Memorial Day, Monday, May 26

        What to remember?  Lots of sales at the mall?  Take the kids to see a parade downtown?  Watch some TV specials?  
        Here’s your homework.  Look up the info here, and scan other entries when you do a Search on the computer.  
        Remember. A special day to honor those who served us in the armed forces calls for our reexamination of our own understanding.  A special day for prayer for those who now serve and for the families of those who died in serving our country.  A day to thank God for where He has you “for such a time as this.” 

Aggravations Come to Help Us Grow

Aggravations come to help us grow.

“What do you mean?” you ask. “I want to know!”

Every disappointment can make us sad,

Or even confuse us, or make us mad.

But “It’s just another challenge today.”

This is what you and I can say. 

Your planning and doing ability

improve when you firmly decide to see.

A calm approach might help to show you how:

more thinking and concentrating can allow. 

Review the past, and be sure to look ahead,

Any bad attitude? Now it’s time to shed. 

People are watching to see how you do;

Determination and hard work bring you through. 

Life gives us troubles; will we succeed? 

This shows us that it’s faith in God we need.

Your life reflects what truths you choose to believe,

Will you acknowledge the Bible’s words you receive? 

To aggravations you might as well say, “Hello,

I’ll deal with you and it will help me grow!” 

Start now and acknowledge with honesty,

Own up your shortcomings that you see.

Your Maker has you here for a reason,

Open your heart to Him this new season.

                           + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2014

What Was YOUR Favorite That Mom Made?

        Those homemade sweet pickles came to mind immediately.  Don was delighted to recall his Ma making and canning her sweet pickles. Once he and his brother ate a whole quart jar of them.  
        What else did she make that was your favorite?  An interesting discussion followed.
        And, my mother.  Let’s see what was my favorite . . . 
        Well, for Grandma that would be her goulash.  For my mother I’d start with that big skillet-full of fried sliced potatoes.  And I really liked those yummy salmon patties.  Hmmm.
        How about you?  What memories do you have of your mother’s cooking, baking?  This could be a fun topic for your own Mother’s Day celebration tomorrow.

Before You Complain

Put your glasses on before you complain,

You want to see clearly what’s happening;

No, not those sunglasses. . . the Son Glasses,

You need the wisdom that Jesus will bring.

Maybe you’re too tired to concentrate,

Maybe you’ve got some burden on your heart;

Best you talk to the LORD honestly now,

That’s how a new miracle can start.

The Unexpected Light That Caught My Attention

A tiny flash of light!  Did I really see it as I walked by the vanity on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night? 

I came back, and from that angle, yes!  I saw a speck of bright light in the darkness.  It came from the side of my fanny pack purse.  Shocked, I picked up the purse and retreated back to the bathroom so I could turn on that light without awakening my husband.

The culprit was the very small flashlight I carried in the zippered side pocket.  When I removed it from the purse it lit up the entire bathroom.  

Aaaaaaack.  How long had it been on? I fumbled with the miniature trouble-maker’s switch and got it turned off.  

In the morning my husband tested the tiny battery and it had a high reading; it would be good for a long time. He was surprised, too. 

Sometimes in the dark we can’t see anything, but there are glow-in-the-dark objects, the barest of light coming through the curtains at the window, the faint bluish night light in the hallway.  Only once had I experienced total darkness, and that was during a guided tour of the Carlsbad Caverns, an experience of unforgettable, momentary shock.

What Happened That Week

        Today's the day.  The palm fronds decorate the front of the church to remind people of a special event.  Let's find out more. And, let's find out what happened the rest of that week.  It doesn't take a long time to read, and you do remember where your Bible is?

April 13:  Palm Sunday, Triumphal Entry:   Matthew 21:1-11  — Mark 11:1-11  

                          —   Luke 19: 28-44  — John 12:12-19

April 14 Sundown until sundown on April 15:  Passover

Initiated in Egypt: Exodus 12:3-28  

Observed at Sinai:  Numbers 9:14

Observed at the conquest: Joshua 5:10-12

Observed by Christ:  Matthew 26:18-20  —  Mark 14:12-17   —  Luke 22:1-16 

                                      — John 13:1-17 

(You do want to read the rest of the history, don't you?  It's important.)

Does It Matter to You?

        Does life present a challenge to the reasonable person? 

        Do you consider yourself a sensible person with logical thinking?  Do you ask pertinent questions and sort through the answers you find?  Are you careful in accepting information you receive?  Is truth important for things both small and large? 

        Sometimes what we’ve heard as we were growing up needs to be updated.  Many new facts have surfaced from scholars, scientists,  even your mom and dad who have now grown a little older than they used to be.

        Here’s a suggestion for you  It’s an experiment in putting two-and-two together. Won’t take much time.  

        Don’t just turn aside; you might be able to explore some ideas that are well worth the small effort. 

        All of the above was a verbal challenge to Chuck. He smiled and