Salute To High School Graduates

When I graduated from high school I got a call from my uncle who lived in a fairly large city.  He wanted me to come stay with him for the summer and he already had a well paying job all set up for me.  When I asked him what it entailed, he said, “All you have to do is ride shotgun on the truck and tell the workers where and when to spread oil on the roads.  It pays $10 an hour.”  I thought about that for about five seconds and told my uncle, “Gee.  Thanks a lot Uncle Del, but I already have a job lined up for the summer.”  I hung up the phone and then went out an got a job at a hamburger stand for $1.00 an hour.  

What happened?  I was afraid I would fail.  As a result, instead of making a lot of money in the summer to help me pay for college, I played it safe and made very little.  The bottom line is this:  I lacked confidence in myself.

How do we develop confidence?  Much of this comes with life experience; however, the Bible gives us the answer that we need.  The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:13 gives us this advice:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  

When we find ourselves facing tough decisions on what to do in life, take time to pray about it and ask Christ to guide you to make the right decision, and then to give you strength and confidence to do it. 

You are not alone.  God will help you.  May God give you the courage and confidence to go forth and  make a difference in the world.

What Is Maundy Thursday?

What is Maundy Thursday and why do churches celebrate it?

Maundy Thursday is also known as,  "Holy Thursday."  It is the day before Good Friday.  Good Friday is the day before Easter.  All of this happens during, "Holy Week," which is the last week of the life of Jesus.  

Maundy Thursday commemorates what we refer to as, "The Last Supper."  Jesus shared the "Passover Meal" on the night before He was crucified.  The "Passover Meal" refers to the celebration of all Jews who remember when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and eventually into the promised land of Caanan.  In response to the last of 10 plagues in which the "destroyer," would kill the first born child, the Israelites were told that if they would place blood on the door post, the "destroyer," would pass over them and no blood would be shed.  Thus the term, "Passover."

 Jesus sat at the able with His 12 apostles.  One would betray Him, and that was Judas.  One would deny Him, and that was Peter.  The other ten fled for fear of their life.  During this time, the Bible records that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and said, "This is my body which is given to you.  Eat this as often as you do in remembrance of Me."  In the same manner, He took the cup and said, "This is the New Covenant in My blood.  Drink this as often as you do in remembrance of Me."  Thus, this has become how the Church celebrates that occassion by referring to it as, "Communion," the "Eucharist," or simply the, "Lord's Supper."

The word, "Maundy," comes from the Latin word for, "command." This word used on Maundy Thursday refers to the command that Jesus gave to His apostles and disciples that they should love one another.  

If everyone in the world observed this command, what a wonderful world we would have.  

Memory Enhancement

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. 

Hebrews 9:27

We apparently have no choice about when God has made this appointment; however, we do have a choice about our quality of life before that time comes.  

Our genes determine 25% of what happens to us.  That leaves 75% to determine the life style changes we can make to change our life.  

In the latest research from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the following eight variables will clearly help in developing appropriate and healthy life style changes we all need to make.

1  Get regular exercise which is your best memory booster.  

2  Protect your heart and your brain.  Try to lower your blood pressure.

3  Get a good night’s sleep every night.  Try to get 7 hours if you can.

4  Eat a diet that builds “brain health.”

5  Be aware of alcohol consumption.

6  Be aware of certain medications that may impact memory.

7  Keep your mind sharp with mental activities.

8  Try to manage stress effectively.