Freedom

"There is no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."  John 15: 13

Today we are remembering the lives that have been sacrificed in the defense of freedom to speak, practice our faith, experience justice, education, and opportunity.  We must remember what we are fighting for and make sure that these freedoms are cherished and protected. The strongest nations are the ones who make it possible for most of its citizens to be able to have a home, job, safety, education, and healthcare.  The most successful nations take the responsibility to provide for elderly, ill, disabled and homeless by sharing resources and encouraging all to better themselves.

"It shall be as it was in the past...Not with dreams, but with strength and courage shall a nation be molded to last."  Bill Hickock

There are many different kinds of strengths; physical, mental, moral, spiritual and the power of conviction. We can make a difference one day at a time and for one person at a time.  We must learn to compromise with each other and other countries with the goal of making the world a better place. Instead of destruction let us consider construction with conservation of the environment as a high priority.  What good is the accumulation of wealth if we can't take it with us?  What good is money if our world is so polluted we can't survive physically?  The question remains, what can we do with our resources to leave behind as our legacy to the world?

Our veterans have given us a chance to use our freedom wisely and with compassion. Thank you for the sacrifices of our wonderful veterans to maintain and protect our freedom!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all of the recognized and unrecognized heroes in any war ever fought.  They performed their duties as a soldier with valor and compassion.  I can't imagine the fear that these individuals faced and the courage to daily encounter death, deprivation. pain, suffering, loss of friends and absence of family.  They face the moral and ethical dilemma involved with killing an "enemy" who is often another soldier doing his or her duty or seeing the deaths of innocent civilians or fellow soldiers.   

Adversity can bring out the best or worst in each of us.  Many soldiers have risen to the challenge to provide a living example of faith, honor and hope in unbelievable and life threatening circumstances.  The following is one of those stories.  Four Chaplains of four different faiths, modeling their belief in God by giving up their own lives for their comrades. 

"Perhaps the most inspiring demonstration of the chaplaincy at its best is the story of the “Four Chaplains” — also called the “Immortal Chaplains.” They were new chaplains, recent graduates in the same class at the Army Chaplain’s School, on board the USS Dorchester headed for Greenland. On Feb. 3, 1943, the ship was struck by a torpedo. The chaplains — Methodist minister George Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander Goode, Father John Washington and Reformed Church in America minister Clark Poling — organized the orderly evacuation of the ship as well as helped calm the men. They guided the wounded men to safety and helped load the lifeboats. When there were no more life vests to hand out, the chaplains gave up their own. Once they had helped as many men as possible into the lifeboats, they linked arms, sang and prayed. Survivors said they could hear the mixed languages of the chaplains including the Jewish prayers in Hebrew and the Catholic in Latin. Out of the 904 men on the ship, only 230 survived."

Deacon Mark C. Miller writes from Indiana

Thank you to all service men and woman all over the world!

Mothers Deserve Celebrating

"When I was growing up, Mother's Day was right up there with Christmas.  The energy around the house was always positive, mostly thanks to my father who made sure the kids appreciated their mother.  And no matter what day it was, that attitude was paramount around our house."

"I also learned over the years, as times got harder for the family, was that no matter what, my father always put my mother before himself.  He absolutely adored her and never let her forget that.  Adult love is usually not unconditional, but he did all he could to make her feel that it was. And again, I learned a thing or two about how to love." 

"Flowers, gifts and brunch or dinner hardly seems like enough to thank the woman who cares for our little family and makes us all feel so loved, even when we disagree.  Now that's a talent."

"I watched my father dote on my mother, and I learned that showing affection to the woman you love or who gave birth to you is an important part of life."

"There are a number of us who no longer have a mother in our lives, and truth be told, there are a few times when I wish she was here to comfort me."  Excerpts from Dr. Barton Goldsmith, psychotherapist in California, from his news article "Mothers deserve celebrating, especially on Mother's Day"

All loving mothers deserve to be celebrated and appreciated. We never know how long they will be with us in this life. Not all mothers have doting husbands or family. If your mother is no longer available, try to find a lonely mother who needs to be recognized.  Most mothers have made multiple sacrifices over the years simply because they love unconditionally and quietly as they place their families first.  On Mother's Day, honor and appreciate them for the contributions they have made in your life and the lives of others. 

"My granddaughter had just turned five when my wife asked whether she was being a good girl. After a deep sigh and a thoughtful pause, she responded, "You know, I'm doing the best I can." Taken from Reader's Digest, M.F. 

I think most mothers would tell you the same thing.  "You know, I'm doing the best I can."  I think that is the way mothers live their lives!  Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

I Had the "Meanest Mother In The World"

This was found framed in a thrift store:

I Had the "Meanest Mother In The World"...

*While other kids had candy for breakfast, I had to eat cereal, eggs and toast.  While other kids had cakes and candy for lunch, I had a sandwich.  As you can guess, my dinner was different from other kid's dinners, too.

 * My mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times.  You'd think we were on a chain gang or something.She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.

* I am ashamed to admit it, but she actually had the nerve to break the child labor laws.  She made us work! We had to wash dishes, do chores and learn how to cook and mow the yard. That woman must have stayed awake nights thinking up things for us to do.  And she insisted that we tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

*By the time we were teenagers, she was much wiser and our life became more unbearable.  None of this tooting the car horn for us to come running; she embarrassed us to no end by insisting that the
boys come to the door to get us.

* I forgot to mention that most of our friends were allowed to date at the mature age of 12 or 13, but our old fashioned Mother refused to let us date until we were 15,  She really raised a bunch of squares.  None of us was ever arrested for shoplifting or busted for dope.  And who do we have to thank for this? You're right, our Mean Mother.

* I am trying to raise my children to stand a little taller and straighter and I am secretly tickled to pieces when they call me mean. I thank God for giving me the Meanest Mother in the world.  Our country doesn't need a good five cent candy bar.  It needs more Mean Mothers like mine.

Cheers for all of the Meanest Mothers in the world!