Promise Me You'll Always Remember

"Promise me you'll always remember: you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

- Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

A Soldier's Silent Night

As spoken by Ted Berndt

 Twas the night before Christmas; he lived all alone
in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this dwelling did live.

I looked all around, a strange sight to see -
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stockings on the mantle, just boots filled with sand.

On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands,
medals and badges, awards of every kind.

A sobering thought came alive in my mind -
this house was different. It was dark, it was dreary.

I had found the home of a soldier. I could see that most clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping - silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

His face was so gentle, the room in such disorder.
Not at all how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read,
curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

Then I realized the other families that I saw this night
owe their lives to soldiers who are willing to fight.

In the morning, around the world, children would play,
grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoy freedom each month of the year
because of soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn't help but wonder how many lay alone
on this cold Christmas Eve in lands far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard his rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom. I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
but I couldn't control it and I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,
as both of us shivered from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave him on that cold, dark night -
this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure whispered
"Carry on Santa, it's Christmas day, all is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend. May God bless you this night."

All Good Things...

My most recent read was Star Trek: The Next Generation: All Good Things... (must come to an end). It is the novelization of the last episode of Star Trek TNG, and I LOVED IT!! If you are into Star Trek, then I definitely recommend this book to you. If you are not into Star Trek, I still recommend this book. It's certainly better if you already know the characters and the back story, but I think you will still enjoy it even if you've never seen the show.

It's a trip back and forth between three different time periods in Captain Picard's life, as he tries to figure out how to save all of humanity, while Q, his nemesis, taunts and torments him. Old characters make a comeback, and regular characters become old, and young. It's a little confusing, and very exciting, with humor and suspense mixed in. Plus plenty of high-tech, futuristic gadgets and science to satisfy any sci-fi fan.

Food For Thought

Is the day after Black Friday considered Black Sabbath?

Giving Thanks And Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, as we all know, is a holiday which takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. You probably also know that the first Thanksgiving was held by Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. You may or may not know that it was declared a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

But while Thanksgiving is one day out of the year, giving thanks is an act, which is not relegated to one certain day.

God asks us to give thanks in these ways -

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 28:7) 

This verse is written in five different places!! God must really mean it -

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 118:29, Psalm 136:1)

It's also written twice more -

Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever. (2 Chronicles 20:21)

Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever. (Jeremiah 33:11)

So, I think it's pretty clear that we are supposed to give thanks, and that we are supposed to do it at all times, in all circumstances, whether in prayer, song, or action. And we have a lot to be thankful for! As you read in these verses, God gives us victory, he protects and strengthens us, he makes us happy, he helps us, he loves us, and he is always good.

But don't forget to be thankful for other things, too! Like family and friends, a home, a job, a vehicle, food, clothing, even fun things like gifts and toys, and things we tend to take for granted, like sunshine, snowflakes, pets, and especially freedom!

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and draw closer to Christmas, remember to stop and think about what you're thankful for every once in a while. It will help you to see how much you have, rather than how much more you want.

Food For Thought

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you're happy and you don't know it, see a psychiatrist.

A Tailor-Made Bride

I just read the most delightful book, about a young and talented seamstress who moves to a small town in Texas, and immediately clashes with the local livery owner.

Hannah moves to Coventry, Texas to open her own shop. JT, whose livery is right across the street, hates anything to do with beauty and vanity. So he decides to dislike her before they even meet. But what he soon finds out is that she is the sweetest, friendliest, and most humble woman he's known. How, then, can she be in a business that promotes vanity and feeling superior to others? With these conflicting thoughts, he wrestles back and forth with wanting to court her and wanting to stay away from her. And when Hannah becomes best friends with his sister, he tries to protect Delia from turning into the stuck up and flirtatious woman that he thinks she will become. But when he realizes Hannah is only trying to help Delia attract the man of her dreams, he may start to change his mind.

This is a heart-warming story, with plenty of laugh out loud moments, and a few harrowing ones. The characters are endearing, and the plot is full of fun suspense. If you love any sort of romance or historical fiction, you will absolutely love this book! It was such an easy and relaxing read. I flew right through it, much faster than I usually get through books. Then I gave it to my mother in law and she read it in two days, and loved it! I highly recommend this book!!

A Tailor-Made Bride was published last year, and is the first novel by Karen Witemeyer. She has two more books out so far, and I am off to find them, as I am sure they will be as wonderful as the first! To go to her website, click here.