Month: June 2017

Our family had the opportunity to attend a rodeo in Wyoming a couple of weeks ago.  They start this event with riders on horseback carrying the American flag.  As the rider gallops around the arena with the flag waving, the announcer recites the essay Old Glory.  I was so moved with the scene and the words, that I wanted to share a part of it.

“My name is Old Glory; I fly atop the world’s largest buildings; I stand watch in American’s halls of justice; I fly majestically over institutes of learning; I stand guard with power in the world.  Look up and see me!

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.  I stand for freedom.  I am confident.  I am arrogant.  I am proud.  I bow to no one.  I am worshiped, saluted, loved, revered, respected, feared.

I have fought in every battle of war for more than 200 years.  I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appamatox.  I was there at San Juan Hill, trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, and the beaches of Normandy. I was there in Iraq and Afghanistan, and atop the World Trade Center.

I was there.  I led my troops.  I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free.  I shall overcome for I am strong.

I have borne silent witness to all America’s finest hours.  But my finest hours are yet to come.  When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield or when I am flown at halfmast to honor my soldiers or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter.

I am proud.  I am the flag of the United States of America.”  (There are several versions of this, but this one is by Howard Schnauber,)

As we celebrate, the fourth of July, I pray for the USA and the flag that proudly waves!

 

“To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in heaven.”  Psalm 123:1

The phrase “Heads UP” is usually shouted at baseball games when a foul ball or line drive threatens to hit some unsuspecting person on the head while they are eating a hot dog or looking in another direction. Lately, I’ve found myself using an adapted version, “Look UP”  more and more in the grocery stores, sidewalks, and other places.

There are many things about cell phones about which I marvel, but one of the most annoying things about them is that they encourage people to walk and try to text at the same time!  If walking and chewing gum is hard, this feat is impossible!

Randy and I were literally running through the airport the other day because our flight was late, and we had a connection.  As we were threading our way through the crowd of people, I kept having to say, “Look UP, please.”  It’s sad to me that these folks miss so much of what is going on around them because they are always looking down!

They miss the servicemen being deployed; they miss the veteran who is walking with a cane; they miss the little boy who is marveling at his surroundings; they miss the couple holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes; they miss moms and dads who are herding their kids; they miss loved ones kissing and hugging good bye; they miss grandparents taking their grand kids on an adventure; they miss the chance to meet new people; they miss the chance to give direction to those who seem lost; they miss Starbucks;  they miss the excitement of travel; they miss watching the planes land and take off; they miss the uniformed pilots and flight attendants who walk through; and they miss the beauty which is human kind.  They are locked away in their own world.

While on vacation in Wyoming with our family, we looked up from our window to see a beautiful rainbow in the sky.  It always reminds me of God’s promise to us, and what an amazing God we serve!  We miss a lot of blessings if we don’t remember to keep our Heads UP and Look UP!

“Keep looking up!  I learn from the past, dream about the future, and look up!”  Rachel Boston

 

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Abide in me.” John 15:9

On this Father’s Day weekend, I am so fortunate to have and have had great men and Dads in my life.  My Daddy was a farmer, a “developer”, a man of faith, and a family man.  Randy’s Dad was a salesman, a sports figure, a man of faith, and a family man.  Randy is a minister, sports lover, a man of faith, and a family man.  Rob is a director of sports, lover of sports, a man of faith, and a family man.  Lee is a medical salesman, a lover of everything, a man of faith, and a family man. I love that the tie that binds is family and faith.

If you look at the one factor that most closely correlates with success in a family, it is the presence of a father.  “The DADS should provide Direction, Availability, Discipline, and Spirituality.  The most important of these is availability.  If you are not available, you can’t be there to give direction, your discipline will be resented,  and your spiritual guidance will be rejected.”  If Dads aren’t there for their children someone else will be, and it won’t always be someone you will like.

I love seeing Dads who coach their kids in sports, attend church with their families, give lots of hugs to their kids, put their arm around their children’s mom, encourage their children, and lead their family spiritually.  These guys set the example for their children, and they are giving them quite a gift!

On this Father’s Day, it is fitting that we honor the men in our lives who are strong in their faith, character, and love.  They exemplify the Father’s love through their own.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”  Jim Valvano

Happy Father’s Day, guys!

 

 

 

“I lift up my eyes up to the hills from whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121: 1-2

While visiting Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland, we rode a gondola to the top of this incredible mountain. As I looked down upon all the beauty, someone said, “How can anyone deny the existence of God amidst this creation!”  I agree.  It defies all logic and can only be the product of a loving God.

I couldn’t help but think of Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music,  and for some unknown reason, the childhood book, Heidi, came to my mind with the vivid pictures of mountains, goats, and fresh air.  Ironically, the gift shop downstairs had the book, so I bought it and read anew the story by Johanna Spyri.

The story is of an orphan girl who comes to live with her grandfather on the mountain (Shirley Temple played Heidi in the movie).  A crotchety old soul, Heidi wins him over with her love of his mountains, his stories, and his ways.  She thrives in this setting with fresh air, sunshine, friends, and love.  Her happiness and joy leads the father of an ailing child to seek Heidi out to be his daughter’s companion.  He moves her to the city away from her strength, her help, the mountains, and she begins to die a little each day from homesickness even while lifting the spirits of his daughter with tales of her life in the mountains.

The father has compassion for Heidi and transports her back to her mountain home where she regains her strength. Klara, the sick child, comes to visit, she is cured and walks again.  A simple, childlike, feel good ending, but it is so possible with God.

Many times through circumstances or by my own hand, I find myself homesick for scripture, prayer, bible study, Christian friends, and so many other things.  When this happens, I find myself ailing and need to return to the strength they provide.  God has compassion for my situation, and always sends the help I need.  God’s word is the greatest healing force and help on earth!  We only need to read it, believe it, stand on it, and practice it!

“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”  Sir Edmund Hillary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and they shall declare Your mighty acts.”  Psalm 145:4

Randy and I recently returned from a Rhine river cruise which was our retirement gift to each other.  My sisters and husbands accompanied us, and we celebrated our Mom as well.  As we toured these countries, I was in awe of all the churches, cathedrals, and castles dating back to 1000 AD.

The French and Germans celebrated the holiday of Ascension while we were there which comes 40 days after the resurrection of Christ. Shops, banks, and businesses were closed to celebrate.  Although it is a religious holiday, I saw no evidence of worship or celebrations other than giving people a three day weekend.  What’s missing?

The beautiful churches are empty except for tourists, the crosses on top have been replaced or overshadowed by golden roosters (which remind people to get up earlier on Sunday to attend church), and the mood of the people is leaning toward the secular.   What’s missing?

Almost all the people there with whom we had conversations say they are Christian with Catholics being the majority.  Do they attend church?  Not regularly, just for special days, is the answer.  They hold Sundays for family, outings, and social events. They dress in their finest, have brunch, but don’t worship.  What’s missing?

It occurred to me that although I was quick to judge them, we are not always so different.  We attend worship when it is convenient, volunteer when it suits us, and give when we can.  We have many beautiful churches that are becoming less crowded as the years go by.  As someone said, “There is a lot of “blue” hair there.  Yes, there is, but these are the people who sacrificed and built these churches for the faith and Lord in which they believed.  They are still the faithful ones.  Everyone can learn from them.  What’s missing?

I pray that the next generation will realize that they are “what’s missing”, and work with the older generation to extend Christianity and build a bigger and better kingdom.  One group does not need to exclude the other to make God’s kingdom on earth a stronger, better and more unified one.

What’s missing is a unified church which exists for one purpose – to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress; working together is success.”  Henry Ford