Over the weekend I attended a funeral for a friend. He was a member of the Air National Guard and it was a military funeral at the Fernley Veterans Cemetery in Fernley Nevada.
As I stood in the cold paying my last respects to a great man and a wonderful friend I realized that there are probably many people who don't realize there are words to the song Taps. The haunting melody has words that are just as haunting and meaningful.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lake
From the hill
From the sky
All is well
Safely rest
God is nigh
As I stood there listening to Taps and singing these words, it dawned on me just how appropriate they were for a funeral (and lets be honest, probably why they were chosen in the first place). Its more a message to the fallen than to those who are left. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.
God is near. You've earned your rest.
May the Lord bless and keep each of you and may you remember that He is near.
Rest with God Bruce, we'll see you soon.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Clear liquids or Fasting
After being in the hospital and getting really tired of watching paint dry I had a delightful visit from the hospital pastor this afternoon. A bright and cheerie fellow who I'm sure sees plenty of pain and suffering but still manages to bring the light of God's love to people every day. I'll be honest, he just did it for me. Since I've been sick I haven't been eating. I can't keep anything down for more than a half hour. Even water didn't stay down until yesterday when they started an IV and gave me something for the pain and vomiting. Now I'll admit I was looking forward to losing some weight in 2012 but this was NOT how I planned to do it!
So how does this relate you ask? Simple. It's the beginning of January. The beginning of a new year. A new place to start, to refocus and kick start. One of the things that Christians have done to focus on God and be open to Him is to fast. I personally have NEVER had success fasting. Probably because I like food too much (sorry God), but also because it means you have to Stop.
Fasting is about focus, trust and communication. It's about stopping to listen and to hear. We spend a lot of time talking to God (or I do). We talk about our cares and worries. We lift up to Him our struggles and pray for Him to make it all better. But what are we doing for Him? When was the last time we stopped and listened? Turned off the TV, the phone, Fasebook, (amber's blog), all of the distractions of every day life and listened with our whole heart and mind to our Heavenly Father?
In my crazy everyday life I run 180 miles an hour and to be honest, I like it that way! I enjoy running a business, meeting new challenges and making rabbits appear as if by magic. I've always enjoyed having 3 active children and being involved in their everyday lives. Even now when they are grown and have lives of their own, I am an active participant and have no plans to change that. I am involved in non-profits and give of my time and talents to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. I enjoy Daughters of the Nile which supports that great philanthropy and the Order of the Eastern Star. I read, a lot! I follow blogs. I write blogs. I'm working on a college degree in marketing. I support my Husband in his work with the Air National Guard as a Key Volunteer. The point here is that my life is full! It's full of abundance and friends and love.
But even when your life is full to overflowing with blessings who's running the show? I often think of the old Abbott and Costello bit, Who's on first, What's on second and I Don't Know's on third. Am I in charge? Gez I really hope not! I hope in my heart of hearts that I have turned over the reins to someone a whole lot smarter than I am! And maybe, just maybe now is my turn to slow down, turn down the volume and listen.
So how does this relate you ask? Simple. It's the beginning of January. The beginning of a new year. A new place to start, to refocus and kick start. One of the things that Christians have done to focus on God and be open to Him is to fast. I personally have NEVER had success fasting. Probably because I like food too much (sorry God), but also because it means you have to Stop.
Fasting is about focus, trust and communication. It's about stopping to listen and to hear. We spend a lot of time talking to God (or I do). We talk about our cares and worries. We lift up to Him our struggles and pray for Him to make it all better. But what are we doing for Him? When was the last time we stopped and listened? Turned off the TV, the phone, Fasebook, (amber's blog), all of the distractions of every day life and listened with our whole heart and mind to our Heavenly Father?
In my crazy everyday life I run 180 miles an hour and to be honest, I like it that way! I enjoy running a business, meeting new challenges and making rabbits appear as if by magic. I've always enjoyed having 3 active children and being involved in their everyday lives. Even now when they are grown and have lives of their own, I am an active participant and have no plans to change that. I am involved in non-profits and give of my time and talents to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. I enjoy Daughters of the Nile which supports that great philanthropy and the Order of the Eastern Star. I read, a lot! I follow blogs. I write blogs. I'm working on a college degree in marketing. I support my Husband in his work with the Air National Guard as a Key Volunteer. The point here is that my life is full! It's full of abundance and friends and love.
But even when your life is full to overflowing with blessings who's running the show? I often think of the old Abbott and Costello bit, Who's on first, What's on second and I Don't Know's on third. Am I in charge? Gez I really hope not! I hope in my heart of hearts that I have turned over the reins to someone a whole lot smarter than I am! And maybe, just maybe now is my turn to slow down, turn down the volume and listen.
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