Memorial Day

Memorial Day

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

- C W Johnson

Shipwrecked!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]

If you've been following my story, you know that I have been through quite a bit in my 25 years. From being diagnosed with cancer three times, diabetes, dialysis, and other health problems, it's hard to know what is in store for us. My best advice is to stay strong and trust in God.

There is a story told of a shipwreck survivor who washed up on a deserted island. After he had been there a few days, he built himself a hut and prayed to God for rescue. Each day he anxiously looked out over the horizon as he waited for God's deliverance in the form of a passing ship. One day, after returning from a hunt for food, he discovered that his hut was consumed in flames. He was devastated and believed it to be the worst thing that could have happened to him on the island; everything he had was gone. The next day however, a ship arrived and the captain said,"We saw your smoke signal!"

Sometimes, when it seems our whole world is crumbling, it is difficult to believe that God is at work on our behalf. But just when we think all is lost, God unfolds his plan and teaches us that he had it under control the whole time.

Friends, God's ways are not our ways, his thoughts are unlike our thoughts; his plans are so much bigger than we could ever imagine or dream. Let Him work in His unique way and watch as His beautiful plan is revealed in your life.

Keep praying, but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers!
-William Culbertson

It may sound weird but I look at all my sicknesses and illnesses as a blessing. Without them I would never know how much God, family, and friends love and care about me. I don’t think I would respect life the way I do now because of everything I have been through. All the problems I have endured have made me the person I am, and it helps me realize how blessed I really am! God has truly help develop my character through it all, for it is written,

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." [Job 23:10 KJV]

May the Lord shine his face upon you!

The Way of the Master

"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44)



I know there are some days that I feel beat done and worn out from all that I have been through. Sometimes the Lord calls upon me to do things, that pushes me to do things that will make me feel uncomfortable, such as sharing my personal life with you. Than I remember if I can touch someone's heart by giving them hope and motivation to keep fighting than I feel that I have accomplished my goal!

This Bible passage helps me put my mind, heart, and soul in the right place. Who am I to feel tired and discouraged, where it's a miracle that I am still on this earth. You always have to look at the bright side of life, don't focus on the negative things they will devour you if you let them. Be thankful for what you do have! Who am I to question what God wants me to do?

When Jesus was praying this prayer to his Father, I can imagine that he was feeling very beat down and discouraged. He was actually sweating blood from all the pain he was going through! This was all before the excruciating pain he was going to recieve from the Romans to cleanse the sins of this world for all. To say that this made Jesus feel uncomfortable is an understatement! He went through more pain than most people could bare to think about!

It is good to know that our Lord Jesus, the redeemer of the world understands how we may feel about certain hardships that we may be dealing with in our lives. He will always help us and comfort us if we are willing to ask for it. Remember, he will never give us more than we can handle!

A Loving Prayer and The Reason Why

I prayed over this work. I asked God to bless those who read this! I asked the Holy Spirit to help those who haven’t yet found or felt his presence to fill this person with that power. I asked Jesus to open their eyes so that they can also realize the truth. That there is a God! We are his children. We are here for a purpose. Our purpose is to try our best to become like his Son Christ Jesus. We should worship him through love and by being faithful to his commandments. Jesus’ two commandments are God’s Ten Commandments rolled up in to two commmands. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:30-31] We must first realize that, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” [Romans 3:23] And through God’s grace we are worthy of eternal life if we Confess that we are sorry for our sins and believe that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is our Lord and Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” [Romans 10:9]Without Jesus’ sacrificed life we would have no chance to enter heaven. What did Jesus say when they hung him up on the cross? He said, I love you this much! With his arms stretched far and wide! Amen!



This Hebrew Amen is derived from the root [aman] which means to be firm or solid in the sense of permanency. Thus by implication, it means to be sure, true or faithful.
[http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/faq/amen.html]

I am writing this for the people who have to go through some tough times and difficult choices. I am writing this to give those people hope, strength, courage, and the will to keep on fighting. I am writing this for the parents or any loved ones that are there with you fighting along the way. I know that this might not be the life you have hoped or wished for but this is the life you have been given. Life is a precious thing, don’t let it slip away. I know that sometimes it just hurts so much and you just feel like not doing anything. You may get frustrated because it just seems like you are not getting any stronger or any better. Don’t give up! Try to find something that is worth fighting for, if it’s not for yourself, do it for your family and loved ones! Remember, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you just might be the world!”(Taylor Hansen)

I admit this is one of the main reasons I won’t give up. I saw how much my family and friends loved me and just couldn’t imagine the pain they would go through if I wasn’t around anymore. Stay strong, keep on fighting!

Do a little each day. You have to keep eating and do as much exercise as you can handle but don’t be afraid to push yourself to do one more. Even though you may be tired afterwards you will feel proud of yourself for doing a little extra. Do something you enjoy, from reading your favorite book or being with friends and family.

Have you ever heard that saying that “love conquers all”? This is, what helped me conquer so much. It gave me the strength and courage to overcome so much of the adversaries in my life. The love I received from God, my family, and friends, helped me beat the illnesses that were trying to kill me. John put it best, “God is Love”!