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They will fight against you but will not overcome you. for I am with you and will rescue you declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:19

One of the great joys I find in life is sitting by the ocean on a beautiful day, listening to the waves gently kiss the shore, and either reading a book or visiting with a friend or loved one. It is so relaxing and lends itself to meditation and prayer. The Fourth of July on the beach is crowded, but people are, for the most part, considerate of others when setting up their tents, their games and playing whatever music appeals to them.

I was living the good life last week doing just what I love while allowing others around me to do the same, when the scene abruptly changed. Three teenage boys arrived carrying three chairs, a small umbrella, and a huge ice box/speaker for their music and drinks. First, they put the umbrella in the sand right in front of my sister and myself, then they turned on their music loud enough to hear in the next county, and finally, they pulled out their beer and huddled underneath that umbrella drinking while singing loudly along with their music! Unfortunately, there are no ordinances on these beaches governing tents, music, etc. which can be good and bad.

We noticed three things immediately. First, they were full of themselves, next, they had no consideration of others, and finally, this day was theirs and they were going to live it regardless of those around them. People around tried unsuccessfully to ask them politely to turn down the music, and they smiled at each one, but nothing happened. My sister left, and finally, I followed suit! Sometimes enough is enough!

Life can be just like this! There just comes a point when health, finances, relationships, spiritual issues, the world situation, and the daily grind cause us to declare, enough is enough! We know that we can’t continue down the same path because it is a dead end, and we can’t keep doing what we’ve always done, but a decision has to be made. We have got to channel our creativity into finding solutions to that enough is enough feeling.

There is a character in the Bible named Shamgar. He is mentioned only twice in Scripture, and his story takes up three lines and two verses, but the impact he had was amazing. The first verse is in Judges 3:31, “Shamgar struck down six hundred Phillistines with an oxgoad. He saved Israel.” The second verse in Judges 5:6 says simply, “In the days of Shamgar.”

Shamgar was the third judge of Israel whose heroic actions led to peace in Israel for an unspecificed time. We are only told that he followed Ehud as a leader, he was the son of Anath, he killed 600 Phillistines, and he saved Israel.

This man used three simple ideas to accomplish his work for God. First, he started where he was, next, he used what he had, and finally, he did what he could. Sometimes when we see things we know aren’t right, we are content to walk away rather than step up and step in. If we do take the initiative we feel God is leading us to take, the results are in God’s hands. Things can be changed if we only grab our oxgoad and go to work!

God used one man with one simple weapon to rescue his people from oppression. This example of God working through one person to change the life of many applies today. We are each called to know when enough is enough and use our actions to have influence over the lives of others. God often chooses to use unknown people to accomplish great things to bring glory to His name.

My story is just an insignficant example of how many times we experience enough is enough in this world of today. However, my story ended up bringing me a chuckle, and I should mention that this is the correct version of the episode!! Later that day those three guys ended up in the elevator with me, my nephew, and my grandson (both these guys related to me are big and strong). True to form, the speaker/cooler was still blaring even in the crowded elevator, the boys were still arrogant, inconsiderate, and self centered. This time, however, I picked up the oxgoad of confrontation. I said, “Hey there, allow me to introduce you to my nephew and my grandson. They will be with me on the beach tomorrow, and they would be happy to help you with the sound on that speaker!! We would love to see all of you.”

The next day was peaceful and quiet. Sometimes enough is just enough!

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully just as I have been understood. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Randy and I are both blessed to be a part of a large extended family. We both grew up around grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family. Sundays and holidays were huge celebrations with everyone usually in attendance for picnics, family dinners, lake outings, birthday celebrations, beach trips, and any other excuse to be together.

Last week, my cousin planned and organized a beach trip for forty eight of our relatives on the Drake side of the family. We returned to our old favorite place in Panama City which is full of special memories for many of us. Although some were missing, we had a great group of first cousins, second cousins, third cousins, and on down the line. As our chldren’s children came together to spend time with each other, the joy of watching them enjoy each other brought back so many memories of growing up in a close family where everyone supported each other and the bond of love and faith were strong.

In this world of today, we tend to focus on our own lives not someone else’s, and this is true even in families. The great thing is, as soon as we are back together, it’s like we were never apart. My cousins, their children, my children, and our children’s children were able to pick up right where we left off! There is such beauty in the simplicity of the seasons of life and spending time with people you care about! Our memories and experiences of the past are great and useful in shaping us for who and what we are today!

As we gathered together for dinner to celebrate the Fourth of July, we started by remembering those of us who had come before and established the bond of love and family ties that we all now enjoy. When we circled up, held hands, and prayed, it was obvious that there were many missing from the circle and that each of us were remembering a space that was empty. There were some tears, but for the most part, there was joy!

Every family has unique and different strengths, and it’s healthy to celebrate them. We can all give an inheritance to our children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren by passing on the values, insight, and love that got the family where it is today. If we have a sense of history it can inspire in those who follow us the desire to perpetuate the good things. We need to pass on the generational blessings that have been important to us over the years and recognize and verbalize the uniqueness of each member that made those contributions.

Although our past brings us together, it’s the individual members utilizing their unique gifts and fulfilling their particular roles that make a family resiient, supportive, and loving. These qualities give us a strong future in the promises of God.

Reunions are like much like a surprise party where everyone is the guest of honor! We never know who will walk through the door, but the joy of seeing them is amazing! I believe Jesus and His followers experience that kind of reunion every second in heaven. While we were celebrating our family reunion, a sweet friend of ours from Madison died after an illness. When we heard the news, Randy and I could visualize her entrance into the family reunion which only Jesus can provide and hearing the words from Matthew 25:21, “Well done thy good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of the Lord.” A reunion in heaven is our reward for spreading the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus.

Don’t be the last chain in the link of your family. Don’t let it end with you. Take the blessings God has deposited in you and pass them on. Celebrate every step of the journey here and look forward to the reunion in heaven!

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place. When we all get to heaven, what day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory! When We All Get To Heaven by Eliza E. Hewitt

Thanks cousins! It was awesome!! Love you all!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he has chosen for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12

It is that time of year again where we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July in our nation. There are many truths that we reflect upon during this time of year, but I recently read one which seems to apply to this nation at this particular time. It says simply, “If we do not know the foundation that the Founding Fathers laid out for this nation, then we as a nation have no understanding of what we are to be today; thus, we are a nation that has no clear vision for tomorrow.”

Many of us have either forgotten or never really truly studied the heritage of this nation. Heritage is defined as features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages or buildings that were created in the past and still have historical importance.

It is a fact that many of the Founding Fathers had a strong faith in God’s word, sought counsel from this Word, and made laws for this country based on His word. These men were not ashamed of their faith, and they are responsible for a constitution which has enabled this country to be “the longest on going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world.” David Barton

In our country today, the lack of understanding of the principles of the Founding Fathers is eroding the Christian values upon which our nation was built and setting us up to lose our heritage as a nation. The early draft of our Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 and four days later on the steps of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, it was read aloud. The last words, “And for support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mututally pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” were followed by the ringing of the Liberty Bell. The inscription around the top of the bell finds its key truth in Leviticus 25:10, and says, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.”

The Founding Fathers possesed three important things: a knowledge of God’s word, a seeking of God’s wisdom, and a preservation of Godly laws and principles. Somewhere during these two hundred forty seven years since, we have begun to ignore these principles.

In a study done by George Barna, it was found that many Americans are now adopting unbiblical views about their life, their families, and their country. It is obvious among the youth of our country that we are losing the battle for our spiritual heritage. For example, how many of our children these days can tell us anything about the history of Christianity? How many can tell us the story of our nation’s challenges, wars, and struggles? What has happened to the Bible stories we all used to love? How about the heroes of the past whose courage brought our nation to this point? Where are the Bibles in our homes? How many old hymns do we remember? How many of us can recite the 23rd Psalm? How many of us can recite the 52 word Preamble to the Constitution?

We are in great need of statesmen not politicians in this country. We need men and women of faith who will guide us through prayer and who passionately seek God’s wisdom for this country. It has been said that the battleground is no longer in a war zone but rather in our country, in our cities, and in our states every single day. John Adams once asked, “Did our Declaration of Independence not lay the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?” He later added, “Before fireworks and parades, Independence Day ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to Almighty God. ”

In the words of C. S. Lewis I find the definition of what we should all be about. He said, “Patriotism is grateful acceptance of where God has placed us. We are to learn and transmit the lessons of our nation and our heritage to the next generation.

This Fourth of July take time to thank God for His blessings and the rich heritage of this great nation! It should be the job of each of us to know enough of our great heritage that we can pass it on to those who followl us!

God Bless America!

Our Father’s God to Thee, author of Liberty, to Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King. My Country Tis of Thee by Samuel Francis Smith

For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it’s like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like! James 1:23-24

A blind spot is defined as any area immediately surrounding you which cannot be directly observed by you within your normal field of vision. Lately, I seem to be more aware of this term especially when driving around our area. The last few weeks seem to have been especially bad as folks are throwing caution to the wind and only concentrating on getting somewhere as fast as they can! Several accidents have been caused because we don’t see someone on one side of us because they are in our blind spot.

Blind spots aren’t found only during driving, they can appear in relationships, friendships, work, and even our spiritual lives. Have we ever stopped to consider that each of our lives possess some blind spots? Sometimes life has a way of blindsiding us We never see something coming because it’s in our blind spot. Just like traffic accidents occur when someone changes lanes with out checking their blind spot. and soldiers are wounded in battle because they never saw the enemy approaching on their blind spot, we can experience them during our daily lives.

In 1985, one of Spain’s most famous matadors, Jose Cubero, was killed in a bullfight at the age of 21. At the end of the bullfight, he thrust his last sword into a bleeding, disoriented bull, and the bull collapsed. Thinking that the battle was over, Jose turned to the crowd and bowed in acknowledgement of their cheers. Unbeknownst to Jose, the bull was not dead. What he assumed to be cheers of victory were actually shouts of terror. The bull arose and lunged at the unsuspecting matador piercing his back and puncturing his heart with his horns. The bull was in his blind spot. If only Jose could have seen what the crowd saw, he might have lived to fight another day.

Whether we will admit it or not, all of us have blind spots. These blind spots in our lives can be anything from treatment of others, to our past, to our pain, or simply human conditions or limitations. It is important to identify the blind spots that are causing us to stumble and take some time to understand why they have a hold on us. The blind spots only become a problem when we are unwilling to check on them or maybe even admit that we have them.

There are many blind spots, but three have come to mind this week. First, spiritual blind spots are common in our lives. We see how we want things to be, how we think things should be, or how we want to see things, but we miss what God is doing right in our midst or even right next to us. God is out there performing miracles and creating holy moments for us every day, but we allow our blind spots to overshadow the good.

We also have emotional blind spots in our lives. It’s easy to become encumbered with the idea that life isn’t fair. We can find ourselves beaten down with what we perceive as being “bad things that happen to good people” and try to rationalize God’s role in all this. It’s all right to shed tears, but rest assured all the hurt means something to God, and our life, our experiences, our pain is recorded and precious to Him

Finally, we have the blind side of apathy. Our generation is becoming one of indifference or sleep walking. We aren’t literally asleep, but we pay little or no attention to what’s going on around us. As pressure from the world around us intensifies bringing so much stress to our lives, we finally reach a point where we just say, “Who cares?” The Bible would disagree with this attitude and warns us to “be attentive, watch, and pray always.”

When we identify our blind spots and replace them with the presence of God in our everyday life, He can remove the spiritual and emotional hindrances and replace the apathy with action helping us make this crazy unpredictable life we live meaningful.

This week learn from the one who leads you, look to the one who lives for you, and listen to the one who loves you!

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

In his book, The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis writes the following about Friendship. “In a perfect friendship, appreciative love is often so great and so firmly based, that each member of the circle feels in his secret heart humbled by the rest. Sometimes he wonders what he is doing there among his betters. He is lucky to be in such company especially when the whole group is together watching each one bringing out what is the best, wisest, or funniest in all of the others. Those are the golden sessions when four or five of us have come to our “inn” after a hard day’s walk; when our slippers are on; when our feet are spread out toward the blaze, and a drink is at our elbows; when the whole world and something beyond the world opens itself to our minds as we talk. No one has any claim or any responsibility for another, but all are free men and equal as if we had first met an hour ago. At the same time an affection mellowed by the years enfolds us. Life, natural life, has no better gift to give. Who could have deserved it?”

In 1976 Randy and I took our first appointment as minister in charge of a church congregation. We were assigned to a two point United Methodist circuit in the small town of Newborn, Georgia, and we served that church as well as the Starrsville church which was about ten miles away. We arrived that June with a three month old baby, our dog, Chief, and our few personal belongings to move into the parsonage there. There was no church staff, no church office, and no secretary. The office became a room in our parsonage, the staff became volunteers, and the secretary’s position was left to me! Randy preached at both churches every Sunday and alternated times at each.

We had always had friends from our respective home towns, college, and our first appointment, but it was here in this small community that we really learned the value of friends and friendship. In this parsonage with no air conditioning, no dishwasher, and none of the conveniences to which we were accustomed, we learned what it’s like to have people there to help in every situation and love you no matter what. We also learned to make do with what God provided and to trust Him for all we needed.

These families made us a part of their family and included us in all their celebrations. People visited on our front porch after leaving us fresh vegetables from their garden. They were encouragers, supporters, and confidants. The women of the church helped us get a fresh look to our parsonage, while the men worked on repairing the roof and chimney in our new home. Volunteers worked on every church project, and the bonds of friendship here were strong and lasting.

We served and loved in this community for two years, and when we left, the ladies of the church made a friendship quilt with the names of each family of the church included. I had an occasion to pull out that quilt lately and all the names and memories came flooding back. It made me stop and give thanks for all the wonderful friendships which have come into our lives over these many years.

This brought two questions to my mind. First, what makes a good friend? Next, what qualities allow a friendship to survive over time? In my mind, there are two qualities which permanently cement any friendship; honesty and loyalty.

Honesty is the quality which a real friend exhibits consistently. They may upset us sometimes by telling us the truth, but he or she will be honest nonetheless. A friend may not always tell us what we want to hear, but if they truly love us, they will tell us what we need to hear. In the short run, it may hurt, but in the long run it will only help.

There are two questions to ask the other person. First, can I trust you to be totally honest with me? Secondly, can I be totally honest with you? Only a true friend can expect and survive such mutual honesty.

Loyalty is the next quality. Proverbs 18:24 says “There is a friend which sticks closer than a brother.” The word stick refers to how skin sticks to the bone, and it is a poignant picture of how closely knit one friend should be to the other. Loyalty is the one thing that one friend should never have to question about the other. A true friend will always be your defense attorney before he or she becomes your judge. There is no such thing as a fair weather friend. We don’t need friends in fair weather, we need them when the weather gets nasty. It is said that a fair weather friend is no friend at all.

All these years later, we are so grateful for our friends; past, present, and future. What would our life be without each of you which we are so privileged to call friends? In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Who could have deserved it?”

Let me tell you why you are here. You are here to be salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Matthew 5:13

The compound salt is really a pretty interesting substance. Basically it is a compound in the form of crystals which is composed mainly of sodium chloride that is used in seasoning and/or preserving. The compound salt is really a miracle. It is composed of two poisons, chloride and sodium. which if either is ingested by itself can cause death, but if we put them together they bring something extra to life. All of us need salt for fluid balance and muscle and nerve function, but too much salt is bad for us, so we hear, and that statement has made us a “salt conscious” society.

Prior to Covid, every restaurant table came with a salt and pepper set for patrons to use to season and enhance their food. Now, in most places, these elements are available only on request. It’s like people are trying to get us to take the salt out of our food and settle for a more bland version of them.

There is the seasoning side of salt, but there is also the physical side of salt. In this world, where would we be without people who add salt to our lives? These are the folks that enter a room, and you just know the atmosphere is about to change! Dads have that kind of effect on families in most cases. These special people show love, compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance in a salty way that might be a little different from the approach of a Mother.

Our Daddy was what I would call a Salty Dad. Although his name was John, he had so many colorful nicknames that showed his salty nature that it was hard to keep track. He was Bubba to his brothers and sisters, Big John to friends and many in town, Mr. John to our boyfriends, Flash to the snow ski instructor, Running Bear to the game warden, and Honey to my Mom. We just called him Daddy, and our children knew him as PaPa. He was funny, opinionated, loyal, a talker, a little crusty, and fiercely protective of his three girls and his family. His reputation proceeded him with our dates as he was known to be mowing the grass around 11 at night when we returned home with them! When he entered a room, the salt would be sprinkled and sometimes even poured all around. Although he left early every morning to go to the farm, he was home every night with his family, and the amount of salt he sprinkled usually depended on his day.

Jesus was a believer in salt as we see in Matthew 5:13 where he told his followers: “You are the salt of the earth.” He was addressing the common people such as fishermen, shepherds, laborers, and he was telling them that they were worthy and virtuous. These were those who were of great kindness, reliability, and honesty. I think he was referring to the value of all of us in the furthering of His kingdom.

We are called to be the salt in our families and this world, and as Christians there are several reasons why. First, the flavor of salt is distinctive, and it can make things totally different from other foods on our plates. Christians are asked to be distinctive in their beliefs and attitudes in order to make a difference in this world. What good is it to be a Christian if there is nothing distinctive and good about your that others can see?

Secondly, salt is used to preserve. It keeps things from decaying or deteriorating as it cleanses and disinfects. Just like salt, we as Christians are called on to keep on praying and working so that our families, this nation and our world will hold on and preserve the Christian heritage from which it came.

Next, salt penetrates into the food to which it is added. It can change the flavor from dull and bland to flavorful and tasty. We are called on to penetrate the community around us and change it from boring and unconcerned to excited and involved.

Lastly, salt flavors. It changes the taste of food to make it more appealing. Just like salt, we need to flavor the world around us for the cause of Christ. We have got to spread the salt so that the flavor of God’s grace and love can be experienced.

The world in which we live is becoming bland and tasteless. It’s up to us to sprinkle a little salt and influence people toward the greater good. On this week of Father’s Day when we pause to honor and show appreciation to and for our Dads, it is a perfect time to reflect on how often they bless us by pouring on the salt! Thank you to our Dads living both here and in their heavenly home!

Happy Father’s Day!

But now in a single victorious stroke of life all three – sin, guilt, death – are gone. The gift of our Master Jesus Christ, our Lord. With all this going for us my dear, dear friends, stand your ground, and don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

There’s a new trend floating around these days called quiet quitting. I have to admit that I was completely oblivious to this until a woman in my aerobics class pointed out that members of the staff at the workout facility were participating in quiet quitting. Quiet quitting refers to doing the minimum requirements of one’s job, and putting in no more time, effort, or enthusiasm than absolutely necessary! The employees don’t believe in staying late, arriving early, or staying for non mandatory job meetings or extra activities.

It’s a sad commentary on a culture when employees slack off because their job is so unrewarding that there is no pride or joy in a good well done. The job market is so tight at this point, that employers have been forced to tolerate this behavior because employees are so hard to replace. In a Gallup survey results showed 32% of workers were engaged in their respective jobs, 18% were making no secret of their dissatisfaction with their job, and 50% were quiet quitters meaning they were dissatisfied with their job but didn’t broadcast the fact!

A friend of ours who is a successful businessman often visits the offices of his company early in the morning or late in the afternoon to walk around and see what’s going on with his employees. He reported that less than 20% of the workforce arrived before 10 and even less remained late in the day to finish up the day’s work. Many never bothered to show up but rather said they were working from home on several of his visits.

His remedy was genius! He sent out a memo inviting everyone to Breakfast with the Boss. As expected, almost everyone accepted the invitation. Next, he amended the invitation with the place and the time. The time was 5:00 am. Now our friend is an early riser, so he arrived at 4:30 am and waited to see who would show up early. Interestingly, not only were only 5% of the employees early, but over half straggled in late. Is this an example of quiet quitting or just a picture of our society these days?

The sad thing is that quiet quitting is also becoming apparent in other nonwork aspects of our lives such as marriages, relationships, spiritual life, and church life. Covid 19 left many people with the quiet quitting mentality. Our world was suddenly smaller, and we suffered from loneliness, isolation, and fear, but we also became content to quit on a lot of the things that made our lives meaningful. We took the lack of things we needed to sustain our life, and substituted other less important things. Some people quit on their marriage, some quit on their job, some people quit on friendships, some quit on their health, some quit on their church, and others quit on God. The trouble is, we have never taken those things back, we just quit on them and cut them out of our life.

Scott Peck reminds us in his book The Road Less Traveled that “Life is hard. All of life’s music is not in perfect harmony. What starts out to be a symphony becomes a cacophony, and discordant notes can dominate the score.”

So, how do we avoid quiet quitting in our lives? First, we need a change of perspective on life and our view of it. We should shift our thinking from quitting on this life because we believe it has treated us wrongly to the nearness of God and the fact that He is stronger than our pain and provides a light in the darkness. Even Paul carried a thorn in his side, but instead of quitting, he said, “I can do all things through God who strengthens me.” He had the right perspective.

Next, it would be helpful to return to many of the things upon which we quit, and renew the joy they brought to our lives. We need to persevere.

Finally, go back to our trusting God and others. Robert Burns said, “We need to have some certainty, some things that we can trust, some one who will stand with us and for us.” So many things that we encounter in this every day life is not worthy of our trust, but there is one who is always trustworthy. C.S. Lewis said, “Look for yourself and you will find hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him. and with Him everything else is thrown in.” Only trust Him.

Quiet quitting is still quitting, and as a Christian that is not an option. He called us to be doers not quitters, and we need to be about doing His work all around us! Don’t quit!

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid. Don’t be discouraged. God, your God is with you every step you take! Joshua 1:9

Remember this and be assured. Remember the former things long past for I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like me. Isaiah 46:8-9

Memorial Day is being celebrated today, and it is important that we as a nation set aside this day to honor those who gave their all. The holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868 when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Although New York was the first state to celebrate the day in 1873, by 1890 all the northern states recognized the holiday.

Sadly traditional observance of the holiday has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten its meaning and tradition, and at many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored or forgotten.

There are some who are continuing to honor American’s finest who gave everything they had. The 3rd US Infantry dutifully places flags on each of the 260,000 graves at Arlington Cemetery every year. Then, they patrol the area to make sure that each of the flags remain standing. The US 3rd Infantry known as the Old Guard also stands watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier twenty-four seven in all kinds of weather.

It is disturbing to know that the generations who are ignoring these heroic men and women are the ones who will be running our country in years to come. How can we forget to remember those who gave so much?

The men and women who risked their lives on our behalf are always eager to be very clear about what matters most to them, and they tell it to their loved ones. Special forces Master Sergeant Kelly Hornbeck who was killed in action in South Samarra wrote these words to his parents, ” I am not afraid and neither should either of you be, for I trust in my God and my training, two powerful forces that cannot be measured.”

Citizenship in a country presents each of us with certain rights but also duties. Freedom in a country like ours is never free but rather has rested on the sacrifice of countless men and women that came before us. In ancient Rome when a city was conquered, the Romans sent other citizens to spread the culture, customs, and manner of life and laws into that city or country. Likewise, as Christians, we should be sent out to teach the customs, culture, and laws of Jesus. In Philippians 3:20, we hear ” Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, our Lord Jesus Christ.”

On May 26, 2003, the president of the United States closed his address to those present in Arlington, Virginia with a remembrance of Army Ranger Captain Russell Rippetoe who was laid to rest. He shared how valiantly he gave his life and served with distinction and purpose in “Operation Iraqi Freedom” earning him the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

At Captain Russell Rippetoe’s funeral, his father Lieutenant Colonel Joe Rippetoe, gave the farewell salute at the grave of his only son. During that farewell, he read what was on his son’s dog tags saying that this had given him great comfort. The words are from Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded thee be strong and of good courage? Be not afraid neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This was the promise of God to Joshua when he was commissioned by the Lord to fight God’s battles in Israel. Captain Rippetoe trusted in this promise as he gave his life for the protection of this nation whose motto is “In God We Trust.”

As we remember those who have given their lives in the service of this country and those who will continue to give their lives for this great nation, we can rest assured that they will be enlisted in the noble company of those who were strong and courageous and did not back away from their call and duty to the United States of America.

God bless you every one.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

During my years of teaching in the public school system of Georgia, it was required that we have a fire drill each month. These drills were set in place to teach students how to leave whatever they were doing, line up, and silently follow their teacher to the assigned meeting place outside the building. The staff was usually given a “heads up” that the drill would take place on a certain day, but the students had no idea. Some students screamed, some cried, and some covered their ears, when the alarm began to go off, but with practice, they knew what was expected and drills were pretty uneventful. Teachers counted heads to make sure all the students were with us. There was always someone who checked every room and all bathrooms as the building was being vacated to assure that no one was left behind.

I give this background to tell this recent event. Randy and I were in Charleston for a couple of days a week or so ago with friends, and we were staying in a hotel near Mt. Pleasant. After breakfast, as we were in our room getting ready to head out for the day, the fire alarm began blaring. My first thought was that they were testing the alarm system, so we just dismissed the alarm and continued getting ready. When it didn’t stop, I looked out the window and people were streaming out of the building and gathering outside the hotel. My words to Randy were, “This is not a drill. Let’s go!”

As it turned out, a car in the parking garage caught fire, and the hotel was evacuated. It was not a drill!! As I began to think about the alarm sounding, I kept wondering why we hadn’t acknowledged it?? Then, it hit me, there was no automated voice saying, “Please evacuate. Please use the stairs. Please leave in an orderly manner.” There was no one checking rooms to see if everyone was out safely. No one counted heads outside to make sure they weren’t missing a guest. I kept thinking, “I hope everyone inside knows this isn’t a drill.”

Sometimes we live our lives believing that things that go on around us are just a drill, but in reality these everyday occurrences are becoming emergencies. For example, the things that are happening in our nation are not a drill! Government and society has already banned prayer in schools, the ten commandments are rarely heard or acknowledged, and if it is allowed to continue there will soon be no In God We Trust on coins. This is not a drill, it’s an emergency.

In order to be able to handle situations that are not a drill, we have to be prepared. Just like a fire drill, our spiritual lives have to be ready to handle the emergencies that come our way. We prepare for emergencies in our everyday lives by keeping emergency numbers such as doctor, family, fire, etc. close at hand. We try to be vigilant about our surroundings and situation. Now, the question is, “Are we that vigilant about our spiritual resources and needs? Do we focus on the spiritual resources that God provides such as church, small groups, and Bible study?” Base your preparation on faith, not on fear, and be prepared.

Next, we need to remember how God would want us to love and care for those around us. Just as a teacher would make sure every student is present and accounted for, we need to be about His business of loving and caring for those who need us. We never know the pain or loneliness in the life of others until we reach out and offer God’s love. Remember to check on others so no one is left behind.

Finally, we need to practice the things we know to be true. During our emergency, the safety measures we had practiced so many times came naturally. We knew to use the stairs, we knew to find a meeting place outside, and we knew to wait to hear that it was all clear. Just as we practice fire drills so that the safety measures are instilled in us, we should practice being prepared to defend and uphold our faith, and we should remember to be there for others.

There are many things in our lives that are not a drill! Maybe it’s our family, maybe it’s our social lives, maybe it’s our health, maybe it’s our emotional situation, maybe it’s our finances, or maybe it’s our spiritual life. We think we aren’t living in a emergency, but would we know what to do if it became one? There is a great difference between a drill and an emergency. We can repeat a drill many times, but in an emergency every minute is a gift from God, and what happens in those minutes can be the difference between life and death. So be prepared and remember to check on others!

Here are a few examples of a fire drill for the Christian. “Be orderly when we face the trials of life. Don’t panic but walk in faith. Follow and obey Christ. Protect our health, safety, and loved ones so that we can continue to serve. Trust God for guidance.” (copied)

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at days to come. Proverbs 31:25

Yesterday around our country we stopped to honor Mothers. The image of mothers has changed a lot from the time of Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show, and Leave It To Beaver. These were the years of stay at home moms and the mentality that the husband earned a living and the wife raised their children. I love the story of a stay at home mom who was asked, “And tell me, what is it that you do, dear?” The mom responded, “I am socializing two homosapiens into the dominant values of the Judo-Christian tradition, in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation.” Then she asked, “And what do you do?”

These days moms are working full time jobs, running big corporations, and still managing to raise and nurture a family. We honor mothers because they have a hard job, and they deserve a day for us to show our love and appreciation.

There are many things that mothers teach their children. These are on the humorous side. My mother taught me religion; “When I spilled grape juice on the carpet she said, you better pray that stain comes out.” My mother taught me logic; “Because I said so, that’s why.” My mother taught me foresight; “Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident.” My mother taught me irony; “You keep laughing at me, and I’ll give you something to cry about.” My mother taught me stamina; “You will sit here until you finish that spinach.” My mother taught me weather; “It looks like a tornado swept through your room” My mother taught me the circle of life; “I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!” copied

Seriously, when I think of the Mothers who are in my life now and those who were a huge part of my life in the past, I think of three things; faith, courage, and love. These are challenging times in which to be a mother! Kids these days are faced with confusion as the lines between right and wrong are blurred in our society. There is also a culture that is so competitive that it values performance above character. It can be dangerous to grow up in this world of today.

It was also be dangerous to grow up in Biblical times. I am reminded of Jochebed, the mother of Moses, who is only mentioned a few times in the Scriptures, yet she is the portrait of a woman of faith, courage and love. The nation of Israel at this time was growing and prospering so much that the Pharaoh felt threatened. He commanded the Hebrew midwives to murder male babies of Hebrew women as they were giving birth. When he realized he couldn’t trust the midwives, he reached out to his people to be on the lookout for Hebrew babies. If they saw one, they were to drown them in the Nile River.

It was during this reign of terror that Jochebed became pregnant. She didn’t have to worry about her older children Miriam and Aaron, but the baby was fair game for any Egyptian. First, she showed courage. Jochebed and her family disobeyed the orders from the Pharaoh and hid Moses for three months. Mothers show courage in protecting their children.

Next, Jochebed showed a sensible faith. After hiding Moses for three months, she saw the reality of the situation and knew she couldn’t continue to hide him. She made a little basket of pitch and tar to keep it afloat and put it in the reeds along the Nile River. Jochebed didn’t send him floating down the Nile but rather placed in a spot along the river where women tended to congregate. She had faith that he would be found and nurtured. She left Miriam to spy and she was there to inform Bitiah (the daughter of Pharaoh who found him) that she could provide a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby boy.

Finally, Jochebed exhibited a mother’s love. She had such love for her child that she would give him up in order to save his life. God had a different plan and provided a way for Jochebed to be the wet nurse for Moses and be a part of his life. She was there to teach him about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses grew up to lead two million of his people through a desert and into freedom.

Just like Jochebed, there are things that Mothers can do for their children, but ultimately we have to be willing to leave them in God’s hands. A mother’s love never changes, and God will use our courage, our faith, and our love to accomplish his purpose in our children’s lives. It’s not all up to us, God is partnering with us!

The legacy we leave will be a reflection of the life we live now!