Today we came back to Madison, GA, after a month in Florida. We enjoyed our month-long rest, did about three hours of "work" during the month, and had a pleasant drive of about six hours from there to here. We were greeted warmly by Ron and Twila's dog Skittles as we pulled onto the Source of Light Mission property. Five hours later, after a fun evening of food and fellowship with our 3-couple-volunteer-family, we were burying Skittles, who had just been hit by a car on the busy road which runs by the Mission. In an instant laughter turned to tears, and a life which had brought joy to many was over. Five years of love and companionship were replaced by a small hole in the ground. A tiny dog wrapped in a blanket put to rest near where had been playing only minutes before.
In an instant it can all change. My last posting on this website struck a somber chord, and this posting, too, speaks to the uncertainty of life and the way our lives can go from one extreme to the other in an instant. We have all lost loved ones, had a roaring success turn into failure without notice, seen a healthy person struck down by illness or accident in the blink of an eye or seen a miracle bring triumph out of tragedy. In an instant it can all change.
I don't know the remedy or solution to the uncertainties of life, other than to trust that there is a bigger plan than we can fathom, that God is in control and can bring good out of any situation and can help us recall the good memories and live with them rather than the sorrow of the moment of loss or let it shake our faith or belief that God is Good and He desires only good for us.
Skittles was loved by a lot of people, and returned that love to all of us who were greeted by him, petted him, or were graced by his snuggling up to us as we sat in "his" recliner. Our memories will last beyond an instant.........God helps us to do that, if we will just let Him
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Saturday, March 14, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March 11, 2015. Jacksonville , FL. One Day Closer
A lot of things occur in our life each day. We are bombarded with sound, temptations and the lure of material things, we have family obligations, job responsibilities, household chores, weather variations to contend with and adapt to. There are multiple decisions to make, some minor, and some life-altering. In every second we don't ever know if there will be a second after that of life on this earth, or will our life as we know it end in an instant. The certainty of this moment is set against the total uncertainty of the next.
I'm not trying to negative or fatalistic, just facing the reality of an uncertain life and a certain death. We all were born with one certainty: eventually we will all die and face a future we have the ability to partially determine by the choice of Who we believe in and how we follow Him. Each day that we awake, we are one day closer to the end of our life as we now know it. Scripture tells us that we can make all kinds of plans, decide what WE want to do, but the ultimate decision is not ours, but in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Each decision we make, if guided by The Holy Spirit, honoring and glorifying God and prayed over in the Name of Jesus Christ will make our life more peaceful, more Christ-like and be a blessing to others as well as ourself.
Live each day as if it is our last, treasure what we have been given and who we have as our friends and family, and rest in the God of Peace and the Peace of God. As I realize when I write this blog, I don't really know how many people are reading it, but I am writing words which I pray are making a difference, if not for others, then in my life and how I live it. I've said it many times, but it rings true: look in the mirror, Hal, and what you are "preaching" to others, let it be a lesson for me to hear and be obedient to. And if others are reading, I hope you will hold me to the words I am writing. Thank you, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I'm not trying to negative or fatalistic, just facing the reality of an uncertain life and a certain death. We all were born with one certainty: eventually we will all die and face a future we have the ability to partially determine by the choice of Who we believe in and how we follow Him. Each day that we awake, we are one day closer to the end of our life as we now know it. Scripture tells us that we can make all kinds of plans, decide what WE want to do, but the ultimate decision is not ours, but in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Each decision we make, if guided by The Holy Spirit, honoring and glorifying God and prayed over in the Name of Jesus Christ will make our life more peaceful, more Christ-like and be a blessing to others as well as ourself.
Live each day as if it is our last, treasure what we have been given and who we have as our friends and family, and rest in the God of Peace and the Peace of God. As I realize when I write this blog, I don't really know how many people are reading it, but I am writing words which I pray are making a difference, if not for others, then in my life and how I live it. I've said it many times, but it rings true: look in the mirror, Hal, and what you are "preaching" to others, let it be a lesson for me to hear and be obedient to. And if others are reading, I hope you will hold me to the words I am writing. Thank you, and Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 8, 2015
March 8, 2015. Jacksonville, FL. Thoughts
Spring ahead and lose an hour of sleep, but gain an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. Today was the first day of the new system for the year and my body stayed on the old system. I woke at 6:30 (the old 5:30). My normal waking time without an alarm is 5:30 so my body knew nothing of the change. We had a gorgeous day on which we relaxed with windows open and pleasant temperatures and after our walk to and from the All Saints Chapel on the Navy base, we were content to stay home, enjoy a potpourri'ed pot of soup for supper and wait for the "horns" to sound for the American Flag to be lowered an hour later than it was lowered yesterday. It was a good day
The week ahead is forecast to be a good one for being outdoors, getting some sun on the pale skin and some wogging (walking and jogging) around the base. We'll visit with Phil and Sharon a few times, see our great-niece who lives a few miles down the road and get ready to head back to Madison, GA a week from today. The extra hour of sunlight at the end of each day will mean warmer nights and less need for space heaters and propane.
The critter pictures I have put (or will put) on the website today are proof of the change of seasons ahead and the need for me to get prepared for the invasion of the chiggers again. It was in Jacksonville last year that they first got the upper hand and gave me two episodes of red bumps, itching and a host of remedies which were less than effective. In any event, the extra hour has meant a later blog time than usual and a body ready to be put down for the night. Thanks for reading, following and praying for us. You bless us and encourage us and we are grateful. Our prayers are for God's favor in each of your lives, for joy, peace and contentment today and every day. Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
The week ahead is forecast to be a good one for being outdoors, getting some sun on the pale skin and some wogging (walking and jogging) around the base. We'll visit with Phil and Sharon a few times, see our great-niece who lives a few miles down the road and get ready to head back to Madison, GA a week from today. The extra hour of sunlight at the end of each day will mean warmer nights and less need for space heaters and propane.
The critter pictures I have put (or will put) on the website today are proof of the change of seasons ahead and the need for me to get prepared for the invasion of the chiggers again. It was in Jacksonville last year that they first got the upper hand and gave me two episodes of red bumps, itching and a host of remedies which were less than effective. In any event, the extra hour has meant a later blog time than usual and a body ready to be put down for the night. Thanks for reading, following and praying for us. You bless us and encourage us and we are grateful. Our prayers are for God's favor in each of your lives, for joy, peace and contentment today and every day. Praise You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Thursday, March 5, 2015
March 5, 2015. Jacksonville, FL. A Bigger Plan
As we try to make sense of our journey through life, it's worthwhile to realize and accept the fact that we are not in control. Our path will always have obstacles, we will always climb hills and be propelled quickly down the other side and we will stumble, make mistakes and have disappointments. But, when we face the reality that GOD IS IN CONTROL and we are not; that our plans may seem perfect and the best ever devised, but that GOD HAS A BIGGER AND BETTER PLAN; when we face that reality, life will be more tolerable, less stressful and infinitely more rewarding.
Yesterday, God brought three couples who met in Arkansas last year and by different routes found their way to Jacksonville, Florida to a Bible Study on John 1:1-5 to teach us how He is in control, always has been and always will be, and that as Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is a bigger plan. And our responsibility - to tell the world of that bigger plan and then let God implement it in each heart, soul and mind. If we know it, and know that we know it, then we need to let others know it as well. If we fail to do that, we fail as followers of Christ and will one day have to explain to God why we didn't follow through on what we as followers of Christ were called to do.
Last week a youth band at Mayport sang Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons". The words ring so true. The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, it's time to sing Your song again, whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes. Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His holy name.........ten thousand years and then forevermore." Thank You, Lord for speaking to us through Your Word, Your control, Your love and a worship song. Help each of us to know that we know that we know, be witnesses to a world which needs You now, more than ever, and keep "singing" Your praises now, tomorrow and forevermore. Bless You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday, God brought three couples who met in Arkansas last year and by different routes found their way to Jacksonville, Florida to a Bible Study on John 1:1-5 to teach us how He is in control, always has been and always will be, and that as Father, Son and Holy Spirit there is a bigger plan. And our responsibility - to tell the world of that bigger plan and then let God implement it in each heart, soul and mind. If we know it, and know that we know it, then we need to let others know it as well. If we fail to do that, we fail as followers of Christ and will one day have to explain to God why we didn't follow through on what we as followers of Christ were called to do.
Last week a youth band at Mayport sang Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons". The words ring so true. The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, it's time to sing Your song again, whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes. Bless the Lord, O my soul, worship His holy name.........ten thousand years and then forevermore." Thank You, Lord for speaking to us through Your Word, Your control, Your love and a worship song. Help each of us to know that we know that we know, be witnesses to a world which needs You now, more than ever, and keep "singing" Your praises now, tomorrow and forevermore. Bless You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 1, 2015
March 1, 2015. NAS JAX, Jacksonville, FL. Moving Day
This morning the wind was howling off the St Johns (no ') River at Naval Station Mayport and it was misting where yesterday it was raining pretty heavily. We pulled in our "wings", battened down the hatches and headed south and west to our present location on the St Johns, now to the east of us rather than the north. And, there is no wind. The silence is deafening after the noise we had at Mayport for most of our two weeks there. We anticipate there will be the drone of P3's and jet fighters to replace the sound of the wind. For now it sounds pretty good to hear no sounds.
> Our stay at Mayport and now at NAS JAX are the first since last April that we have been on a military base. It's different to be in this environment with a blend of young military people, staying in the RV area with older military retirees, disabled vets or DOD personnel. I have a mix of emotions seeing young people serving our country, their whole lives ahead of them and then realizing that those of us in the RV parks are in our late '60's and beyond, have had either full military careers and/or full civilian careers, yet each impacted physically, emotionally, financially or otherwise by some length of military service. When the bugle sounds on these military posts as the colors are raised in the morning and lowered in the evening, Karen and I stand at attention, in respect for our flag, for our country and for those who serve and have served. To me there is a lot of emotion, as I think of my own time in the Army, my life altered by being drafted into service, remembering those with whom I served and the fact that many are no longer alive.
Yes, today was moving day, but each day is a moving day, as I think of our Ministry of Miles journey and the journey we are on serving our Lord and Savior. A coin I received from the Military Chaplin at Source of Light says it all: "Thousands died for My Freedom.....One died for My Soul." Yes, today has been a reflective, moving, moving day.
Sent from my iPad
> Our stay at Mayport and now at NAS JAX are the first since last April that we have been on a military base. It's different to be in this environment with a blend of young military people, staying in the RV area with older military retirees, disabled vets or DOD personnel. I have a mix of emotions seeing young people serving our country, their whole lives ahead of them and then realizing that those of us in the RV parks are in our late '60's and beyond, have had either full military careers and/or full civilian careers, yet each impacted physically, emotionally, financially or otherwise by some length of military service. When the bugle sounds on these military posts as the colors are raised in the morning and lowered in the evening, Karen and I stand at attention, in respect for our flag, for our country and for those who serve and have served. To me there is a lot of emotion, as I think of my own time in the Army, my life altered by being drafted into service, remembering those with whom I served and the fact that many are no longer alive.
Yes, today was moving day, but each day is a moving day, as I think of our Ministry of Miles journey and the journey we are on serving our Lord and Savior. A coin I received from the Military Chaplin at Source of Light says it all: "Thousands died for My Freedom.....One died for My Soul." Yes, today has been a reflective, moving, moving day.
Sent from my iPad
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