Lest We Forget

We were privileged today to watch the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa. They were very moving. Today some are trying to rewrite history. We must not let this happen and we must not we forget! Those who saw the atrocities of WWII had much to say. "If we fail to learn from history, we will be destroyed by history!"

Read what Kari has to say on the same theme.

My Pet Peeve

The other day while driving alone in the car, I heard people on the radio giving their pet peeves. Some were interesting, some funny, some ridiculous, etc. Then I read Ann's on her blog. If you want a good laugh, read what Ann has to say every now and then. Okay, for my pet peeve: the incorrect use of the apostrophe, which is very wide spread. I guess most people were absent on the day it was taught in grammar. Or maybe, as in our area, grammar was not really taught. When we put up a sign-up list asking for names of those attending some event, someone usually will write something like "White's." (We don't have any Whites in our church.) I always wonder the White's what? The apostrophe denotes possession. If Jack White is coming, it would be "Jack White." If Mr. and Mrs. White and their three children are coming and poor Mrs. White doesn't have time to write all their separate names, then the Whites (no apostrophe) will attend. If you are talking about the dog which belongs to the White family, it is the Whites' dog (plural, because there are several of them, then apostrophe). If it is only Jack White's dog, then it is apostrophe s. It seems pretty easy to me.

More importantly, I have a pet grief. It is when "Christians" take God's name in vain by using euphemisms. Look them up. (gee , gosh, darn, heck etc.)
It is a grief to hear the lovely Lord Jesus Christ's name taken in vain or used lightly by anyone, but especially by someone who professes to be His child. Recently an unsaved person used an off-colored word and then said, "Pardon my language." However a Christian said the same thing and saw no harm in it. Exodus 20: 7 reads, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Breaking one of the 10 commandments deserved the death penalty. Obviously they are very important to God.

Several years ago, a godly friend and I pointed out this very thing to another friend. She said, "It's a habit!" But II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Perhaps we can't break bad habits ourselves, but we can with the Holy Spirit's help when we acknowledge our sin and turn from it. And if God says it is sin, we cannot explain or argue it away.

My little pet peeve will never affect anyone for eternity. My pet grief may. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." II Corinthians 5:20 My desire is to be a worthy ambassador for Christ. In a standardless society, who will stand for right if not the Christians?

Remembering 9/11 with my brother

I am sorry that I am a day late, but then Gerry wrote this report on 9/12/01. We can remember where we were and why, but our location was not nearly as traumatic as Gerry's during that awful time for our beloved country. Things changed that day and, unfortunately things have changed even more in the last several months. However it is good to know that God is Good and is still in control. I read some things today which made me shudder. I am positive that God is working all things for His Glory and for our good. Even so come Lord Jesus! It can't be long until we hear the trumpet sound, but what about those we love...?

GONE TO GLORYLAND!

About 15 years ago we met some people who have become very important in our lives. They live in the country near The Farm. They are Country Folk. Real People. The Salt of the Earth. The Real Deal. Ed Ness was one of those people. He grew and harvested blueberries, was a dad and grandfather, neighbor and friend, a very giving person, a story teller and joker, all around friendly guy, but most of all Ed was a CHRISTIAN! About 5 years ago his wife, Jean, went to be with the Lord very suddenly. Ever since that time, Ed said he wanted to go to Gloryland! Last Wednesday he did just that! He had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. While he was there, he told everyone about His Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and he sang about the Lord way into the night.

Today we were privileged to go to the funeral service. What a wonderful service it was! We got to know Ed (called Ned by his family) better than we ever had. One thing Ed could not understand was how people could hear about salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ alone,
apart from any works that we can do, and reject that salvation. We heard the plain message of salvation today! We trust that hearts and lives will be touched and changed!

I know that most people do not like funerals. I love the funerals of born again Christians. They are so full of hope and rejoicing. Of course true Christians know we will meet again in heaven!

Here are some pics of the country that surrounded Ed and that he loved. We cannot begin to imagine what he is viewing now.

Mailboxes take a beating in New Brunswick!
Snowplows!

Farm road

The Star Spangled Banner

THIS is one of those things that made our country great! If 91% of viewers (who voted) responded favorably to this video, what about the 9%.? I am afraid that they are the ones who are dismantling all those things we hold dear and that others have fought and died for. And there are others who claim to love America, but are changing and destroying the freedoms which are so important to each American!

FREEDOM THOUGHTS REPEATED

These thoughts bear repeating often. They are much in our thoughts these days. May God continue to grant us the freedoms that we have always enjoyed. If He does not, may He grant us the grace to keep our lights bright!

This particular quote is especially thought provoking:

Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of free men. It is when a people forget God
that tyrants forge their chains.
Patrick Henry