Audrey Rindlisbacher Podcast

“If the conversation is worth having, it's worth doing right.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

We LOVE principles! We know they matter and we desperately want to share them with those we love.

But... sharing principles can be tricky! When wanting to share the truths we've learned, we might be asking ourselves: How do I know I'm right? How much should I say? What if they won't listen? What if it hurts our relationship?

Yet, we should actually be asking ourselves: Is it my place to be talking to them? Are my motives pure or am I trying to "fix" them? Do we have the kind of relationship that makes it possible for them to hear and accept what I'm sharing?  Do I understand the principle and live it well enough? 

In this podcast, Audrey as she shares 10 Steps that will help you determine the what, when, where and how of sharing the principles you love with the people you love! 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:37      Step 1

8:12      Step 2

12:57    Step 3

16:41    Step 4

18:32    Step 5

20:59    Step 6

23:38    Step 7

25:29    Step 8

27:02    Benjamin Franklin

31:40    Step 9

30:59    Step 10

Quotes from this episode:

“No amount of good behavior can make up for how you truly feel about someone. Get your heart in the right place.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

“Everyone hates a hypocrite. Make sure your life is in harmony with what you want to teach.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“[Make] direct amends...wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.” ~Alcoholics Anonymous

“Check in with your stewardship. It's not always your place to say anything.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

“Nobody wants your advice unless they ask for it, and even then, they usually don't want it.”~Audrey Rindlisbacher's mom

“Be prepared to be ignored: even Jesus couldn't convince everyone.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“Stories are the most powerful and memorable thing you can share. When they remember the story, they remember the principle.”~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“Show up humble and vulnerable.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“If the conversation is worth having, it's worth doing right.”~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“Faith is based on evidence. Evidence weighs in favor of truth.”~Audrey Rindlisbacher

“The most powerful thing we can do for anyone is to ask the right question at the right time.”~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

“Because we are creators by nature, when we're asked a good question it can have more power than almost anything else.” ~Audrey Rindlisbacher 

Books from this episode:

“I believe that God made me for a purpose - to be a missionary in China. But He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure! ~Eric Liddell

The incredible true story of Eric Liddell is one of overcoming self, obedience to God, and service born of love for others. Best known as an Olympic Gold medalist, many don't realize that Liddell spent most of his life striving to bring others to God. In fact, he didn't just give to others all his life, in the end, he gave his life as well. 

His impact his been worldwide and lasting - as a son, a friend, a father, a husband, an athlete, a teacher, an author and a missionary. His work ethic, kindness and devotion to God make him a hero for all of us. His story will inspire and motivate you to follow his example and give just a little more for God. 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:30      Childhood in China

5:36      Becoming an athlete

7:15       College

11:10     Beginning to preach

14:19     Sportsmanship

16:56     1924 Olympics

22:49    Teaching in China & Marriage

25:19     Internment camp

32:43    The Disciplines of the Christian Life

Quotes from this episode: 

*All Eric Liddell quotes are from his book The Disciplines of the Christian Life

“The Christian life should be a life of growth. I believe the secret of growth is to develop the devotional life. This involves setting aside each day a time for prayer and Bible study. The time need not be long but it should be unhurried. We should bring to it in an honest spirit, prepared to face the challenge of God’s Word as it lays down a way of life, and prepared to face any inconsistencies in our lives which make them un-Christlike.” ~Eric Liddell 

“The ideal way [to surrender to God] would be to take what you feel should be surrendered and in prayer, on your knees before God, tell him all. Hide nothing; be honest in your attitude towards it and towards God. Wait on your knees till you know you have God’s forgiveness and that your surrender has been accepted. “ ~Eric Liddell

“Many of us have found the surrender more satisfactory and complete by first sharing it, that is, talking it over with a friend who understands. This is hard. I know it is hard. It strikes at one of the most deep-rooted sins, namely pride, and that is what makes it so difficult. It seems harder to tell someone else than to tell God. Yet it shouldn’t be. We often take things to God in such a way that it cost us very little, more in the attitude of justifying our failure than confessing out guilt. It is here that a true friend can be so helpful, bringing out the points that need to be surrendered. Together turn in prayer to make your surrender to God. In quiet, wait for God, to know what you should do about it.” ~Eric Liddell

“Self-examination which does not result in action is dangerous. What am I going to do about what I see? The action called for is surrender—of ourselves to God." ~Eric Liddell

“A disciple is one who knows God personally, and who learns from Jesus Christ, who most perfectly revealed God. One word stands out from all others as the key to knowing God, to having his peace and assurance in your heart; it is obedience.” ~Eric Liddell

"Here are four tests of the moral law by which to measure ourselves—and so obey the biblical commands.

Am I truthful? 

Am I honest? 

Am I pure? 

Am I selfish?"

“Obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight. It is not willingness to know, but willingness to do (obey) God’s will that brings enlightenment and certainty regarding spiritual truth. ‘If any man will do [obey] his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,

Do you ever wish you could figure out why you aren't as happy as you think you should be?

Do you struggle with a sense of insecurity? Does social media make you feel inferior because, as a social mirror, you don't look as good as your friends.  Do you struggle to change deeply embedded habits? Are you ever immobilized when what you want is to be productive. Have you felt a yearning for a deep sense of worth, the capacity to change for the better, a desire to feel whole? 

As she began learning about principles and laws, these were some of the things Audrey was wrestling with. Haven't we all? In this weeks podcast Audrey shares some transformative information on Law 1 of Life mission - Love God, and Principle 1 of that law - PRAYER. 

As we learn more about our relationship to God and how to access him through prayer, "We can hone in on security, guidance, wisdom and power through our closeness to God." Join Audrey this week and expand your knowledge about your relationship to God and prayer. She also shares her own personal experience with prayer and tips that can help you make prayer more effective in your life. 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:24       Audrey's daughter's experience with Law 1 and centers

6:58       The four abilities being God centered gives us

14:52     The difference in prayer, meditation, visualization

16:53     Prayer as a stand-alone principle

18:53     1st purpose of prayer

22:16     2nd purpose of prayer

24:04    3rd purpose of prayer

26:52     4th purpose of prayer

29:54    Parable of the unjust judge

33:41    Audrey's tips for more effective prayer

“The principles don’t change; our understanding of them does.” ~Stephen Covey

“The only real limitation of power is the natural consequences of the principles themselves.” ~Stephen Covey

“Because principles apply to everyone, whether or not why are aware, this limitation is universal. And the more we know of correct principles, the greater is our personal freedom to act wisely.” ~Stephen Covey

“By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other centers in perspective.” ~Stephen Covey

“We can hone in on great security, guidance, wisdom, and power through our closeness to God." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"Having a divine center goes beyond having a principle center because when we are God centered it is about a relationship. Because of that relationship He can lift us and buoy us up in a way that laws and principles cannot." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray." ~Corrie ten Boom

Books from this episode:

ARE YOU CONFUSED BY THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT?

If so, you are not alone!

Today we are taught that throughout history men have been trying to oppress women. Most people believe that men have always considered women inferior to them and wanted to use them for their own selfish purposes. As Audrey wrestled with this controversy she wondered if this is really the whole truth.

Could there be more to the story? she wanted to know.

Through her research and study she discovered that there definitely is! To her delight, she found proof that the debate about women and womanhood goes back to ancient times. In fact, she learned that the feminist movement as we know it today is new--not even a hundred years old. 

In this insightful and illuminating podcast, Audrey takes us back to the ancients in the Western World and shows us their views, beliefs, and debates about women's strengths, virtues, and place in society. Throughout this podcast we are privy to original sources from the great thinkers and we get a rare view of both sides of the debate.

In part one of her series on feminism, you will be encouraged and delighted to learn that from the beginning there have been men working to honor and protect women. 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

4:27       What makes a woman a hero

9:12        Plato

15:22     Aristotle

18:19     Plutarch

21:29     Telesilla of Argos

24:12     Solon

25:34    Euripides/Andromache

28:17     The Suppliant and Trojan Women

29:45    Aristophanes

30:59    Herodotus

31:35     The Muses and Oracles

“Meno says: ‘A woman’s virtue if you wish to know about that, may also be

easily described: her duty is to order her house, and keep what is indoors,

and obey her husband.’

‘You say, Meno, that there is one virtue of a man, another of a woman,

another of a child, and so on…[but] will not virtue, as virtue, be the same,

whether in a child or a grown-up person, in a woman or in a man?’

‘I cannot help feeling, Socrates that this case is different from the others.’

‘But why? Were you not saying that the virtue of man was to order a state,

and the virtue of a woman was to order a house?

‘I did say so.’

‘And can either house or state or anything be well ordered without

temperance and without justice?’

‘Certainly not.’

‘Then both men and women, if they are to be good men and women, must

have the same virtues of temperance and justice.’ ~Plato

“...if the difference consists only in women bearing and men begetting

children, this does not amount to a proof that a woman differs from a man

in respect of the sort of education she should receive.” ~Plato

“Men and women alike possess the qualities which make a guardian; they

differ only in their comparative strength or weakness.”~Plato 

“Clearly, then, moral virtue belongs to all of them; but the temperance of a

man and of a woman, or the courage and justice of a man and of a woman,

are not as Socrates maintained, the same; the courage of a man is how in

commanding, of a woman in obeying.”  ~Aristotle 

“...he who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.”~Aristotle

“I do not hold the same opinion as Thucydides. For he declares that the best woman is

she about whom there is the least talk among persons outside regarding either censure or

commendation, feeling that the name of the good woman, like her person,

ought to be shut up indoors and never go out.” ~Plutarch

“... man's virtues and woman's virtues are one and the same.”~Plutarch

“...

Early in Audrey's parenting, she realized how difficult it can be to teach children responsibility, especially in today’s “entitlement” environment. It can seem like everyone has their hand out and is focused on what’s in it for them.

How, she wondered, can moms raise conscientious, responsible adults in a positive, empowering way?

Then she ran across a phrase in Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - responsibility is actually two words: response and ability!

With this new insight, Audrey was able to fashion and practice a new way of teaching responsibility to her children that has born good fruits. Understanding what responsibility is and how it is attached to privileges has made a huge difference, not only in her ability to manage her children and home, but it has enabled her children to take ownership of themselves and their lives and begin pursuing their own God-given missions with excitement.

The simple process she lays out in this podcast will empower you to do the same for yourself and your children!

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:21    Definition of responsibility

4:40    Definition of privilege

5:50    Structure and purpose of the family meeting

8:27    Explanation of the diagram

15:35   How taking responsibility allows children to begin shaping their lives

19:55   Keep the energy of your family meeting positive

22:15   The end goal for your family meeting

24:10   Consequences

29:00   A new privilege can become a new responsibility

33:54   The principle

34:23   A few warnings

37:56   Who has authority

Quotes from this episode:

"Young people innately desire to know what the principles are. They are yearning for the teacher who can unveil them, who invites their examination."~Neil Flinders

"As we get older we are capable of more and it's our responsibility to do the things we're capable of. If we're capable of doing something, that becomes our new responsibility." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"As our children grow, with every new age comes new abilities, but these can be challenging. We all have to grow in our capacity. Attaching a privilege to increase motivation can be very, very helpful." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"The level at which people are truly responsible for what they are capable of doing is the greatest gauge of life's satisfaction, growth, and success." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"As teenagers strain relationships with adults to test the limits of their freedom, they rebel against what they interpret as injustice or hypocrisy." ~Neil Flinders

Books from this episode:

For months Audrey felt like she was stuck. She knew what she needed to do but couldn't bring herself to do it. 

Has this ever happened to you?

Thinking the time just wasn't right, Audrey continually put off the next step until it was clear that she was drowning and had to do something. Yet, every time she tried to take action, she just couldn't bring herself to pull the trigger.

Finally, the realization struck - she was immobilized by fear! Through recognizing that fear was stopping her, taking the time to name all her fears and then working things through with God and her family, she was finally released from the fear that gripped her and was freed to move forward in her mission journey!

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:10  Audrey's preparation for MDM

4:45  MDM is growing

6:54   "I'm going to hire a secretary"

12:00  Audrey figures out its fear

14:22   Her fears

16:31   How God helped Audrey

18:45   Audrey's hesitations about sharing

21:33   Audrey talks to her family

23:43  Fear defined

25:40  The truth sets you free

Quotes from this episode:

"The truth shall make you free." ~Jesus

"If you're putting off things you know you should do, maybe you're struggling with fear." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

"Fear is the anticipation of evil." ~Aristotle

"Attack your fears, find the truth, and let it set you free from the fears that are stopping you from the personal growth you're being urged on to." ~Audrey Rindlisbacher

Books from this episode:

"The power of believing in a personal mission is a principle that had had an impact on my own life..." ~Richard Paul Evans

Richard Paul Evans is a true believer not only in a loving God but in God's desire to communicate and guide us in our personal life missions! In fact, the principle of life mission has so radically transformed his own life that Evans travels the globe sharing the message of life mission everywhere he goes. And, wanting to reach an even larger audience, Evans shared his insights about life mission in his book The Four Doors. 

Not surprisingly, Richard Paul Evans is himself a perfect example of a mission driven life - having lived the 7 Laws of Life Mission without even realizing it! His story is replete with profound spiritual experiences, a strong focus on self-discovery, an on-going submission to truth and principles and a love of learning that were the perfect preparation for the powerful influence he's had in the world. With 38 million copies of his books in print, translated into 24 languages, Evans has earned a gigantic platform from which to share God's love - and he does it beautifully. 

From his difficult childhood experiences to his failed businesses in his 20's, Evans is no stranger to loss and suffering. Yet, he has used his solid foundation to overcome his challenges and sacrifice immensely to realize his God-given missions. The hope and healing he has provided to millions is an amazingly inspiring legacy.

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:40  The impact of Richard's story on Audrey 

3:30  Richard's difficult childhood  

6:16   His mother's depression

9:21    His grandfather's spiritual power

13:30  Other childhood challenges

14:50  Youth and young adulthood

18:15   Marriage and fatherhood

21:44  Business and politics

24:28  Evans and the 7 Laws of Life Mission

33:47  Turning his will over to God

38:43  Loving truth and humanity with his whole heart

40:40  Favorite quotes from Richard Paul Evans

Quotes from this episode:

“I believe in God…I believe in an all-loving, purposeful God who is willing to give us hard things so might spiritually progress…In addition to my belief in God, these principles comprise the core of my personal belief system and I believe are, to a large degree, self-evident.”

“Few things promise more excitement and joy than learning, self-discovery, and self-improvement.”

“The power of believing in a personal mission is a principle that had had an impact on my own life and has led me to achieve things that I would have never dreamed possible…My personal belief in a divine life mission has brought me hope, understanding, and meaning throughout my life.”

“As a believer in Divine intervention, I also believe that we are sometimes given specific direction to fulfill our missions…Implicit in our belief in a divine life mission is the importance of listening to those internal voices that may direct us for good.”

“Fame and greatness are not the same thing. There are great people in this world—people of great accomplishment and service to humanity—who are not famous…In most cases, true greatness is a silent and lonely affair…To be of value to others is a far greater ambition than the vain hope for the world’s fleeting applause and fickle admiration.” 

“The work of spiritual liberation is the work of God. Asking for Divine assistance to free ourselves from destructive and flawed mental maps is a powerful and, arguably, necessary first step…This principle correlates with six of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.”

“To magnify our lives is to take those talents and gifts unique to each of us and with them, utilizing imagination, risk, work and consistent effort,

"My dear children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable, as He was." ~Charles Dickens

With so much busyness and commercialism all around us at this time of year, and many mixed messages about the real meaning of Christmas, these 3 amazing books offer opportunities to everyone in our families to reconnect with the true "Christmas spirit"! A precious story about the life of Christ which Dickens wrote just for his family, a classic tale of a miserly man's change of heart, and a novel rich with redemptive and sacrificial symbolism will re-center you in the true reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth of the One who has made salvation a reality for all of us. 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

1:38  What is the "Christmas Spirit"? 

2:51  The Life of Our Lord's history

6:10  What did Dickens really believe about Jesus?

11:39  Favorite quotes from The Life of Our Lord 

15:05  A Christmas Carol

21:35  Themes in A Tale of Two Cities

25:05  Plot and favorite quotes from A Tale of Two Cities

Quotes from this episode:

"At last there came a poor widow who dropped in two mites, each half a farthing in value, and then went quietly away. Jesus, seeing her do this, as He rose to leave the place called His Disciples about Him, and said to them that that poor widow had been more truly charitable than all the rest who had given money that day; for the others were rich and would never miss what they had given, but she was very poor, and had given those two mites which might have bought her bread to eat. Let us never forget what the poor widow did, when we think we are charitable."

"Remember!--It is Christianity TO DO GOOD, always--even to those who do evil to us. It is Christianity to love our neighbors as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us. It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything."

"'Good Spirit,' he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it: 'Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!...I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!' In his agony, he caught up the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit, stronger yet, repulsed him. Holding up his hands in one last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost...He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call. He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with tears."

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25

Books from this episode:

“God orders me to fulfill the philosopher’s mission of searching into myself and other men...I say again that daily to discourse about virtue, and of those other things about which you hear me examining myself and others, is the greatest good of man, and that the unexamined life is not worth living.” ~Socrates

In this second podcast in the series we dive in to two Ancient Greek writings - Oedipus Rex and Apology - and look for the ideas around the Mantic-Sophic debate that they bring to the forefront. In Oedipus Rex we see the true purpose Sophocles had in writing it - to convince the Greeks to let God lead their lives. In Apology we get the real story from Socrates when he tells us he has been accused only because he is devoted to his mission from God.

These and other Ancient Greek writings, when seen through the eyes of the Mantic vs. Sophic frame of reference, come alive with a civilization that looks very much like our own. One where smart men who think they've discovered all the answers and no longer need God, seek to persuade others to abandon their faith and lean on reason alone. Yet the greats hold strong and stand up for God and truth - sometimes at the expense of their lives. 

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

3:33  Greek culture at the time of Oedipus Rex

6:20  Sophocles' purpose

8:29  Background of the play

11:00  Oedipus commits to follow God

14:56  Oedipus begins to turn on everyone - reveals his Sophic beliefs

18:11  Oedipus' real history

22:00  How Oedipus was not "fated"

26:38  Background of Apology - conversion of Socrates and Plato

28:52  Why Socrates was on trial 

31:50  Socrates' mission

Quotes from this episode:

“Both Plato and Aristotle placed inspiration above reason and moral insight…because it comes from God—for while reason is far from infallible, ‘the sureness of inspiration, on the other hand, is like lightning.'” ~from "Three Shrines: Mantic, Sophic and Sophistic"

“‘When I was young,’ Plato wrote about Socrates, ‘I was fanatically devoted to the intellectual quest which they call natural science. Filled with pride and youthful conceit, I was convinced that I could know the reason for everything…I was always experimenting to discover the secrets of nature and life.’ He was convinced, as was Socrates, ‘that no one need look any farther than science for the answers to everything.’ That is the ‘Sophic’ state of mind clearly set forth. Then it was, he says, that he read the passage that completely changed his point of view: ‘There is a mind that orders things and causes all things to be.’  The idea electrified him: he turned from the majority to join a very small minority. ‘Shall we say,’ he asks in discussing the nature of the earth, ‘that God the Creator made it? Or would you prefer the teaching and language that everybody follows today—that it all came about simply by spontaneous cause and without any intelligence?’ Here we have the basic dichotomy: on the one hand, things just happen—the physics holds itself the explanation for everything; on the other hand, things do not just happen. Note well that in Plato’s day public opinion was all on the side of the former…At the end of life Socrates explained that he had taken the course he had through the years ‘because, as I said, the way was shown me by God through oracles and dreams and by whatever other means divine providence directs the actions of men.’ He was dead serious about this…'Now my concern is how I may present my soul to the judge in its healthiest condition.’ The next world and the judgment are his guiding light.” ~from "Three Shrines: Mantic, Sophic and Sophistic"

“No, the Greeks did not have the true religion: even Plato didn’t, and he knew he didn’t. His Socrates is a seeker,

"'Blessed be the God in heaven who has brought us over this vast and furious ocean,' he prayed, 'You have delivered us from the perils and miseries at sea and set our feet on firm and stable ground--our proper place to dwell. For this we thank You and bless You.'"

So many versions of the First Thanksgiving are told today! With Thanksgiving coming soon, we thought we'd bypass others' opinions and go right to the original source. To do this we learned all about the central figure that made it all possible - William Bradford. As a major driving force behind the escape to Holland, the decision to seek religious freedom in the New World, finding financial backers for their venture, determining the exact location for their colony, building peaceful relations with the local Indians and keeping everyone alive for the first 3 years, Bradford played THE biggest role in making the Plymouth Plantation a key part in America's eventual success. 

In this podcast, you'll hear about the tremendous number of losses he experienced as a young boy, his phenomenal education and spiritual preparation, his personal sacrifices, and the exceptional leadership he provided as Plymouth's governor for 36 years. Make sure to share this story with all you love so they can appreciate with heartfelt gratitude this Thanksgiving the rich heritage they've been given.

Listener's Guide:

Use the time stamps below to skip to any part of the podcast. 

0:43  Update on hard copies of The Mission Driven Life book, Podcasts, and Cottage Meetings

6:00  William Bradford's early years

9:40  Bradford's education

11:55  King James' reforms and Puritanism 

14:35  Bradford tries out Puritanism

16:30  Bradford's attempts to escape

18:54  Conditions in Holland

21:28  The decision to move to the New World and the search for investors

25:35  Merchant Adventurers change the deal and they sail to America

29:55  The Mayflower Compact and the first prayer

35:00  Samoset and Squanto arrive and help the Puritans

38:00  Plymouth colony and Massasoit sign a peace treaty, the "First Thanksgiving"

40:11  Merchant Adventurers make things harder

42:40  Principles Bradford honored and led with

Quotes from this episode:

*All quotes from William Bradford, Plymouth's Rock by Janet and Geoff Benge and Of Plymouth Plantation: The Pilgrims in America by William Bradford

"Williams was a good student and soon mastered reading, writing, and arithmetic. Most of all, he enjoyed reading, in particular, one book his tutor loaned him, Foxe's Book of Martyrs."

"Tears ran down the faces of the Separatist men as they looked back in horror, realizing that their wives and children and their fellow Separatist men were being left behind and they were helpless to do anything about it."

"It was challenging to feed and clothe everyone...everyone had to work hard to raise the money needed to survive. Even the children, some as young as four years old, had to work...The truth was, if a family could not make enough money, they were in danger of starving to death...A number of people lived in cramped quarters, where disease was a constant threat. Several children had died, including the Brewsters' new baby. Many families worked with linen, and over the years, tiny, wiry flax fibers had lodged in their lungs, making it hard to breathe."

Mayflower Compact:

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereigne Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britaine, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc. having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northerne parts o...