I will never forget that Friday afternoon, July 11, 1997. When my wife came to the church, where I was the minister, I could tell by the look on her face that something terrible had happened. She told me the tragic news; my mom was in a car accident, and that she had died. On Thursday mom was healthy, happy and loving life; then, she was gone. I miss her every day.
Shortly after her death, I put together a memorial video that caputred some of the moments of mom’s life. I used this song, My Heart Will Go On, by Celine Dion, as the sound track. I always remember mom when I hear this song. For the rest of my life, this will be our song.
I have so many fond memories of mom. I remember as a pre-schooler sitting on her lap as she would sing “Silent Night” to me. Christmas was always special, because she made it special. It wasn’t until I got older did I really realize how much she sacrificed to make Christmas so wonderful.
In the summer, when the neighborhood kids would go to the pond and gig some bullfrogs, mom would cook them for us and we had a feast. When I would shoot a squirrel, rabbit or pheasant, mom would have a special recipe that made the game delicious.
Mom loved her children and she loved Jesus. Even through the tough times, her faith never wavered. That same faith is now in all of her children.
Never take your mom for granted. Thank God for her every day. Honor you mother this Sunday and always.
This is awesome! Take 5 minutes and worship God through this video today!
Mudpuppy should call his buddy, the Jesus Painter, and see what it would take for him to join Shaun for this event on June 8. Let’s pray about that and see what happens!
As of this post, the news is reporting over 10,000 dead from a cyclone in one major city alone. At least 3,000 more are missing. Let’s join in prayer for this devasted country. What else can we do to help these people?
Take 5 minutes and explore. There is something there for everyone! Great articles, a pastor’s library of research materials, chat rooms, daily devotionals, daily bible reading program, etc.
This is an amazing true story that happend to Tony Campolo. It shows how God will use each of us, if we will just listen and obey.
Pastor Campolo was asked to speak at a small Christian college. Before the chapel service several of the faculty members took him aside to pray with him. The prayer time was quite lengthy; one of the faculty members prayed at length for a man named Charlie Stoltzfus who was about to abandon his wife and three children.
He asked the Lord to send an angel to bring Charlie back to his family. He prayed very specifically, even reminding the Lord of where Charlie lived.
He prayed “Don’t let that family be destroyed! You know who I’m talking about, Lord … Charlie Stoltzfus. He lives down the road about a mile on the right-hand side in a silver house trailer!”
Campolo thought to himself, God knows where he lives … He was a bit annoyed with the man’s prayer. He got in his car to head home.
He was getting on the Pennsylvania turnpike when he saw a young man hitchhiking on the side of the road. Campolo stopped to pick him up and introduced himself.
He said, “Hi, my name is Tony Campolo. What’s your name?”
The young man said, “My name is Charlie Stoltzfus.”
Campolo didn’t say a word. He drove down the turnpike, got off at the next exit, turned around, and headed back.
The passenger looked at him and said, “Hey, mister! Where are you taking me?!”
“I’m taking you HOME!” replied Campolo. “Why?” Charlie asked.
“Because you just left your wife and three children! Right?” Campolo replied.
The man leaned against the passenger door in shocked disbelief as the car pulled right into his driveway and stopped in front of his trailer.“How did you know I lived here?” Charlie asked.
Campolo told him, “God told me!”
Pastor Campolo was able to counsel with Charlie and his wife. He led them to put their faith in Christ and to be reconciled in their marriage.Charlie Stoltzfus went on to become a preacher in California.
I have finally found a Triathlon that is held on a day other than Sunday!
The Flag City USA Multisport Celebration in Findlay, Ohio is not only on a Saturday, June 14th, but it is also a faith based event! Here is the complete info: http://www.hfpracing.com/eventinfo.php?eventid=52
To all those who took the challenge to do a Sprint Triathlon in 2008 it’s time to step up! This looks like a fast and easy course, an excellent facility and the perfect time of the year (not too hot or cool).
Hotel Preston has come up with an innovative and cutting edge, ecumenical idea. They are offering patrons a “spiritual menu” to order what their inner soul appetite is craving. “I’d like a dish of the Quran, with a side order of Christian Science please.”
For a business that serves a variety of different cultures and religions, this is probably not a bad idea. I see nothing wrong with such a service accommodating the needs of its guests.
This article intriqued me, though, as I applied this concept to the world view of so many in our current generation. In their quest for “open-minds” they lack any sense of conviction or commitment. The lines of right and wrong become blurred. We have come full circle to the feel good philosophy of “I’m o.k. your o.k.” thinking.
The truth is this, though, some things are not o.k. Some ideas, as well as some people, are not o.k.; they are not right, they are in fact wrong. Doesn’t that last statement sound dogmatic? Doesn’t it sound harsh in today’s world? Yet, it is true. Such people who speak this way are labeled extremeist.
Values are being compromised. Truth is becoming relavant. Convictions are few. This time worn statement could never be truer than today; “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
I’m convinced and convicted that God is the only one who can speak truth. I believe He communicated that truth through His Son, Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. For life, liberty and complete fulfillment of life, we must submit to His Word, to His Will, as found in the Bible. We should, without hesitation, value those things that God values.
