Memorializing Memorial Day

I've noticed that year after year Memorial Day is losing its meaning. People are more focused on throwing a big party or going out on the lake. They seem to forget who gave them those privileges. People also tend to go too far in the other direction. They over-emphasize remembering the men who died. You may not think this is possible, but it is. These people do not focus on what Memorial Day should be focused on. Memorial Day is day set aside for remembering the men who died but more importantly, it's remembering why they died. If we don't know why they died or what they died for then we cannot honor them. If we don't how they died we can't continue what they started. Isn't that our duty as American Patriots? It is our job to carry on the legacy of those who have gone before us. It is our job to make sure that we continue the fight for freedom. There is no better way to honor those who have fallen. They deserve that honor and respect. Anything less would not be acceptable. We can't let their death be in vain. Those died fighting for where we are today. Unfortunately, the fight is far from over. We must continue to fight.


"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

~Ronald Reagan

Mission

So, this week at our church we've been having Neighborhood Bible Time at our church. It has been an amazing week. It's been exciting to see people getting saved and getting assurance of their salvation. For me, I enjoyed everything. The preaching has been awesome. In the sermon last night Mr. Tyler talked about taking up your crosses. Notice that crosses is plural. Every person who is saved has taken up the cross of salvation and accepted God's gift to us of eternal life in fellowship with Him. The second cross is the cross os service. Just accepting Christ as your Saviour isn't enough. Yes, it will get you to heaven but we are called to do more. We are called to give Christ our entire heart, our entire mind, our entire life. Everything belongs to God. We are called to serve with everything we have. It's pretty hard to put your heart into something when you're holding onto something... something's holding you back. There are many things that could do this. Drugs, alcohol, friends, magazines, books, tv shows, music, etc. I know from experience that forsaking these things completely is hard but worth it. You see, God doesn't want you to just accept Him as Saviour. His desire is that all people accept Him AND follow Him. We can't tell God, "Ok. Here's my books and my magazines but I'm keeping my tv shows and music." He want's everything... but He already gave everything for us so He doesn't just want it, He deserves it. Following Christ doesn't mean that you can't do anything fun or that you can't ever do anything again. If you follow Christ you will receive more than you have ever been willing to give. Things of this world will not give us true happiness... they will fade away and loose their appeal in just a very short time. God never fades. God never looses His appeal. God is true happiness. Our mission on earth isn't to "Get glory, make money, and die." We have a calling. A calling to follow Christ with everything. No regrets. And trust me, there won't be any. So, who will take up their cross of service? Who will deny themself and follow Christ?

January 28, 2011

Hey guys. My post for today is going to have some good running quotes so I can clean out my inbox.... and I don't want to lose them. Now those of you who read my sister's blog know that she did a post just like this and I promise I'm not doing it to copy her... well... maybe I am... but that doesn't matter:). Anyway, here are the quotes.



"Running is a passion for me. I like to set new challenges for myself. The cool thing is, it's something you do yourself. I don't have 10 other guys blocking for me. I would love to have 10 other guys out there blocking for me, but it doesn't work that way. It's all about you. "
~Roger Craig, Former NFL running back



"It's the one thing that's mine. My runs everyday are my thing. It's my therapy, my hour to myself. Nobody can really take it away from me... It's such a huge part of me. I love to say that I'm a runner. "
~Summer Sanders, Olympic gold-medalist in swimming



"I just think running makes me feel more disciplined. It makes me feel more committed, to not only my job, but to life. It makes me feel I'm doing all I can do to be as good as I can be. "
~Michael Waltrip, Race car driver

Now there are only 3 but those are just the running quotes. I have a couple more quotes that I think are pretty cool.


"People are less intimidated when you are more like them, but are they more helped?"
~John Piper

Ok. Now that I got that out of my system, now it's time for the most important part of this post. My favorite Bible verses. As you should know, those are the most important.

Matthew 19:26 ~ And Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Psalm 119:11 ~ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Matthew 6:21 ~ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 15:1 ~ A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Timothy 4:12 ~ Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Proverbs 12:1 ~ Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 13:7 ~ There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, had great riches.

Proverbs 13:10 ~ By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

Now obviously these are not all of my favorites because if I put them all up here I would be doing it till tomorrow. Have a great day guys:)



"The role of the will in sanctification: How intentional must you be to tear out your eye? Totally. It's never spontaneous."
~John Piper