Remembering Memorial Day
My husband, John, and I have an odd date we love to plan–it’s one of our favorites. We change into our yard-work clothes, old and raggy, load up our beat up 1989 Ford F150 with cuttings, branches, and other green waste, and head to the county dump.
Jackson joins us. What dog would turn down the chance to ride through the dump with the windows open and a multitude of smells rapidly bombarding his hypersensitive nose.
After unloading our truck and sweeping out the back, we travel home, stopping at McDonald’s on the way. John and I split a $1.00 diet coke and a dollar menu chicken biscuit. Jackson gets a plain cheeseburger. He doesn’t like pickles or mustard.
The date is fun, productive, and cheap. Our marriage has lasted 30 years on cheap dates and bonding through yard-work and chores.
Memorial Day weekend in 2009, we stopped at the traffic light by the local Post Office we always passed on the way to the dump. The American flag hung high, gently swayed by the warm breeze.
“John, pull over!” I yelled and gestured, pointing at the parking lot in front of the Post Office. A car had pulled in and its driver’s door was open. Next to the front of it was the dark figure of a body laying face down in the gravel.
We jumped out just as police arrived. A neighbor already called 911. The man, a regular customer at the Post Office and war veteran, had taken his own life, shooting himself in the head. He died instantly. Word was that he had been very depressed and without friends and family for support, decided he couldn’t go on.
I will never forget what I saw that day. His body, clad in worn out jeans and a blue denim shirt, lay below the American flag now at half mast in honor of Americans who lost their life due to war. As if he wanted to say, “Remember me this Memorial Day.”
Remembering Memorial Day has faded into a holiday weekend of partying, summer’s initiation, and massive throngs of people traveling in the name of rest and recreation.
Each year, an average of 500 people will die on Memorial Day Weekend due to traffic accidents. I wonder how many die due to suicides. Memorial Day was meant to remember those lost honorably as they died for our freedom and safety in the United States.
Each Memorial Day, at exactly 3:00 PM local time, a moment of silence is observed throughout the country. This Monday, take the time to do this and close your eyes, remember it’s Memorial Day, pray for those lost and those left behind to suffer, and thank God in heaven we live freely.
For me, Memorial Day will never be the same. The figure lying in the parking lot on the gravel that day remains in my mind as a vivid reminder of the hurt and loss war brings. He was a stranger to me, but an angel to God.
Remember.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:2-3)
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
Reflector Rejected
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1 NIV1984)
“Pulling shopping carts from the parking lot is the most boring, low life job I could get. There’s just nothing else to apply for. With school and homework, this is all I have time for. At least I’m outside. Bill’s stuck inside stocking shelves.” Jeff grumbled loudly.
Hey, there’s Bill. “What are you doing out here, man? Did ya get fired!?”
“Don’t be funny, Jeff. Manager sent me out here to help you. They’re all out of carts inside and the after dinner rush is starting.”
“I know. It’s the highlight of the evening. Shop Super Shop & Mart for the big sales.” Jeff walked off.
It’s getting cold. Hey, my jacket’s in the car. Bill won’t miss me for a sec. I’ll get it and come right back. Besides, he’s a moving target with that reflective vest. What a kiss-up he is. I won’t get caught wearing that lame looking orange thing.
“Hey Jeff, where were you? And where’s your safety vest? The way people are driving around here, you’re likely to get run over without it. Besides, it’s policy to wear it after sundown.”
“Oh chill out Bill. I don’t need to glow in the dark and besides that vest won’t fit over my jacket. I’m tired of freezin’ out here. If you keep glowing the way you are these crazy driver’s will think you’re worth seventy points.”
“Seventy points? What’s that mean?”
“You know, like target practice, Bill.”
“Man, this guy is thick. Follows all the rules but doesn’t use his head. Rules are made for breaking. Sometimes you have to take the survival route. I’ve seen people do that with speeding, lying, and cheating on their taxes. It’s just the way of the world.”
“Jeff! Watch it! There’s a car pulling out behind you!” The surreal thud made Bill run to help Jeff.
“Oh man, he hit me, Bill. I think my leg is broke. Call an ambulance.”
“Hang loose, Jeff, I’ll get help.”
Later, in the ER, Jeff apologized to Bill. “You know, Bill, lying here in the emergency room makes me feel pretty stupid. I should have listened to you. All this anti-establishment stuff went out long ago and as a Christian, I should know better. Rules are not there to be challenged and if I had taken this one rule seriously, I could have avoided this.”
“Don’t sweat it Jeff, just wear your reflector next time.”
Bill was too nice. I didn’t think my manager would be. But he gave me an opportunity to keep my job after I healed up as long as I promised to follow the safety rules while in the parking lot. “The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Good thing God doesn’t take any of my advice. He’d be awfully busy looking after fools like me!
Life Application: Do you think the Ten Commandments were given by God to command you? Think again. They are there to protect you. It’s your choice!
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
The God Who Bears Our Burdens
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19 NIV1984)
A skit was performed at my grandmother’s church on Good Friday that deeply impacted me.
After the pastor’s message, two well known ladies In the church seated themselves next to the pulpit, at a small table with coffee mugs in their hands, and packs on their backs.
Their talk went something like this:
“Oh, I was so hoping that my husband and I would be able to go up to Canada for our vacation this year, but with the economy the way it is, I just don’t think it’s possible.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Yeah, and I really need it this year. Everything is just so stressful.”
“Yeah, I mean, look at the world, it’s so unbelievably messed up! There’s so much wrong with our world!”
As the ladies continued their conversation, a large rock was being added to the packs on their backs every time they worried about the stuff in their lives. When they tried to stand up, they couldn’t because they were being weighed down.
Toss Your Burdens Aside
They had to do something, so they prayed. Lo and behold, as they prayed, their burdens were removed and they once more felt alive, light and refreshed.
As I watched, I felt like a bullet had just hit me between the eyes. I had what could be described as an epiphany. I felt like I finally got it.
God doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy or painless, however, they will be easier and less painful if we allow him to take our burdens.
And when we do so, we will feel lighter and be better equipped to follow Him, unburdened by the unnecessary things of this world.
SHANNON MEIERS
Shannon Meiers is a 16 year old home-schooled sophomore in high-school. Shes an aspiring writer, and is currently working with the special needs ministries at her church. Shannon, or Shan as her friends know her, is constantly learning… (read more…)
“Shh…I’ve Got A Secret!”
“Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21 NASB)
Before I could get settled at my desk, Jessica was pulling on my arm and demanding my full attention with the shout of her whisper.
“Shh…you’re never gonna believe what I just overheard Wanda telling Joanna, but you’ve got to promise to keep this a secret,” Jessica said as if she were the protector of a priceless jewel.
The knot in my stomach told me to walk away from the situation, but I didn’t. Instead I couldn’t stop myself from saying seven words I’d later regret.
“I promise,” I said “I won’t tell another soul.”
Secrets can be lots of fun when used for the right purpose; like birthday surprises and playing Santa at Christmas, or they can be destructive and hurtful. I chose to participate in something that would eventually tear down someone’s character even though neither Jessica or I intended harm. Words have the power to hurt, cause pain, disappoint, embarrass, and to destroy when born in dark secret places.
You know–the gossip-girl affect.
The incident between me and my friends almost destroyed our friendship. God put some distance between us so that He could teach me a few things. It was hard being away from them, but I knew I needed to be obedient if I want to be like Him.
Lessons I learned about secrets, gossip, and friendships:
- Follow my gut instincts—that’s the Holy Spirit
- Walk away when someone says they have a secret to share (code word for gossip)
- Create an atmosphere in my life where dark secrets and gossip can’t exist-Pray, read my Bible regularly and surround myself with friends who are doing the same thing
Remember God holds me accountable for everything I say and hear
CRYSTAL Y. HATHCOCK
Crystal Y. Hathcock and her husband Tony, live in Liberty, South Carolina and have been married for thirty-two years. They have two puppies, Hankie and Calvin. Crystal is a freelance writer; a student with the Christian Writer’s Guild and writes religious articles for the area’s local newspaper. She enjoys cooking for family and friends, couponing, jewelry making and singing. (read more…)
Forgiveness
“You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. (Psalm 69:5 NIV1984)
One of the amazing things about God is that He sees all the mistakes we make, yet still forgives us and loves us unconditionally. Lately, I’ve been making a lot of mistakes. Actually, it has been the same mistake over and over. Even though I beat myself up over this, God erases it.
That’s what makes salvati
on so amazing!
Sometimes just asking forgiveness doesn’t feel like enough, but through God’s grace, it is as long we’re sincere:
If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say. Would he oppose me with great power? No, he would not press charges against me. There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge. (Job 23:3-7 NIV1984)
ESTHER LOPRESTO
I am first and foremost a Scribe of the King. It is my desire to serve God through the written word. I have been creating stories since age three. I would tell them to entertain my family, but didn’t start writing them down until age eight or nine.
Since then, the need to write has been insatiable. At age nineteen, I had my first book, Where’s My Other Sock?, published by Tate Publishing. Then, I graduated from community college with a degree; not in anything writing related, but in accounting. Currently, I’m hunting for a bookkeeping job and working on several books or story ideas. In my stories, I challenge the reader’s imagination with adventures into the fantasy realm. Some stories lean towards mystery/suspense or general fiction, and I try to write for all ages. I find my inspiration from JRR Tolkien’s works and from the Randomness of everyday life.
SDG. (read more…)
With You Always
“…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NIV )
Another sob racked my nine-year-old body but a puddle of tears had soaked my pillow, muffling my cry. It was another three day weekend away from my mom and the comfort of my home. I was visiting my dad’s house like I did every weekend, but this weekend was especially hard because it was the monthly long weekend; a day longer than all the other weeks. This morning I woke to the familiar heartache of being homesick and lonely, feelings that plagued me almost every time I came to stay in a place so different from my real home.
In that despairing moment, I had forgotten what Jesus said. The Bible, His letter to us, says that He is with me to the end of the age. That means every second of the day He is inside me comforting me, urging me, and reminding me of the truth. He is a constant companion to my heart. He never leaves me just because I forgot what He said and He never grows tired of helping me through my darkest moments. He is forever with me.
There are still lots of times that I feel alone. But I remember that I have a constant friend who will stick by me no matter what. Other friends will come and go at different times in my life, but God never changes His affection for me. When I start to get that empty feeling in the pit of my stomach from being homesick or lonely, I remind myself that I am not alone. I don’t have to feel lonely or homesick because God himself is my best friend and He is always with me!
Maybe you feel alone in a big world or maybe you’ve been deserted by someone you were depending on. Remember Jesus is your constant friend. Develop a deep friendship with the only One who will never make you feel lonely.
AIMEE LYNCH
Aimee Lynch is a homeschooled high-school student in Gaithersburg MD. She has a heart for children whose parents are divorced because she grew up in a single-parent home after her own parents divorced when she was five. Her blog, allfilledup.wordpress.com, is a place where she seeks to encourage other kids in difficult situations. In what little free time she has, she enjoys gardening, reading, getting involved in various youth projects, taking walks on the beach, and writing articles. (read more…)
The Death of A Car – Not the Driver
DO NOT TEXT and DRIVE.
Do NOT Talk on your Cell Phone and DRIVE
DO NOT glance at your phone to look for new messages or updates.
DO NOT DO anything that will distract you from driving.
Our pizza delivery guy, a teenage driver, was distracted the other night AND going 40-45 mph in our neighborhood. I always see him speeding through like a speed demon. Our street is only 25 mph for a reason. He got distracted–probably by his phone, and hit a parked car in front of my house. Never had time to even brake. He pushed the parked car on the sidewalk and flipped his car landing upside down. If he hadn’t had his seat belt on he would have been killed. DO NOT get distracted when you are driving. I don’t care who is in the car with you and making fun of you–just drive safe. If you don’t get killed or seriously injured or don’t injure or kill someone else, you still have the aftermath of an accident. The emotions, fear, anger, trouble, blame, and cost.
The Wreck in Front of Our House
Ever in an accident? That sound the other night was freakish. I was in my living room when it happened. Don’t let this happen. Be safe.
This is the car being righted up. Sick sounds when they aren’t on TV.
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
Iron Chains
The world turns. Planets, moons, and stars rush by me as I stay fixed to this one place.
Those who would know me, those who would be my ally, those who would call me by name, lose their chance as they only give me a fleeting glance.
I call to them, but they do not answer.
I block their path, and I am run over.
I grab them, force them to face me, but, like dust, they are ripped from my fingers.
I pull on my bonds wanting so badly to be free, but I cannot.
I do not have the power to pick this rock up and carry it away.
So I stay.
I must not move, for this causes my muscles to scream in agony.
I must not speak, for my throat is like sandpaper and my tongue like hot metal.
I must not weep, for the tears that run down my face are like acid and burn my skin.
I am ruined, lost deep within my own being.
Will I never escape?
Will I never be out of this dark place?
And, the world continues to revolve, without care of me or my misery.
Until one man comes.
He looks at me, wipes the blood and tears from my face, and smiles.
“All you have to do is ask,” he says. And in the moment it takes me to breathe, he has broken the shackles that bind my hands and the iron chains wrapped around my feet and beckons to me.
Eagerly, I run forth, so glad to be free, so glad to be leaving this place.
But then something stops me.
I turn to look at the one place that I have known all my life; the rock, the shackles, the claustrophobic darkness, and realize that I do not want to go.
I want to stay in this dark world, for I cannot think of how to move on.
Perhaps I can carry them with me?
Yes, I will follow this man, but keep my things.
But what will he say? He will not approve of my belongings, of this I am certain, so he must not see.
I hide my rock and chains behind my back and turn to follow this man.
“Lay down your burdens,” he tells me.
“I have no burdens,” I reply earnestly, hoping to fool him.
“Lay down your burdens, child. Where you go, they cannot.”
Again I tell the man, “I have no burdens. I am free to travel with you.”
The man comes to my face and lays one hand on my shoulder.
“Lay down your burdens.” And it is then that I understand my folly.
How could I have used deceit to trick this man?
Quickly, almost as if disgusted with my actions, I throw down my bonds and fell to my knees.
“Please, forgive me. I did not know. I am…I am…” I stutter, unable to find the words that get lost in my throat. But it doesn’t not matter.
He lifts me to my feet.
“All you had to do was ask.”
And then the man takes one hand and touches my wrists and my ankles.
Shackles that were all but invisible to me before were released.
The man takes the shackles and transfers them to his own wrists and ankles.
“I will take your burdens.”
With an exhilarating rush I am lifted and suddenly everything is filled with penetrating light.
My surroundings, my body, my very being is filled with the undying good of Jesus Christ.
“Go, my child, and share with the world the things that you have discovered.”
And so I go.
Those who would I would know, I know.
Those who would be my ally, are my ally.
Those who I would call by name, I call by name, and those who receive nothing but a fleeting glance, receive the truth.
The truth that Jesus Christ can save you too.
BLAKE MOON
Son to a farmer, 16 year old Blake lives in rural New Mexico with his parents, two sisters and a brother where they raise cattle, wheat and 4H livestock. He can drive a combine, pull a plow and milk a goat! Blake is a veracious reader: Done with homework? Read a book. Free class time? Read a book. Road trip? Read a book! When he’s not reading, Blake is a very active leader in his school and community where he is President of his 4H club, a member of FFA, BPA, FCA, Student Council, FCCLA (in which he competed at a national level) and, his favorite–journalism. (read more…)
real devo: character
I know you’ve been there (I definitely have!) – sitting at a desk with only a few pieces of paper and a pencil when your mind goes blank. Everything you ever learned flies right out the window while A, B, C, and D glare at you, daring you to choose the wrong one.
Just one look.. a quick glance right or left could help you think, maybe point you toward the answer you already know but just can’t remember right now.
What could it hurt? …Read the rest of this article at Real Teen Faith!
By RTF Assistant Editor Halee Matthews
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PLACES TO GO
TODAY’S VERSE
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Captain LaFoote
If you drowned and the sea spit you out, thrusting you back into an age of pirates, buried treasure and beauty beyond belief…would you stay?
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