallie loved...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. The gospel he teaches and preaches is not his own nor is it the opinion and words of theologians and scholars who study Scripture as though God’s word is dead.
Rather, he receives teaching daily by revelation from the living Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised. Our Lord says, “I came that you might have life and that you would have life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) The Pirate Preacher believes we are to participate in making the fullness of Jesus complete in others.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
