Memorial Day

It is so sad and very unfortunate that we have reduced Memorial Day to just a time to have another three-day weekend. One person said, "Memorial Day is a day to BBQ, picnic, and take the boat out on the lake." We have neglected to teach our children about patriotism, honor, sacrifice, and the high price of freedom. The freedoms that we enjoy did not come without a price.  Men and women of courage died for this moment.

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From the website, "How to Observe Memorial Day":

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be -- a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given their lives for ours.


Here are some ways to honor and observe Memorial Day:

• by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
• by visiting memorials.
• by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
• by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
• by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. 

May 

we find ourselves quiet, humble, and grateful as we reflect on the millions of lives lost so we could picnic,  BBQ, and play on the lake. Oh, that we could be forever in debt to all who loved America so we could see Old Faithful fly and hear freedom ring.

WE SAY "THANK YOU" TO THE MEN AND WOMEN, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN WHO MADE AN INVESTMENT BY THE SACRIFICES OF THEIR OR THEIR LOVED ONES' LIVES. WE SHALL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL.

Humbly loving you,

Bishop Gabe

DON'T FEAR THE FLAT-LINE

Life is most fascinating when we understand its purpose. Life is nothing that we create or attain; it is truly a gift from God. God gives us life and we mostly determine its quality and often its quantity.When life comes to us as a gift, it is full of God's power. The potential life has within its borders hope, peace, fullness, future, and success. When we realize that life is from a loving and generous God, we then desire to live life to its fullest. Life should be enjoyed, not endured.

In this present life (the natural) we have ups and downs, mountains and valleys, triumphs and tragedies. Unfortunately, we compare one day to another and we determine whether this is a good day or bad day. If the truth be known, we cannot say what a good day or a bad day is until we have evaluated all the days. Let me propose to you, my reader, something to consider. I want you to imagine an EKG monitor. As it is recording your heart's activity, you will notice the peaks and the valleys. We call that a representation of life. As long as we can see high points and low points, we feel we are fine. Once that machine shows a long flat line, we call that death.  But is it really death or is it the passage way to a new destination?

Now when we understand real life (the spiritual), the flat line represents consistency. Life around us still happens. Life is full of deaths and births, marriage and divorce, buying a new home and being foreclosed, luxurious cruises and broken down cars. But those that have flat-lined in Christ are consistent in their faith. When their faith is challenged, they trust in God. When seemingly nothing goes right, they trust in God. When there is an abundance, they praise God for His goodness. When there is an apparent lack, they praise God for His goodness. David the Psalmist writes, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we trust in the name of the Lord." It is when we flat-line in Christ, that life becomes peaceful. A dead man does not fear tomorrow. A dead man is not offended as to what people do or say. The flat-liner says, as Apostle Paul has said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," and "The life which I NOW live..., I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." The dead man is no longer shaken, but has become the shaker.

Jesus warned us that in this life we shall have hard times and tribulations. Yet He said to be of good cheer because He had overcome and so, we too shall overcome. My friend, life happens. Let life do its thing and allow God to do His.  We also must learn to do God's thing! May we not allow the circumstances to dictate our path and our journey through this life. This life is merely a temporary detour to our eternal home!

Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


Photo from:  © Nicemonkey | Stock Free Images &Dreamstime Stock Photos

YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE

You are truly an incredible piece of work. You are marvelous and have been fashioned by the hands of a loving Creator. You have been preordained for greatness. Everything that has happened in your life serves a purpose. True purpose is beyond human understanding and comprehension. Man spend fruitless hours making plans and attempting to figure out tomorrow. Humans are not to make plans, but we are to fulfill purpose. God has the plan. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans that He has for us. All of His plans will give you hope and will give you a prosperous future. These plans will be unfolded as we get closer and closer to Him. I want to encourage you that the mess you think you have made is not beyond repair. Satan would love for you to believe his lie that you are a failure and you are worthless. But you are not a failure; you are a miracle in the making. Success is yours by divine nature and divine birthright.

Let's take a look at failure and success.

Failure and success are opposite sides of the same coin, yet the value has not changed. 

What am I saying? Failure does not mean you messed up or did not succeed. It reveals to you things you did not know before. There is value in every failure.  Every successful person has failed time after time. Here are some quotes by successful and famous people:

 “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”          – Michael Jordan

"The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."  – Roger Bannister 

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."     – Vince Lombardi 

"Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." – Babe Ruth

SEVEN REASONS WHY WE FAIL
AND SEVEN REASONS WHY WE SUCCEED

Failure

1.     Focusing on the failures of the past.

2.     Not really fearing failure, but success.

3.     Fearing rejection or feeling inadequate.

4.     The pain of disappointment overrides the joy of success.

5.     Failure is easier to achieve -- not much work, lower
      expectations.

     6.  Not being confident that there will be a favorable outcome.

     7.   Accepting failure before the attempt.

Success

    1.      Focusing on past successes. 

    2.     Success comes with a powerful sense of expectation.

    3.     Looking forward to the sense of accomplishment and the joy
          of approval.

    4.     Recognizing who are designed to be.  

    5.     Understanding that this present success is the next step to
          greater successes.

    6.     Success is the only option.

    7.     Looking forward to modeling success to others.

YOU CAN TURN YOUR IMPOSSIBILITIES INTO POSSIBILITIES!

Humbly loving you,
Bishop Gabe


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