Easy to Forget The Price Paid for Our Freedom

This video clip is a powerful reminder as to the cost of our freedom. Honor our war dead today (and everyday) by using your freedom to overcome your own selfishness to give yourself to something greater than yourself. Christ said the most important things we can do on any day is to love God and love others. (Matt. 22:34-40) I can't think of a better use for our freedom. Have a meaningful Memorial Day and remember those families who lost loved ones in service to our country.

We're Better In Groups

Saw this ad which illustrates how it's better to be "attached" to a group. How true!

I have heard some people say, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." Well, maybe that "can" be true, but I don't think it's possible to be an "obedient" Christian while intentionally being disconnected from any community of faith. Speaking to the importance of finding your part in the body of Christ, Paul writes, "20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (I Cor. 12:20-27)

An excellent movie for kids (and adults willing to be encouraged by something animated) that illustrates this point is Disney's Dinosaur.

If you're looking for a great clip to show kids (or youth) about the need for community, here is one from the movie. This is near the end of the movie which basically contrasts two ways of life. The hero, Aladar, was raised by a bunch of lemurs who have taught him compassion and the importance of community, whereas the herd's leader lives by a strict "survival of the fittest" model. Oddly enough, it is his philosophy of individual strength over concern for others that is his eventually undoing.

Here's the clip:


So don't go it alone! It's just plain dumb...uh, and dangerous!

Rob and Kristin's Wedding Slideshow

I have a lot to learn about putting together slideshows with my new MacBook, but it's a start. Buck Ridge Plantation was a great place to have a wedding. The weather looked pretty threatening at first, and an outdoor ceremony seemed to be fading as a possibility, but the weather gave this very "in love" couple a gift...no deluge (or even a sprinkle)..and then, during the reception, a rainbow!

As a friend of mine said, "It looked like a happy wedding." I was there...and it was! Congratulations Rob and Kristin! Enjoy the rest of your life and thanks for letting me be a part of tying the knot! The original is much clearer. Had to reduce quality to get it to upload in a reasonable time. Click for the video! Links to photo albums follow:

Main album:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1683269851597.2079077.1533128561&l=a0dd80dd7e

Buck Ridge Plantation - A Great Place for a Wedding:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1680414020203.2078914.1533128561&l=3b918c5cf0

Family Portraits:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1683300572365.2079079.1533128561&l=5df6c61147

Cakes and details: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1683325332984.2079080.1533128561&l=d3cd6a7979