We will remember them

It seems appropriate during this Memorial Day weekend that we take a minute to consider a poem that was written long ago and in remembrance those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom. The "Ode of Remembrance" is taken from Laurence Binion's "For the Fallen", which was first published in The Times in September 1914. It is just as relevant today as it was then.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

The poem describes young soldiers boldly standing on the battle line against numerous odds, including their own fears! These soldiers are heroes because they did what they needed to do and they did it afraid! Their bravery should encourage us to step up and do the things that God calls us to do, even when we are afraid or unsure. Faith requires action!! We’re not alone and He will strengthen us against the enemy!

Please join me in taking time to pray for the families of fallen soldiers as well as the active soldiers and their families. They fight for the freedom that we take for granted. Pray that God will faithfully reward their sacrifice!

Be blessed,
Jennifer

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

A New Day

It's Monday in every sense of the word! I was dreading it's arrival, but it came anyway. This was such a great weekend and, if you're a reader in Texas, you know how glorious the weather was yesterday. While getting together with friends last night I realized that we were all dreading Monday, it wasn't just me!! Then I saw the same attitude as I read posts on Facebook - no one was looking forward to this day!

As I rolled my body sore from weekend yardword out of the bed this morning and began looking to the day ahead I decided that I had to make a choice - either I could mourn the passing of the "perfect day" or I could let myself see the beauty and promise in THIS day. It's true, I don't have as much to look forward to today, my time is not my own and I can't be a lounge lizard watching movies and playing with my kids all day. However, God tells us that our mercies our new every morning, He uses our time for His glory when we give it to Him, and instead of lounging around, God wants to give us a few 'divine appointments' in the day so that we can be a blessing and be blessed in return. All in all, I'd say that's alot to look forward to!!

This morning make a choice with me...are you going to dread a week of work and obligations OR are you going to embrace being part of the new things that God is doing all around us?? I choose God...there's no high like the Most High!

Be blessed,
Jennifer

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"Psalm 118:24

Set apart

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Mother's Day. I certainly did! At my church home, we had Mother's Day celebration, Baby Dedications and Graduation Recognition all on the same day. During the Baby Dedications, parents stood in front of the congregation and vowed to raise their children in a Christian home and asked for prayer as they model how to be a Christ follower. Then, graduating seniors came to the front and shared how being raised in a Christian environment has impacted their lives and equipped them for this next phase. I thought it was wonderful that in both senarios, the children were ultimately being dedicated to the Lord to be used for His glory.

You and I have been dedicated to the Lord as well. Whether you were raised in a God fearing home or not, your life has been set apart to be used by God. I know this to be true because it is promised to us in Galatians. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." That means that God not only strengthens us to stand firm in the face of temptation, we can already claim victory against it!! We are not set apart by the things God intends to do in our lives, we are set apart because of the things He has already done! We may be in the battle, but God has already won the war!!

Be blessed,
Jennifer


"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Do you know who your friends are?

I’ve been so blessed to spend time with some amazing friends (old and new) in the past few weeks. While I may not get to see them as often as I’d like, having the opportunity to get together with them makes me appreciate how unique each woman is. Each friend has been used by God for a specific purpose in my life and I have been made a better woman for knowing each of them!

So here are some important friends to have in your friendship inventory:

a friend that you can be silly with
a friend that you can cry with
a friend that believes in your dreams
a friend that sees things more clearly then you do
a friend that will listen to you complain about your spouse or kids and still like them anyway
a friend that wants to hire a clown with big shoes to kick anyone who hurts you (you know who you are)
a friend that you can have deep discussions with
a friend who is further on the spiritual path than you are
a friend who is just now walking where you’ve been
a friend who will be honest, even when the truth is hard to hear
a friend that will pray with you and for you at any time
if you’re lucky, many of these friends will be the same person!

While we are considering the kind of friends we want to have, perhaps we should consider the kind of friend WE are! Do you build others up, or do you weigh them down? Do you invest your time in others or only take time for what YOU need? Are you a blessing or a burden? (By burden I do not mean that you share concerns or needs with others, I’m referring to having a spirit of discontent.)Or maybe you haven’t allowed time for friends at all. If this is the case, please consider that even Jesus surrounded Himself with disciples, His friends that walked along side Him through His journey on earth. We were created to be in relationship with each other and God continually blesses us through those relationships. Open your heart and be the kind of friend that you want to have!

Be blessed,

Jennifer


"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17