Remembrance

Our young men and women die on battlefields far away, Families mourn their losses night and day. The price of freedom takes a heavy toll, we feel the wound deep in our soul. Pulling others from a dictators plight, Democracy is always worth the fight.

The first observance of honoring the fallen occurred on May 30. 1868. It was known as Decoration day and was proclaimed so by Commander in Chief John D Logan to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.

Official recognition spread among the states beginning in New York in 1873. In 1971 the US Congress declared it a national Holliday and renamed it Memorial Day to be observed on the last Monday in May.

For most Americans, it is the official beginning of summer, a time of cook outs, picnics, swimming and boating. We should all take a moment to remember and be thankful to those who gave their all so that we can enjoy our day.

Remember the fallen. Memorial Day 2023

I’m thankful for song birds and trees, for flowers, moonlight, frogs and bees. Nature’s bounty kissed by the sun’s rays, family and friends who brighten my days. A life full of hope, faith and love, and a God who sends blessings from above.

Happy Thanksgiving

Matthew 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Abraham Lincoln “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Twenty years ago, we as a nation watched in horror as 9/11 unfolded. We were shocked, angered and saddened by what we witnessed, and we came together as Americans , proud of who we were and determined to defeat a common enemy. We stood united and the world stood with us. We were willing to sacrifice some of our liberties for the safety of all. We stood up to the challenge, much like our grandparents did after Pearl Harbor. We still had different opinions about many things, but we were united in strength and brotherhood.

The death toll from that day and the twenty year war that followed is staggering. 3,000 people died directly from the attacks. Another 18,000 have suffered sickness and long term health issues from exposure to the dust and debris at ground zero. 7,057 brave US military men and women lost their lives in the war that followed. Over 30,000 US service members have taken their own lives as a result of the post 9/11 war. The cost to this nation has been high.

Twenty years later, our nation is again under attack. This time, we can’t see the enemy, it’s a virus. To date, 657,000 Americans have died and countless lives have been changed forever. As a nation, we have not come together to fight a common enemy or to unite for the common good.

It saddens me greatly to see the division in this country. It has become a battlefield at home dividing community, family and friends. We see the ugly side of human nature played out daily on the news and social media. It seems as if it is no longer a safe place to have different opinions. I have been deeply embarrassed by the behavior of some parents at school board meetings. If our children acted this way, we would ground them. Bullying, name-calling, threats and violence are becoming a daily normal.

If we as a nation cannot find common ground, if we cannot find a way to come together, I do not think we will survive as a nation. Are you part of the problem or are you spreading love and light? What are you doing to help insure the wellbeing of others? Only you can answer that question.

Linc

I grew up with a great many nuggets of wisdom from the past. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all ” was one I heard often as a chiild.

Society today seems to have thrown the wisdom of their elders out the window, and it has not made this world a better place. We have turned into a pack of snarling, quarrelsome people who seem to take great joy in tearing someone else down.

I watched in horror last week as members of this small town community resorted to bullying against one of their own. The local doctor, the voice of the county health department and a beloved pastor was targeted over a recommendation for the schools to mask up. This is a woman of great faith and love who has done so much for this community, but certain parents here resorted to bullying and name calling. Is this what we are teaching our children? She handled it with grace because she is a humble servant of Christ. I found it all very unsettling.

Little eyes and ears are watching what you say and do. It is not ok to belittle people over opinions you disagree with. I wish everyone would be the light in their small corner of the world. As Jesus said in the book of Matthew, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “

Revaluation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from your eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

The last year has brought pain and grief to so many people. If you have escaped unscathed, you should count your blessings.

I think we become desensitized to the number of dead from covid. They become a statistic on a page and often we forget each one had a life and a family. Their passing leaves a void in the lives of their loved ones.

The hardest thing for me has been the insensitive comments I see plastered all over social media. I wonder what has happened to our ability to feel empathy for those who are suffering. It breaks my heart to know that so many among us only seem to care about their own self interests.

Jesus spoke of those that mourn when he gave the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. As the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth, it is our responsibility to reach out to those who are hurting and offer comfort where we can. I so look forward to the day when I am wrapped in the arms of my savior and he wipes away all of my tears and I find eternal comfort. Until then, I will grieve with my fellow man and pray for their peace.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come,

Let earth receive her King.

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

As we celebrate another Christmas, I stop and reflect on the birth of a baby who came to give us peace, hope, joy and eternal life.

This world is filled with so much pain, loneliness, grief and darkness, it is sometimes hard to think of joy. So many lives have been lost and changed this year. Everything seems upside down. People are angry and filled with hateful selfish hearts, our nation is divided and many are suffering. And yet, the world was blessed with a savior who came as an innocent baby to teach us love and forgiveness, to give us peace and to spread a message of hope and joy. This is a time to remember the blessings we have are not found in decorations and trees, or presents, or possessions, but in our relationship with our creator.

This is a broken and fallen world, but it is not our eternal home. Spread love and joy in all you do and count your blessings.

Merry Christmas!

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

These verses always give me peace.

     This is a time of loss and pain for so many families. As the death toll from Covid rises, so many are facing the holidays without their loved ones. For many others, the loss of income and security is hitting families hard. Food insecurity, evictions and sadness is seen everywhere. Finding joy and thankfulness seems impossible to so many.

    Our front line workers are in harm’s way every single day and yet, they continue to show up. So many have died fighting for the lives of others. As a nation, we need to be thankful for their service and dedication.

    I can’t  imagine how people who have lost so much feel when they see others going about their lives as if this disease isn’t real. When asked to take simple steps to help protect others, they selfishly complain about their rights. A worldwide health crisis has been turned into a political football, how very sad. The human condition is showing themselves to be selfish and uncaring.

     And yet, in the middle of all this pain we can find many things for which to give thanks. The memories of loved ones gone will always be with us bringing smiles at odd times. Technology allows us to stay in close contact with friends and family. The caring hands of strangers are reaching out to many in need. If we stop and pause, we can find great joy in simple pleasures.  God has given us a beautiful world, we need to take more time to stop and be still in it.

Romans 5:3-5

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s  love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

No matter how difficult today’s challenges are, never lose sight of the promise of a better tomorrow. Let hope and love shine through all you do and say. Don’t allow yourself to be triggered by the negativity of others, but remember the promises of God and his faithfulness through the good and bad times in your life. Count your blessings and be thankful always. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

The Serinity Prayer

God grant me the serinity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

This prayer was originally published in 1951 and is thought to have been written by Reinhold Niebuhr, an American theologian.

Amid the turmoil of today’s world, I find myself praying this simple but, elegant prayer more and more. We seem to be living in a time of deep division and hate for our fellow man. Social media and the internet have become the devil’s playground where words are brandished around with no regard to the harm or pain they may cause. Constant exposure to this can be very draining to our peace and wound our souls.

I will always speak up for truth, justice, integrity and honor and strive to live my life in the way of the Lord. I pray I can shine a small light in a dark world. In all things, I remember Priverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and he will make straight your path. By leaning on God, my serinity is always restored.

Injustice, violence, anger, hate, division —-We must fix this!!

Stop speaking for a moment and hear,

The voices who cry out and live in fear.

A house divided cannot stand,

Hate will be the downfall of man.

God called us to love each other as one ,

Without revival, this world is done.

Examine the eyes of your heart,

Reach out to your brother, it is a start.

Engulfed in anger, fear, injustice and hate,

Embrace God’s love before it’s too late.

The world seems to be sinking further and further into a dark, negative place. There is so much anger, hate and division. I choose to be a light.

My Prayer

In this world where I live,

I pray I always can forgive.

I pray I am loving and kind,

And I turn the negative away from my mind.

I pray no harm comes from my words,

And I approach each person unpreturbed.

I pray my light will always shine bright,

And I can bring some joy into a dark, cold night.

And when I breath my very last,

I pray that I have done all that God has asked.