October 16th, 2007 03:05pm
Jim
My borther-in-law sent me this email. I’m not sure of the orginal author but I think it’s a great idea!
If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below…
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who’d been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I’m escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up? No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I’m taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn’t know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier’s family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign.”
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here’s a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the “silent majority.” We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday — and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.
By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can we do to make things better for you?” is. “We need your support and your prayers.” Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
August 1st, 2007 08:18am
Jim
Ok, why not throw a little controversy in the mix? Tom Ascol, head of Founders Ministries has an interesting post on the Founders Director’s blog. His post “Finally! Prayer In Public Schools” recounts an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune that refers to the Carver Elementary School’s new policy designed to allow Muslim students to observe salat as prescribed by the Quran.
I won’t rehash his post but recommend it to you. For years we’ve been wanting prayer allowed in schools and now it is. As least for Muslim children. Tom feels like it’s time to devise and “exit strategy” for Christians from the public school arena. No matter what you think about that it’s time for Christians to wake up and be on guard.
July 31st, 2007 08:05am
Jim
I saw this post on the brevity of life on the Pyromaniacs blog by Dan Phillips. Read and give it some thought. It should give the Christian and non-Christian alike reason to pause and examine their heart.
July 17th, 2007 03:01pm
Jim
It’s been a while since I last posted but hey, I’ve been traveling. The week of July Fourth my folks, my son and his family, and my family decided to visit my Grandma in southern Illinois. I hadn’t see her since January of 2002 and we all thought it would be a good time to introduce her to her Great-great grandchildren. That would be Richard’s children Ethan and Emma. My parents started out from Hilton, NY on Tuesday July 3. Richard, Laura, and kids started out from Spring, TX at about 1:30 am on July 4, and we started out at 7:30 pm on July 3. The old folks (My parents) stayed overnight on the road. The rest of us drove straight through. According to my GPS the trip was 829 miles which we made in 13 hours and 24 minutes. Thankfully, everyone made it there without incident. We got to Marion, IL around 9:00 am on July 4 and immediately took a nap at the hotel until around lunch time. After lunch we headed out on the 15 mile trek to Grandma’s in Creal Springs, IL.
I’ve missed my Grandma and it was good to see her. The coolest thing was that we had five generations of Rector people all in one location. We got there about 3:00 pm and started our visit. Richard and Laura got into Marion a little later and needed to rest some so they got to Grandma’s somewhere around 6:00 pm or so. At that point we had Grandma - Generation #1, My Dad, James Sr. - Generation #2, Me, James Jr. - Generation #3, Richard, James III - Generation #4, and Ethan and Emma - Generation #5. Quite a combination and once Ethan and Emma warmed up to the new place a little it was a special time. Aunt Barbara met us there.
Here’s a shot of my oldest and youngest living relatives. Grandma Rector and Emma Grace Rector:
We visited and all the generations got acquainted and then went back to the hotel around 8 pm. We were all bushed and needed some sleep.
After lunch on Thursday we all went back to Creal Springs. We visited for a while and then went out to eat at Triple E BBQ on near Lake of Egypt. At the restaurant we met my Aunt Diane, her husband Alan, and grand-daughter Carly. Also there was my cousin Steve (We used to call him Stevie Ray but he seems a little big for that now.), his wife Carrie, and two kids SheaLynn (Not sure of the spelling.) and Lucas. Along with Aunt Barbara and the rest of us we kept the restaurant hopping. When the meal was finished most of us went to Grandma’s house and there we took the “five generation” picture.
We also grabbed a shot of Richard’s family:
Later we went out the the County Line Cemetary to visit Grandpa Rector’s and Uncle Charlie’s grave site. It was really quite and peaceful and we had a good time remembering them.
On Friday we all (Out of town folks.) went to Cave-In-Rock state park. It’s a place that I’ve wanted to visit for a few years and I really enjoyed it. I’ll post some pictures in another post. After a picnic lunch we went back to Grandma’s and visited with her. My Aunt Barbara, cousin Paula, and her daughter Brittany came and we had a great visit. We were able to get caught up on some of what we were all doing. It was a short but sweet visit. Hopefully we can do it again real soon. You don’t really know how much you miss you extended family until you have a chance to visit with them after a long time not seeing them.
On Saturday it was time for us all to leave for our respective homes. Richard and family left sometime around 2:00 am, we left at about 3:25, and Mom and Dad left in the morning after breakfast. The drive back for us was uneventful and we arrived about 5:00pm. I had to quickly wash clothes and pack for a business trip to San Jose, CA with my plane leaving at 7:00 am on Sunday.
It was a short but sweet trip. I really hope we can do it again soon. It really doesn’t take that long and is not really an expensive trip.
June 15th, 2007 06:20pm
Jim
This guy was just a mobile phone salesman. Check out the awesome reality show audition. It’ll give you goosebumps.
Here’s his subsequent appearance on the show.
June 8th, 2007 07:58am
Jim
Conrad Mbewe is known as the “Spurgeon of Africa.” Colin over at Unashamed Workman reviews a sermon from Conrad Mbewe on 1 John 5:13-15.
My wife and three of our children have been in Bolivar, MO this week at the Saved By Faith Youth Conference 2007. I can’t wait for them to get home this evening so I can pick their brain about the great things they heard from Conrad. Conrad pastors Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia.
HT:[Pure Church]
May 15th, 2007 02:44pm
Jim
The breaking news is that Jerry Falwell is dead at age 73. He apparently died shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University.
I won’t post my thoughts on the man but point you to two good sources. First Tom Ascol posted a blog about Jerry Falwell right after receiving news of his death. Tom has some very good comments on how we should act concerning Jerry’s death despite the fact we may have had many theological differences with him. Tim Challies also blogs about Jerry Falwell’s death and offers some good sources to read up on Dr. Falwell’s life both good and bad.
My condolences go out to Dr. Falwell’s family and Liberty University.
May 8th, 2007 10:24am
Jim
-Jim
May 7th, 2007 10:15am
Jim
So, last week I got my diagnosis of the tissue that was removed from my cheek. It turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma. The definition goes something like this:
Squamous cell carcinomas account for about 20% of non-melanoma skin cancers, (with basal cell carcinomas accounting for about 80%), but are clinically more significant because of their ability to metastasize. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually developed in the epithelial layer of the skin and sometimes in various mucous membranes of the body. This type of cancer can be seen on the skin, lips, inside the mouth, throat or esophagus. This type of cancer is characterized by red, scaly skin that becomes an open sore.
Sounds ugly. The doctor stated that the biopsy showed that the surrounding tissue from what was removed didn’t have any cancer cells. Therefore, they removed all the offending tissue. He stated, “You’re good. Don’t worry about it. Keep an eye on things from now on.” Of course now, I look at all the other spots and irregularities with some trepidation. Are they bad? Are they nothing? What if they’re bad? Should I go see a specialist? Exactly! I’m working on getting an appointment with a dermatologist. One that specializes in skin cancer. Hopefully I’ll get an appointment soon and everything will be as the surgeon stated.
So pray for me. Of course that there will be no more issues. But mostly that whatever the outcome that God will get the glory.
-Jim
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