Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day
Saturday, May 17, 2008

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

Why Do Women Cry?

Happy Mother's Day to everyone. Just a little explanation of women.

Why Do Women Cry?

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said.
His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God; and when God responded he asked "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said: "When I made the woman she had to be made special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And lastly, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers and only hers exclusively to use whenever she needs it. She needs no reason, no explanation, its hers."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she
wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

All Women are Beautiful

Author Unknown

"Sportsmanship"

As a kid growing up we were never allowed to play competitive sports like signing up for any sports team; so we played Softball at home. We always had two teams which consisted of brothers, sisters, cousins, and neighbor kids. We always played Softball with a hard-core softball, but we played by Baseball rules. We weren't allowed to use a baseball, because it was considered too hard. My Grandfather was the coach and umpire. He believed in being fair and square to everyone, and having good sportsmanship.

My Grandfather always laid down the ground rules to us before we started a game, and then he would always pray for God to keep His hand upon everyone as we played, and for everyone to enjoy themselves, keep a good attitude whether you won or lost. When his prayer was over, we all got into our places, and waited for his voice to ring out "PLAY BAll!"

Good Sportsmanship Rules:
1) The "Golden Rule"--Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
2) Have an understanding and appreciation of the rules.
3) Enjoy yourself and encourage enjoyment for others.
4) Take responsibility for you actions.
5) Recognize and appreciate good performances, especially by the opponent.
6) Exhibit respect for the officials.
7) Expect proper behavior from your teammates.

It seems in our sports, today, the concept of good sportsmanship has been lost. Sportsmanship in sports is a direct reflection of our own ethics in real life. Sportsmanship like ethics concerns both the character and the actions of an athlete. The image you project as an athlete is a product of your character.
"Character"-- is an attribute or quality that defines a person. Good sportsmanship is not just what you do on the field, but the way you conduct your life both on and off the field. Unsportsmanlike behavior on the field is probably an indication of your off the field conduct. Unsportsmanlike behavior--acts that are unfair, dishonest, disrepectful or against the rules; are unsportsmanlike because they are unethical. If you are unethical in sports, you are probably unethical in other areas of your life--such as business dealings, your treatment of others, your family, and your walk with God. Displaying good sportsmanship isn't always easy,
it can be tough to congratulate the opposing team. There is an old saying, "Actions speak louder then words!"

Encourage all surrounding people to display good sportsmanship behavior. "Win with class--lose with dignity." Every time we go out, we are being watched. We may not realize it but someone, possibly a young impressionable person, is observing you and how you act. Your behavior may have a signiciant impact--positive or negative. Remember your life is the only Bible others may read. Keep good sportsmanship.

"Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage:" Josh. 10:25

"For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost--but how you played the game." (Grantland Rice)

"13 Reminders of God's Love"

"13 Reminders of God's Love"

Selling Your Birthright

What have you sold your Birthright for today? The temporary thrill of sin can never replace the blessing of walking in God's peace, favor and presence. Sadly, like Esau in Gen 27:36, once you have sold your birthright, you will begin to lose God's blessing on your life.

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright: and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? Gen. 27:36

Before we look with contempt at Esau, we must look at ourselves. When we as Christians are unfaithful in our worship and our work or service, we forfeit our right to an inheritance. It may be rightfully said of us, as it was of Esau, that we have sold our birthright; that we have despised our birthright and become profane.

Things which cause Christian to sell their Birthright: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, pride of life, pleasure of the world, cares of this world, the desire for riches, and the desire to be popular. These things will cause some to lose their sense of responsibility and fidelity to God and His word; to desire present gratification of fleshly desires with not regard to the consequences both on this earth and eternally. By unfaithfulness and disobedience the true value of life will be blinded. Christians give up thir soul's salvation fot a small amount of pleasure. There will a time when those selling their birthright today will understand the true value of their soul's salvation.

The nations that inherited the birthright blessings of Abraham are presently on a downward path. If our people do not change their ways, we will suffer the same fate as the ancient Israelites. God will turn away the excellency (remove the birthright blessings) of modern Israel. The greatness of the English-speaking nation to be removed.

For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches. Nah. 2:2

God had a special relationship with the descendants of Jacob. Because of this special relationship, if the people would not fulfil their part of the covenant, God would chasten them. Disobedience brings punishment.

Hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:1-3

God will judge us according to our ways. The major English-speaking nations of the world have been loosing their vast wealth in a direct parallel with the decline of morality in the land. We are fast becoming nations of moral decay and spiritual rot!

We are unthankful people, who believe that we have gotten our vast wealth because we worked so hard for it. This is "the Amnerican way!" We believe that success is by our own efforts, not realizing that the only reason we have such abundance and national wealth to work with is that we were given this by God in fulfillment of promises made to Abraham. God says that because of rebellion against Him, we have turned Him into our enemy instead of our protector.

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Isa 63:10

What is your Goliath?

Up late, can't sleep, the house is quiet, and I have finally have time to think and write about something that has been going thru my mind. I hope that this will be an encouragment to someone.

What is your Goliath? How tall is your God? Giants. We must face them, yet, we need not face them alone.

Goliaths still roam in our world. You know your Goliath. You recognize his walk, the thunder of his voice. He taunts you with bills you can't pay, people you can't please, habits you can't break, failures you can't forget, and a future you can't face. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. While these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what we must do. We've learned what David learned, and we must do what David did. We have to be focused on God, pick up five stones, make decisions, and take a swing. The life of David digs deeply into the defeats he suffered, and the victories he won, as he faced the giants in his life. When David focused on God, giants tumbled; when David focused on giants... he stumbled.

All of us come in contact with and face "giants" in our lives. People who reach "higher" have defeated "giants." "Giants" are often tools in God's hand to fashion and prepare us for "bigger things." Most problems or obstacles we face do not stand alone. The "problems" represent more than what we see at the moment. When we defeat the "giant(s)", things begin to happen.

Comfort zones are no protection against "giants," neither is running from the giant. You must run toward the giant and overcome it, or you will find yourself running into a life of make-believe success and significance. You will find that your success and significance are nothing more than tattered, worn-out "tents." (I Sam. 17:20-21) Don't cower in timidity from the mocking voices of your Goliaths--run at them. The formula for defeat is to declare His name--Jesus! The mention of His name causes the forces of hell to tremble.

Acronymns for Fun

BIBLE-- Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

FROG-- Fully Rely On God.

HOPE-- Hackers On Planet Earth.

SWAT-- Someone With A Testimony.

GAP-- God's Amazing People.

PUSH-- Pray Until Something Happens.

PRAY-- Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield.

ASAP-- Always Say a Prayer.

PH D-- Piled High and Deep

CADILLAC--Crazed and Demented Idiots Like Large American Cars.

DODGE- Don't Over Drive Gutless Engines

FORD-- Found On Roads Dead. Fix Or Repair Daily.

GMC-- Greatest Made Chevy.