Friday, July 27, 2007

Reflections



We visited the Vietnam memorial on our visit to Washington D.C. It is simple in structure and design, but absolutely a beautiful tribute to those that gave their lives for freedom. It is black, yet you can see your reflection from any angle when looking at the names. It isn't an accident in the design, but intentional that we should see ourselves when we see those that gave their lives. We are the reason that those soldiers went to war, our country and its citizens meant that much to them. Seeing the reflection of ourselves should remind us that we are bought with a price, just as Christ gave himself for us. We are the reflection that was worth giving his life for.

1 Corinthians 6:20

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Home at Last


We are finally home from our vacation. We drove 16 straight hours to get home. We didn't want to stop, just wanted our own beds to sleep in. We went camping over the last 4 days and stayed in a cabin without a kitchen or bathroom. It is nice to be able to use the bathroom in the middle of the night without finding shoes, flashlight and the way to get there. This experience reminded me how nice it will be to finally get home in heaven. I get tired living here sometimes, I long for the day that I can be with God in his house of comfort and peace. It is amazing how homesick you can be for a place that you have never been. We keep going, pushing forward, enjoying our time on this earth and when God sees fit, we get to join Him and finally be home.

Hebrews 13:15

"For this world is not our permanent home;
we are looking forward to a home yet to come."

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Leave your Mark


We are currently on vacation in West Virginia. Camping with the boys, we have visited a civil war National Park nearby and have enjoyed jumping into history for the moment. Harpers Ferry has a downtown area with the original buildings and a railroad bridge. In our adventure we hiked underneath the bridge and enjoyed a cool break in the heat. As I sat there, I noticed one of the columns that supported the bridge. It is covered in graffiti, scratched into the cement; some people scratched the message, declaring their love for someone or others just leaving their name and date they were there. Everyone wanted to leave their mark. We all have that desire, to leave our mark for others to come behind. Observing history, those who spoke loudest with either their voices or actions, are remembered. Those who silently and quietly went through life are forgotten. What kind of mark will you leave for others to find?

Proverbs 20:5-7
"The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out.

Many a man claims to have unfailing love,
but a faithful man who can find?

The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him."