Memorial Day Anniversary

 This was supposed to be posted Monday.

But life is a bit crazy...crazier..at the moment. For that I am grateful.  We, as a family, know that things could be looking way differently right now. Thank you Lord we celebrated Memrial Day with all.our children and grandchildren, two children healing, but present!

I wanted to share a video that was very moving and specific for this year's Memorial Day.

🙏🏼Lord, thank you for all those who have served our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Please comfort those left behind. ♥️

📖   My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:12-14

🇺🇸🙏🏼♥️🇺🇲

🔗 Remember and Honor

A Marriage Celebration Renewal

This week we were able to attend our New York State Fire Chaplains Association's annual conference. This year it was held in Niagra Falls. It is known as the "Honeymoon Capital of thr World". So we were able to purchase an additional package at the end of our conference schedule that included a vow renewal at the Falls, a guided tour of some of Niagra and a reception dinner. A great way to celebrate 38 years! Which seems an accomplishment...however out of the eight couples we had been married the least!

 There was a lot of marital wisdom there!

Since i am posting today I am reusing a blog from 8 years ago with a couple minor changes. 

☕️♥️

I had started to prepare a different message for yesterday....but since I didn't get it posted and I am posting today, May 23rd....I have decided to go a different route.
As I have been making preparations to celebrate 38 years of marriage today I began thinking about how I could impart my wisdom to you!  HA!
No wisdom to be found....but I can share with you a few thoughts God has shown me through this journey, this institution that He created!
📖 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
    for she was taken out of man.”

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 1:18-24

38 years is worth celebrating!  But don't we celebrate each year of our anniversary...don't they even have "gifts" for each year...
1st year - paper
2nd year - cotton
...
25th - silver
etc etc

30 - pearl!

38th - Exotic...well us traveling to Niagra Falls id about "exotic" as we get!  Also, Beryl, Emerald, and Aquamarine are also considered contemporary gift options for the 38th anniversary

.

Jesus told a parable in which heaven was like 10 virgins waiting for their bridegroom.  Matthew 25

and Jesus refered to Himself as the bridegroom when His disciples were questioning Him about who was fasting and who was not...
 ^📖 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast. Mark 2:19-20

John the Baptist also referred to Jesus as the Bridegroom.
 ^📖 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:27-30

SO He is our Bridegroom....we are to prepare ourselves for Him as we do for something as special as our wedding day. And His voice should fill us with joy!  How exciting that we BELONG to Him!

Shouldn't we celebrate that "marriage"!  That we, as believers, are the Bride and He is our Bridegroom!
Our Bridegroom has shown us what Love really is, we can Trust Him, He will never fail us! He can take care of ALL our needs.
 Isn't that worth celebrating!

One passage that God has used with me over the years is from Philippians 2
and to me it is a perfect model for a marriage relationship.

📖 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

As a husband and wife....we are made of the same flesh, we are both created in His image, but one must be willing to be humble, so that both can be raised up and God glorified!

If we can have the attitude of Christ in ALL our relationships, how much more content would this world be! 

Celebrate your marriage today.....but more than that celebrate the fact that you have a Bridegroom that loves you and has all the best for you!

IF you don't know this Bridegroom I talk about please email me ....or ask someone who has a relationship with Christ.  BEST decision you could ever make!

It is a "marriage" made in Heaven!

🙏🏼Dear Lord, I pray for all the marriages today; for those who are in the "Honeymoon phase, for those just "coasting along" and for those who are struggling and questioning their marriage. I pray You work in a mighty way today. I pray for everyone to know the Bridegroom that loves them unconditionally and eternally and desires a relationship with them. I pray that relationship strengthens daily! In Jesus name Amen♥️

Unsung Heroes

 I apologize that this didn't get posted Monday. I wanted it to follow Mother's Day, but just realized that maybe being Wednesday, exactly two weeks from the accident....may be the right day!

I am posting the 2 links to our Sunday service. My "message", though I am including the print version, probably would make a bit more sense in context with the service as a whole.

🔗 Mother's Day service part 1

🔗Mother's Day Service part 2

Unsung hero

....the title of the song, the name of the movie. And I didn't realize until I started getting this ready for a spotlight Sunday several months ago that it was about their mother...so I held off and decided to use it for Mother's Day.  And now the timing, for other reasons, seems to be God.

I don't have a whole long message. Just some thoughts. Many of us have a mom who we look up to, we cherish. We even think of them as a hero, even if they have passed. I know there are some who don't like that term “hero”;  "They are just doing their job" "it is just what you are supposed to do".

I know some people may not have a mother they would put in that category, they love their mom, but for whatever reason their mom may not have taken care of them or weren’t nurturing and for that I am sorry. And I pray that God has put people in your life that you can look up to and use as an example. 

Moms sometimes do go underappreciated, mostly because sometimes it really isn't known exactly ALL a mother manages to juggle and do....and why the moms I know are unsung heroes. 

But as we have just witnessed and are living through...the many unsung heroes that surround us.

People doing what they do just because, making "going out of their way" be absolutely normal. 

And I could go back in time and list many. 

My mom...I am sure I don't know all that was sacrificed by my mom, but she has always been one of my heroes, someone I hoped to emulate one day. I have watched my daughter be an amazing mother no matter how difficult her circumstances are and my daughter -in-law being a terrific boy mom.

But I will start 5 weeks ago

Friends who live in an incredibly small apartment willing to put up six people, while Marah had tests and procedure in the city. Who completely upended their life for our 2 night stay which was incredibly comfortable and what Marah needed.

To those taking extra care of Marah when she ended up in the hospital in Malone...[Kim, being mom when I wasn't there..and taking care of things…. unsung hero moment to us]

And then to April 30th almost 2 weeks ago.

God had it all.  He was before it and in it and after it. 

And through so many individuals, heroes in my book, hero moments...those who showed up, just incase more personnel was needed.

Luke himself...keeping such a level head and being positive.  Talitha and her dad doing anything they could to try and get him out and staying calm...calming for Luke. Kevin, running the scene in emergency mode...taking charge and taking care, to save Luke and his leg.

Gina, keeping calm with the boys and making their way out of the swamp and the woods...not knowing the status. 

Rachel and Marah also, not knowing their brother's status, doing what needed to be done. Remaining calm.

Terry, who listened and came through Potsdam. He arrived at the ED just when the ambulance did. Kevin went in with Luke, as he was still stabilizing the leg. Talitha had to go to waiting. I wasn't there yet.  She was by herself , Terry was there right when he was needed.

Every single one of you is a hero to me. 

 A hero is someone who stands firm, steps up, when things around them are uncertain and upside down. It is the one who remains steady....can be counted on whether it is a normal day or a day that goes sideways.

And I didn't mention all who have called, text or even just prayed. Because it isn’t JUST prayer. Prayer warriors are heroes too!

What lessons from this?

Heroes know that it isn’t their power that they accomplish anything,

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
 Psalm 12:1-2

They know where their strength comes from

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  Philippians  4:13

 We do not do what we do for recognition or honors. 

We do what we do because we serve a great and mighty God...who loves us in a great and mighty way...and we try to pass that love along to anyone in any way we can.

 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Colossians 3:23-24

 We should all aspire to be unsung heroes. Doing God's work in the background, knowing we are serving and pleasing the Lord. 

A Gift of The Blessing

 On Friday I posted a song on Facebook. I don't usually post anything but my blog link. But God gave it to me, I felt I had to share. 

I decided I would "unpack" the song just a little bit.

First of all God "gave it to me"....I had just stopped to give 3 grandboys hugs,  reiterate that Daddy was doing ok, since the accident 2 days before, tell them I love them. I got into my vehicle and the radio, which isn't always on, but was and set to K-Love, was playing The Blessing. For that song,  a song that has meaning from another extremely difficult time in another child's life, to be playing out of the millions of Christian songs,and played at that moment....it was a gift for me...and for me to share with my son, and all of you.

The Blessing. Kari Jobe Codie Carnes

🎵 The Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace

The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace

Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen

The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace

Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children....

May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, he is with you

In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, he is for you
He is, He is

Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen

Directly from scripture: Numbers 6:24-26

Deuteronomy 31:8

I want to look at the highlighted verses.

God arranged things before the accident even happened. He was before it, making sure Talitha had both her parents with her when Luke called her, so that her Dad could go with her to help and her Mom could keep the boys with her. Made sure that Kevin had finished his work at the farm and was halfway home when Luke called him. That I was home when Talitha called me. 

Ahead, to the fireman and EMTs that needed to be available for this call. To the very doctors that needed to be on staff. To friends and family placed when and where they would be needed. 

A terrible injury that has had all the most favorable of outcomes. 

He has been all around us....in our tears and in our gratitude.  

Behind, bringing to mind all the ways this could have been much worse. 

A tragedy but in it we can see The Blessing.

He was gracious to us, He continues to be with us and bless us. 

Even with simple, little things like the gift of the song I needed,  right when I needed it.

🙏🏼The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace♥️ Numbers 6:24-26

Finding JOY in the Rubble

Where do we find JOY?

📖Sing for joy to God our strength;
    shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Psalm 81:1

Joy in fellowship with others 

Joy in worship

But what if there isn't joy?

What is wrong with me, where is Christ?

There is darkness before dawn

Storm before the sunshine.

And sadness before joy.

📖 weeping may stay for the night,

    but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

📖 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me Lord, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy; that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:10-12

📖 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Sometimes we have to walk through, work through the darkness to get back to the Joy.

Christ is right there with us

📖 Even though I walk

    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

 📖 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Are we guaranteed joy?

How do we find it amongst the hurt and saddnes and worry?

Look for HIM in it!

He is there bringing about good. 

We are grateful that HE is present. 

📖  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

 📖 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

 🙏🏼I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. ♥️Philemon 1:6-7

🎵 God Is With Us. For King and Country

The After Easter

 It is the days following Easter, all the excitement of the event had passed?  

No! the disciples were excited and afraid, some were in doubt. 

📖  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:17

But Jesus stayed with them, allowed them to touch Him and His scars.  

📖 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20

He ate with them, taught them, loved them.. 

📖 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:40-45

They learned, listened, were commissioned.

📖  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

After Easter their lives would never be the same. 

They had just been witness to the greatest event ever in the history of the world....the story HAD to be told. 

📖  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:10

WE, too, are privy to the greatest, life changing information, and it must be told! Right?!

If we accept and believe what was done for us that first Easter our lives won't ever be the same either!

We need to share our story...how He has written our story.

📖 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  Romans 6:9-10

 📖  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

📖 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

🙏🏼Dear Savior, help us to continue with the Easter story every day, sharing the story of Your love, sacrifice, forgiveness and redemption with our world.♥️

Handle vs Tempted

I was discussing with someone recently the passage, "God won't give you more than you can handle"  

However, it actually goes like this;

📖 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

See the difference in what many of us say compared to the words used in scripture? Handle vs Tempted.  Does that mean they are completely different?

I don't think so....here are a few of my thoughts. 

Let's start with "God IS faithful" (the emphasis mine.)

"He will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear"

I don't think that what we revert to saying and actual scripture are that different. 

We are giving encouragement to ourselves and others when we say "He won't give you more than you cand handle", that our load won't overwhelm us.

But what about when the things of life are causing us to feel like we are drowning? Can 1 Corinthians 10:13 help?

It does me!

When I am tempted to let despair overwhelm me.

When I am tempted to lash out in anger in the middle of my pain and hurt.

When I am tempted to let fear take over all rational thought

When I am tempted to allow bitterness ruin relationships.

According to the verse we do not have to lose to that temptation!  Because He will not allow more than we can withstand.

PLUS; He gives us a way out so that we are not overcome by it. 

Tempted by despair

📖 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Tempted by anger

📖 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:18-21

Tempted by fear

📖 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1a-2

Tempted by bitterness

📖  Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

When we are tempted to say; " I am done, I have had enough...

Jesus says

📖 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

AMEN!