Happy Memorial Day 2008

Union soldier silently stands watch over those buried in the Silent Camp section of Morris Hill.  The statue was place there by the Women's Relief Corps in 1923.

 

Memorial Day is a time for us to remember those who have gone on from this earth to another place  It can be a time of sadness, feeling the loss that  the years have not completely healed as well as a time for hope. The hope that Jesus Christ offers us is described by the writer of the letter to the Thessalonians.

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

The Roaring Ocean

The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
       the seas have lifted up their voice;
       the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
       mightier than the breakers of the sea—
       the LORD on high is mighty.  Psalm 93:3-4

Haystack Rock Cannon Beach, Oregon

I enjoy visiting the ocean side. I forget the power of the surf and the roar of the waves until I've reached the sandy beach and the ragged water's edge.    It is at that time, that the ocean's roar overwhelms me and immediately reminds me of its creator. 

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:9-10

I am humbled and amazed that the creator his this ocean, and in fact the universe would be concerned about my welfare and the welfare of man in general.  Matthew  10: 29-31 tells us:

 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

We can take comfort knowing that the creator knows all there is to know about us and wants to care for us.  The strongest evidence of this love and demonstration of the his desire for positively affecting our well being, was the offering of his Son, Jesus Christ , for our reconciliation to him.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 4:16

Black & White Ball

 

We had the pleasure of attending the Black & White Ball last weekend.  The Ball is a fund raiser for Royal Family Kids' Camp.   The event was even more enjoyable because we attended with good friends John & DeAnn.   The Ball beneficiary RFKC is a camp that provides positives experiences for children who have abuse and neglected.  each camp requires approximately $25,000 in funding each year and the camp is financed solely by donations.  The Ball has given us a  start on financing the camp, but we have a ways to go.  Anyone interested in making a donations can click here to learn more.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:27