A Greater Purpose

Today is the day we remember and give thanks to those who served, fought and died in the American armed services. They were committed to something greater than themselves and paid the ultimate price. They fought for something they believed in: FREEDOM.  The same freedom that most of us take for granted, but thankfully, they did not. 

Many years ago, I read a quote by a Vietnam Veteran.  His name is Tim Craft and he wrote "For those that will fight for it...FREEDOM...has a flavor the protected shall never know".  L/Cpl Edwin L. "Tim" Craft, served 1968 Khe Sanh Combat Base. This sentence is similar to a statement that President Theodore Roosevelt made in the speech, "The Man in the Arena" in Sorbonne, Paris France on April 23, 1910.  "For those who fought for it, life holds a meaning that the protected will never know"   Let these sentences sink in for a minute before you read on. 

My father is a veteran of World War II.  Before he passed away at the age of 90, he told me and anyone who would listen about his experience serving in the Army.  He was part of something bigger than himself that turned out to be a guiding force throughout his life. 

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him. 1 Timothy 1:12 (NLT)   

God calls each of us to his service to perform his work, to serve in his Army for a purpose greater than ourselves.  He created us with a spirit of service and the ability to fight for our faith and our freedom. Being part of God's greater goal is what gives meaning to our lives and we need never be afraid to follow His instruction even when the task in front of us seems impossible; for God is always with us. 

⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Josua 1:9 (NLT)

If you are not sure how to serve God; it is so simple. Pray and keep on praying everyday - God is listening and he will answer. 

Thank you so much to those who have and are serving in to protect us, our country, our faith and our freedom.  You are doing God's work.  God Bless the families and friends of those who have died to protect our freedom.  There are no words that can express my gratitude. 

God Bless you James and Michelle for your service.  Semper Fi Michael!  Rest in peace Dad.  

http://soldiersangels.org/heroes/index.php

"A person starts to live when he can live outside himself."--Albert Einstein

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying; And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying."--Robert Herrick

Endless Grace

There is no doubt that it can be difficult to live up to God's expectations every minute of every day.  We fall down, are filled with remorse, and God picks us up, dusts us off and gently pushes us back into world.  Sometimes, we make choices and demonstrate behaviors that we regret, but when we pray and ask for forgiveness and strength, our loving Father is always there with a warm embrace. It is by his grace that we get up each morning blessed with a fresh start. 

Ephesians 2:8 (NASB) ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

On May 23rd, I am blessed to be celebrating 20 years of blissful marriage to my beloved Patrick. As I reflect on the years of our marriage so far, it is crystal clear how God has extended his endless grace to us on a multitude of occasions.  I am thankful for the wonderful experiences we have shared in our walk together and grateful for the blessings God has graciously bestowed to us. 

Like all couples, being married has not always been an easy walk and we have had our share of difficulties. Looking back, I recognize that it has been during the most difficult times in our marriage, that our bond and love for one another has grown stronger along with our faith in God. I remember one particularly difficult period early in our marriage.  Within a two month period, we experienced the birth and death of our only son, Austin; we were traumatized by the Northridge earthquake, and we had to borrow money to pay our taxes.  We were financially and emotionally broken.  Living on a shoestring of hope, with the love of our friends and family and God's grace we somehow made it through.  

What I have learned, is that God uses these situations as teaching moments to build our faith, integrity and resilience to prepare us for what he has planned.  Our lives are not about us.  Our lives are about what God has planned for us to serve his purpose. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

As each new day dawns, honor God by starting the day with a renewed spirit of faith and recognize with a grateful heart that God's grace is endless.  

Philippians 1:2 (NKJV)  ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fear Not - Go In Peace

I have been fortunate during that last several years to keep my job, when many of my colleagues and friends were laid off from theirs and were unable to find new employment for a long period of time.  I too, am now facing some uncertainty as rumors in the media declare that the company I work for us "up for sale".  I understand what that means, but not sure what it means for me.  Will I be laid off?   If so, will anyone want to hire me at my age?  Will we have to sell our house?  Move?  So much uncertainty! 

We all experience fear at different times and degrees throughout life. What are you afraid of? Success?  Being alone?  Not being a good parent or spouse?  Getting cancer?  Not being successful?  Being unemployed? The unknown?  Dying?  

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)  7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline

Fear is an emotion that can either motivate us or paralyze us. A certain amount of fear is healthy and part of  life preservation.  Fear that is generated by things unknown to us or outside of our control can fill us with unhealthy worry, anxiety and stress. God gave us the ability to live our lives in the spirit of controlling the things that we can and then turn the rest over to Him. 

This is often a challenge for me, because I have a tendency to want to control everything in my life, as that gives me the security I crave.  It is also very exhausting!  Learning to control the things that we can and laying the rest at God's feet can be difficult.  Have you ever turned something over to God and then taken it back the very next day?  

As for my job, well, I can't control what happens to the company, but I can continue to show up everyday with a grateful heart and do the best work that I can in service and honor to God.  That is what he asks of us and that we trust him to take care of the rest.  He has plans for each of us and brings all things together for good.  Even though we can only see today, He knows tomorrow.  

I pray that God give you relief from your fears and worry so you can live in peace.

Psalm 34:4 (NLT) 4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
 He freed me from all my fears.

One of my favorite prayers is the Serenity Prayer: 

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Living one day at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as he did, the sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that he will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next

Amen

Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)