I've heard the old saying that "life is not a bed of roses" for as long as I can remember. I understand what it's trying to convey, but I've also thought that it would not really be all that great to lie down on a bed of sharp thorns. Nevertheless, it's safe to say our journey will have its ups and downs and, unfortunately, most of us will experience our share of hard times.
I am sure that many of you can remember when life was not so demanding and filled with anxiety, or at least it seemed that way.
Children are a wonderful blessing! How exciting it is to hold a little baby and imagine the person they will become along with all the great things they will experience and accomplish.
We know that people pray for all types of things, and many times I wonder if God takes every request seriously or if he considers some of them unreasonable.
I love to write (and talk), and all who know me will agree that I am not a man of few words. As a windy minister, it only seems logical that I would be involved in the world of communication.
I'm sure that many of you remember the man who portrayed the friendly neighbor in a popular children's program he created, making him known all over the world as "Mr. Rogers." Who can forget the childlike song that asked the question, "Won't you be my neighbor?" With the macho crowd, he was labeled a sissy and downright creepy, but to children, he was always a nice, polite and comforting role model.
I read a book years ago by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale called, "The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking," and I recommend it as an inspiration and encouragement to your spiritual life. He explains that our mind is filled with all types of thoughts and persuasions, but everyone is held accountable to manage them. We have the ability to resist and ignore the negative influences that hinder our life and also to embrace the suggestions that are positive and encouraging.
Memorial means to "remember," and every year on the last Monday in May, we honor those who sacrificed their lives in the line of active military service. On Memorial Day we stop and pay our respect to the ones who were willing to stand in the gap between freedom and tyranny.
We spent some time at Kentucky's Cumberland Falls State Park this past week. It's always refreshing to get away every now and then and behold the breathtaking beauty of nature. The Earth is his masterpiece, and with all of the magnificent places on the planet, we appreciate the privilege to enjoy his wonderful creation. The trees and flowers are now blooming, and we were fortunate to catch a glimpse of many types of birds, a family of deer, squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons and chipmunks along the trails. The roaring falls is always a spectacular sight and reminds us of God's amazing power and majesty.
For those who are interested in the life after this one, there is no doubt some curiosity about where we are going and how to get there.
