Saturday, April 11, 2009

Sweet Reflections

During a morning walk with my beautiful wife today, I saw a father playing catch with his son. In the near distance was a Tee Ball game being played by some very young ball players. All this said, I began some have some SWEET REFLECTIONS!

I reflected on the long walks in the town of Rhododendron when all three of the kids were young. I reflected on the bright moonlight walks on the snow covered roads pulling the kids on the sleds.

I remember the Tee Ball games with TShack as he would play center field and for the first time when a ball made it out there, he watched the ball roll by him not more than three feet away. Asking him later, "Why didn't you get the ball?" TShack answer, "Daddy, it didn't come to me!" Sweet Reflections and Memories!

I also, as we walked reflected on the the long walk that my Savior took to the most cruelest death known to man. He willing did that walk for you and me because of His eternal and perfect love. When I reflect on that massive sacrifice that Jesus Christ the Son of God made, I am humbled to realize that Jesus would have had Sweet Reflections about the relationship between Himself as the Son of God with His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit before coming to earth! What a fellowship! With that reflection in His mind, Jesus went to His death so that we might have the same relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for eternity.

Finally, the Sweet Reflection that we celebrate every year at this time known as Easter. We see in scripture what was recorded three days after the death of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit breathed life into the Sacrificed Lamb of God and with full authority and power, Jesus Christ rose from the grave! This is the victory over sin and death. This is significant because this was the only way that the Father could extend to us the means to have fellowship with Him. What a blessing!!

Rejoice in this eternal plan and the accept the Free Gift of the Savior as we have Sweet Reflections of His love for you and I.

As for the father and son playing catch, I reminded the father to enjoy these moments as his son will grow up to fast. With that said, I am extremely proud of my son and for who he is in Jesus, our family and our military. Thank you son for the Sweet Reflections of life.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Small Request Big Answer!

Often times as I pray, I forget that God cares about the small details in my life and not just the big details. Several months ago, we found out that Tyler, our son, would be leaving for Iraq for his first deployment. We then learned the dates of the deployment, April 3, 2009.

Now that date may not seem real significant, but, that is the day before he and his wife celebrate their birthdays. Yes, they have the same birthday. Well, not only that, their anniversary is on the 6th. No way to forget those days! As Julie and I prayed, we asked that the date of his deployment be changed. We wanted Tyler and Bri Joy to celebrate their birthday and anniversary together since last year, they missed out on being together on their birthday and first year wedding anniversary due to Tyler being at Basic Training. It wasn't looking good that the date would change.

Well, little did we know that on Saturday the 4th, the Charlie Company 2/162 would have a family BBQ and they released the soldiers to attend it and then go home for the rest of the day...for their birthday he was home. Then, he reported Sunday the 5th at 7am til 7pm...looking like he will be home even tonight, their anniversary.

So, the deployment has started but, the Lord who really cares about the SMALL things, worked it out that he would be here...just as if he was at his old job.

Thank you Lord for the SMALL blessing and the BIG answers that you provide. The Lord is in control of everything. I am thankful for that!!

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary Kids...we love you and proud of you both!

What SMALL REQUEST are you asking for? The Lord hears and answers!!!