Stonewall Jackson and the Sovereignty of God

Okay...I think I'm getting the hang of things now! Maybe it's geeky - or something - to do two posts on the same day, but y'all kow how much I like to write and this just gives me an excuse. Espescially since I get to write about things I actually enjoy. Yeah...you're looking at the title of this post and thinking "What does that have to do with this?" Don't worry. I'm getting there.
Confederate General Thomas Jonathan Jackson has achieved world-wide renown for his brilliant military tactics, cleverly parrying his enemy's counter strokes, and wrecking the plans of his powerful opponant - an enemy nearly twice the size of his own. Generations of readers of American military history have marveled at his Virginia brigade's stand at the infamous Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run) where his self-conrol and unflinching courage pretty much decided the outcome of the battle. While other, unorgainzed brigades were charging crazily and without orders, Jackson held his men back with strength, self-control, and courage. (Yeah, you know - "Yonder stands Jackson like a stonewall! Rally behind the Virginians!") He came away from that fight permanantly re-named "Stonewall" Jackson. Jackson's stand at Second Manassas again showed his mettle as his out-of-amunition and decimated regiments repelled the final enemy attacks by throwing rocks at them! And at Chancellorsville (May 1863) - Jackson fought his most magnificent battle and was mortally wounded (accidentally) by his own men on a late night patrol by enemy lines. His left arm had to be amputated, and though he had begun to recover, pnemonia settled in and eventually killed him. Perhaps one of the most famous quotes by General Robert E. Lee upon the wounding of one of his most valuble and faithful men is "He has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right." And indeed, it seemed to be so. After Jackson's death the Confederate army dwindled down until their humiliating defeat at Appomattox. But there...I've gotten way ahead of myself. (You see what happens when I get started on the Civl War?) Back to the point. What was it that made him so vailant - so unrattled int he midst of such carnage?
What those who study military campains may not know is that this mighty warrior, this inexorable leader, this ideal of duty and obedience, was also a godly Christian man. He had fully put his faith in Christ and fully beleived in the sovereignty, supremecy and providence of God. In the film "Gods and Generals" one of his men asks him something to the effect of "Sir...how can you stay so calm in the midst of the carnage and confusion of battle?" Jackson answered placidly "Major, my religious beleifs allow me to beleive that I am as safe on the battlefield as I am in my own bed. God has ordained all my days." What a statement of faith! I would like to beleive that is how I would respond if in a position such as his, but it is most likely that I would have simply turned and run at the first introduction to battle...forgetting that God has, indeed, ordained all my days. But really, Elisabeth, you're thinking, don't you think it's going a little far to think you're as safe on the battlefield as in your bed? By no means! It doesn't matter where we are - God has decided when we are done on this earth and it is God's decision how - not our cicumstances.