FAITH IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Food for thought: This is a good example of an answer to one of the most common reasons people give for ignoring God and His goodness. Thank you, Bill, for sharing this with me, its a sweet analogy.  

A man went into the barber shop to have his hair and beard cut as usual. He started a conversation with the barber who was attended him. They talked about many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched upon the subject of God. 

The barber said, "Look man, I don't believe that God exists." 

Quickly the client replied, "Why do you say that?”

"Well, it's easy, all you have to do is go out into the streets to realize that God does not exist. If God existed, there wouldn't be so many sick people or any abandoned children! If God really existed, there wouldn't be suffering or pain in the world. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things to happen." 

The client stopped for a moment and pondered over what had been said, but he didn't respond, for fear of causing contention. The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Right in front of the barber shop he saw a man in the street with long hair and a beard (it was obvious that it had been a long time since he’d had his hair cut and he looked very unkept). 

Quickly, the client turned around and reentered the barber shop. He said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers do not exist!" 

"How can you say they don't exist?" asked the barber. "I am here and I am a barber!" 

"No!" the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there wouldn't be any people with long hair or beards, like that man walking in the street." 

The barber fired back. "Ah, barbers do exist! What happens is people choose not to come to me." 

"Exactly!" affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, but what happens is people choose not to go to Him or even look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

"There is a great purpose for each one of our lives, for we have been sent here to "learn." This earthly experience is for the purpose of developing our characters, our talents, and to perfect our lives. Its up to us how we choose to spend our time, but it's vitally important that our lives are driven with the purpose of creating goodness. Each moment we spend, brings us closer to returning to our heavenly home, in which we will account for our time spent on earth." Linda Sumner Urza, Onefineday11.blogspot.com 

"I DO?"

Marriage is the combining of two imperfect souls integrating into one with the purpose of having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. A happy marriage is one of the most important relationships two people can achieve, but it will not develop by chance or accident, it demands exerted effort and dedication. Marriage is the corner stone that bonds the family together and it requirers nourishment: physically, mentally and spiritually.  How we use our time and keep our lives in balance is fundamental to how we will perform in marriage and family environment. 

Mortal misunderstandings can make a great marriage miserable.  Leaning how to solve problems responsibly can eliminate disfunction and build strength. Success comes only through earnest efforts; similar to the harmony when orchestra members work together to form a beautiful melody.  Stability is developed when each partner minimizes personal demands and strives to maximize actions of loving selflessness.  I have watched many marriages fall apart because of selfishness or, "It's all about Me" syndrome. When two people come together in marriage or elect to bring children into this world, it's no longer about one individual.  It is about providing a healthy and safe environment for each family member.

Every marriage has trials and adversity.  Adversity creates humility. It allows us the opportunity to bend the ridged metal and to be molded into an amazing work of art.  Learn to adjust, do not allow the little things to become big things, always speak words of increase, demonstrate gratitude in thoughtful ways, forgive and forget (don't talk about the past - it's dead energy), constantly search for the goodness in your partner and work to create an atmosphere where the relationship can grow.  

It's important to live a life free from regrets, for it will never matter how much money you made, what kind of house you lived in or the car you drove. The rewards will come from creating a beautiful and magnificent outcome.  Remember, it's not about marrying the right person, it's about becoming the right partner!  When all else seems hopeless, apply love generously.  By Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day. 

1 Corinthians 13: ... love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things; hopes all things, endures all things.

STANDING TALL FOR A FALLEN SOLDIER

I love those individuals who are not afraid to stand firm in the face of adversity and those who leave a mark that cannot easily be forgotten. Doing the right thing doesn't take courage, it takes integrity. When I learned of this story and the hundreds of people who came forward to shield the family of a fallen soldier, I choked on my own tears.  

Lt. Col Roy Tisdale, a Texas A&M alum, passed away on June 28th after being shot during a training exercise at Fort Bragg. The A&M community began to grieve the loss of a beloved member of their Aggie family, but soon news reached the community that the Westboro Baptist Church’s was intending to picket the funeral of the decorated soldier. Several Aggies organized a silent human “Maroon Wall” to surround College Station’s Central Baptist Church to preserve the sanctity of the funeral for the fallen commanding officer and his family. Over 600 Aggies arrived in the blistering heat of the Texas summer, to link arm-in-arm, in a heartening display of loyalty and compassion.

In the end, no Westboro members were spotted at the funeral or the burial site. They possibly decided to forgo their protest after hearing about the valiant efforts to protect the family. The 600 warriors that surrounded their comrade on that day, with a fortress of honor, left a legacy of love that will never die. Lt. Col Roy Tisdale was allowed to be laid to rest in the peace that he so deserved.  By Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.

JULY 4, 1776

Would you like to know what happened to the men who signed the Declaration of Independence? The 56 men who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for your freedom. 

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. They were British subjects who fought against their our own government to establish a country with principles based upon freedom and liberty for all. 

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.  Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. 

What kind of men were they?  Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and plantation owners. These men were of means and well educated, and  they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to constantly move his family. He served in the Congress without pay and his family was kept in hiding. Eventually, his possessions were taken from him and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. His home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife and she died a few months later.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were burned to waste. For more than a year, he lived in the forest and cave. When he returned home, he found his wife dead and his children vanished.  A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.  Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

These men were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians, they were soft-spoken educated men of means. They had financial security, but valued “liberty” more than their own well being.  With an unwavering faith and commitment, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

They created a free and independent country, a priceless gift for every man, woman and child.  Many take these liberties for granted, while other are oblivious to the sacrifices made to build and preserve a great nation. 

On the 4th of July, please take a few moments in gratitude for the patriots who set the foundation for this country, and to the soldiers who strive endlessly to preserve it.  Your freedom has been paid by brave individuals who give it all for something they believe in more than life itself! By Linda Sumner Urza, One find day.