So many ideas, so little time….

When I first started this blog on December 31, I had a big vision of writing at least once a day, sometimes two or three times when the inspiration hit, but there’s one thing that has gotten in the way: TIME. No, not the magazine, I mean the lack of a few precious minutes or hours to just sit and jot down ideas and turn those ideas into full-fledged blog posts.

Oh, sure I’m off work on Fridays and the weekends, but I spend those days just lounging around the house, playing with my dog, talking to my mom, thinking about my grandfather who has Alzheimer’s and getting prepared for the next grueling week at the office.

I never knew when I started this blog the amount of time I’d need to devote to it, to answer my readers’ comments and questions, and make my blog the best it can possibly be. I’ve got about 50 ideas jotted down on about five pieces of paper, but whenever I want to sit down and blog about them, I get distracted, am working on something for work, or just don’t feel like blogging.

I know “not feeling like it” is a bad excuse, and I sincerely, truly and wholeheartedly apologize for not blogging on a more regular basis. I know my readers expect me to respond to their questions and give them fresh, inspiring messages of hope more than every three weeks, but because of my spina bifida, some days I come from home from work aching, tired and just want to eat dinner and go to bed.

Before I go, I have a question for you guys who blog or write books. How do you guys find the time and energy to blog? I’ve subscribed to several blogs and get several emails every day about new posts. Oh yeah, that reminds me… see I got side tracked…. 😦 I am so sorry I haven’t read and responded to your blog posts, if I’ve subscribed to your blog. I love reading and sharing my thoughts and promise to read your blogs and comment when I have a minute.

Thank you so much for those of you who have stuck with me through the long haul. I hope you’ll pull up a rocking chair, put on your slippers and grab a cup of coffee (or glass of sweet tea :)) and stay a while. You might find the place a little messy, I haven’t had time or felt like cleaning my desk off either. 😦

The story of the folded napkin

My best friend and a very dear coworker sent this to me this morning and I knew I had to share it with my readers. I am so blessed this Easter because I know that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead to come live forever in my heart. I can’t even fathom how scared he was to sacrifice his body for those who believe in Him, to die on the cross for our sins.

I can’t imagine the pain and agony his disciples, but more importantly his father and mother, were going through as they saw the nails hammered into Jesus’ hands and feet, and that crown of thorns placed upon His head. I am so unworthy of such a sacrifice, and every morning I praise our Heavenly Father for making what I’m sure most of you would agree is the ULTIMATE sacrifice. I hope you take the opportunity this Easter to remember the sacrifices Jesus made for you and I and to rejoice that yes indeed, HE IS RISEN!! God bless you all. I hope you enjoy this story.

It’s Easter and we all know the story I hope? Why did Jesus fold the napkin? Do you know why?  This is just beautiful.

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the e-mails, so I’ll start it. If it touches you, please leave a comment and let me know how you celebrate the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from that grave to live forever in the hearts of all who believe in Him.

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this…

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!’

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, clean his beard and wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m finished.”

But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table because…

The folded napkin meant “I’m coming back!”

If this story impacted you the way it did me, please let me know by leaving a comment. How do you celebrate Easter? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? What’s your story? Do you believe that Jesus has risen to live in the hearts of His believers?

Jesus Takes a Whipping

I received this in my e-mail this morning and knew I had to share with my readers. I am so unworthy of Jesus’ love and grace that I am almost ashamed. I know I’ve sinned but it still amazes me that God loves me SO much to die on the Cross at Calvary, have stakes driven into His hands and feet and a crown of thorns placed upon His head. Every morning and evening when I’m driving to and from work, and before I go to sleep at night I praise God for dying on the cross, bearing all my sins and washing me clean with His precious blood. I hope you like this one. God bless you!!!

There was a class of young people that no teacher was able to handle.  Two or three teachers had been run off from school this year by these young people.  Finally a young man out of college heard about the class and applied to the school.  The principal asked the young man, “Do you not know what you are asking for? No one has been able to handle these young people. You are just asking for a terrible beating.”  After a few moments of silent prayer, the young man looked at the principal and said, “Sir, with your consent I accept the challenge, just give me a trial basis.”
 
The next morning the young man reported for class.  He said to the class, “Young people, I came here today to conduct school, but I realize I can’t do it by myself. I must have your help.”  One big boy they called Big Tom in the back of the room whispered to his buddies, “I’ll not need any help, I can lick that little bird all by myself.”  The young teacher told the class if they are to have school, there will have to be some rules to go by. He also added that he will allow the students to make up the rules, and he will list them on the blackboard.  One young man suggested “NO STEALING”. Another one shouted, “BE ON TIME FOR CLASS.” Pretty soon they had 10 rules listed on the board.  The teacher then asked the class what the punishment should be for breaking these rules.  Rules are no good unless they are enforced.  Someone in the class suggested that if the rules were broken, they should receive 10 licks with a rod across their back with their coat off.   The teacher thought that was pretty harsh and asked the class if they would they stand by this punishment. The class agreed.
 
Everything went pretty good for two or three days.  Finally Big Tom came in one day very upset.  He reported that someone had stolen his lunch. After talking with the students they came to the conclusion that Little Jim had stolen Big Tom’s lunch.  The teacher called Little Jim up to the front of the room and asked him to remove his coat.  That little fellow came up the aisle with a great big coat on.  Little Jim approached the teacher and said, “I am guilty and am willing to take my punishment, but please don’t make me take off my coat.”   The teacher reminded Little Jim of the rules and their punishments and asked him again to remove his coat and take his punishment like a man.  That little fellow started to unbutton that old coat, and the teacher saw that he did not have a shirt on under the coat.  The teacher asked Little Jim why he came to school without a shirt on.  Little Jim said, “My daddy’s dead, and my mother is very poor. I don’t have but one shirt, and my mother is washing it today. I wore big brother’s coat to keep my little body warm.”
 
That young teacher stood and looked at the frail back and wondered how he could lay a rod on that little back without even a shirt on. He knew if he didn’t enforce the punishment, the children would not obey the rules, so as he drew back to strike Little Jim, Big Tom came down the aisle.  Big Tom asked, “Can I take Little Jim’s whipping for him?”  The teacher agreed, and Big Tom ripped his coat off, stooped over, and the teacher began to lay the rod on that big back.  But for some strange reason after only five licks, that old rod just broke in half.  The young teacher buried his face in his hands and began to sob.  He heard a commotion and looked up to find not even one dry eye in the room. Little Jim had run and grabbed Big Tom around the neck, apologizing to him for stealing his lunch, and explained that he was so very hungry.  Little Jim begged Big Tom to forgive him.  He told Big Tom that he would love him until the day he died for taking his whipping for him.

Aren’t you glad that Jesus took our whipping for us, that He shed his precious blood on Calvary so that we can have eternal life in Glory with Him?  We are unworthy of the price He paid for us, but aren’t you glad He loves us that much?
 
— Author Unknown

Only Two Defining Forces Have Died For You

This is a true story my uncle sent me this morning. I had planned to have a tribute to the U.S. military on Independence Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but this was too good not to post today.

I have always had a deep respect and appreciation for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, so whenever I read that someone is bad mouthing them, I always get a little hot under the collar. I work a few minutes from a base and see planes flying all the time out my window. I think the U.S. military are some of the bravest men and women on the PLANET and should be given the respect and honor they rightly deserve. They put their lives on the line every single day for your freedom, and just because you have the right to free speech, in my opinion, does NOT give you or anyone the right to degrade or put down our brave men and women. I bet you’d be singing a different tune if your mother, father, son or daughter was the one they were burying that day in Arizona.

I’d just like to leave you with one final thought before I share this story.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

And now, the REST of the story…

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they  were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB  officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:

‘Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early-bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The  response:

Regarding  ‘A wake-up call from Luke’s jets’ On June 15, at precisely 9:12  a.m., a  perfectly timed four-ship fly-by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was  previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial  Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer’s  recount of the fly-by and because of the jet noise, I’m sure you didn’t hear the 21-gun  salute, the playing of Taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and  servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A  four-ship fly-by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate  respects.

The letter writer asks,  ‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show?’ The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their  lives.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt.  Col. Grant L. Rosensteel,  Jr.

USAF

A Smile a Day Keeps Worries Away

Just a little reminder to smile at LEAST three times a day. You’ll be glad you did. I know I can feel a difference in my spirit and attitude, and it’s all because I put a smile on my face today.

By the way, I hope you like this picture… I’m bad when it comes to smiling. I perform better behind the camera!!! 😉

How many times have YOU smiled today?