Lee in moving the greater portion of his forces to attack McClellan's right flank had made vulnerable his own right flank by leaving it lightly defended. It was not without anxious concern that Lee decided in the middle of the night that he was "determined to make no change in the plan." Lee simply ordered the general commanding his right "to hold his lines against all hazards, and to...(make) every preparation to meet any attack of the enemy in the morning."

General Lee was a true soldier of the "cross of Christ", and displayed great courage in upholding the standard of the "cross of St. Andrew" against all odds, in his defense of Richmond. We likewise are to take instruction, inspiration, and increased courage to stand firm in this critical hour, in this day of our Lord, for the cause of Christ and for the cause of our beloved Southern forebears.

We are not to be frightened by shadows in the night seasons of fiery trials from Satan and those who would tempt us to faint in the righteous cause of Truth and Southern Heritage.

It was in mid-December 1862, when Confederate forces deployed against Union Generals Burnside, Hooker and others near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Director Ron Maxwell depicted a scene in the movie Gods and Generals where General Lee is briefed on Confederate battle preparations by Generals Longstreet, Jackson and others. That scene is very illustrative and true to Lee's Christian character. After reviewing the maps and deployments, actor Robert Duvall playing the part of Lee said, "Gentlemen, these deployments are sound. The rest is in God's hands."

Have we made sound preparations for the trials of our lives? Are we prepared to accept eternal victory through Christ our Lord? The Resurrection we celebrate this Easter reminds us that we have not earned our redemption, but this blessing is ours for the asking if we make the proper preparations.

Dr. Bellino is the Chaplain for the Georgia Heritage Council and Founding Pastor, Atlanta's Church of All Nations in Stone Mountain.