Men and women serving our county
Everyday, rain or shine, holiday or not
May, celebrates those who died for their country
Or who completed their tour with honor
Remembering also, those who are separated from their families
In efforts to maintain our freedom and lifestyle
And today are currently serving this great nation
Living away from those they love.
Dads, moms, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, friends,
All made a decision to serve for you and me
Yet how often we take it for granted, instead of thanking them.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Resurrection Day Thoughts
As the day comes to a close, I am just so amazed at the true meaning of today and what today truly cost. We started the day with an Easter egg hunt for the children, then I talked with them about the death and resurrection of Christ and how it was for them. I came home and took a nap, as my traditional Sunday schedule. Then was blessed with my husband’s attendance with us to church in addition to Malachi, Tim’s brother’s son. Then we went to Pizza Hut for dinner and found out that Arkansas lost to North Carolina. Grabbed some ice cream and came home to watch Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.
I am so moved when I watched this movie, but today saw the Crucifixion from other’s view.
I thought about what it would be like for Mary, mother of Jesus to watch her son die. I can’t imagine this and can not even begin to picture my own son in that position. Or how I would feel as a mother, knowing my son gave up his life for all that I had done wrong. I could only think, "Lord thank you that you sent your son, and that I don’t have to sacrifice my own, but that it was my Lord who paid that price. For that I am eternally grateful."
Then I thought about what it was like for Mary M. to watch Jesus suffer and die. There are so many speculations about her relationship to Christ, but it is clear that she was close to Christ and loved him. I have lost many close friends, but I thank God that I really did not have to see any of them go through what Jesus did. I could only say "Thank you Lord that I am your friend, and that you were willing to lay your life down for me."
Then I wondered about Joseph - Jesus’ earthly dad. Where was he? After Jesus was twelve and in the temple teaching, I don’t recall to much more about him. And then I praise God because I was allowed my earthly father for almost twenty-one years of my life but also know that I have a Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake me."
I think about that high priest and the look on his face as he watched Christ being scourged and crucified. What was he thinking that day? Was it really worth the cost? As he watched it unfold did he find satisfaction or condemnation? I must thank God that he sent his son to be the high priest, to take my sins upon him and that he revealed his mercy to the world that day.
I think about those who actually beat and crucified Christ. Were they just doing their job or did they take pleasure in the torture? Did they feel different this day? I feel sorrow, as I think that it was for my sins he paid this great price.
I think about John, the beloved. He was the only one who stuck around. He was there as his friend and savior died. He was there to take care of Jesus’ mother and Mary M. to comfort them. Lord I thank you for being a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but I also ask that you send true friends like John to be in my life, and help me to be like John too.
I think about the man who carried Jesus’ cross. Did he believe Christ was the Messiah or did he feel burdened to have to help this condemned man. I thank God for the cross and the price that was paid so many years ago.
I am so moved when I watched this movie, but today saw the Crucifixion from other’s view.
I thought about what it would be like for Mary, mother of Jesus to watch her son die. I can’t imagine this and can not even begin to picture my own son in that position. Or how I would feel as a mother, knowing my son gave up his life for all that I had done wrong. I could only think, "Lord thank you that you sent your son, and that I don’t have to sacrifice my own, but that it was my Lord who paid that price. For that I am eternally grateful."
Then I thought about what it was like for Mary M. to watch Jesus suffer and die. There are so many speculations about her relationship to Christ, but it is clear that she was close to Christ and loved him. I have lost many close friends, but I thank God that I really did not have to see any of them go through what Jesus did. I could only say "Thank you Lord that I am your friend, and that you were willing to lay your life down for me."
Then I wondered about Joseph - Jesus’ earthly dad. Where was he? After Jesus was twelve and in the temple teaching, I don’t recall to much more about him. And then I praise God because I was allowed my earthly father for almost twenty-one years of my life but also know that I have a Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake me."
I think about that high priest and the look on his face as he watched Christ being scourged and crucified. What was he thinking that day? Was it really worth the cost? As he watched it unfold did he find satisfaction or condemnation? I must thank God that he sent his son to be the high priest, to take my sins upon him and that he revealed his mercy to the world that day.
I think about those who actually beat and crucified Christ. Were they just doing their job or did they take pleasure in the torture? Did they feel different this day? I feel sorrow, as I think that it was for my sins he paid this great price.
I think about John, the beloved. He was the only one who stuck around. He was there as his friend and savior died. He was there to take care of Jesus’ mother and Mary M. to comfort them. Lord I thank you for being a friend that sticks closer than a brother, but I also ask that you send true friends like John to be in my life, and help me to be like John too.
I think about the man who carried Jesus’ cross. Did he believe Christ was the Messiah or did he feel burdened to have to help this condemned man. I thank God for the cross and the price that was paid so many years ago.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Egg Thoughts
This morning we started with an Easter Egg hunt for the children at church. I know that eggs are not what Easter is really about - in fact eggs have nothing to do with it. But as I stuffed, tossed and watched the eggs be picked up by 40 excited children, I am reminded of what the egg represents. We do plastic eggs filled with candy. And while they have nothing to do with the true meaning of today they do hold some value in teaching children about the love of Christ and the true meaning of today.
1) You see we are all lost and must be found - just as the eggs must be found.
2) The eggs are whole, but must be broken to get the candy. We think we are whole, but must be broken if we are ever to allow the good things in our life to come out.
3) The eggs are hollow, just like the tomb.
4) Jesus went into the tomb, but came out. Just like the candy goes into the eggs, but has to come out to be enjoyed.
5) We are suppose to come to Jesus as little children. Have you ever seen the way children come to an Easter egg hunt! They are on a mission, passionate, excited, and ready to fight to get what they want.
6) Eggs are a sign of new life and fertility. When we come to Christ we are given a new life and have the ability to bear fruit.
7) Just like the little plastic eggs come in many shapes and sizes with one purpose - so do we. We all have different gifts and talents, we are all different shapes and sizes. Our end goal is the same - to end up in the basket going to Heaven. No one person is more important than the other it is our collectiveness that makes a true difference.
1) You see we are all lost and must be found - just as the eggs must be found.
2) The eggs are whole, but must be broken to get the candy. We think we are whole, but must be broken if we are ever to allow the good things in our life to come out.
3) The eggs are hollow, just like the tomb.
4) Jesus went into the tomb, but came out. Just like the candy goes into the eggs, but has to come out to be enjoyed.
5) We are suppose to come to Jesus as little children. Have you ever seen the way children come to an Easter egg hunt! They are on a mission, passionate, excited, and ready to fight to get what they want.
6) Eggs are a sign of new life and fertility. When we come to Christ we are given a new life and have the ability to bear fruit.
7) Just like the little plastic eggs come in many shapes and sizes with one purpose - so do we. We all have different gifts and talents, we are all different shapes and sizes. Our end goal is the same - to end up in the basket going to Heaven. No one person is more important than the other it is our collectiveness that makes a true difference.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Today I Miss You
It is been eleven years, but today I miss you.
I am feeling sentimental and tearing up too
Although I have come to realize the time was right
When God took you home leading you into the light.
At first I was angry and couldn’t understand
"Have faith and he will be healed" were the words of the preacher man
I thought I let you down when my prayers didn’t come true
But God’s will was done that day in you
You stood forgiven for all that you did
The wrongs you did when I was just a kid
You could stand before God knowing all was forgiven
Not worrying if you would once again turn to sin
But today as I go visit that plot of land
I can rest assured you are in God’s hand
So even though there are tears in my eyes
As I quietly try to hide my cries
I know that one day I will see you again
When I meet my Savior and hear the angel band.
I just didn’t know, didn't have a clue
That today I would still be missing you.
I am feeling sentimental and tearing up too
Although I have come to realize the time was right
When God took you home leading you into the light.
At first I was angry and couldn’t understand
"Have faith and he will be healed" were the words of the preacher man
I thought I let you down when my prayers didn’t come true
But God’s will was done that day in you
You stood forgiven for all that you did
The wrongs you did when I was just a kid
You could stand before God knowing all was forgiven
Not worrying if you would once again turn to sin
But today as I go visit that plot of land
I can rest assured you are in God’s hand
So even though there are tears in my eyes
As I quietly try to hide my cries
I know that one day I will see you again
When I meet my Savior and hear the angel band.
I just didn’t know, didn't have a clue
That today I would still be missing you.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The Light
I have been reading a book by Christine Caine called Stop Acting Like a Christian and Just Be One. In one of the Chapters "Into All the World" she tells about her young daughter's fascination with flashlights. The little one would take the flashlight all around the house all day long while it was daylight running down the batteries. She draws a correlation to the church body and how we are to be the light of the world.
As I thought about her message, I saw a different picture. Just as her daughter liked to shine the light where things were already lit – we Christians spend so much of our time wasting our energy (The battery) where there is already light. We confine our ministry to the church instead of taking it out into the darkness of the world around us.
Don't get me wrong, there are needs within the church body that allow our light to be shown, and most of the time we spend all our time and all our energy shining the light around our church body. We are thinking that our light is so bright, but when it comes to the world around us we don't have the energy to minister.
We should just open the door and shine it outside and truly illuminate the world around us. We need to bring in the world around us, into the light and out of the darkness.
I want to be a light in the darkness. I want my light to shine at church. I want my light to shine within my family. I want my light to shine in world around me. I want to draw others into the light. Not to glorify myself, but to glorify God.
As I thought about her message, I saw a different picture. Just as her daughter liked to shine the light where things were already lit – we Christians spend so much of our time wasting our energy (The battery) where there is already light. We confine our ministry to the church instead of taking it out into the darkness of the world around us.
Don't get me wrong, there are needs within the church body that allow our light to be shown, and most of the time we spend all our time and all our energy shining the light around our church body. We are thinking that our light is so bright, but when it comes to the world around us we don't have the energy to minister.
We should just open the door and shine it outside and truly illuminate the world around us. We need to bring in the world around us, into the light and out of the darkness.
I want to be a light in the darkness. I want my light to shine at church. I want my light to shine within my family. I want my light to shine in world around me. I want to draw others into the light. Not to glorify myself, but to glorify God.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Comfort
The other day I went to the store to buy some jeans. I admit I hate jeans, I think they are uncomfortable. However, I was in need of a pair, and I was in a hurry. I get to the store and they are sized weird, so I found a sales lady who measured me and told me where to start.
I started with a seven and made my way down to a four. When I got to the five, the lady said, oh yes, I forgot to tell you, you want the pants to be skin tight, they adjust to you and will be the most comfortable things you have ever wore as you begin to move around in them. Honestly, I was thinking she was nuts and that I hate tight clothes. But I was in a hurry, I tried them on and I bought the jeans. I must say the jeans were everything the sales lady said they would be. Those jeans reminded me of our walk with God.
So many times in my life, I have asked God to deliver me from a problem, instead of giving me comfort as I go through it. In the midst of problems I will hear Him saying "Be still my child and know that I am God. I am in control, and you will make it through this." I admit that it is sometimes hard to listen to that voice over the waves crashing in around me, but when I take the time to - I always find his comfort. I am sure that if I took time to get rest in His comfort I would see it expand and grow as more of my will is submitted to God.
Like that favorite pair of jeans that you put on at the beginning of the day and they just feel so restrictive, but as you move around and start to live, they just kind of loosen up and expand into comfort. I think that is how God is.
We first have to chose to put on the things that He gives us. Just as we put on a pair of jeans, we must put on God. I can remember being so uncomfortable in jeans that I did the bear minimum I needed to do just so I wouldn't have to move around. We can take the minimum God has and live for Him, but never feel the total comfort that we can have in Him.
And just like when you first start moving around in a pair of tight jeans, it can be unpleasant. Sometimes we decide to change because we want immediate comfort. In our walk with Christ, we feel that little bit of unpleasantness as we start to move, and we become immobilized and never go any farther. Or we decide that it must not be right, so we change what we were doing even though God didn't tell us too.
But when you decide to stay in your jeans, by the end of the journey, it is as if they were taylor made and the most comfortable thing you own. So it is, if we chose to live our life, despite the circumstances surrounding us, in God's perfect will. We find a comfort that surpasses everything. We can chose to have the attitude that God will never take us where his grace can not keep us and begin to live in the comfort that is afforded to us through the sacrifice that Christ paid.
So put on God, move past the pain, and just live in His comfort!
Written Nov 8, 2008.
I started with a seven and made my way down to a four. When I got to the five, the lady said, oh yes, I forgot to tell you, you want the pants to be skin tight, they adjust to you and will be the most comfortable things you have ever wore as you begin to move around in them. Honestly, I was thinking she was nuts and that I hate tight clothes. But I was in a hurry, I tried them on and I bought the jeans. I must say the jeans were everything the sales lady said they would be. Those jeans reminded me of our walk with God.
So many times in my life, I have asked God to deliver me from a problem, instead of giving me comfort as I go through it. In the midst of problems I will hear Him saying "Be still my child and know that I am God. I am in control, and you will make it through this." I admit that it is sometimes hard to listen to that voice over the waves crashing in around me, but when I take the time to - I always find his comfort. I am sure that if I took time to get rest in His comfort I would see it expand and grow as more of my will is submitted to God.
Like that favorite pair of jeans that you put on at the beginning of the day and they just feel so restrictive, but as you move around and start to live, they just kind of loosen up and expand into comfort. I think that is how God is.
We first have to chose to put on the things that He gives us. Just as we put on a pair of jeans, we must put on God. I can remember being so uncomfortable in jeans that I did the bear minimum I needed to do just so I wouldn't have to move around. We can take the minimum God has and live for Him, but never feel the total comfort that we can have in Him.
And just like when you first start moving around in a pair of tight jeans, it can be unpleasant. Sometimes we decide to change because we want immediate comfort. In our walk with Christ, we feel that little bit of unpleasantness as we start to move, and we become immobilized and never go any farther. Or we decide that it must not be right, so we change what we were doing even though God didn't tell us too.
But when you decide to stay in your jeans, by the end of the journey, it is as if they were taylor made and the most comfortable thing you own. So it is, if we chose to live our life, despite the circumstances surrounding us, in God's perfect will. We find a comfort that surpasses everything. We can chose to have the attitude that God will never take us where his grace can not keep us and begin to live in the comfort that is afforded to us through the sacrifice that Christ paid.
So put on God, move past the pain, and just live in His comfort!
Written Nov 8, 2008.
Friday, January 4, 2008
First
Yesterday my pastor, Robert Day preached an interesting message. Genesis 1:1 the first 4 words. The first message of the new year, and very fitting. "In the beginning - God" Unfortunately I am not the best at staying focused if I am not taking notes, but God was speaking to me and reminding me of another message I heard by an evangelist named Chris Jackson. On "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." So this is what God was speaking to me during the message and reminding me about. I think they are a combination of the two messages intertwined with my own revelations.
As the new year starts where is God in your life? Is he first? Last? Not even on the radar?
Is He first in your finances? He gave us everything we own, the first 10% belongs to Him. Are you stealing from God first thing this year or honoring Him with your obedience. He always gives back more than we can ever imagine when we are obedient, "pressed down, shaken together and running over."
Is He first in your interests? In a world so full of knowledge at our fingertips and so many things that catch our attention - is He one of them? God never said that Christians can't have fun, but are your interests in line with His? Is it easier to tell a dirty joke than it is to tell your bestie about God's love. Are the things you see, hear, do, and say things you would do in God's presence - remember He knows all, sees all, and is everywhere at all times. He is always with you for His word promises "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
Is He first in your relationships? Are your relationship Christ centered or I centered? Do you think about your long-term future when you are checking out that hottie, or just how awesome they would look by your side knowing that their reputation alone could ruin yours? Do you build your friends up, or steal their reputation by talking trash about them when they are not around? What about those people "no one likes" how do you treat them? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - pretty great advice if you respect yourself. Of you don't then you should work on that first and God can certainly change how you view yourself - you were made in His image - remember so were all the other people too.
Is God first in your Stuff? Is it more important to get than to give? Do you think of others or just yourself? Is that new ... whatever you want this week really that important in the larger picture? Is it worth the battle, the cost - whether financially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or socially? There are so many that have nothing and still are happier than the richest person. 80% of the world's wealth is held by 20% of the population - and the sad thing is no matter how much you have - you can never take it with you. It is not wrong to have nice things, but they shouldn't own you.
Is He first in your Time. There are 168 hours in a week. How many do you give to God? Is daily prayer, bible reading and devotion to much to ask? Two Sunday services and a midweek? Some day we will all stand before God and give an account for how we spend our time - what will your calendar look like?
I realize the more you put God first, the more people will expect you to be a Christian- talk like one, walk like one, dress like one - and the world is watching seeing if you have what they need. They are looking, searching for the answer - will they find God in the beginning of your life? Will they see Him when they watch you? Or will they even know that you know Him?
Remember - you were first on His mind, when He was on the Cross.
As the new year starts where is God in your life? Is he first? Last? Not even on the radar?
Is He first in your finances? He gave us everything we own, the first 10% belongs to Him. Are you stealing from God first thing this year or honoring Him with your obedience. He always gives back more than we can ever imagine when we are obedient, "pressed down, shaken together and running over."
Is He first in your interests? In a world so full of knowledge at our fingertips and so many things that catch our attention - is He one of them? God never said that Christians can't have fun, but are your interests in line with His? Is it easier to tell a dirty joke than it is to tell your bestie about God's love. Are the things you see, hear, do, and say things you would do in God's presence - remember He knows all, sees all, and is everywhere at all times. He is always with you for His word promises "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
Is He first in your relationships? Are your relationship Christ centered or I centered? Do you think about your long-term future when you are checking out that hottie, or just how awesome they would look by your side knowing that their reputation alone could ruin yours? Do you build your friends up, or steal their reputation by talking trash about them when they are not around? What about those people "no one likes" how do you treat them? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - pretty great advice if you respect yourself. Of you don't then you should work on that first and God can certainly change how you view yourself - you were made in His image - remember so were all the other people too.
Is God first in your Stuff? Is it more important to get than to give? Do you think of others or just yourself? Is that new ... whatever you want this week really that important in the larger picture? Is it worth the battle, the cost - whether financially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or socially? There are so many that have nothing and still are happier than the richest person. 80% of the world's wealth is held by 20% of the population - and the sad thing is no matter how much you have - you can never take it with you. It is not wrong to have nice things, but they shouldn't own you.
Is He first in your Time. There are 168 hours in a week. How many do you give to God? Is daily prayer, bible reading and devotion to much to ask? Two Sunday services and a midweek? Some day we will all stand before God and give an account for how we spend our time - what will your calendar look like?
I realize the more you put God first, the more people will expect you to be a Christian- talk like one, walk like one, dress like one - and the world is watching seeing if you have what they need. They are looking, searching for the answer - will they find God in the beginning of your life? Will they see Him when they watch you? Or will they even know that you know Him?
Remember - you were first on His mind, when He was on the Cross.
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