Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend, I am alone. My wife and girls have gone back to VA to visit family. When I am alone, like I am this weekend, I get lonely. I know I am not alone per se for the Lord is always with me. I however think that family is so important and being amongst believers and community.

I miss my wife the the following verse is so relevant. I hate being alone and away from my wife for we are one flesh.

Genesis 2:18 God said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion."

I hate to admit it but, it is tough for me at times to be social. Most folks may not believe that but it drains me to be me at times. I am actually fairly reserved and not very talkative on the home front and I know my wife wishes I would talk more at times, but I do so much talking at work and at Church that when I am home I want to relax to be non communicative at times. Can you relate to that.?

I believe this weekend it is important for us to remember those military personnel who are away from home and many in harms way for our sake and out freedom. As a Methodist, I should be praying for peace and I do, but I pray for the men and women who secure that peace for us around the world. I pray for a day when the world knows no violence and I believe when our Savior returns that will be the day, but we can in our hearts pray for peace and reconciliation throughout the world.

No matter where we are nor how lonely we are God is with us. It is easy to forget that sometimes. When you are lonely or away from home use that time for prayer. Reconnect with the Father through Christ our Advocate and our Reconciler.

Romans 5:10 (The Message)
9-11Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!

In closing be thankful for those quiet times and those times you are separated from your loved ones. I know you miss the ones you are separated from, but God willing they will return and you can reconnect with them. Though while apart pray for them and reconnect with God. He desires you. Let us not forget our military personnel and keep them in our prayers. Because of them we can worship God without fear, unlike many places that exist in this world today.

Means Of Grace

Wesley spelled out the "ordinances of God" as the Means of Grace. The Means of Grace are spiritual practices that allow us to experience God’s presence in everyday life. The most important Means of Grace are:
Public worship of God
Hearing the Scriptures read or expounded
Holy Communion
Family and private prayer
Devotional reading of the Scriptures
Fasting or abstinence