A little more Heaven in 2011... A noteworthy aim for each of us.  May we make time instead of finding time for Christ in our lives.  May we push a little farther, reach a little higher, believe a little deeper, and may each change we make move us forward.  May we focus on the blessings and stir up the many gifts that Heaven bestows and use them for building the kingdom and lifting those around us.  May they want to know Him because they know us... May we stand brightly for Him in 2011.
 
NEWS: "Rise Up Lazarus" was selected Gospel/Inspirational Finalist for the USA Songwriting Competition, the world's leading international songwriting competition.  Grateful and a meaningful way to ring in the new year.  Winners and Finalists were from such places as: Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Phillipines, Scotland, Denmark, and the USA. 

On this 4th of July, I reflect on the expression "For ye are bought with a price... and ye are not your own." (1 Corinthians 6: 20, 19)
 
May we live in remembrance daily of the sacred cost of the liberties we enjoy, not only by our founding fathers, but by He who authored all liberty, even Jesus Christ...
 
Whose life and sacrifice binds up the brokenhearted, gives beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, and proclaims liberty to captives; with power to raise up the former desolations, even the desolations of many generations, to clothe with the garments of salvation and cover with the robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:1-4, 10)
 
May we be mindful of the accountability that is ours to use our freedom well, for freedom isn't free...
 
Wishing you and yours a meaningful 4th...

For me, every day is Memorial Day - to live each day so as to honor those who have gone before, be it each soldier of true freedom, our forebears, Christ himself as well as posterity that is yet to be.  I’ve always appreciated the adage, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”  The freedoms we have aren’t free and as Christ poignantly expressed, “ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20).  That alone should rally each of us to stretch and strive to make our lives everything God would have us be to show gratitude for the breath we have been given and gratitude for the lives that have been offered for that gift and accountability.  That each of us may commit every day to hold the title of liberty well and live in memory of our God, our religion, our freedom, our families and our peace.  The good fight…that’s what it’s all about.

According to Dionysius Exiguus, attributed inventor of the Christian calendar, the very first Easter of record occurred today, March 25th, back in 0031 A.D. 
 
It has been said that the depth of our belief in the Resurrection and the Atonement of the Savior will determine the measure of courage and purpose with which we meet life’s challenges.  I firmly believe that.
 
Just as no tomb could hold Christ, no adversity, no loss, no betrayal, no tempation, no tragedy need defeat us.  With Christ, we too can go from tomb to triumph.  “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”  John 11:25
 
As we make the Resurrection sure anchor in our lives every day, we will be able to rise above the challenges of this life for a glorious place with him always.
 
May we choose to live in remembrance of his and our Resurrection day.