Homeschool day 55 of 180
Government school day 44 of 170 ***students not in class today***

Kelly, Christian, and I continue to read Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze. It is amazing how the themes in this book parallel life in modern day America. I am sure these themes parallel life any most times and places. The story takes place during a time of transition and a struggle for power between warring parties in different parts of China. Yesterday, a soldier in the story killed a man on a whim. The soldier wanted the man to carry some stolen rice. The man refused because his family would starve if he did not finish the task given to him by his master so that he would have enough money to buy food. The soldier shot him. He was left in a heap on the side of the road while Young Fu was conscripted to carry the load that was way to heavy for him. Only through the kindness of a stranger does he avoid the fate of his predecessor.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Romans 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Romans 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Romans 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
Romans 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Sometimes, living in America with all its abundance and freedoms, we believe that America is somehow good. We are rightly thankful for the good, but we are wrong to believe that America’s goodness comes from any inherent goodness in America’s people, history, or system of government. Those things are gifts from God, not products of any efforts by America or Americans. To trust in such things is just wrong. We need to respect and support those in authority over us, but Jesus only is our king.