Fire Academy Graduation

Congratulations Andrew !!!

Dad and I are very proud of you upon your graduation for completing the Civilian Fire Academy course. You can accomplish anything you want, when you finally set your mind to do so.

You are a fine young man with a lot of potential, sensitive to God and to people around you. You have a heart of gold, and you are a lot of fun. Words cannot tell you how much we love and appreciate you. Always put God First in your life.

The most destructive habit... worry
The greatest joy... giving
The greatest loss... Loss of self-respect.

The most satisfying work... Helping others
The ugliest personality trait... Selfishness
The most endangered species... Dedicated leaders.

Our greatest natural resource... Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm"... Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome...fear.

The most dangerous pariah... A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer... The brain
The worst thing to be without... Hope.

The deadliest weapon... The tongue
The two most power-filled words... "I can"
The greatest asset... Faith.

The most worthless emotion... Self-pity
The beautiful attire... SMILE!
The most prized possession... Intergrity.

The most powerful channel of communication... Prayer
The most contagious spirit... Enthusiasm.

Author Unknown

God Bless America Lyrics

God Bless America Lyrics: "While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. '

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home."

Have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day!

Burdens

What's your burden? How heavy is your load?

"Burden"--something that is carried, oppressive, or worrisome.

Everyone in the world has a burden(s). Burdens are like bricks stacked together. When you think that your burden is too heavy to bear, try carrying the burden of someone else. Sometimes your burden isn't as heavy as the weight of anothers burden. When you carry a heavy burden, can you still smile and help others?

When the circumstances of life become a burden, we want to cast them overboard; just as the person who is onboard a conveyance in distress. But casting is not as easy as it looks either for the survivor or the person who has burdens in their life.

Greek word for "cast" means to throw it away. Throw your pain, your disappointment, broken dreams, your heartache on the Lord for he cares for you.

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." I Pet. 5:7

People may want us to help them carry some of their load, but no one seems to have the time to listen. God doesn't put on us any more then we can handle, but how much do we put on ourselves. Worry is not God's will for us. It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it.

There is one place we can "cast" our burdens. There is someone who can be the best friend you'll ever have, and you can be a part of His family. He is a counselor, who has no equal and He is available and wants to listen--any time day or night. He takes whatever burdens you want to cast upon Him and takes care of them for you. His name is Jesus! He loves and cares for you.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:"... Ps 55:22

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30

Many hymns have been written by pioneers who have left their burdens at the altar of God. Hymns are written for purpose of praise, adoration or prayer. Hymns deal with life situations, problems and what people face day by day. Hymns are still relevant and we can still sing them. There is an old hymn that was written by Charles Albert
Tindley, "Leave It There."

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

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)