Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance for those who died in the service of our country. Being a national holiday, it has no religious foundation. As a day of national significance, I think that it is fitting that each of us take time to consider the blessings that we have received through the sacrifice of our fellow Americans. Without sounding too sarcastic, the first thing that comes to the minds of many Americans, is that we get a 3-day holiday. After that, it is the very life that we live. Also, the lives of non-Americans that have been improved.

In terms of sacrifice, think about your life. Whatever station you are in life, whatever you possess, whoever you love, whatever you do, what would it take for you to risk losing it all. If you are married, what would it take for you to risk your spouse’s future, or your children’s loss. Even though they didn’t plan to die, these heroes laid their lives and their families future, on the line for you and me.

Even though we cannot repay them, we should honor them. From a national point of view, we should do everything possible to make America a nation that holds to the value of sacrifice. When I was younger, all that I was concerned with was myself. As I have gotten older, I realize how important it is to leave things better than when I found them.

As a Christian, I need to embrace the truth that no one can have a greater love than to lay his life down for his friends. If I were to spend my life securing the safety of my friends, I believe that I would be honoring those who literally spent their lives for us.

Jesus said that we are to love one another as He has loved us. In a way, isn’t that what we honor today? Isn’t it to honor those who loved country and duty more than life?

I thank God for the men and women who have died for America. My heart breaks for those they left behind. I pray that I can honor them by being a better American and Christian.

Love, Pastor Don

God Sent You To Me

God sent him/her to me, you are a Godsend, God knew that I needed you. Have you ever heard someone say that? Maybe you have said it before. Think about it for a minute. What did you mean when you said that. If you are like me, you probably meant that your life is easier because God sent this person into your life, right? At the Marriage retreat it occurred to me that if God sent Deb to me to make my life easier, He may have sent me to make her life harder. I know that this is a weird thought. Some of you are saying to yourself, “Me and mine are a perfect balance. We bless each other.” If you are that perfect couple, which I doubt, you can skip the rest of my thoughts.

Only Deb and I know how much she has had to sacrifice for my sake. Did God send me to her? Did He know things about her that she needed to experience through me, in order to glorify Him. My heart surgery could have been for her spiritual benefit. Most of you already know that I believe in living in community, mainly because we can learn things about ourselves that need to change, in order to glorify God. Think about the people around you that get on your last nerve. Is there a problem with them or you? Think about the people that you are usually rude, short tempered or intolerant with. God may have given them to you. Is it possible that we can be so self-seeking that we cannot conceive that those around us are there to draw us closer to God whether we like it or not? Whether we like them or not? If that is so, many of us are not glorifying God in our lives. Many of us are missing the point altogether.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance
must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.

I love the book of James. God sent it to me. Sometimes, it gets on my last nerve.

Love – Pastor Don

Daycare Playground Destroyed

Our playground was destroyed yesterday, due to a high speed police chase. The police admitted that it was their fault, but we they may not have to pay for the repair. Of course, the guy that stole the car is in jail and has no money.

The police were using this car as a bait car. When the man stole the car, the police were suppose to hit a kill switch that would not allow the car to move. Something went wrong and the guy drove off. The end result was his crash through our fence and into the playground equipment. Rick Mester posted pictures on his site at www.rickmester.com/daycare/daycare.html

Praise God, no children were outside at the time. However, we may have to pay $1,000 deductable if the city refuses to fix the playground. Please pray that the city steps up and does the responsible thing. Also pray for us if we need to come up with the money.

God Bless,
Pastor Don

Things I am Thankful for - 1 yr after my surgery

On May 19, 2006, I had my heart valve replaced. As the 1-year anniversary is approaching, I am going to be posting things that I am thankful for. I will keep udating this post as more things come to my mind.
Love - Pastor Don

Since my surgery:

I took at trip by van, to New York City, with Deb and most of my children.

I took a trip to Japan and visited all of our churches.

I have dentures.

I have performed weddings for Mark and Aubree Scheer, Jim and Angel Bowling, Bob and Sharon Stahlheber.

My aunt Iris became a Christian

I went to a wonderful marriage retreat with 7 other couples.

Mankind as a sensitive being

Disappointment, sadness, grief, joy, happiness, anger, irritability, desire to win, desire to gain, desire to possess; this is part of the range of human emotions and desires. When our plans fail to materialize, when our labors seem to be in vain, when friends fail us, when we are the recipients of unkind remarks, ëbarbsí, we can hurt to the extent of permanent injury.

Sorrow

When death robs us of our parents, brothers, sisters and dear friends, we know the real meaning of sorrow.

Joy

We feel joy over the birth of a newcomer. We also feel joy over accomplishments from cradle to the grave.

Affection

I once worked for a rich family who lived in an elite suburb of LA, a bit removed from the noise of the city. They lived in an elegant home. I was a home help. The lady of the house had two school age children, twins. One was perfect, but a bit spastic and requiring special care. Then the lady had Stevie, a third child. She had her hands full driving her older children back and forth from school, and caring for a slightly handicapped child. I had a big responsibility caring for Stevie 5 or 6 days a week, daytime only, working as mother's helper. When Stevie started to talk, instead of calling for mama, he would call for me. When I drove taking his sister to nursery school, he helped me drive by hugging my neck. In the eve, when my work was finished, he cried. I could not leave him crying, so I would put him into his car seat, and we would go for a drive, with him hugging my neck.

The young mother used some kind of stimulant, which she left on a window - sill in the kitchen. She never suspected that Stevie would climb onto a chair and reach it. All night long he ran about in the house till he was exhausted and fell down. Then he got up and went again. By the time I arrived the mother was in tears. She told me what had happened and left for the day. They had taken him to a doctor and had his stomach pumped, but it was in his system. I took him out in the fresh air. He pushed his wagon and tricycle around until he fell, crying. I picked him up, dried his tears, and prayed for him. At last, I turned on his electric train and as he watched it whizzing along the tracks, he became drowsy and put his head on my shoulder. When I was sure he was asleep, I carefully laid him in his crib. I stayed by his crib, just in case he case he opened his eyes. I wanted him to know I cared. It was a mutual attachment. It was not easy to leave Stevie and come to Japan. An occasional letter kept me in touch with my Stevie. Human affections do not last forever.

We are eternal. The soul never dies. After we cease to breathe the soul, being the breath of God, goes back to God, who gave it, to be judged by Him. We take nothing when we leave this world. We can actually lose everything even before death during a storm, typhoon, hurricane or flood. Typhoon #21 has just passed through this area. We now hear stories of loss. Someone invested in a new car, has hardly had a chance to drive it, and the car has been washed away, or filled with mud. Overflowing rivers have ruined new homes. Hurricanes have left Florida in a devastated state. Could we call this The year of Disaster?

Sympathy

This truly is a gracious quality. Although my car was not washed away, and my house wasn't filled with mud, I feel sorry for those who are suffering through this recent disaster. It has been said that we can never know how an Indian feels until we walk a mile in his moccasins. We may not be able to feel in depth how another feels, but the Bible instructs us to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. This is empathy.

Harsh, cutting words should be in neither your vocabulary nor mine.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. There is quite a bit of difference between a cheerful, Good morning. And a gruff, Good morning. We should always remember that what we send into the lives of others comes back to our own lives.