Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, 2010.

Definition of "memorial" -- something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday. Of or pertaining to the memory.

Memorial Day is a day set aside on the last Monday in May in most states of the United States of America for observances in memory of dead members of the armed forces of all wars.

While we remember those who have given their lives for us, and for this country we must not forget the most important One who gave His life. He died fighting a war against sin, and He did it willingly because He loves us that much.

In John 16:16, Jesus says, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." He went forward not with the fear that He might be killed, but knowing that He would.

Many of us may keep a cross as a memorial for this act of love.

What do you do as a memorial for your fallen war heroes? Do you wave a flag? Do you have medals displayed? Do you keep old letters? Do you have photographs of them in uniform?

Do you have family members or friends who are still fighting for our freedoms today?

Though this day, Memorial Day, is officially for remembering those lost and gone, and we should take some time to think of them and pray for their families, I would also like to take a moment to appreciate those still here with us and those who continue to give of themselves to serve, often not knowing what will become of them.

My father served in the United States Navy. One of my brothers served as a Lieutenant in the Navy and was stationed at Japan during Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines. Another brother served in the United States Army as a Gunner on a Hum-V at Iraq as an E-4 Specialist and returned home wounded, yet very much alive. My husband's father served in the United States Marine Corps.

Will you be flying an American flag today? Remember that you should raise the flag to the top of the pole and then immediately lower it to half mast for Memorial Day to honor those who have given and lost their lives.

God bless the United States of America and everyone who has done and continues to do what they can to make it a great country of freedom. I have heard it said that if you do not stand behind our military personnel, then you are welcome to stand in front of them.

Sunday Afternoon

Fun Fridays?

This week has been a rough week. This morning I was thinking about how we all need a "mental break" from time to time. Even here on the old interweb, it is nice to take a break and do something mindless once in a while. I know, I know...some of us have Facebook for that. LOL.

Since people had such fun with One Sentence the other day, I thought that it might be neat to do something like that each week. What do you think about Fun Fridays? Each Friday I will [try to remember to] post an interactive activity just for some smiles.

Here is one for today. Twenty Questions. You have twenty questions to figure out what is the item about which I am thinking. The rules are that you can ask a yes or no question, and I will answer it. You cannot ask two questions in a row. You cannot make two guesses in a row. In other words, if you make a guess, then you have to wait for someone else to make a guess before you can guess again. The person who guesses correctly with no more than twenty questions asked will be the winner.

You might want to encourage your friends to play along to get this game moving!

I will ask the first question to help get you started.

Is it a person? No.

Trust

Someone posed a question recently asking how we can learn to trust people. The answer may or may not seem obvious since we each see things in different ways. Here are some of my thoughts about trust.

First you must trust God, and then you must trust that God will take care of you no matter what people do.

In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? -Psalm 56:11

He who deals wisely and heeds God's word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord -- happy, blessed, and fortunate is he. -Proverbs 16:20

Second, you must be trustworthy yourself. Can you be trusted? Only you know the true answer to that question. If you can be trusted, then you may find it easier to believe that others can be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, then, by nature, you may be skeptical of others.

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. -Proverbs 11:13

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? -Luke 16:10-12

Third, remember that not everyone is the same. If anyone has shown themselves to be untrustworthy, do not punish other people by not giving them your trust. In other words, do not not trust person B because of person A's mistake(s).

What, you may ask, about person A? How can you rebuild trust in them? This one may not be more difficult, yet it can be done. You need to forgive the person because you will not be able to move forward if, in your heart, you are clinging to a grudge. That is not to say that you need to forget whatever happened because we can learn and grow wiser from others' mistakes and our own.

Go to the person and talk about whatever happened with them. Be honest, yet be fair in what you say. You may be amazed at what can be accomplished with talking.

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. -Matthew 18:15-17

Fourth, look back at the first.

A friend from our Life Group pointed out a quote that said that people will trust a chair more than they will trust God. In reality, though, God is our support in this life.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13

Was that helpful? ♥

Officially Toddler Parents

This post is from an old blog and was dated exactly one year ago. We have come so far with our precious, wonderful, amazing, funny little guy, and I am reminiscing, the thought to share this occurred to me.
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Yes. The day has arrived. We are officially parents of a toddler. While he has been walking since nine or ten months, and he has been progressing and learning and playing the age appropriate activities, and we considered him a toddler, only this past weekend did he make it official for us. We are Toddler Parents. You cannot argue with us because we have proof.

We have blue marker on our tan wall.

If you have not had a toddler yet, you may be sitting there with your jaw on the floor and displaying what we like to refer to as optical poptitude. Those of you who have children, though, are probably shaking your head up and down with a knowing and understanding look on your faces.

Do not pity us, though. We have spare paint for touch ups!

One Sentence

Okay, okay, I admit that I am just having fun today. Will you join me? Read this post, and then read any comments that follow it. When it is your turn, add one sentence to continue to tale. The idea is to tell the story of what happens in a day, yet it will be told from the perspective of several people. In the end, it might be neat to read...or it might seem like a ridiculous bunch of jibberish. Hehe.

I will start.

"This morning I woke up feeling refreshed and ready for a new day."

Your turn!

Why Regret?

Remorse. Anguish. Upset. Self-disgust. Affliction. No matter what you call it, regret affects so many people. Why, though? Is regret helpful? Does it benefit us in any way?

Personally, I do not believe in regret. Do not get me wrong, I have made mistakes and have done things that I should not have. The fact of that matter is, though, that my life today is the culmination of every thing that I have done and every decision that I have made until now. I am good with that.

We all do things for which we are sorry. We may even wish that we had never done them (not that wishing ever got anyone anywhere). Hopefully we learn from them.

"Just because someone messes up once does not mean that within time they cannot find a way to change for the better."

Do you ever let your mistakes consume you? Do you let regret overwhelm you? Destroy you? Judas Iscariot made a mistake when he betrayed his Lord, Jesus. That was not his only mistake, though. Devastated by regret, Judas went so far as to commit suicide. He hung himself. Regret overtook Judas, and his final mistake was not "going to the cross" to ask for, and receive, forgiveness.

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

The fact is that you are born, you die, and you make a lot of mistakes in between. My advice? Do not beat yourself up over the past. You cannot change it. Instead, apologize and hand it over to the Lord. Jesus will take those burdens from you so that you can be at peace and move forward enjoying your life free of regret.

Does it seem simple? Maybe it is. Why not give it a try?