This past month of June was not a month to remember for me. It seemed all I could do was fail at everything I tried. I dont know about you but somethines I feel like I live in "Murphy's Law," that is, where if it is going to go wrong it's going to go wrong with me. You ever feel like your nothing but a failure? I think sometimes we all do. This little devotional came to me and I want to pass it on to all of you who have "rained out" days like me. The devotional was encourageing.

I came across this little quote and want to pass it on. I do not know who the author is. "If we are to maintain the great faith which has been handed down to us, we must be like-minded as those fathers who live it. We must not sink into a worldly materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are pure and holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they demonstrated. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires of true faith before which they worshiped."

Who says Mom's don't have wisdom and a little bit of humor. I was reading an article in the doctor's office the other day, you have plenty of time to read in the waiting room as we all know, that was inspiring and humorous. The article was out of the Senior News by a woman whose name was Sue. Sue's article was titled "Mom settled the Creation Evolution Debate." It went something like this.

To those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, death has lost its sting, it is no longer something to be feared. What fear is there when we have the promise that one day we will live forever with Jesus in Heaven? I came across this little illustration that I thought was quite good. As we celebrate Easter and the Empty Tomb it was quite appropriate.

Do I like being scared? Do you like being scared? Of course not! No one does! Being scared is the direct result of fear and we are facing a lot of fear lately. Ask Moses! God gave him a big assignment to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt, to be God's spokesman, delivering God's commandments, and what did Moses say? "God, I can't do this, I can't even talk! I'm nobody! Why would you choose me? Choose Aaron, he can talk just fine! I am afraid."

Consider the TV news last night of an event with a juvenile detention center here in Texas where the young detainee's wanted to play football. A Christian high school team went to play them. The Christian school's coach felt that it would be nice to show these young boys the love of Jesus. He asked some of the parents of his players to go and cheer for those young detainee boys. The lesson and love of God overflowed at that game. No matter the score both teams came out victorious. One experiencing God's love and the other the power of witness.

So what is so new about 2009? I get the impression that if we do certain things the old year's problems, panics, and perils will all just vanish and everything becomes new. I think that many feel if they watch a crystal ball fall at midnight then the new year will be different. Some think that that if they throw a good new years eve party all the situations of the past year will be satisfied. Some I feel think that if they pray the old year out and the new year in that will make for a new year and a prosperous one at that.

One of America's greatest poets is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The year1860 found Longfellow happy in his life, enjoying a widening recognition, and elated over the election of Abraham Lincoln. The following year the Civil War began. On July 9, 1861 Longellow's wife, Fanny, was near an open window sealing locks of her daughter's hair, using sealing wax. Suddenly her dress caught fire and engulfed her with flames. Her husband, sleeping in the next room, was awakened by her screams. As he desperately tried to put out the fire and save his wife, he was severely burned on his face and hands.

It’s Thanksgiving time at Crowley Family Fellowship–a favorite holiday of Americans everywhere! There’s a special cranberry sauce, wonderful stuffing, sweet potato casserole and all the trimmings–and don’t forget the TURKEY! There’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade on TV where all the couch potatoes, stuffed from dinner, stay tuned to watch a million football games! And then there’s the REAL reason for Thanksgiving…