Better Late!

Lovely to look at, lovely to hold;
If you drop it, break it, we mark it sold!

When we go shopping in any store which sells breakable things, I keep my hands in my pockets! I am one of those people who love to handle things, but am sometimes too clumsy to be considered safe. (it comes from Mom's side of the family) More than once, we have purchased items which have been broken. Now I am more careful; Debbie handles the good china!

The verse spoken from Jesus in John 10:28 says that "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Jesus is careful with us; never dropping us, and you can't jump out of His hand. Even if you wanted out of His relationship, once you are saved, born again, you are converted for Life! And you can't be shoplifted away from Him! He's got a great grip on you!

That is a great and profound truth! Do you appreciate that kind of security? In this day of economic loss, job uncertainty, government failures, and lost friendships, this is the one absolute you can depend upon! "Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8  

Have a great day, from our house to yours!

Climate Change

Nights have been unseasonably chilly this past week, with lows dipping into the low 30's. We're NOT complaining, after a very hot summer. The past few months have set records for high temps, and high temps in a row here in Michigan. I'm grateful for the cooler weather. Besides, the fireplace smells great! (Did you know that you can roast hot dogs and marshmallows indoors?)

Sometimes our spiritual lives are affected by the spiritual climate around us. People we associate with, things we witness in our lives and others, all these can change our attitudes and cause us to slip away from the fellowship we normally have with the Lord, and with other Christians. At Communion time, we stress the verse found in I Corinthians 11:28, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.This examination needs to occur daily, to keep ourselves clean and walking with the Lord in perfect harmony.

Debbie and I walked in the woods last night and enjoyed some time of fresh air, and looking at animal tracks. We enjoy knowing what critters live and travel around our home. When the coyotes came too close, we thought it was time to head for home! Good choice! The corn is ripening, and will soon be harvested.

I hope you plan to be in the Lord's House this Sunday; I'm very sure that He would enjoy your presence.


Enjoy the sunset, "as we see it."

Patriot's Day

It generally takes many years for our Nation to adopt and accept a new holiday or observance day. This time, however, it only took an attack on our accepted way of life, and our sense of security to move the American people to wake up. Admiral Yamamoto, from Pearl Harbor fame, stated in his diary from World War II that ""I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." This has been once again the position of the USA, a people awoken to the fact that we are NOT liked throughout the whole world, and that this way of life is a matter of fear, jealousy, and hatred in other countries.

While growing up in Maryland, our school had a field trip to Fort McHenry, just outside Baltimore. On display was the largest American flag that I've ever seen, even to this day. The view from a British ship of a tattered old flag flying over the Fort during a battle of the War of 1812 was the inspiration for "The Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem.The sight of a flag flying today still moves me, as many have died for the freedom which we enjoy and often take for granted.

Todd Beamer was one of those Patriots who did not stand by "while Rome burned." He and others like him, took action on that fateful day to prevent Flight 93 from taking the lives of many others in a more populated area, and they attempted to overcome the terrorist pilots. We will never know the whole story, at least until Heaven, when Todd can tell it for himself. He lived his faith in Christ, and knowing they would all die on the flight anyway, gave his life to abort that flight and save others.

Would you be able to stand up and be counted, despite the results? Former President George W. Bush stated today in Shanksville Pennsylvania that "what happened above this Pennsylvania field was among the most courageous acts in American history..... One of the lessons of 9/11 is that evil is real -- and so is courage." Courage to do what is right, when it is right, despite the outcome. 

Katherine Lee Bates wrote in her majestic hymn, America the Beautiful, these words; 
    O beautiful for heroes proved, in liberating strife

    Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!

    America, America, may God thy gold refine

    Till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.

Thank God for men and women who put others first!