Memorial Day

How are you spending your Memorial Day? Cookouts, at the pool, at the "big sale"...these are just a few of the fun Memorial Day pass times.

I remember when I was first dating my husband, we attended an outdoor concert for either Memorial Day or 4th of July. I was chatting with a girlfriend, when suddenly this man I was dating elbowed me right in the side. I glared at him - "The nerve!" - when I noticed he had his hand over his heart. I listened a moment and realized the National Anthem was playing. I could tell this meant a lot to him, so I joined in, not realizing what the big deal was.

Moving ahead 3 years we were married and I was unpacking boxes, I found various medals and certificates. This man I married was a United States Military Academy at West Point Graduate, and a Vietnam Vet. Now I understood a bit more why he was so sentimental over the National Anthem.

After 7 years of marriage, we attended his West Point Reunion. It was fun to visit the grounds and see all the "pomp and circumstance" of the Military Academy. That evening they played a funny video montage of pictures of the guys in school. Then they played the second video. While the haunting tune of "Mansion of the Lord" played, photo after photo of their classmates who had been killed in action filled the screen. Every man in the room was in tears. As one picture came across the screen, my husband choked out "he was my room-mate." My husband's own room-mate had been killed in action. I never knew.

This Memorial Day, stop and consider what Memorial Day really is. And if you hear the National Anthem; stop, listen, put your hand over your heart. Don't be so cavalier as I once was. Remember the soldiers who have given their life for us.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13


This is not the video of my husband's fallen classmates,

but the same song and an equally moving video.

Lyrics:
To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord
No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
To the Mansions of the Lord.
Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.

7 Facts About Me

So I've been tagged by Extravagant Grace. So I will now post 7 facts about me.

1. I hate to go anywhere new alone.
2. I am addicted to coffee, and not just the actual drink, but the whole experience, the smell, the cup, the way it makes me feel like a grown up.
3. My husband is more than 20 years older than I am. This freaks out many people, but not us.
4. I'm not a fan of the great outdoors, I don't like the cold, the heat or the bugs.
5. My favorite food is Chinese and pizza. (well of course chocolate, that goes without saying).
6. My sense of humor amuses the heck out of me, but I've found that my quips can be biting, so I'm working on that.
7. I end up becoming the leader of every group I join. Control freak? Fabulous volunteer spirit? Others recognizing my inability to say no? You decide.

And now I tag you! So if you read my blog and want to join in, read the rules below. I'd love to know seven things about each one of you! Leave a comment and let me know if you'll post, so that I can come by! "Extravagant Grace" changed the rules a bit, and now I have too, to make it easier to play.

1. List these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Let me know you're playing by leaving a comment on my blog.
4. If you don't blog, list your 7 facts in the comments section.

Fun to do, on a 3-day weekend when I'm home caring for my hubby who had minor surgery (rotator cuff). So since I'm not out playing, I'm in playing. Hope you'll play along.

God Rules!

My daughters love to ride their bikes, especially my 8 year old. And while I have been known to be legalistic in my rules, I sometimes let her ride without her helmet if they are only riding in the yard or driveway. Not my husband…he says wear it every time, then there is never a question of when she wears it. It’s a rule, all the time. She often complains about her dad’s rules, the helmet, having to wear tennis shoes or crocs when biking (no flip-flops or sandals), etc. I try to explain that he just wants her to be safe.

The other day as I came home from the grocery store (and the girls had been home with their dad), she ran out to greet me. “I fell off my bike while riding on the sidewalk. I hit my head on the sidewalk, but I had my helmet on and it didn’t even hurt. Dad’s rules rule!” I had to laugh. These “terribly unfair” rules became great because they helped her out.

It reminded me about God & his “rules.” I’ve heard folks say that they didn’t want to become a Christian because then they couldn’t have any “fun” anymore. Or why do those Christians have so many rules! Well, God doesn’t want us to hate his rules, but to love them. They keep us safe, just like that bicycle helmet.

The most important rule is to love God with all your heart, and to love others as much as you love yourself. (Jesus tells us this in the Bible in Mark 12:28-31.) My husband loves our daughter so much, he can’t bear the thought that she might get hurt – and that’s EXACTLY why God gives us his rules. I’m glad I have a Father (a heavenly Father named God!) who loves me so much…just like my daughter does.

American Idol Results Show

BooHoo! Waaaa! David Archuleta didn't win American Idol. Personally, I think Simon threw the show to Archeluta last night to rev the vote up for Cook. Two reasons:
1. He appeared on Jay Leno the night previous and said he thought Cook should win.
2. He apologized all over himself tonight - not very Simon like.

So therefore, I think he picked Archuleta on Tuesday to give "Archie" what Simon himself calls "the kiss of death" when he gives someone favorable comments. Just my take. But I have an extreme case of sour grapes.

Trying to think of a bible verse to convert this story into - - but the only thing that comes to mind is Matthew 20:16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." haha. But if that's the case, then I think Sanjaya has a new single coming out. Heaven help us!

So back to inspirational blogging on Friday, after I get over Archuletta's loss. See you then!

The View From Here

Believe it or not, this beautiful picture is taken right outside my back door. One would think that with a view like this, I'd be outside enjoying it every minute. But over time I've come to take it for granted.

When my husband & I moved into this house 12 years ago, I had my coffee out on the back deck every morning it was over 60 degrees. We often ate dinner outside too. After the first year, life happened. We got busy. I got a promotion at work, his company took on a big project, next we had kids. And suddenly this view was forgotten.

Isn't our relationship with God like that sometimes? When our relationship is new we are so excited and want to spend so much time with God. Quiet time every morning, we enjoy our coffee with God. Then life happens. We get busy, and certainly our kids - especially babies keeping us up at night - interfere with our relationship with God. How can we get it back?

Friends can help. When a friend says to me "wow, the view here is amazing" I get reminded to enjoy it more. A friend can also be an accountability partner for your relationship with God, becoming a bible study or prayer partner.

Schedule it! This spring we've already had a deck party so that we could enjoy the view with some friends. The same is true with God. If you schedule your quiet time every morning, or your bible study every week you'll make it happen.

Get your kids involved. All it took was having dinner on the deck one night and now the kids want to eat out there every night. They too enjoy the view! And now that I do daily devotions with them, they can't wait for it to happen and ask if I forget. (I've also seen a positive behavioral change in the 4 yr old since beginning the devotions!)

It doesn't take much work to renew my interest in enjoying my view. And it doesn't take much work to renew your relationship with God either! Why not get started today?

With God in your life, you'll enjoy a new point of VIEW!

"Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health." Proverbs 4:20, The Message Bible

"And how blessed all those in whom you {God} live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—Zion! God in full view!" Psalm 84:5-7 The Message Bible

***Don't forget to read my Tuesday Bonus Blog! Something a little extra I added this week.***

I Saw God Today

**Bonus Blog Tuesday!** An extra post - -
I heard this song and the lyrics are so thought provoking and true, I thought I'd share. It's called "I Saw God Today" By George Straight. Click to view the video, and the words are printed below. Enjoy!
And look for God today!



Just walked down the street to the coffee shop
Had to take a break I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight
Saw a flower growin' in the middle of the sidewalk
Pushin' up through the concrete Like it was planted right there for me to see
The flashin' lights The honkin' horns All seemed to fade away
In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today
I've been to church I've read the book
I know he's here But I don't look Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear I saw God today
Saw a couple walkin' by they were holdin' hands
Man she had that glow
Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was startin' to show
Stood there for a minute takin' in the sky
Lost in that sunset
Splash of amber melted in the shades of red
I've been to church I've read the book
I know he's here But I don't look Near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should His fingerprints are everywhere
I just slowed down to stop and stare
Opened my eyes and man I swear I saw God today
Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleepin' like a rock My name on her wrist
Wearin' tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes
My brand new baby girl She's a miracle
I saw God today

Only a Boy Named David

Sunday after church as I sat at the PC to write my blog, I asked my husband "what should I blog about for Monday?" "How about David?" he replied. "David Archuleta?" I asked, thinking of the American Idol contestant. "No! King David." was his reply.

Talk about a communication gap. I had just finished reading the TV guide cover story on the two David's on the American Idol finale, Archuleta & Cook. My husband was still thinking about our Sunday School class on Max Lucado's "Facing Your Giants" on the life of King David.

So since many this week will be focusing on the Battle of the 2 Davids (Archuleta & Cook), I'll hold a battle of the 2 David's (Archuleta & King David). For the sake of confusion, I'll refer to the Biblical David as King David, even though he wasn't King yet in some of the instances.

Both were young men who enjoyed singing. Archuleta has performed Angels, Smokey Mountain Memories, Long and Winding Road, and arguably his most popular, Imagine. King David penned and sang 73 different Psalms including arguably his most popular, the 23rd Psalm (The Lord is My Shepherd).

Both young men play instruments, with Archuleta on the piano and King David on the harp and lyre.

We know about both young men's fathers. Jeff Archuleta is known to be a stage dad, always with David, and encouraging him. King David's father, Jesse, on the other hand left David in the field tending sheep when Samuel came to anoint one of his sons. He never even considered David in the selection, but David is just who God selected as the future king. (1 Samuel 16)

Finally we have other folks opinions. Randy calls David Archuleta "the hot one, dawg" and "the one to beat." Paula refers to him as "glorious," and Simon has called him a "Master class."

But Samuel referred to King David as "a man after God's own heart. " (1Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). The author of Hebrews describes David as someone who lives by faith. The author of 1 Kings states David followed the Lord completely (11:6).

Tuesday night the American Idol finale will air, and on Wednesday night the next American Idol will be crowned. I don't know which of those Davids will win. But the truly idyllic David is King David.

Who gets your vote?