Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it...

Today, when I got to Jeremiah 6: 16 it brought back so many memories from traveling with certain family members. No names to protect the innocent...

Seriously, this is what the scripture says:

This is what the LORD says:

"Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls."

It hit me when I was reading this, we don't even stop and ask road directions when we don't know much less life direction. We want to appear self sufficient, smart, or whatever! Now I am saying we here, but I don't mind asking for road directions, but life directions are another thing...

Do I want to appear like I don't have it together? Do I want to appear unsure? Well, at times I don't...I'm working on getting better in this area. I've realized that growing as a Christian means being honest about all those times that I don't have it together or I am unsure so that I am able to grow. Being vulnerable allowing others to see my flaws isn't always easy, but oh so necessary. If I appear to have it all together and I don't I'll fail and who knows who might go with me on the path of failure!

God places people in our life to help us along the right path. Part of the duty is always being honest about the times that you just don't know and that you are willing to seek help! Helping each other along the journey of life, so that we are able to walk along the path that will help us to find rest for our souls. Don't you love that part of the Word this morning?

Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.

Today, before you even set foot on the path talk to God - let's begin together

Good morning Lord.

Thanks so much for Your Word this morning about asking for help walking the old godly way. Lord, the only way to walk this way is with you holding our hands. Hold my hand and Lord please help me up when I stumble on the roadblock that I insist on jumping on. Lord, help me to avoid the curves that the evil one will send my way today and to stay standing firm, holding Your mighty hand and choosing to travel the path you have for me. Lord, thank you for the path that provides rest for my soul. The rest that only You are able to provide and I give thanks to you! I love you, Lord and thanks again for providing the right directions, if we only remember to ask you. Forgive me for the times I fail to ask...Amen

For I am merciful...

Show mercy to another...

what exactly does that mean?

Compassion or kindly forbearance is shown to an enemy.

Over and over God shows His people mercy...

Over and over His people look to other gods...idols man made of stone, precious metals, but man made items...

Today, when I looked for my picture for mercy over and over I was looking at pictures of false gods. The picture would be titled god of mercy or some such title...TODAY we still get other things placed before God.

When you think of mercy, what comes to your mind? Who do you need to show more mercy? Who do you need to practice offering mercy?

Thank goodness for God's mercy or absolutely none of us would ever see eternal life! Are we praising God for His Mercy? The gift He offers us every moment we get by - do we give thanks? Do we offer mercy to another in response to the gift we are given?

"Kings in this world should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works." William Penn Indeed we should all offer forgiveness and compassion first and foremost then we should offer our hand in love the same way God gives it to us!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Finally realized...

Finally...we begin to get it!

A little bit at a time, we begin to see the big picture!

Manasseh had done evil in the sight of the LORD. He became king at the age of 12 and reigned for 55 years. He rebuilt pagan shrines that his father King Hezekiah, had broken down.

How we ask?

They ignored the LORD. Over and over God warned and the people ignored. So what happened? The Lord sent Assyrian armies to take Manasseh prisoner. The Assyrians put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains and lead him to Babylon. You know what Manasseh did then? You probably don't have to think hard...what do we do when we get into a bad situation? WE shout LORD, help me and so did he!

He sincerely humbled himself to the LORD. I picture this king that thought he was pretty special being lead by the nose with chains by the enemy and finally being made to hit his knees! How long before we are humbled to our knees? I watch the news this week and the arguments over who is doing what is best for the country and think it's all about who wins...it's not truly whats better for America - no its about who wins the battle! WE are being brought to our knees and we don't even realize it yet! America wake up and let's come together the way our founders came together.

We need to realize just like this proud king realized that the LORD alone is GOD! Read 2 Kings 21 or 2 Chronicles 33 and give some thought to remembering exactly who God is...

I sit surrounded by mountains as I write this today and I'm reminded of exactly how small we are and how big GOD is...Lift our country to God ask Him to forgive us for placing everything before Him! Why did the people first come to America? For religious freedom...it was about God! It was about going to Him for our needs not the government! Our government is tooooooo much and it is being brought to its knees and so are we!

It is my prayer that we will finally realize just like king Manasseh realized that the LORD alone is GOD! We need to see the Light of GOD and allow Him to shine again throughout our land!

Sweet Blessings,

Debbie

Chains that bind

Do you feel bound up? Are you in knots?

Isaiah 58:6 ....Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. Yes, I am here, he will quickly reply.

Breaking Free by Beth Moore is a fabulous study that God used with me to break the chains that had me bound up in knots. If you feel bound and need help to break the chains you might get this study and allow God to heal your wounds! He does and it's not with a band aid either its total healing that only He will provide!

Thank you God for healing our wounds!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Nothing like your thoughts

Since I've really been spending time in God's Word and growing my relationship with Him, the words from Isaiah 55:8 have really struck a cord with me ~

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

God is only getting bigger and bigger the more my relationship grows with Him. I truly realize that never will we grasp Him simply put He is beyond our wildest imagination! Thank you God for being soooooooo big!

I think back over my journey and realize that perhaps I once thought the older I got and the more I grew I might get it more, but I've realized that only a baby Christian could think that....a growing Christian realizes that never will we understand all the mystery about God, we only realize that HE is huge, HE is all powerful, He is the Our Savior and we trust that we don't need to know it all.....Thank you God for all that you are!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

"Harkened" ~ Be Attentive

Okay, tell me does this sound good to you?

Completeness

Safety

Soundness

Tranquility

Wow, I'll take double does on all those please!

Are you perhaps struggling at this time in your life with a decision you need to make or a situation?

Are you hungering for that peace that is so hard to describe?

Well, today in Isaiah 48:18 it talks about this peace.

Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.

Sound good?

Does to me! When I looked up the original word in Hebrew for waves it meant heap, billow so do you wants heaps of peace just flowing over you? Follow God's commands...Sounds easy enough doesn't it? But...

But Lord I did have that in mind...I like my job Lord, why do I have to move on? But Lord I don't want to serve those people, But Lord, I don't want to tell that person I'm sorry, But Lord...

Are we being attentive to God's commands for our journey? Are we being obedient are running

fast the other direction?

Today, be in prayer and conversation with the LORD about His commands for your life. Ask Him for a change what His plans are and see if you don't achieve that peace that is described in our reading today.

I know in my life when I am following God's plan for my life I do have this peace, when it's Debbie's way well I don't have the peace ~ it's more of a chaos feeling...which is the feeling you desire today?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Fools ~ make your own god?

What might your own god or idol look like?

Is it made of wood? Gold? Clothes? Eating? Money? People?

Have you ever thought about perhaps your idol? Anything you place before God is a modern day idol!

I recently did a study called No Other Gods and it is fabulous by Kelly Minter. Truly it makes you look at your life in a whole new light. I suggest gathering a group of your girlfriends and share this study together! It is worth your time and it is worth really taking a good look at one self. It showed me things I did not realize about myself.

I was reminded of the study today when I got to Isaiah 44:10 ~ Who but a fool would make his own god-an idol that cannot help him one bit? All who worship idols will be disgraced along with all these craftsmen-mere humans-who claim they can make a god. They may all stand together but they will stand in terror and shame.

It continues in chapter 44, with these thoughts -

the wood carver measures a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. He works with chisel and plane and carves it into a human figure...

He then uses a part of the wood to make a fire.

with it he warms himself and bakes his bread.

Then-yes, it's true-he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god to worship!

Does this not sound ridiculous to you?

Do people not realize how crazy this is?

We may not make an idol out of wood or some precious medal, but we put more value in things and stuff than we do God at times. We place it before God with our time and thoughts. How?

Do we not realize we are just as bad as the people talked about in chapter 44?

It goes on in verse 18 with these powerful words - Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.

Pay attention!

Remember verse 22 - I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.

Yes indeed He did pay the price!

Our sins are blotted out - removed forever- no longer remembered...

Only because of who OUR GOD TRULY IS -

verse. 24

This is what the Lord says- your Redeemer and Creator:

I am the LORD, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. Who was with me when I made the earth?

Nothing more needs to be said....Indeed Who was with God when He made the earth?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

New Strength

Isaiah 40

Read this chapter for yourself! Amazing beautiful words of reminders of who God is...

Some of my favorites from today's reading are ~

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

Do you know that in our milky way galaxy alone we have over 200 billion stars? Do you know that we have over 100 billion to 1 trillion galaxies? Which they estimate that with all the galaxies there are over 10 sextillion or 1 septillion stars? God calls each one of them by name! Ponder that a moment!

God is soooooo Big and we will never ever be able to grasp just how MIGHTY HE TRULY IS!

Another favorite is verse 28-29 ~ Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Verse 31 ~ But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

A few eagle facts to ponder the wing spans average 72 to 90". Eagles are able to fly up to 10000' in altitude and up to a speed of 35 mph! Okay, on days you don't know how you will get it done remember this verse. God gives you the strength to accomplish the unthinkable, the incomprehensible, but you are unable to do this on your own! Only God will give you this new strength to accomplish without growing weary! Feeling burnout? Perhaps you aren't allowing God the privilege of handling it for you! Trust in God and see what all will be accomplished!

In the future, when you feel weary, tired, powerless turn to Isaiah 40 and be reminded of exactly who GOD IS ~ The Creator, The Sovereign LORD, The HOLY ONE and Our Father who loves each of us dearly and wants to be a part of our life facing each challenge, each joy, each wound providing the love and strength to get through each one together!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

God sees our tears and that's not all!

I was particularly touched today reading about Hezekiah's sickness and his recovery. Isaiah went to visit Hezekiah and told him it was time. Time that his death was going to happen. Hezekiah heard the words and began to pray to God, when he broke down and began to weep.

God heard his prayers. Isaiah had not gotten out of the courtyard when the LORD spoke to him and told him to go tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayers and saw his tears! He answered Hezekiah's pray and was going to be healed and given 15 more years to his life!

Talk about answering prayers, but what touched me is the realization that God hears and sees us ~ we know it, but we like to be reminded of it! When I was reading this passage this morning from 2 King 20, I was reminded of Revelation 7:17 where we are told that God will wipe away every tear when we are in heaven and there will be no more tears! Our Mighty Savior will wipe away our tears imagine it for a moment...The Creator of All will take His mighty Hand and with His finger wipe away our tear. Imagine, the joy felt knowing that God will welcome us with wiping away all sadness, all bad stuff and only joyful praises will be heard and the colors will be so beautiful. Beyond our comprehension, but oh so wonderful to ponder!

Thank you God for reminding me this morning that indeed you do hear and see us always! It is my prayer that I open my heart to hear and see your desires for my journey and that I don't close my senses, because it wasn't what I had in mind! After all, your ways are so much better than my ways and I know this in my soul!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Making plans...

Are you a planner?

I have always been a girl, a young lady, a woman that plans. I make a list and I mark through each one after it was achieved. I felt a sense of relief and accomplishment just to be able to draw a line through each chore or duty...but never did I feel complete!

I had an emptiness, a longing of there is something more to my life than these lists! List after list and one day God changed all my plans...

I took a phone call and was invited to lunch. I went and an offer to change jobs at forty something was given. A job that required almost 7 days week, long hours, 2 weeks only vacation, lots of people with ideas and very few people to accomplish the dreams and I was like thanks, but no thanks...after all, I worked for my dad who thought and thinks I'm pretty special. So I worked when I wanted to, left work when I wanted to and pretty much had a dream job...Do you know that before the day was over I called and stepped into God's plans for my life? Do you know that I had a peace that I heard others talk about, but I didn't have...Finally, I was where I was suppose to be and I knew it!

When I got to Isaiah 37:26 I was reminded of this special day where all my plans went right out the window ~ But have you not heard? I decided long ago. Long ago I planned it, and now I am making it happen. then verse 28...But I know you well-where you stay and when you come and go...God sees you and He sees me and He knows the plans that He desires for each of us! Are you willing to step into His plan? I am able to tell you honestly that His plan is much better than mine. I no longer keep the list and mark through each one when it is accomplished, because I allow God to change my plans. Don't get me wrong (being a recovering planner) it's not easy. I still want to plan, but God changes the plans all the time and I'm getting better with going with His flow...He is teaching me His Way is so much better!

A recovering planner,

Debbie

Never fails us!

Today's reading about sin, guilt, punishment was hard to read until I got to Micah 7:18-20...

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.

Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.

To the depths of the ocean with our trampled sins! YES! I love it, but more than that I love that God can't stay angry with us forever, because He delights in showing unfailing love! Do you get it? Unfailing love no matter what His love never fails!!! Our friends, our family, others we care about may fail, but never will God fail us! WE are human and we will fail, but GOD is not human and HE alone will never fail!

Cling today to the words ~ You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago! God Keeps HIS PROMISES!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

An abundance of flowers

Isaiah 35 is absolutely beautiful promises filled with hope of restoration!

Who doesn't need hope and restoration? The heat is almost unbearable! Even in Colorado where they don't have air conditioning in most of the houses because they don't need it ~ well they do sometimes! Fans work! God provides nice beautiful breezes that flow through the rooms with the smell of wildflowers and fresh rain!

Reading this morning with the breezes and flowers surrounding me this spoke so to my heart...

Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! Sounds fabulous to me!

The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. ~ Wow, God's glory will be displayed even more than now and it surrounds us daily. Do we become use to our surroundings and we forget to be awed by the flying butterflies, the budding flower, the rainbows, the storms?

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.

Yes, indeed He will come! God will return to save each of us...continue reading in Isaiah 35 it is beautiful...

He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and the streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived. Jesus does all of this now for us and He will for everyone...just say YES to the Hope that God sent each of us!

I needed these beautiful words this morning! The beauty of nature and life blooming again due to the eternal water that Jesus provides...The heat we are all experiencing this summer provides us with how parched our life becomes, without Jesus giving us hope and rebirth! I don't care how dry you are hope is given daily ~ focus on the birth of a new baby, the afternoon rain showers (that don't seem to be at my house), the laughter of a child, the tears of a returning spouse from fighting, the hug of a friend at just the right moment...provide hope to a friend today! Reward them with a smile or hug and remind them that they matter to you and to Jesus! Share the joy and maybe even a bouquet of flowers to another today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Majestic Voice Heard

Isaiah 30:30 ~ And the LORD will make his majestic voice heard. He will display the strength of his mighty arm. It will descend with devouring flames, with cloudbursts, thunderstorms and huge hailstones.

Indeed, we know when God shows His splendor through the storms that surround us and then a rainbow will appear. God seems to show His beauty even in the storms that He sends. Next time a storm is happening look to the sky what do you see? Do you see the beauty of light shining through the dark clouds? Do you see the lightning zipping across the sky? Do you happen to see a rainbow beginning to appear?

God definitely knows how to be heard in this busy, noisy world! Only God can show up in the night sky, the daytime light, or anytime period! God alone is all powerful to create...Listen for God's majestic voice during the next storm, but also in the quiet moments of each day!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I'm Watching You

Today, I felt the Lord leading me to share Psalm 121 from the NLT with you and to remind you that you are never alone. God is watching over you always.

I look up to the mountains-

does my help come from there?

My help comes for the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Discovering new treasures!

Psalm 119:162

I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.

It is so true! When I discover something new in God's word I am like a little girl again...excited like I've discovered a new ring or necklace in a jewelry box.

Does God's word have this affect on you? I'll be honest not always for me and still I stumble daily and forget the importance of God's Word to my daily living! I must remind myself moment to moment of God and His Word for guidance for my choices, my decisions, my life! I must remind myself to search for the treasures.

I loved the picture, because it reminded me of times growing up searching for special treasures!

Search today for your treasure that God wants to share with you today,

Debbie

Again and again!

Again and again!

I watch my siblings with their children and friends with having to discipline their children. I listen to them again and again say how they have to say the same thing over and over to their children and they still don't get it...and then I remember my parents saying how many times do I have to say the same thing to you Debbie?

Do you remember these times? Do you hear about these times? Well, today in Psalm 106 ~ we are reminded that - again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him.

Well, here we are in our sin and again and again God rescues us!

Do you see the tired faces of your friends? Do you hear the helplessness in their voices? Do you see the discouragement of what next? Do you think God experiences all of this over and over times how many of us are there???? And yet ...Rescue is on the way!

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

On My Knees

Psalm 95

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God.

We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.

Yes, let us kneel down!

Last night in class I shared that I felt like a lot of us have gotten off our knees. It hit me that when I was a small girl that in worship we always had an altar time that everyone went to the altar! Not just a few at the end of worship, but everyone at some point were at the altar on their knees!

Is it perhaps more of the power issues that hitting ones knees makes us appear weak? Well, we are weak and we need to get back on our knees! I'm not pointing a finger, because it hit me I'm talking about me. I pray, but I haven't shown God the honor, the respect, the glory that He deserves and this Psalm spoke to it beautifully!

Thank you God for loving me,

Debbie

A single day

Psalm 84:10

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!

When I read this today, I was reminded of a special Bible study time with a group of young women that meets weekly with JOS. Last week we talked about heaven and how it would be and the excitement of these young ladies whose age is 17 to 21 was amazing.

Their eyes sparkled and they were just buzzing with the questions they would ask Jesus, the family they would see, and how things would look they each thought! The amazing thing was the excitement and the Light shining through each of them as they shared their thoughts and hopes!

Yes their hopes that are all built around God's Light!

It was awesome to be a part of young people excited about spending even one day in God's courts!

Thank you God for allowing me the gift of these young women sharing about YOU! You opened the door and pursued me until I took Your hand to share this amazing gift of time with your children...sharing YOU!

Thanking You daily!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I will put my hope in God!

Psalm 43

Declare me innocent, O God! Defend me against these ungodly people. Rescue me from these unjust liars. For you are god, my only safe haven. why have you tossed me aside? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies? Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live. There I will go to the altar of God, to God-the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, My God!

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again-my Savior and my God.

Indeed on this July 4th I will put my hope in God! Our founding fathers came to discover a new land for the right to worship God. Today it is my prayer we will remember the reasons that our founding fathers fought for the right to worship God in a free land. Many of our universities were even founded so that they could study and learn more about God! My hope rest in God alone for our country to return to its former Greatness! Yes we are great, but we are not what we once were...

Who but God?

Thank you Lord!

Oh what a Mighty God we serve and I praise you for all that you are ....

Our Lord is soooooooo Big we just cannot fathom all that He truly is and today these words from proverbs reminded me of just this thought...

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name-and his son's name?

Tell me if you know!!!

Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Thank you God for being all that You alone ARE!!!

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Don't demand...

Today, when I was reading Proverbs 25: 6 - Don't demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It's better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. I was reminded of an email that arrived this morning from my friend, Alma. Alma sent me an email about a man nicknamed Shifty. Shifty fought in WWII and was a "hero" in the real sense of the word! I looked up the story to see if it was a true story and it is all true other than Chuck Yeager didn't really write it another man did that met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport. He actually was the one that actually visited with Shifty and then shared this story.

A story that we might all want to remember this 4th of July weekend and also remember these quiet men that didn't demand lights and cameras they just did what they were called to do without the praise they deserved!

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy

Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st

Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the

History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10

episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.


I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't

know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having

trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was

at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle," the symbol of

the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne

or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the

101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served,

and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so,

and was in until sometime in 1945 ..." at which point my heart

skipped.


At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training

jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . do you know

where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him "yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what

D-Day was." At that point he said "I also made a second jump into

Holland , into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero ...

and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of

D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said

"Yes... And it 's real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are

left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart

was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.



I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in

coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to

get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came

forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have

it, that I'd take his in coach.


He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are

still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to

make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it.

And mine are brimming up now as I write this.



Shifty died on Jan. l7 after fighting cancer.


There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall-to-wall, back-to-back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right!


Let's give Shifty his own memorial service, online, in our own quiet way.

Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the

veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

Chuck Yeager, Maj. General [ret.]


P.S. I think that it is amazing how the "media" chooses our "heroes" these days...

Michael Jackson & the like!

Let's remember these quiet heroes today and always!!!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Dpm

SHIFTY
by Chuck Yeager

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy

Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st

Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the

History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10

episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.


I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't

know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having

trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was

at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle," the symbol of

the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne

or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the

101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served,

and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so,

and was in until sometime in 1945 ..." at which point my heart

skipped.


At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training

jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . do you know

where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him "yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what

D-Day was." At that point he said "I also made a second jump into

Holland , into Arnhem ." I was standing with a genuine war hero ...

and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of

D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said

"Yes... And it 's real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are

left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart

was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.



I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in

coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to

get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came

forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have

it, that I'd take his in coach.


He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are

still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to

make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it.

And mine are brimming up now as I write this.



Shifty died on Jan. l7 after fighting cancer.


There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall-to-wall, back-to-back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right!


Let's give Shifty his own memorial service, online, in our own quiet way.

Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the

veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

Chuck Yeager, Maj. General [ret.]


P.S. I think that it is amazing how the "media" chooses our "heroes" these days...

Michael Jackson & the like!

"SHIFTY" - an incredible American hero


SHIFTY DIED JAN 17, 2011..........May God rest his soul.

Double Duty

Hezekiah encouraged the people in 2 Chronicles 30 about how they were serving God!

The people realized that they had sinned and knew how desperately they needed to be cleansed, so they doubled their time of the feast! They knew what they had done and they knew they needed to do double time!

Rejoicing and celebrating not seen since the time of Solomon had this been done! God heard their prayer from his holy dwelling place.

The leader set an example and the people followed! We must choose our leaders carefully, because we do follow our leaders! We are told in chapter 31 that Hezekiah sought God wholeheartedly! How? Wholeheartedly! Don't you know that God's light was shining brightly? I do and perhaps God gave them a double rainbow blessing them with HIS GLORY!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie