The Higher Aspect

“We should never lose sight of the higher aspect of our work – that of obedience to God, of bringing glory to His name, of gladdening the heart of our God and Father by living and serving as His beloved children.” - Hudson Taylor

AMAZING GRACE

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun."

Military Life

You stay up for 16 hours.
He stays up for days on end.
____________________________________________________

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
____________________________________________________

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
____________________________________________________

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
____________________________________________________

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
____________________________________________________

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

____________________________________________________

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
____________________________________________________

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
____________________________________________________

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
____________________________________________________

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
____________________________________________________

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
____________________________________________________

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
____________________________________________________

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
____________________________________________________

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
____________________________________________________

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
____________________________________________________

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
____________________________________________________

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
____________________________________________________

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
____________________________________________________

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.
_____________________________________________________

I got this as an e-mail forward a while back and I thought since today
was the 11th it would be a great reminder once again to stop and pray for the brave men and women who are out fighting and defending our freedom.

Stop and Think

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 
fill me with life anew, 
that I may love what Thou dost love, 
and do what Thou wouldst do. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 
until my heart is pure, 
until with Thee I will one will, 
to do and to endure. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 
till I am wholly Thine,
till all this earthly part of me 
glows with Thy fire divine. 

Breathe on me, Breath of God, 
so shall I never die, 
but live with Thee the perfect life 
of Thine eternity. 

I love music, but sometimes I never stop to think about the words....
We sang this hymn in Church a couple of weeks ago and even though
I've sung this hymn probably a hundred times, I never stopped to think
about the words. This hymn is truly amazing and should be the prayer
of every Christian.