Veterans Day

November 11, 2011 is a special day; it is a special day to honor all the men and women who have ever served in the Armed Forces of these United States.  There will be parades, special parties, and special services in churches to recognize publicly the “sacrifice” these have made and just say “Thank you for serving.”  Ask the majority of those who served, some by request and others by volunteering, and one will hear, “I did not consider it a sacrifice; I considered it an honor.” 

The veteran returns home with many memories, hangs the uniform in the closet for a lifetime and occasionally tries it on to see if it fits, but will continue to wear the pride of having served for a lifetime.  Each time the flag passes by he/she will snap to attention, try to give the perfect salute and smile deep inside.  We wear the hats; have tags on our cars, fly our branch of service flags our yards, not as a way of wanting praise, but as a way to say, “I’m proud to be called an American, to be named with the brave and the free.”[1]

We brag about living in a country where freedom rings loud and strong, and it is great to be able to say that.  However, November 11 is bragging time for all those who served for the protection of our freedom.  We know that freedom is never free; therefore, we must never forget all the men, women, and families that have sacrificed for us. 

We often take for granted and fail to express our gratitude to those who deserve the greatest praise.  We need to remember that, “It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.”[2]  An eight year old recently wrote, “My goal is to try to make veterans feel like the most important people.” 

Therefore, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."[3]  On this Veterans Day, each of us can endorse the goal of the eight-year old and find a veteran and say, “Thank you for your service; you are a very important person.”

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”[4]

May God bless our Veterans and our great country!

---

[1] Neil Enloe

[2] Author Unknown

[3] John Fitzgerald Kennedy

[4] Galatians 5:1 NASU

Chasing Contentment

Contentment is a very desirable state in life that is both hard to describe and very illusive.  It seems that each time one reaches a goal that one believes would bring contentment, the bar moved to a higher position.  When asked the meaning of contentment, one may think of a state of being satisfied; however, there is a thin line between a state of satisfaction and complacency.  One has stated, “To be contented with one’s lot is a thing to be desired; to be contented with one’s self is a thing to be dreaded.”[1]

The world system tells us that if one had more money, a better job, larger house, a nicer car, or other tangible items that contentment would be the result.  How long did the contentment last after your last raise at work?  Did the raise cause you to enjoy your job more or lessen the pain of going to work?  When one thinks of contentment as external influences, it is like chasing a shadow—constantly on the move.  One has stated, “If we are not content with what we have, we will never be content with what we want.”[2]

The dictionary tells us the meaning of contentment is, “the state of being content.”  Now that really tells one a lot.  We could take the word content and accept the meaning as, “what is contained inside.”  The Apostle Paul tells us of his own experience, “…..I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”[3]  Paul did not focus on “why?” why me?” or “what if?”  He tried to make the best out of every situation and focus on the positives rather than the trials.  His encouragement was to focus on the opportunities of the circumstances and not on the problems.

If contentment is a learned position, then things achieved cannot replace the knowledge gained in training.  Learned behaviors require constant study and continual applications because the testing times will come, and one is never more ready to learn than at examination time.  So, how do we learn contentment?  It comes by realizing as Paul that, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”[4]

Contentment is living in a state where the negatives or challenges of life do not control our actions or take away our hope.  It is really being able to take control of ones life in every situation and with the help of the Lord be confident in the fact that, “I can make it.”  Contentment really comes from a heart grounded in gratitude, surrounded by love and full of hope.

Through my disappointments, strife and discontentment
I cast my every care on the Lord.
No matter what obsession, pain or deep depression
I'm standing on the solid rock.[5]

---

[1] V.W. Hutton

[2] Bill Gothard

[3] Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

[4] Philippians 4:13 NIV

[5] Ben Speer

The Voyage of Life

Life is often compared to as a voyage.  Many things have been written or spoken about our lives being like a ship sailing on the sea of time and somehow or some way, we will make it safely to shore.  During the sailing process, there are times of clear sailing and other times of rough sailing because of the storms we encounter.  Some of the storms are beyond our control and others because of our own actions.  All of us know that life will never be void of the storms; however, the one thing to remember is that the storms are not necessarily the destroyers; it is our reaction during and after the storm, that determines our destiny.  One must never allow the storms to take away ones hope; hope is the beginning of success.

There are some great lessons found in the Bible (Matthew 14:22-32) concerning the disciples and a storm they encountered.  Jesus had sent them into the boat to go to the other side of the lake.  It was when they were past the point of no return, that a great storm came and it looked like they would be lost.  It was also at the darkest time of the night, between three and four in the morning and light of day still seemed so far away.  Note some very special principles that we can apply in our life. 

·         Following God’s perfect instructions does not guarantee exemption from the storms of life.  Most of us have experienced the storms in the shape of sickness, death, family issues, or financial difficulties and have asked, “Why has God allowed this to happen to me?”  One thing for sure is that He is always watching over us in the storms of life and takes the initiative to help us.

·         It is safer in the “boat” than out in the sea.  “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”[1]  When we find ourselves in the storm, knowing we are following God’s plan for our life, we must remember that He brought us here and He can and will surely take care of us.

·         The solution is usually found in the things we fear most.  The disciples feared the waves and Jesus came walking to them on the waves.  They were so concerned about the circumstances around them and their own safety that they did not even recognize Him.  Do we not fall into this same situation and fail to see the answer to our problems because of fear.  “…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”[2]

·         When He climbed on board, He spoke peace to the wind and the waves and they at once obeyed His command.  There were times He spoke to the circumstances and times He spoke to the individual.  However He speaks, the result is the same.

None of us enjoy going through the storms in our voyage of life; however, the storms give us opportunities to surf the waves and use these storms to take us to places we have never been before.  When we face the problems of life, we can look at them as problems or opportunities.  We can use the problems as obstacles or see them as opportunities to move to a higher plane of living.  Let’s learn to surf the waves in our Voyage of Life!

 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”[3]

---

[1] Isa 43:2 NLT

[2] FDR’s First Inaugural Address

[3] Prov 3:5-6 NLT

Why Not Today?

What is a “day?”  Ask this question and the answers will be as varied as the individuals.  One may hear, “a time period of twenty-four hours,” or “eighty six thousand, four hundred seconds,” or “one revolution of the earth on its axis, or “a period of time given to enjoy life and prepare for tomorrow.”  Many are bypassing the opportunities of today as they keep their eyes and hopes on tomorrow.   It is always good to plan for tomorrow and set goals in life; however, it is so easy for us to live so far into the future that we forget what real life is all about.  Some choose to live in a dream world as they look into the future rather than living a dream-life.  A Scripture tells us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself”.  This does not mean that we should live a life of mediocrity and just sit around waiting for things to happen.  It means that we should not have our eyes so fixed on something happening tomorrow that we fail to realize that, “tomorrow is just today in the waiting.”  

So many people look back at their life and will often say, “I wish I had…”  The regrets of the past and concentrating so much on the future often keeps us so occupied that we forget about today.  However, each of us has an opportunity to start creating something special today and realize as David records, Ps 118:24 “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  We can draw a line in the sands of time and say that today is the first day of the rest of my life and live in the future with no regrets.  Today is the day to make every day count; yesterday is gone but today we have an opportunity to live.  Today is the day to appreciate every moment and take from it everything that is possibly, for one may never be able to relive the experience because today will never be duplicated.

One has stated that, “Each day is an opportunity to travel back into tomorrow's past and change it.”[1]  We need to spend each day doing something good, enjoying something simple, making the most of relationships because we cannot take today with us when it is over.  “Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound of whining will certainly frighten away any opportunity for success. Never again. There is a better way.”[2]

It would be great if each of us could start each day with a simple prayer, “Dear God, I accept your gift of today.  I will try to live it in a way to benefit others as well as myself.  I thank you for another day of opportunity.  Help me to enjoy the beauties of your creation and be thankful!”

Ps 90:12 “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”  NLT

---

[1] Robert Brault

[2] Og Mandino

Red-letter Days of Life

(Forgive me for my personal notes but I trust that you will see the hidden nuggets of truths for a special relationship with one’s spouse.)

      There are many special events in each of our lives that are very significant life-changers or life-builders.  These events serve, as reminders of precious moments in time when something special happened life and examples to others those great accomplishments are still possible even when the winds of opposition blow steadily against them. 

      One such event happened on August 26, 1961 when on that day I said, “I do,” to my beautiful bride.  It seems like just yesterday when I experienced another of God’s mysteries in my life.  It was a new creation of two individuals transformed or recreated into one.  When He created the world and all the marvelous things in the world, He looked and saw that “it was good.”  I somehow believe that when He creates the oneness in marriage, He also says that, “It is good.”  I can also say along with Him, “It was, and is good.”

      Many ask the question, “What is the secret for a marriage of fifty years?”  One definition for the word secret is, “Something that remains beyond understanding or explanation; a mystery.”  There are so many things that contribute to a long and healthy marriage but if I had to give just one, I would say, “Make God the head of your household and you will not only be happy but successful under His direction.” 

      We know that the sanctity of marriage has been under assault in recent years and the courts of this land have placed marriage into a part of the “throw-away” society.  However, it really does not have to be that way.  With all the attacks on marriage, it is still a miracle designed in heaven and given to us to enjoy here on earth. 

      So today, I restate something that I have heard over the years, “Behind every successful man are a brilliant wife, and a surprised mother-in-law.”[1]  Thanks to my beautiful bride of fifty years (and God), my life has been unbelievably great!  August 26, 1961 was a designated a “red-letter” day in my life.  Our wedding was many years ago but our commitment must be renewed every day.  The celebration of marriage is not an event; it is a process to be continued for a lifetime. 

      Of all the successes one may have in life, nothing is higher than to be blessed with a marriage of two hearts that beat as one.  A marriage may never be perfect; after all, how can two imperfect individuals create a perfect union?  However, as each tries to love the other without expecting anything in return, the joys of the honeymoon will stay alive and well.

      One of my favorite Scriptures that I use in every wedding ceremony is, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”[2]

---

[1] unknown

[2] NLT1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Don’t Stop Me Now!

We read in the Bible of an individual who was born blind and an extraordinary thing happened to him.  He encountered the One that could accomplish his one goal in life, and that goal was to see.  Jesus did something that was perhaps controversial, but He spat on the ground and made a mixture of spittle and dirt, put it on his eyes and told him to go wash in the public bathing place.  One imagining his hurry to reach his goal and perhaps bumping into others on the way, stated, “Hey!  Where are you going in such a hurry?” “Don’t stop me now; I’ll see you in a few!”

All of us dream of things we would like to accomplish or goals that for which we are striving and we, if not careful, will allow the obstacles in life to prevent us from reaching them.  Look at some of the obstacles that will hold one back or cause one to just lose hope and give up.  It may as simple as time; it may be friends or relationships we have chosen; it may be the choice of comfort over effort; or it may be just a lack of confidence. 

This young man was not just blind; he had his eyes now covered with a muddy substance and one can only imagine how he looked as he was running toward the water.  He could have listened to the voices around him perhaps stating, “You can’t accomplish your goal; you can’t even listen to the advice of those around you; you are not capable of achieving this desire; after all, this would be a miracle and miracles don’t happen to people like you.”  He overcame all the impossibilities, made his way to the pool to wash, and believed that he would receive the success for which he had been striving.  He washed and received his eyesight.  One can only imagine his reaction when his dream of a lifetime finally became a reality! 

Most of us are familiar with a children’s story, “The Little Engine That Could,”[1]   Notice how this is applicable to many of us as we reach for what seems like an impossible dream. The story tells of how a large engine was asked to help pull a long train of freight cars over a mountain and the large engine said, “I can’t; that’s just too much for me to pull.”  In desperation after asking a number of other engines, receiving the same answer and the same excuses, the little switch engine was asked and it replied, "I think I can." It pulled in front of the heavy freight train and began to pull. As it pulled, it kept on puffing faster and faster and saying, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can."  Though it was difficult, it found that it was not impossible.  The most difficult time was just before reaching the goal.  However, it kept saying, "I think I can, I think I can." It reached the goal, proudly went over the top, and congratulated itself with the success by saying, "I thought I could, I thought I could."

What goals have you established for your life?  Have things along the way tried to discourage you from reaching your goals?  Remember.  There is amazing strength available to each of us.  The apostle Paul stated it this way, “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” [2]  Remember also, the most difficult time of one’s journey toward success may be just before reaching the goal.  We must tell all the obstacles that we encounter, “Don’t stop me now; I’ll see you in a few!”

---

[1] Watty Piper

[2] Philippians 4:13-14

Independence Day

       Independence Day, most often referred to as the Fourth of July celebration, is a very special time to celebrate a very special event in the history of our nation.  It’s a day set aside to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  This day gives us many opportunities to spend time with our families and friends and just relax in the freedom and traditions of the significance of this day.  It is more than a celebration or a long weekend; we as Americans need to take time to remember the significance and the price paid for this day and also the value of freedom.

The word freedom is a word that has been ringing around the world louder and louder in recent months.  We have seen the struggles, battles and the victories won by people in the pursuit of freedom.  Freedom, for many has come with a great price; and requires a great price to protect it.  Many brave men and women gave their all without seeing the prize of their pursuit.  Freedom is a privilege, which we as Americans have boasted about for many years, but it has not come cheap.  Most of us have been fortunate to live in a free country and possibly have never had to fight for freedom as many have.  America has been a symbol of freedom and people from all around the world have longed to be a part of this freedom.  

A monument, symbolic of freedom stands towering above New York Harbor is the Statue of Liberty; this has been a symbol of hope for the oppressed peoples around the world.  I’ll never forget, while returning from a tour of duty in Europe, how we strained our eyes to get the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty.  What a sight!  The songwriter pinned these words--"In New York harbor stands a lady with a torch raised to the sky; and all who see her, know she stands for Liberty for you and me.  I'm so proud to be called an American, to be named with the brave and the free; I will honor our flag, and our trust in God, And the Statue of Liberty." [1]

Our freedoms are being attacked in many ways today.  It is time to pause in our busy life-schedules and count the freedoms that we have lost or could potentially lose.  Let us declare this day, July 4, 2011 as the day to renew our commitment to freedom and declare that our brave men and women who sacrificed so much will not have been wounded or died in vain!

True freedom involves more than just living in a “free” country.  One may be physically free; one may be socially free; one may enjoy the full enjoyment of the social and political privileges and yet be a captive. One may be mentally free and have all the knowledge the educational system offers without being free indeed.  One's intellect may be sound, one's mental vision clear and far-reaching and still be a prisoner.

True freedom starts and ends with “Come unto me all who are loaded down with the burdens of life, those whose strength is almost gone, those whose life has no meaning, the rich, the poor, the wretched, the blind, the outcast, from the lowest in society to the highest, and I will give you rest”[2]  What we do in between the beginning and the end is up to us!  

May God bless all the men and women in uniform today and hope you have a great Independence Day.

“May God Bless America!”

GAL 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” 

---

[1] Neil Enloe

[2] Translation of Matt 11:28, unknown