Memorial Day and the Fallen

     Memorial Day is a time for remembering the people who died while serving in our country's armed forces. 

     I do not know the validity of the following, but I found these interesting, historical statistics on the internet: 

Fatalities from U.S. Wars and Conflicts

American Revolution (1775-1783)	4,435
War of 1812 (1812-1815)	2,260
Mexican War (1846-1848)	13,283
Civil War (1861-1865)	620,000
Spanish-American War (1898-1902)	385
World War I (1917-1918)	116,516
World War II (1941-1945)	405,399
Korean War (1950-1953)	36,574
Vietnam War (1964-1975)	58,220
Gulf War (1990-1991)	383
Afghanistan War (2001-present)	2,381
Iraq War (2003-2012)	4,500



"Let Us Never Forget"
Freedom Reigns ....

      As we join together to remember the fallen war heroes and to pray for their families, let us not forget to remember another who offered His life up for everyone's salvation.   Jesus fought the battle of the Cross and won.  Let us also not forget those who have fallen for the sake of Christianity and those who continue to put their lives in danger by taking upon themselves His call for the Great Commission, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Make Their Day!

     We have all been there!  At one time or another, whether in the workplace, school, or neighborhood, there is someone who doesn't like what or how we are performing.  No matter how much we care about what others think, we will not always be liked.  Sometimes, it is only because others are jealous or simply wanting their own self-gratification.  They may even feel inferior and want to bring a person down because they are more successful.  Whatever the reason, our reaction is what weakens us or makes us stronger.
     You know, even Jesus was rejected in His ministry.  Most of all in His own hometown.  In Luke 4:22 we find that those who rejected him thought of him only as a poor carpenter's son.  How could He be the Messiah?  "Yet they said, 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' "   In the face of this rejection, what did Jesus do?  He pressed on to fulfill His calling.
     So, when we feel rejected, what should we do?  I say, "Press On!"  Continue to do the job you think you are called to do with the best of your ability.   We live in a world of human nature.  Our very core is sinful.  Our instincts lean toward gossiping, self-centeredness, and self-gratification.  Therefore, how should we react toward those who knowingly or unknowingly try to pull us down?    Matthew 5:44 tells us the best way.  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."  
     Consider options that go along with these words of wisdom.  Pray for them.  Speak kindly.  Be friendly.  Provide them a smile for the day.  They might just need it.  True, we might have to dig deep, but surely we can find a compliment to give a struggling, hostile or complacent soul.  Go ahead.  Make their day!
     I believe, by turning the tables, we also make our own day.  Our hearts will feel better by being merciful and kind.  Why?  It helps to remove guilt feelings, hostile attitudes, and inclinations toward resentful.   It heals our hurt.  Kindness surely makes a person feel better about themselves while pressing on to achieve their own goals.   Above all, remember, we have been promised our rewards by a loving, forgiving God:
   "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  
     Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
     Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
     Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

    

Mother's Day

     Mother's day is special for most children especially for those mothers who live by Proverbs 31.   

 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies...She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household...strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come... She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness...She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness...Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her...but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised..."

     God bestowed a great responsibility upon the woman.  Not only does she need to change diapers, wipe runny nose, settle sibling disputes, and be prepared for their daily needs, but she needs to raise  her children with a loving and kind heart.  A mother is to "train up the child in the way he should go."  Only by grounding them in the Word of God can she do this.   

     I praise God that my mother was a virtuous woman.  She was honest, loving, and kind.  Her words were filled with Godly wisdom.  She was hard-working, rising early and working into the night to prepare for her children's needs.  She showed respect for all in the household.  My mother feared the Lord, and for that she shall be praised. 

 

The Door

     When I think of a door, I think, "something that opens and closes."  Maybe it opens to let in the welcome or else closes to keep away the unwelcome. 
     Scripture refers to a door over the lips in Psalm 141:3 (NIV)  "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."  Here we are cautioned to watch our words.  We can choose to close the door to our lips in order to retain either gossiping words that could "injury and kill" or retain unspoken, unkind words.  Maybe we could also open the door of our lips to speak only kind, considerate, and uplifting words.  The choice and the rewards are ours.  
     If I have a problem shutting the door of my lips, I might need to consider the words written in my In Touch devotional,  "Instead of talking about someone, it's wise to pray for that person.  Getting into this habit will help train the mind to replace sinful patterns with God-pleasing ways."

House-Keeping

     I feel really good about my house when it is clean and neat.  Yet, very seldom is everything in its place.  In fact, the first thing I do when having company is to throw all the clutter into drawers, cabinets, and closets.  I wouldn't want anyone seeing how much my house is in disarray.
     Is that the way we live our lives, too?  We hide away what we do not want others seeing in our lives.  This brings up valid reasoning.  God sees all.  As a Christian, He lives in my house so I have a responsibility to keep it clean.   
     One writer of my Sunday School book put it much this way, "Your heart is the spiritual home of God.  As homeowner, He has the right to go through every room and make the renovations that He desires because He owns the house.  He paid for it with His  blood."
     So, I ask myself, "Am I willing to allow God to make the required renovations to maintain a clean house?"

1 Corinthians 3:16   "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

     God is love!   Why do we struggle in fear with everyday problems when we have a loving Father who is willing and able to care for our needs?  Could it be we lack the faith it takes to place our burdens completely in His mighty hands?   Could it be we don't give God enough credit for truly loving us as His children; the children He created? 

Turn Your Eyes

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

Find hope in the hopeless;

  strength when the storms oppress. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

When the rains flood down,

  Behold His shadowy crown!

When the darkness is filled with fright,

  Jesus is the twinkling light. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

His love is strong;

  winding, twisting in comforting song.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus-

  find worth through the worthlessness; 

  love through the loveless;

  heart through the heartlessness.

There simply is no sorrow Jesus cannot heal.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

 Receive His snow-white seal.    

                   Mary Crisp Jameson

Un-Burdensome Laws

     When I consider the Ten Commandments, I see instructions for righteous living.  In fact, the One and only God who created me knows what is best.  He would not have given us these rules for living if they were not for our good.  And, they are not burdensome if we truly love God. 

1 John 5:3-5  "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,  for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1.   Do not have any other god before God.
2.   Do not make yourself an idol.
3.   Do not take the Lord's name in vain.
4.   Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.
5.   Honor thy Mother and Father.
6.   Do not murder.
7.   Do not commit adultery.
8.   Do not steal.
9.   Do not testify false witness against your neighbor.
10. Do not covet.