Bridge Builders

John 15:13 13  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Memorial Day is a time of remembrance of men and women who served honorably in defense of our nation.   Some were drafted, some volunteered to do the job they were assigned to the best of their ability.   Active duty personnel, departed soldiers and veterans deserve honor and praise for going to battle for those they knew and ones not known.   They put their lives at risk for citizens who vote and those that shirk their responsibility, those that take advantage of the educational system available in America and those who refuse to apply themselves, those who have never seen the inside of a prison cell and those who spent the majority of their adult years incarcerated.   The list could go on covering the diversity that is America.   Their pledge is to protect the entirety of the nation.   Each person enlisting in an armed force takes the following...

Philippians 4:13 13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. According to your estimation, what is the thing you believe you cannot do?   Moses thought he was incapable of leading a people.   Joshua was reluctant about accepting the mantel of leading the Jews into the Promise Land.   Gideon was ambivalent about going to battle with only 300 men.   Doubting his ability to prevail, Barak recruited the prophetess Deborah to accompany him into battle against the Canaanites.   Even the Apostle Peter sank after initially walking on water toward Jesus.   We are all guilty of procrastinating, making excuses, hesitating and outright refusing to do what God has called us to because in our mind, the thing seems impossible.   There is nothing impossible with God.   The prophets of old had second thoughts about their ability to do the thing God had commanded.   To their credit, they trusted in God and not themselves to complet...

Russell is in seventh heaven.   His feet have been redeemed.   They are like new, smooth as a baby’s tiny feet.   He had gotten use to the thick skin, jagged nails and callouses. In his mind, he was able to take care of it himself using a clipper and file.   Recently, he upgraded to the electronic callus remover.   Russ had tolerated the pain and discomfort.   Yesterday, he relented and sat in the massage chair for his first pedicure.   He was complemented on how well his feet looked for a man, but there was still work to do. Putting his feet in the care of the pedicurist, the callus faded away, the nails were filed down, and the cuticles were cut down.   Moisture was applied using soaks, warm towels and creams followed by massaging to increase circulation and relieve stress.   Go ahead, book your pedicure now.   Russ did not realize the pain and stress he had been living with until his feet had been redeemed from the dead, dry s...

This small sprig fell from a potted plant in the lobby of my building.   Our custodian asked if we wanted to attempt to salvage the plant fragment.   I cut a sliver of the base and placed it in a cup of water on my window ledge.   Two weeks later, I’m beginning to see a re-emergence of root.   Once the root is established, I will repot the plant in rich soil infused with nutrients.   Exposed to the sun, I expect the plant to grow and later produce seedlings.   The original plant will be replicated by first pruning itself.   It discarded one branch so that it might gain more. John 15:1-2 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Have you ever been plucked and stripped?   At times, it can feel as though God has ripped us from His presence.   Thinning out overgrowth req...

For something so small, inexpensive and insignificant, this stamp holds much power.  It’s presence on a form allows a return to work or school, attendance at summer camp or participation on a sports team.  This stamp identifies the ownership of office assets.   Daycare  requires a stamp on a physical form and on vaccine records. My signature along with this stamp confirms a form as legitimate and my approval has been given.  Persons allowed to use the stamp are limited to just a few staff and only when they have been given authorization by written protocol.  A stamp or seal guarantees that some object or thing is authentic and it establishes ownership. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 21  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,  22  who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Have you been stamped or sealed?  The moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ for sal...