Thoughts Along the Journey

Some of you may remember my post from Memorial Day , in which I mentioned Luke Emch. Luke was a native of our area, who lost his life in Iraq. My sons and I were privileged to hold a flag in his honor as the funeral procession carried his body to the cemetery. I was recently contacted by a woman who puts together condolence books for the families of our fallen heroes. Below is my account of the day we held the flag, as well as the e-mail post from this kind woman--who is also the mom/mother-in-law of military personnel. I have posted this with her permission. I feel humbled and quite honored! ________________________ March 12, 2007 The funeral for Navy Hospitalman Luke Emch, of Tallmadge (Ohio) was held this morning at 10 a.m. He was 21, and was killed in Iraq on March 2nd. The funeral procession was to go past our town, on its way to the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, though a specific time was not given in the paper. The boys and I walked to the overpass a little before 1 p....

This will most likely be my last post before Thanksgiving. Things are a bit hectic around here, as I'm sure they are in your corner of the world. (Except my Canadian friends, who celebrated Thanksgiving last month!) Things I am thankful for: --my wonderful husband of 18 years...the man of my dreams...and even more incredible, the man of my real life! I am such a fortunate woman! --my two growing boys. Yes, there are days of frustration, but there are more times of laughter and joy. They bless me in so many ways. --our families (parents, siblings, in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and, of course, our great nephew!) We are surrounded by so much love, even though miles separate us. --our church home. I am amazed at how at home I feel there after such a short time. I thank God for bringing us there, and the new friendships and relationships we are building. --my wonderful friends from all over this country, and in other countries. Whether I know them face-to-face, or on...

I thought this really summarized the essence of my previous post. Have a great weekend! ~Joni "Beauty when unadorned is adorned the most." -- St. Jerome .

The following essay was written by my cousin's 14 year old daughter. I am posting this on both my blogs, simply because some of you read one blog; others, the other blog...and this is too good for anyone to miss. (The author's name has been withheld by request.) * * * * * Letter About Beauty I hate it when the girls show off their bodies. They show off all of their legs, as in, if their shorts went any shorter they’d be wearing underwear. I guess they think they’d be accepted if they wear basically nothing. It bothers me that their shirts are like bras; it shows all of their stomach and a lot of their chest. What’s with this? It drives me insane! Why can’t they be modest for once? Why do their parents even let them wear this stuff anyway? Why do they even make those clothes in the first place? Who came up with that? Why does everyone strive to be “beautiful”? Why do we all want to be skinny? Yeah, everyone does think about being beautif...

The Bible is clear that there will be a day of judgment. It will be the day when our deeds will come under the microscope, and judged for what they truly are: gold...or straw (see I Corinthians 3:5-17). "...Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is." v. 13). We will be held accountable for our actions. God will "test by fire" how we built our own lives, and how we are helping build others' lives. (See also Romans 2:1-16) Yet while this is true, I see another aspect of judgment in the Bible. It is an ongoing, daily "judgment". It is what David wrote about in Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." (vs. 23-24) If we are truly continuing on the journey with Christ, we need to have Him examine u...

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (I Corinthians 9:24-27) Recently, there was a big story in the world of track and field. A runner admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. She gave news conferences, and spoke words of remorse amidst shedding of tears. She later returned her Olympic medals. She will forever be seen as the "really good runner who cheated to win". A very sad story, to be sure. However, in the Christian journey, or "race," if you will, there is no way to win if we "cheat". We must follow the rules set up by the Sponsor of the race. To do any less is to be d...

"Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in Him, 'If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.' " John 8:31, 32 Yesterday, I saw my husband reading his "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture" and asked what he was studying. He said this passage was one that had puzzled him for some time. He was wondering what the Early Church writers had to say about it. After I read some of it, I said, "I feel a blog post coming on!" :o) He kindly loaned me his book. And here comes the post! "Beloved, our condition needs much endurance, and endurance is best produced when doctrines are deeply rooted. For just as there is no wind that is able to tear up an oak tree by its assaults because it sends down its root deep into the earth, so too the soul that is nailed by the fear of God--not just rooted but nailed--will not be able to be overturned...Our Lord wanted to test the ...

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me. ~ Saint Patrick More information on All Saints' Day .