The flag...the shells...

The flag...and the shells....

At my husbands graveside service, the military did the 21 gun salute...

I remember each shot was like a bolt to my soul...he was gone...not to laugh, speak, hug, love, visit here on earth again...so very final...

Then the flag folded so precisely...each fold done with precision...handed over to family with respect along with the spent shells...those tears are repeated....now even 7 years later...I still feel those shots in my soul...

Watching the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier recently, I thought of that day as well...how respectful, how precise everything was done...

Then again on Memorial Day, the flags flying, the shots...the placing of the wreath, the taps...

It all touches deep within of the sacrifice, the lives...

I have to remember that I am to give thanks in all things, but sometimes it is hard to surrender those words and really mean it...but thank YOU...

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 

This article came from my cousin’s Facebook and I felt like it was needful to share...the “whys”...I didn’t know these things even though I have one of these folded flags......

“The Meaning of the Flag-Draped Coffin.            

What a wonderful lesson this was for me. I do not recall ever being taught this in school. "The Meaning of the Flag-Draped Coffin"

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation's history.

Please pass it along and be proud of the country we live in, and even more proud of those who serve to protect our 'GOD-GIVEN' rights and freedoms. I hope you take the time to read this ... To understand what the flag draped coffin really means ...

Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers: Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'

The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic..

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Please share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to as the symbol of ' Liberty and Freedom.'

MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. FORWARD IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO  THEM.

IN THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.”

Thunder....

Crash, rumble, boom....

(the beginning of the storm taken at 6:49 P.M.)

12:18 A.M.....awakened by the crashing of thunder directly overhead.  Over and over again for 15 minutes...the thunder rumbled, no time between lightning and the crashes....then silence...1:45 A.M. another crash with lightning just as I thought I would get back to sleep...

The lightning so bright it penetrated the blackout curtains into the rooms as daylight....

Finally by 1, it had moved further into the valley...leaving pouring rain to pound the roof above...ground below and outside my windows....

I remember Ethel Barrett, the story teller, would tell my children through the speakers of our phonograph, that thunder was God’s way of telling us He keeps His  promises...very loudly....

What is thunder? Wikipedia reports....

“Cumulonimbus clouds often form thunderstorms.

Thunder is the sound caused by lightning. Depending on the distance from and nature of the lightning, it can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble (brontide). The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning. In turn, this expansion of air creates a sonic shock wave, similar to a sonic boom, often referred to as a "thunderclap" or "peal of thunder".

The cause of thunder has been the subject of centuries of speculation and scientific inquiry. The first recorded theory is attributed to the Greek philosopher Aristotle in the fourth century BC, and an early speculation was that it was caused by the collision of clouds. Subsequently, numerous other theories were proposed. By the mid-19th century, the accepted theory was that lightning produced a vacuum.

In the 20th century a consensus evolved that thunder must begin with a shock wave in the air due to the sudden thermal expansion of the plasma in the lightning channel. The temperature inside the lightning channel, measured by spectral analysis, varies during its 50 μs existence, rising sharply from an initial temperature of about 20,000 K to about 30,000 K, then dropping away gradually to about 10,000 K. The average is about 20,400 K (20,100 °C; 36,300 °F). This heating causes a rapid outward expansion, impacting the surrounding cooler air at a speed faster than sound would otherwise travel. The resultant outward-moving pulse is a shock wave, similar in principle to the shock wave formed by an explosion, or at the front of a supersonic aircraft.

Experimental studies of simulated lightning have produced results largely consistent with this model, though there is continued debate about the precise physical mechanisms of the process. Other causes have also been proposed, relying on electrodynamic effects of the massive current acting on the plasma in the bolt of lightning. The shockwave in thunder is sufficient to cause injury, such as internal contusion, to individuals nearby. 

Inversion thunder results when lightning strikes between cloud and ground occur during a temperature inversion. In such an inversion, the air near the ground is cooler than the higher air. The sound energy is prevented from dispersing vertically as it would in a non-inversion and is thus concentrated in the near-ground layer. Inversions often occur when warm moist air passes above a cold front; the resulting thunder sound is significantly louder than it would be if heard at the same distance in a non-inversion condition....”

The first time thunder is mentioned in the Bible....can you imagine what this must have been like....

When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.

Exodus 9:23-24

Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields—both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. The only place it did not hail was the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were. Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them. “The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.” Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the Lord. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the Lord ’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the Lord God.” (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley had headed and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.) Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands toward the Lord; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.

Exodus 9:25-35 

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance

Exodus 19:16,20:18

The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.

2 Samuel 22:14-15

His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. “At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Job 36:33-37:5

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

Psalm 29:3-5,7-9 

Can you imagine what heaven will sound like at this....

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Revelation 19:6 

It seems like we get glimpses of God through nature, whether in the intricacies of a flower or the birth of the child...and other times we hear the roar of thunder...power, majesty...

Other times, in the silence of our hearts, we hear the still small voice instilling truth to our hearts and minds...

God is there through it all from the silence to the roar of thunder. From the light in the darkness...

Thank YOU...

Amazing grace...Washington DC 9...

Amazing grace....Washington DC 9...

While visiting Washington DC, the opportunity presented itself to watch the Broadway play, “Amazing Grace”.   This is a musical written about the writer, John Newton...it was “amazing”, a tear jerker...the redemption of a man who was a slave trader who became a slave himself, finally surrendering to God....a faithful family who prayed for his salvation in trying times...

The music was so good, the story as well...but the heart of it all was redemption of the “most lost”...we each have a choice to seek that redeeming grace...God desires that none should perish...and his gift is free for the taking...

Thank YOU...

“The Story Behind Amazing Grace

This song isn’t a song of theology—it’s John Newton’s own heartfelt expression of gratitude to God, who helped him turn from his profane and wicked life and eventually fight against the ills he practiced. Later in life, Newton became a supporter and inspiration to William Wilberforce who lead the fight to pass the British Slave Trade Act in 1807, which abolished the slave trade in that empire.

John Netwon's story behind "Amazing Grace"

The Greyhound had been thrashing about in the north Atlantic storm for over a week. Its canvas sails were ripped, and the wood on one side of the ship had been torn away and splintered. The sailors had little hope of survival, but they mechanically worked the pumps, trying to keep the vessel afloat. On the eleventh day of the storm, sailor John Newton was too exhausted to pump, so he was tied to the helm and tried to hold the ship to its course. From one o'clock until midnight he was at the helm.

With the storm raging fiercely, Newton had time to think. His life seemed as ruined and wrecked as the battered ship he was trying to steer through the storm. Since the age of eleven he had lived a life at sea. Sailors were not noted for the refinement of their manners, but Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery which even shocked many a sailor.

John Newton had rejected his mother's teachings and had led other sailors into unbelief. Certainly he was beyond hope and beyond saving, even if the Scriptures were true. Yet, Newton's thoughts began to turn to Christ. He found a New Testament and began to read. Luke 11:13 seemed to assure him that God might still hear him: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him."

That day at the helm, March 21, 1748, was a day Newton remembered ever after, for "On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters." Many years later, as an old man, Newton wrote in his diary of March 21, 1805: "Not well able to write; but I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation, prayer, and praise." Only God's amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God. Newton never ceased to stand in awe of God's work in his life.

Used with permission from John Newton Discovered Amazing Grace@Christianity.com”

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 6:14 

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. 

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:5-10

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

Proverbs 22:11 

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Luke 2:40

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:16-17 

When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Acts 13:43 

but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15:40

Amazing Grace Lyrics

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

While there is Washington DC as well, were pipers from various police departments across the land...competing with one another...I heard the distant strains of one song...”Amazing Grace”... few notes...coming on the breeze...still bring tears to think about it...thank YOU...again...

The small word...”may”....

The small word, “may”....

In the NIV translation, the word “may” appears over a thousand times...

I was reading in 1 Thessalonians chapter 3 this am, verses 11-13 and found this...

“Now mayour God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. Maythe Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. Mayhe strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Finding these”mays” in this passage made me wonder how many other places “may” was used as a blessing of sorts...and there are lots...from the beginning in Genesis through Revelations...

Many are just used in sentences, but many go with curses and many go with blessings...

May have long life...

May know you will have long life...

May know you have eternal life...

May rule over this fish...

May God extend Japheth’s territory...

May give you a blessing...

May God give you heaven’s dew...

May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now reside as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”

Genesis 28:3-4

 May tell your children...

May live and not die...

May the Lord repay you...

May the Lord judge...

May you be blessed...

May the Lord value my life...

From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 3:8

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 

May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. 

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 

May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. 

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Psalm 19:14-20:5 

May be mature and complete...

May be won...

May have fellowship...

And it goes on and on...to ..

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 

Many, many are if/then statements...”if —-happens, then —-may —-...

Anyway, it was an interesting exercise...

May you be blessed as I was was...

Thank YOU...for your word and it’s infinite messages to our hearts, souls and minds...

The hungry puppy..Israel 16...

The hungry puppy...Israel 16...

https://www.deadsea.com/explore/historical-sites/archaeological-and-historical-sites/the-good-samaritan-site/

One day as we were going south out of Jerusalem, we stopped at a site purported to be the site of the Good Samaritan story from the Bible...

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37 

We got off the bus to go into this National Park, walking around to view the beautiful mosaic floors, the walls of this shrine to the Good Samaritan...we were met by the skinniest puppy...

It danced around our feet and legs as we each meandered in and around the displays. We couldn’t help but pet it, watching it joyfully move for one person to another desiring attention ...”just a tidbit of food or love” it seemed to say...

As we sat down under a wooden roof, the pup went from one to another, eyes bright with anticipation of a handout...”please” it begged...

I couldn’t help but smile as I thought back on the parable of the Good Samaritan...the man beaten, left beside the road...passed by one person and then another...each hurrying on their way to the next destination...not wanting to become “unclean”, not wanting to touch this man...until the Samaritan took pity on him, stopping, touching, cleaning, caring for him...even to point of leaving money for his care...

The inn keeper must have known him, his character to trust his return..

Now here was this pup, hungry, desiring to be touched as well, lapping up the attention as each person patted it, doling out a morsel here and there...as we headed for the bus, I saw the grounds keeper chasing it away until perhaps yet another group would come and give it some much desired attention...

We did what we could...good Samaritans...maybe...

thank YOU for the visual yet again...may we be watchful for those times when we can care for another along our path...may we not veer to other side or ignore an opportunity to help...may we not be afraid to touch, to care...may we be trustworthy in our calling...