TRUST #6: Trust God's Decision on Leaders

Tomorrow is President's Day, a federal holiday here in the United States. While it is normally a day to remember our first elected president (Washington), and also our 16th President (Lincoln), it is also a time to reflect on ALL of our presidents (including our current one).

I don't discuss politics much because... well...  I just don't like it. Its just not an interest of mine. However, I do believe it is important to be respectful to the leaders we have in place, even if I don't agree with what they do. According to Romans 13:1, those who are in leadership are there ONLY because God instituted it. Yes, I did my part and I voted for who I thought would be the better leader. We all NEED to do our part. However, ultimately, I know the person who wins each election wins it because that is who GOD wants to have in office. 

So, even if the leaders in place completely destroy our country, I choose to TRUST that, yes, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL. Our country may end up lying in ruins - and in some ways it already is - but I believe my God has a plan, and He is using each situation to accomplish that plan. 

So, what do we do when things aren't going the way we want, or the way we think they should go? Pray. Pray for the president and for those who give him counsel. Pray for him to have wisdom in leading our country to the best of his ability. Pray for him to accomplish the plans the Lord has laid out for him to do. Then, TRUST that even in the chaos God's got it all under control.  



Related Posts:
TRUST #1:  Focus for 2018
TRUST #2:  My Unexplained Pain
TRUST #3:  God Works All Things for Our Good
TRUST #4:  Remember How God Has Helped You in the Past  

Photo of the Week #21: Happy Birthday America - My Home Away from Home

Philippians 3:20 - But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

I currently live in the United States of America. It is my home on Earth. But, as a Christian, my true citizenship is in Heaven (see verse above). I am thankful for that because it gives me hope to one day be living in a perfect world. We all know this world we live in now is NOT a perfect world, am I right? In fact, it is downright messed up. There are days when I am so very ready to leave it all behind and finally encounter perfect peace like never before. Yet, while I am here, I am an American. And, even though the struggles are real, I am often reminded of how God has blessed America in many ways... and I am thankful... 

• thankful for our freedoms.
• thankful for the men and women who have died for those freedoms.
• thankful for the luxuries we have compared to other countries.
• thankful to be living here, where God has placed me.

The photo above was taken less than two weeks ago, when my son was at Boy Scout camp. We were there on Family Night and they closed the evening with a fireworks display. The American flag was lit up, and Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud to be an American" was playing over the sound system. It was a nice way to end the evening, and made me thankful (and yes... proud) to be an American. Even with all the political messiness, and crime, and struggles we go through, it is still my current home away from home. I am glad to be here, and I am honored the Lord has given me the opportunity to serve Him while I am here.

Happy Birthday, America!

Giving Honor On Memorial Day

The word of the week is HONOR. 

: to regard or treat (someone) with respect and admiration : to show admiration for (someone or something) in a public way 

The verse above says we should give honor where honor is due. I know the verse is referring to those in authority over us, but I think the premise is still the same regarding ALL of mankind. So, I encourage you to remember this verse tomorrow on Memorial Day - a day when we show our patriotism, and honor the lost lives of our military men and women.

Some people don't really care about Memorial Day. One reason they give is that the deceased don't know we are honoring them, so what's the point? But, from my point of view, it is more for our own benefit than for the benefit of the deceased. It is done out of remembrance of them, just like how you write a note on your calendar that says, "Grandma died one year ago today." You write it down in order to remember and reminisce about the time you had with your loved one. 

Another reason given for not caring about Memorial Day is the belief that war is wrong. But, when we observe Memorial Day, it doesn't mean we are agreeing with our government's decisions and/or the wars that have come about. It just means we are taking time to recognize those who have served and protected us in the line of duty.

The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000, and it asks that at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, all Americans “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”

Below is a version of Taps from the United States Navy Band. Take a few minutes out of your day to listen to it (or another version of your choice), and then take a moment of silence to:

• remember the fallen
• pray for the families who have lost loved ones
• pray for our government, including our current and future President
• and pray for the Spiritual condition of America 

Our God is a big God. He will listen to your prayers, and He will give honor where honor is due. 

RESOURCES
www.usmemorialday.org

Encouragement Challenge #37: Appreciate Our Military Personnel

Veteran's Day is this Wednesday, November 11th.

For this week's ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE, choose one or more of the following ways to show your appreciation for our military personnel:

1.  Display the American flag on your home or business.

2.  When you see a person in military uniform, or know of someone who was previously in a branch of the military, thank them for their service.

3.  Attend a Veteran's Day ceremony.

4.  Send a care package to a soldier on your own, or through a local organization.

5.  Click over to OPERATION WE ARE HERE to find many other ideas for thanking and encouraging Veterans. 

 Thankyou, Veterans, for serving!

Encouragement Challenge #21: Remember the Fallen

Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States of America.

Do you know what this holiday is about? Do you know it's not just a day off work and a day to have cook-outs with friends and family? Of course, having cook-outs and family gatherings is not wrong to do, but the main purpose of the day is for us to set aside a small amount of time for solemn remembrance of our fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day (due to the graves of fallen soldiers being decorated), was meant to honor the soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. Then, after World War I, the holiday changed to recognize ANY soldier who had died while fighting during ANY war.

So, what can we do? There's nothing we can do to bring back those who have perished but, in order to show our patriotism, we can still decorate their graves out of respect, we can fly an American flag in their honor, and we can take a few moments out of our day to stop and remember the sacrifice these soldiers made for our country.

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #21

The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in the year 2000. It asks that at 3:00 p.m. local time on each Memorial Day, all Americans pause for at least one minute to observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect. One way this can be done is to listen to a version of Taps.

I encourage you, at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, to stop and say a prayer for those who have lost loved ones in battle, for the safety of soldiers who are currently serving, and for the future of our country. Then, also take a moment to listen to one of these versions of Taps and reflect on what Memorial Day really means:

• TAPS - United States Navy Band
• TAPS - The U.S. Army
• TAPS with Lyrics 
• TAPS on the Bagpipes 

Encouragement Challenge #18: National Day of Prayer

ENCOURAGEMENT CHALLENGE #18:

The National Day of Prayer is set for this Thursday, May 7, 2015. The theme for this year is Lord, Hear Our Cry, which emphasizes "the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men."

I encourage you to get onto the WEBSITE and learn more about what this day of prayer is all about.

Then, click the link below to learn HOW you can pray for America. There are several links on this page where you can download a FREE prayer guide, or you can choose some other way to get involved in this National Day of Prayer.

HOW TO PRAY FOR AMERICA

HYMN: My Country 'Tis of Thee

With Veteran's Day coming up on Tuesday, I think this patriotic hymn is a fitting one to focus on for this Sunday. It was written in 1831 by Samuel F. Smith while he was a theological student studying in Germany. It only took him 30 minutes to write the words (and the music came from the melody of the United Kingdom's national anthem.)

The hymn was first performed at an Independence Day celebration in 1831, and was later sung as one of America's national anthems before "The Star Spangled Banner" was adopted in 1931.

Thank you to all the Veterans who have served our country and sacrificed your time for our freedom. God bless you all!

MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE

(a.k.a. "AMERICA")

Words by Samuel Francis Smith 

My country, 'tis of thee, 
Sweet land of Liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrim's pride!
From ev'ry mountain side,
Let freedom ring! 

My native country thee,

Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love.
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,

And ring from all the trees,
Sweet freedom's song.
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to Thee,

Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King!

Happy Memorial Day

 

Memorial Day Graphics at WishAFriend.com

 

Broad Stripes and Bright Stars

The United States flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes (seven red, alternating with 6 white) and 50 stars.

The stripes represent the original 13 colonies.

The stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:

Red  symbolizes Hardiness and Valor

White symbolizes Purity and Innocence 

Blue  represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice

The Star Spangled Banner

By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Happy 4th of July!

Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!

Happy BIRTHDAY America!

Information used from:  USA FLAG SITE

Happy Veterans Day!

My family and I attended the Veterans Day ceremony in town this morning. Here are a few pictures we would like to share....

Honor Guard veterans lined up on the courthouse lawn.

The Jr. High band played several patriotic songs

and did a great job!

There were over 400 flags on the courthouse lawn, with names on each one to recognize the deceased veterans in the County.

It was quite a site!

.

What is Veterans Day?

What is Veterans Day? Oh, I know, I know.... it’s a holiday that lets us stay home from school and work. We get the day off from our regular duties and get to do whatever we want to do, right? Well...yes....but why? Have you ever really shared with your children or grandchildren what Veterans Day is all about? I would guess that half the population really doesn’t have a clue as to what its for, aside from it being a day to sleep in.

Well, here's the scoop... Veteran’s Day is an annual American holiday that encourages us to honor all veterans (past, present and future) for their service to our country. 

So, who are veterans? They're the men and women who have served (or are currently serving) in the various branches of the armed forces: Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Marines Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve.

By the way, the men pictured on today’s blog are all United States veterans. They are all related to either me or my husband in some way. This, by no means, is ALL of the veterans in our family lines. However, these are some of the photos I was recently able to gather.

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which specifically honors military members who have DIED in service to their country. While deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day, the focus is on their faithful service, and not on their death in battle.

Everyone who owns a calendar should be able to see that Veterans Day is coming up this Wednesday, November 11th. As the day approaches, please remember it is not a day to debate whether or not we should or should not be at war with someone; And, it is not a day to voice your opinions about the military and whether or not you think they are doing a good job. What it is a day for is a day to honor and remember all the men and women who have served for YOU and for the freedom you have here in America.

As Veterans Day approaches, I want to encourage us all to keep patriotism alive in this country and find some way to help our children (and ourselves) appreciate the sacrifices our veterans have made for us. This article from eHow.com has some good suggestions on how we can do that:

HOW TO CELEBRATE VETERANS DAY

In closing, I want to personally thank each and every veteran out there for your service to our country. God bless you all,
and God bless America!

Click below to hear Celine Dion sing a wonderful rendition of
God Bless America!

Happy 4th of July!

The sun is not shining here today. Actually, it is cloudy and raining. I'm sure many 4th of July picnics will be very wet or brought indoors. Regardless, I hope your day is a good one as you celebrate what Independence Day really means.

You can find the following quotes, and many more, at The Quote Garden: http://www.quotegarden.com/fourth-of-july.html

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. ~Thomas Paine

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. ~Robert J. McCracken

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace. ~Hamilton Fish

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood