#84: Doorway to Philippi

#84 of my most viewed photos on Flickr. A portal of Basilica B. The ancient ruins of Philippi in Greece, near modern Kavala, which was known as Neapolis in the New Testament book of Acts. Paul wrote a letter to the Christians here. According to the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Philippi is "the most important archaeological site of eastern Macedonia."

Photo of the Day: Charlemagne Statue, Notre Dame Plaza

Statue of the legendary King Charles the Great, in the plaza of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

Photo of the Day: Battle of Carthage Marker

(Most viewed on Flickr yesterday.) Jasper County Courthouse, Carthage, Missouri. "Battle of Carthage In memory of the men in blue and gray who fought here on July 5, 1861. Dedicated by the United Veterans of Carthage who fought side by side in four foreign wars, on July 4, 1961." The sign below is at the site, outside of town: Battle of Carthage State Historic Site

Influential Reformer Oecolampadius

Protestant Reformer Oecolampadius died this date in 1531. He was the first notable person to suggest that laypeople have a say in their congregations. Clergy dominated before this. Some Reformers warmed up to his suggestion and a large percentage of Protestantism later embraced it. Oecolampadius also challenged clergy to be leaders, not tyrants. "Your mission is to evangelize, not to curse," he wrote to William Farel. "Prove yourself to be an evangelist, not a tyrannical legislator. Men want to be led, not driven." You can thank Oecolampadius for having major influence in bolstering the recognition of the value of laypeople that we enjoy today.

William Penn Cabin 1837, Everton, MO

Yesterday this photo received a one-day record number of views on my Flickr stream — 780. Not sure why. It's a photo of a historical cabin in a Dade County community I pass by on my way to fish Stockton Lake, my favorite fishing grounds. One day I went into town and found this great cabin. It is not the William Penn of Pennsylvania fame, but another. The cabin functioned as Dade County's first courthouse. Here's the info: "In accordance with the foregoing laws, Gov. Thomas Reynolds appointed and commissioned Nelson McDowell, William Penn and David Hunter as justices of the county court, and Asa G. Smith as sheriff of the county. In further compliance with the law, these justices met on the first Monday of March, 1841, at the residence of William Penn (on Pennsylvania Prairie), and then and there organized their court, and appointed Joseph Allen as clerk, and thus completed the organization of Dade County." From HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND HER PEOPLE From the date of the Earliest Settlements to the present time By THE PIONEER HISTORICAL COMPANY, R. A. Ludwick, Manager, A. J. Young, Editor-in-Chief Note the 2 fledgling American kestrels sitting in the window.

Japan/Philippines 10-Peso Note With 1945 Provenance

This 10 Japan Pesos note was currency issued by Japan when they occupied the Philippines. A relative (I believe an uncle) gave this to my parents after returning home from the war. Note the handwritten description at the top of the back of the bill.

The 43rd Infantry Division was known as Winged Victory, from the name of its World War II commander, Leonard F. Wing of Vermont. It helped liberate the Philippines and it was also part of the U.S. occupation force in Japan starting in September 1945 and continuing into October before they returned home to the States.

150 Years Since the Civil War Began

We reached that milestone on April 12 with the anniversary of the firing on Fort Sumter. Since then many have focused on states' rights or other complex issues as reasons for the war. But it was about slavery. The states' rights issue rested on the slavery issue.

In his Inaugural Address in 1861, Abraham Lincoln could not have stated it more clearly: "One section of our country believes slavery is right and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong and ought not to be extended. This is the only substantial dispute."

390 Years Ago Today Work on Plymouth Settlement Begins

The first permanent European settlement in New England begins to take shape. My ancestors William and Susanna White, with their two sons, Resolved and Peregrine, were among those desperately in need of shelter. Peregrine, my next generation ancestor, had been the first European born in the New World—born aboard the Mayflower while it held off-shore and advance scouts searched for a safe harbor for the ship to land. Now these "pilgrims" (though the term was not yet in use then) of the Mayflower were hastily building dwellings to shelter them from the advance of their first North American winter.

Sadly, that first year, half of the original 102 settlers would die—among them my ancestor William White. Susanna would remarry—to fellow Mayflower passenger Edward Winslow. My ancestor Peregrine White lived a full and prosperous life to the age of 83. He and his wife, Sarah, daughter of William and Elizabeth Bassett, had seven children. Jonathan White, born in 1658, was my next ancestor in the line.

47 Years Since JFK Was Shot

A Facebook friend asked the question Where were you on November 22, 1963? JFK assassination. Here's what I said:

Harry Ells High School, Richmond, Calif. Between classes I ran into a friend. "Did you hear?" he asked. "What?" "Kennedy's been shot." I didn't believe him. Next class was chemistry. We were due to take a test. Students were crying. The teacher told us there was nothing we could do to change what had happened. He made us take the test.

History of the Assemblies of God

Watch this 9-minute video to get a good glimpse of Assemblies of God history.