DAY IS DONE

Here is something Every American should know.
Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out
and it's true:
We in the United States have all heard the
haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives
us the lump in our throats and usually tears in
our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song?
If not, I think you will be interested to find out
about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the
Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert
Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing
in Virginia . The Confederate Army was
on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans
of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.
Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate
soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and
bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the
Captain reached the stricken soldier and began
pulling him toward his encampment..
When the Captain finally reached his own lines,
he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier,
but the soldier was dead.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught
his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim
light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his
own son. The boy had been studying music in
the South when the war broke out.. Without
telling his father, the boy enlisted in the
Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father
asked permission of his superiors to give his
son a full military burial, despite his enemy
status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge
for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier
was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say
they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the
bugler to play a series of musical notes he
had found on a piece of paper in the pocket
of the dead youth's uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps'
used at military funerals was born.
The words are:

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky.
All is well..
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright.
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise.
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars.
Neath the sky
As we go..
This we know.
God is nigh

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps'
but I have never seen all the words to the song until
now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse .
I also never knew the story behind the song and I
didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it
along.
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than
I did before.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

BEING ADOPTED

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were
discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture
had a different hair color than the other members... One of her
students suggested that he was adopted.
A little girl said, 'I know all about
Adoption, I was adopted..'

'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked
another child.

'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew
in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'

GOD BLESS MOMMY'S HEART!

TEACH THE TRUTH

(from God's Daley Promise)

Scripture:

Make them pure and holy by teaching
them your words of truth.
John 17:17 NLT

Reflection:

Truth is unchanging

"Hey, Mom, guess what we learned
in school today?" Victor took off his
raincoat and dropped it on the floor
inside the back door.

"Did you know that people used to
think the world was flat?" Victor said.

"Did they?" Mom said, dropping her
mouth in an expression of shock.
"If it's not flat, what shape is it?"

"It's round," Victor said. "You know
that."

"You're right," Mom admitted. They
sat down in a chair next to a freestanding
globe in the corner of the front room. "But
all those years people thought the world
was flat, was it flat or was it round?"

Victor thought for a moment before
answering firmly, "Round."

Mom nodded, "That's right, Victor. You
see what people thought didn't change
what was true, did it? Let me ask you one
more question, Victor. Some people say
the Word of God isn't true. What do you
think about that?"

Victor pondered his mom's question for
a long minute before answering. "What
they think doesn't matter, does it,
Mommy?" Victor answered.
"You're right, Victor," Mom said.
"BECAUSE TRUTH DOESN'T CHANGE"

Adapted from The One Year® Book of
Josh MacDowell's Family Devotions by
Bob Hostetler, Tyndale House Publishers
(1997), p 122.

FROM ALL OVER

Scripture:

29 People will come from east and west
and north and south, and will take their
places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:29 (Today's New International Version)

Reflection:

Now wait a minute, this can't be right.

You all take a break for a minute, I'll be right
back, I've got to check my Bible about this
verse because this Just Can't Be Right!

Well I'm back and sure enough I copied
this verse correctly. I guess I might be
taking my place in heaven next to a Muslim.
Now wouldn't that be the ultimate joke on me.
I might be in heaven with a Muslim. And here
all this time I was told to hate them because
they hate me and want to see me dead. If this
is not the case, "What am I going to do?"

Well this is what I have decided to do about
Muslims.

I am going to educate myself about Muslims
and their faith. That won't be hard I have the
Internet.

I'm going to "respect" and "engage" my Muslim
neighbors.

I'm going to seek to have a relationship with
Muslims and talk with them about their faith.

I'm going to be honest with my Muslim
neighbors and learn to trust them.

My ultimate goal is to share my life and faith
with my Muslim brothers and sisters as they
share with me. The outcome, of all this, is
to love one another. I can't do this if I hate
and fear them. WOULD JESUS WANT
ANYTHING LESS?

I THINK NOT!

Quote:

"I still believe that people are really good at
heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a
foundation consisting of confusion, misery
and death....If I look up to the heavens, I
think it will all come right, that this cruelty
too will end, and that peace and tranquility
will return again."
Anne Frank Diarist, Holocaust Victim
(1929-1945)

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.
Saint Francis of Assisi

DEAD LETTER OFFICE

PLEASE, READ

THIS BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES!!


We don't know who replied, but there is a
beautiful soul working in the dead letter
office of the US postal service.

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.
The day after she passed away my 4-year-old
daughter Meredith was crying and talking
about how much she missed Abbey. She
asked if we could write a letter to God so
that when Abbey got to heaven, God would
recognize her. I told her that I thought we
could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She
died yesterday and is with you in heaven.
I miss her very much. I am happy that you
let me have her as my dog even though she
got sick.I hope you will play with her. She
likes to swim and play with balls. I am
sending a picture of her so when you see
her you will know that she is my dog. I
really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a
picture of Abbey and Meredith and
addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our
return address on it. Then Meredith pasted
several stamps on the front of the envelope
because she said it would take lots of stamps
to get the letter all the way to heaven. That
afternoon she dropped it into the letter box
at the post office. A few days later, she
asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I
told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped
in gold paper on our front porch addressed,
'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith
opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers
called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside
front cover was the letter we had written to
God in its opened envelope. On the opposite
page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith
and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the
picture was a big help and I recognized her
right away.Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her
spirit is here with me just like it stays in
your heart. Abbey loved being your dog.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven,
I don't have any pockets to keep your picture
in so I am sending it back to you in this little
book for you to keep and have something to
remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank
your mother for helping you write it and
sending it to me. What a wonderful mother
you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember
that I love you very much. By the way, I'm
easy to find. I AM WHEREVER THERE IS
LOVE.

Love, God

WHEN YOU PRAY

Do you experienced God's presence when
you pray?

Scripture:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!… I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Philippians 4:4,12 NLT

Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.
Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind. Melt them like wax in fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let hem be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence.
Psalm 68:1-4 NLT

Reflection:

Often times many of us approach prayer with
a great deal of reluctance. We often feel
that we are to busy to talk with God. It is
almost like we are fitting God into our
busy schedule. Many people approach
God when they are in need, and then it
seems like a one way conversation.

I really love and admire King David's attitude
of joy when he approached God in prayer.
David knew what a privilege it was to
talk to Almighty God. David was actually
astonished by the power of God, and he
was filled with joy, Why? because he was
allowed to enter in the presence of God.

How do you approach prayer? Do you ever
consider it a privilege to be talking with
almighty God. Do you ever feel that
inward joy of talking with God. You
know what? I not only feel it a privilege
to be talking with God and to feel real
joy in my spirit, I AM JUST SO
THANKFUL THAT HE CARES ABOUT
ME AND HE IS THERE FOR ME!

Prayer:

Almighty God I am so honored to
enter into Your presence and Lord I
thank You for listening to me.
Amen