Take Time

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.

Take time to honor those who gave their lives for your freedoms.

Take time to thank those who have served our country.  

Take time to thank and pray for those who are currently serving our country.  

Recently, I was in a store, and walked by a gentleman who had a Vietnam Veteran hat on.  As I walked by, I smiled at him, but quickly, turned around and went back, and thanked him for his service to our country.  He nodded his head at me, and thanked me back.  As I walked away, he began to follow me.  I turned to listen to his words, and as I did, I saw his eyes filling with tears.  He told me how he appreciated my stopping to thank him, that it's not something he hears often.  I shook my head, and said he deserved to be thanked for his service.  He went on to tell me how when he returned from Vietnam, three times, he was treated terrible.  People spit on him, called him horrible names, hated him, and even threatened his life.  He said he could not go anywhere wearing his uniform because of the hatred for service men and women during the Vietnam conflict.  By this time, my tears were joining his, but his turned to almost weeping, as he said "it wasn't our fault, we were just following orders, we didn't want to be there either, but we had to be."  I put my hand on his shoulder, as I watched a man in his 70's stand with tears streaming down his face, reliving the pain from the rejection of his country, like it was yesterday.  I told him I was deeply sorry for him, and others who went through that, and how it was so wrong for them to be treated that way.  We talked a little more, and he thanked me again for stopping to talk to him.  I said he didn't have anything to thank me for, he was the one who deserved the thanks.  He managed a partial grin, and thanked me a couple more times.  


I walked through the plumbing section of the store, trying to get a hold on my tears.  When I got out to my car, I called my husband to tell him about my experience.  At this time, my tears flowed as I thought of a country who rejected those who gave up their lives, either completely or partially, to fight in a war.  They deserved, and still do, thanks for their service, as do all service men and women in this country.  You may disagree with war, but our service men and women don't have a choice.  They have to go.  They deserve thanks.  I hope that those of you reading take time to purposefully thank our veterans and those currently serving our country, as they deserve honor for their sacrifices. 


To those who have served, or are serving, to their families, thank you!  You are appreciated and we remember your sacrifice.  

Super Moon

God put on an amazing show with the 'Super Moon.'  When it broke through the clouds here, it was bright and beautiful.  These images were captured over a three hour time frame.   

I Want To Live Like That...

Listening

Listening...we all want to be heard.  When we talk, we want someone to hear what we say, to really hear it, to hear our heart not just our words.  Do you take time to really listen?  Do you put aside everything you are busy with, the TV, your phone, your computer/iPad, iPod, household chores, whatever else has your attention to really listen to the loved ones in your life?  Do they feel like you care and are giving them the gift of your time, your attention, to really listen, to really hear them?  


Give the gift of listening...engaged listening. Listening is an active process involving far more than the ears, it also involves the eyes, heart, and your undivided attention. Take time to hear with your ears, observe with your eyes, and seek to understand others from your heart. Look around you.  Who can you give this most precious gift to today?  

Beauty at the Falls

We went to Falls Park to experience the raging waters, and we were treated with a beautiful sunset while we were there. 

"Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Oh, glorious day

He Is Risen

On The Way To The Cross

Beauty in the Cross

At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace
At the cross I see a King who died to take my place
It's the moment that You made me clean and pardoned my soul
Amazing grace that I would be allowed unto Your throne
Not by my own will but solely by Your will alone
I'm unworthy of this love you have shown to me
I see my desperate need

The beauty of the cross is that there's One who has redeemed my soul
Beauty of the cross is that I'm finally free and letting go
Beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am

Not by my own works that I may boast or I may come
But simply through your Son the sinless and Exalted One
Only through the cross that I'm made clean to draw near to you
Saved so that you would receive all glory due Your name
Everlasting God from age to age you never change
A true love story remains for all eternity
That all the world would see

My sinful soul could only be
Redeemed by the blood of a sinless King
So you came to the world that You had made
Conquered sin on the cross and You rose from the grave

That's the beauty of the cross

Lyrics by Jonny Diaz Beauty of the Cross

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.  He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By his wounds you are healed.  1 Peter 2:21-24

At Your Name

This is one of my favorite songs.  Hope you enjoy it.

What Keeps You Awake At Night?

The question was recently asked at our home group...what keeps you awake at night?  All I could think was not sleeping!  I haven't slept much the past few months, not being able to shut my mind off, or at least pass out, until about 2-3 a.m.  I am usually awake by 7 or 8, so sleep has been short for me since December.  I always have been a night person, but this is a bit ridiculous.  Why am I not sleeping?  I don't know.  Part of it is staying up and working on my classes, part of it is, I just lay with my eyes wide open and cannot shut my brain off.  Like I said, I think I eventually just pass out, and then sleep for a few hours.  It's an interesting dilemma since I am currently studying the harmful affects on our body and mind of not getting adequate sleep.  


Back to the question..what keeps you awake at night?  The question's meaning was what are you passionate about in life that you stay awake thinking about that God wants you to accomplish for His Kingdom?  What has God put on your heart to do, if you aren't doing it?  What do you enjoy doing so much that it isn't work to you, but rather helps complete the way God designed you to live?  What are ways that you think of to help in that area, to make a difference, to be a part of a change?  Do you stay awake at night thinking about what drives you in life, or have you lost those hopes, the purpose and passion that God gave you to experience and live life out to the fullest, not wasting time, but living intentionally for Him?  We are all only given so much time here on earth.  Do you use that time to make a difference and help people?  Is your life lived intentionally or do you just go through the motions?  You can change, make a difference, and live passionately for God, just take the first step and start.