If I was given the chance to meet and talk to a historical personality, I'm certain I'd be choosing former US President, Abraham Lincoln. He's known for his admirable intelligence and determination to free the slaves of America. He led the country through one of the worst periods in US history; the Civil War. And during that period of time, he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation to help the Union win the Civil War and thus preserve the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the states which had rebelled against the Union, thus, at the time it was written, the Union did not have control over the states, which had seceded or rebelled against the Union. The Union states were "free states" as the Northern states had outlawed slavery. The rebel states or Confederate states did surrender to the Union, and became "free states" by virtue of the Emancipation Proclamation. I look up to Abe Lincoln so much for his dedication and loyalty to his countrymen. He was successful in bringing the United States together, again, as one nation. He used his power as president for a good cause, observing fairness and equality. ---------- Trixie: Good day, Mr. Lincoln. Pres. Linoln: Good day, too. Trixie: Congratulations on your success upon issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.
Pres. Lincoln: Thank you. It is my obligation and honor to serve each and every person in the United States. Trixie: Sir, what inspired you to write the Emancipation Proclamation? Pres. Lincoln: I've always been against slavery, especially because my father was once a slave. I'm not sure if you were told or if you've somehow heard it before, but I am from a poor family. And my parents had my eyes opened to the reality of how Americans aren't treated fairly. Slaves were crucial before in the procedure of living Americans' lives. And these slaves were surprisingly of the same nationality as theirs. Trixie: I see. Sir, if you weren't the president of the United States of America, would you still pursue your desire to free the slaves? Pres. Lincoln: Of course. In my own simple ways. Trixie: Like how, sir? Pres. Lincoln: Like if I walked past through a slave somewhere in Illinois, I'd help him one way or another. And whisper to him, "You're not worth it." Trixie: That's a nice one, sir. Could you please give a short message to students like me? Pres. Lincoln: Sure. Youngsters, you're never too young to fight for what's right. Just because your neighbor's dumb and you're not, doesn't mean you can make him your slave and treat him like he's not human. Don't think that way. We all have something that makes us special and unique. And take note, we were born to be free. Trixie: Thank you for that very inspiring message, President Lincoln. Pres. Lincoln: You are very much welcome.
The Burpo's were off to Colorado for a family trip. It was supposed to be fun, but it turned out to be one of their biggest nightmares. During the trip, almost-four-year-old Colton Burpo suffered from stomachache. No doctor could tell what the exact disease was at first. But then Todd and Sonja, six-year-old Cassie and Colton's parents, brought Colton back to Nebraska to get him checked up and to really know what he's sick of. It took the doctor how many days to figure everything out. And when Colton's temperature rose and he kept on vomiting, the doctor suggested he undergo a surgery, and get the thing out of his system. Todd is a pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church. Sonja was in charge of the music ministry in there. While Colton was being operated on, Todd decided to talk to God in a chapel inside the hospital. Sonja contacted several Christians and asked them to pray for Colton. As Todd was in the chapel, he yelled at God and blamed Him for all that was happening. He could not believe God was actually getting his son from him. Every single Christian that Sonja contacted prayed for little Colton. He was too young, indeed, to leave. After all, Colton survived. The surgery was successful, and the Burpo's couldn't be any more happier. The most interesting part about this story, though, happened months after the operation. The fourth of July, 2003 was a big deal for Todd and Sonja. They had planned to take the kids to visit Sonja's brother, Steve, and his family in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On their way to Sioux Falls, they passed by Plains Regional Medical Center, where Colton's surgery took place. Sonja asked Colton if he remembers the hospital. He shortly replied, "Yes, Mommy, I remember. That's where the angels sang to me." This is exactly where everything started. Todd frequently asks Colton about what had happened during his operation. And according to him, he was lifted up, and he could see himself being operated on. He even saw his own dad in the chapel, yelling at God; and his mom on the phone, asking people to pray for him. Colt0n was able to describe every detail about what Todd and Sonja were doing by the time of his surgery. It's quite impossible, of course, but it's real. Colton said that he was all alone when he went to church, and that's where he saw Jesus. That's where he held His hand and went together to Heaven. He described Heaven as a very beautiful place, where all the colors are. Jesus had a horse. And He didn't have wings. But everybody else has. Jesus just went up and down like an elevator. And he had "red markers", according to Colton. This is how he called Jesus' scars from His crucifixion. Back to Colorado, after his operation, Colton asked Sonja if she knew he had a sister. His mom said yes, since Cassie is in fact his elder sister. But Colton shook his head. He claims he has another sister, and she died when she was still inside his mom's tummy. He saw her in Heaven. This startled Sonja. She and Todd didn't even know their second baby was a she. When Sonja asked Colton what her name was, he simply said she doesn't have one because they haven't named her yet. Colton constantly told Todd that God loves us so much. In Heaven, Colton's wings were small. And he played all the time. And he's oftentimes sitting on Jesus' lap. What shocked Todd the most is when Colton brought up this man he saw in Heaven whom he referred to as "Pop". He was Todd's grandfather, and he was like his own dad. Pop died in 1975. He's in Heaven! Todd was curious and he wanted to make sure if his son really saw his beloved grandfather. So he showed Colton a picture of Pop where he's old and wearing glasses. Colton immediately said, "Nobody's old in Heaven, and nobody wears glasses." Todd asked his mom if she somehow had kept a picture of Pop where he's young. Fortunately, she has one. She reproduced a copy of it for Todd, and he showed it again to Colton. "Yes. That's him," said Colton. Colton was also able to get into God's throne room. He said His throne was really, really big because God was the biggest one there is. Jesus' throne was right next to his dad's, he said. Basically, Jesus sits on the right side of God the Father. On the left side, however, is the angel Gabriel. Colton said he's really nice. He also told Todd that the very first person you'll see when you die is Jesus. No one else but Him. Colton said Jesus told him about the future. There will be a war. And every Christian man must fight against evil, while the women and children must stand back and watch. But there's nothing to worry about. God wins. He throws Satan back to hell in the end.
We all probably accepted the idea of Heaven before, but now because of Colton, we're able to visualize it. And every individual who doubts it may be encouraged at this moment. And everybody who believes may be thrilled.
