october 31st, 2011

Never forgotten, Always cherished

Two years ago, a sweet angel had her life taken. I grew up with Abbey in the same neighborhood, and I remember Abbey, Dylan, Katie, and myself riding sleds when it snowed. The energy and outgoing presense she brought to anyone she was around was unbelievable. She was nice to anyone, regardless of whether she knew you or not.

Everyone loses a loved one throughout their lifetime. It's never easy, and I've been told it's just like losing a body part.... you can't get it back, but you learn to live without it. You will still miss it, and wonder what it would be like to have it back. It's never forgotten, and it's always cherished. It's hard to learn to deal with the coping and emptiness without that person. However, the memories are always to be cherished and remembered.

You never know when you can lose a loved one, so treat them right. Respect everyone surrounding you because you never know when their life could be taken. Life is a precious thing that can be destroyed in a matter of a couple of seconds, and then there is nothing you can do to take it back. Live each day with love and grace, never have regrets because it would change who you are today.

I hope to one day touch at least one person's life, or in any way have someone read these posts and inspire them. The loved ones that we have lost are now in the hands of the Lord in his loving gates. They are safe and loved in his protection. That is what reassures me that everything is alright. My grandfather died last year, and I have yet to heal the pain of the loss. He lived his life, and it was his time to pass. I cannot be selfish for wanting to keep him in this world in pain.

Occassionally, I will take a ride over to the cemetery and have some moments with the loved ones I have lost. I talk to them... and tell them I haven't forgotten them and that I love them dearly. I cherish every moment had I got to have with each one of them, and I never will forget them. You will always be loved and missed. But the good Lord has you now, so I know everything... is the way it's supposed to be.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

Amen.

october 23rd, 2011

I'm Gonna Love You Through It.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it sown way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

The divorce ratings are skyrocketing these days. It makes me sad, and it worries me that when it comes my time to get married I will not have a strong marriage like my mother and father have. I have heard of twenty year marriages go down the drain from adultery. The women that have the strength to get through that kind of tragedy... I admire you in so many ways for your strength and courage for picking your lives up and moving forward and setting a good example for your children. Those men/women that have committed adultery will answer to the Lord above for their wrong doings, and they will soon come to the realization that they have committed one of the Lord's Ten Commandments. 

Treat your spouse with the most utmost respect and love. I was lucky and blessed as a child to grow up with parents that love each other with all their hearts, but what I admire about them the most is they put the Lord before themselves. If you put your life in the Lord's hands and trust in him with your soul, mind, and strength... everything will fall into place in which the Lord intended it to be. 

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." -Ephesians 5:25, 31-33

There is a section in Colossians, that I have read a few times about Christian households:

"Wives submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." - Colossians 3:18-19

As you have noticed, it repeats the same message throughout the Bible. Women and men in a marriage are supposed to love one another, and not commit adultery, they are supposed to live for the Lord, and follow his ways together. You all make the vows on your wedding day, and you shall stick to the words you have spoken in front of the Lord's alter.

I have to put in a few inspirational words for the loving women/men that support women/men that are in the forces, you are a wonderful tribute to this world. Your strength is outstanding, and all I can possibly tell you to help with the pain... is to pray, pray, oh... and pray. Have faith and hope that the Lord will bring him/her home safe. I want to thank all of the brave men and women for your courage for keeping us safe. You never get thanked enough. God bless you all.

When my day comes to be the bride... I will make sure I know who that man is. As my mother has always told me... "When you find a man that loves the Lord more than anything... you've found him. How can he love you if he doesn't love the Lord?" I have that on replay in my head on a daily basis. My precious day will come in my near future, but in the time being... I will live my life for the Lord and treat my loved ones with the most respect and love I can possibly give them. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

Amen.