God's Plan

Tuesday, July 27^th, my grandson, Caleb, would have been four years old (he died of SIDS 12/24/2006).  Thursday, July 29^th marks the 3^rd anniversary of the accident that severely injured our granddaughter, Sarah, and paralyzed our grandson, Jason. 

Many Christians have suffered tragic events and have felt anguish that comes from deep down in the heart.   I know that I am not alone in my suffering.  But as Christians we have an amazing peace that comes over us when tragedy strikes.  It might take a little time but eventually the anguish that fills every waking moment is replaced with the peace of the Lord.  It is difficult to fully comprehend how comforting His peace is or how deep His love goes and almost impossible to explain.

When the Apostle Paul and Silas were thrown into prison they did not cry out to God for help.  They praised God and sang hymns.  They sang so loud that all of the other prisoners heard them (and the jailer was converted).  I did just the opposite.  I cried out to God, actually, I screamed at Him.  Why, why did you let this happen?  It’s not fair!!!!!!!!!!  I was in shock.  Was this really happening?  Yes, it really was and the only thing that saved me from losing my mind was the merciful love of God.  I realized that God was there the whole time.  It was His love and mercy that got me through the darkest hours of my life. 

As dark as my days were my son and daughter-in-laws had to be even darker.  It was their baby boy that died on Christmas Eve and their two young children that were hurt in that auto accident. They experienced two devastating events just six short months apart.  How much pain and despair they must have felt.  How did they survive such tragedy?  How has their marriage survived the last 3 ½ years?  The answer is their faith in a merciful God.  He would not leave them alone to face what seemed like the end of the world. He had to have a purpose for their pain.

Jason might be paralyzed from the neck down but he brings such joy into the lives of everyone who is fortunate enough to know him.  He is kind, funny, considerate and just totally amazing.  He lives in a world that is scary for most people but he has learned to live his life to the fullest.  He is happy and content and I know that God has great plans for this child.  The joy that Jason brings into our lives everyday surpasses all the anguish we once felt.  I know that my life will never be the same and I thank God for that! 

SCRIPTURE

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.          Acts 16:25

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."  Deuteronomy 31:8

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  Romans 5:3-5

Independence Day

Let us not forget the men and women who have laid down their lives for this great Nation.  I am a proud American and I love this Country.  I would proudly lay down my life to protect and defend our Constitution.  I don’t normally use this forum for political speech but I am making an exception.  Our rights are being stripped from us one by one.  Our Constitution is being changed as to give more power to the government which means less power for the people.  I for one do not want an earthly king to rule over me.  My King is Jesus and Him alone do I serve.

On January 20, the president enters office in a formal ceremony know as the inauguration. He takes the presidential oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

This president is not preserving, protecting or defending our Constitution.  Everything he does undermines our freedoms and way of life.  We are not a Socialist, Communist or Marxist Country.  We are a free Country with the right to live and worship as we chose.   We were founded by Christians and 76% of American’s consider themselves Christian and yet look at the state we are in.  It is up to 76% of America to get out and vote in all elections, local, state and federal in order to preserve our rights our freedoms and our liberties.  If we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with the light from above. 

From the mountains, to the prairies,
to the oceans, white with foam,
God Bless America,
My home sweet home. 

God Bless America,
My home sweet home
God Bless America 

From the mountains, to the praries,
to the oceans, white with foam,
God Bless America,
My home sweet home. 

God Bless America,
My home, sweet, home!