A CRUCIAL MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Day is intended to honor the sacrifice of the 1.3 million men and women that died while serving in the armed forces of the United States. Early on, Memorial Day evoked considerable solemnity across the United States. Tens of millions of grateful Americans visited cemeteries, stood at attention, saluted, wept, and/or placed wreaths or flags on the graves of those who died while serving our country. In addition, many, if not more Americans faithfully attended Memorial Day parades, saluting as Veterans marched or were wheeled by. It was not considered a celebration, but a time of grateful and respectful remembrance.
Unfortunately, the significance of Memorial Day has declined for many Americans. It is now considered the unofficial start of summer, an excuse for a family trip, spring cleaning or watching the Indianapolis 500. While none of these activities are wrong, it is tragic that fewer and fewer Americans take time to acknowledge the courageous souls who gave their lives to preserve our nation and freedoms.
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Yet there is something considerably more lamentable. Sunday, the first day of the week, features a memorial that far surpasses Monday’s national holiday. This is the day that Christians assemble to worship God and remember the suffering, bleeding and death of Jesus Christ. Sunday is a hallowed day that deserves the earnest attention of every Christian.
Unfortunately, too many Christians have forgotten the significance of the Lord's Day. For them, it is a day to sleep in, work in the yard, campout, play golf, fish or pursue other interests. Disregarding the magnitude of the Lord’s Day by devoting time and attention to less important pursuits displays irreverence towards God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Observing Memorial Day is definitely appropriate, but honoring God and Christ on the first day of each week is crucial for faithful Christians.
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7).
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
Dennis

A Mother’s Faith Can Shape a Future
Then (Hannah) made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life…" (1Sa 1:11).
Mother’s Day provides a beautiful opportunity to honor the quiet strength, sacrificial love, and enduring faith of godly mothers. Scripture gives us many such examples, but one that shines brightly is Hannah.
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah is introduced as a woman burdened with deep sorrow—she was childless. Yet in her distress, she did not turn away from God; she turned toward Him. With tears and sincerity, she prayed for a son and made a remarkable promise: if God granted her request, she would dedicate that child to the Lord’s service throughout his life.
God heard her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel. True to her word, Hannah brought young Samuel to serve in the house of the Lord under Eli. Imagine the strength that required—to give up daily presence with her child in order to fulfill a promise to God. Her faith was not superficial; it was obedient and sacrificial.
The result? Samuel became one of Israel’s greatest prophets, a man who helped guide a nation. Behind his life of service stood a mother whose faith shaped his future.
Godly mothers today continue to reflect Hannah’s spirit when they pray for their children, teach them God’s Word, and model a life of devotion. Their influence often extends far beyond what they can see.
On this Mother’s Day, we honor not only the love of mothers, but their faith—a faith that shapes hearts, homes, and generations to come.
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
Dennis

PRAISE THE LORD ANYWAY!
 
“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Th 5:18).
 
The story is told of an elderly Christian woman who was well known for her courage in publicly expressing faith in God and His goodness. It was not uncommon for her to stand on her front porch loudly proclaiming, "Praise the Lord, for He is good!"
 
One day, an atheist moved into the house beside hers. The first time he overheard her daily proclamation of faith, he shouted back in reply, "There is no God!"
 
Despite his repeated attempts to silence the woman, she unswervingly continued her daily affirmations of God and His greatness.
 
At one point, however, the woman experienced dire financial distress. On this occasion, standing on her front porch, she exclaimed, "Lord, I’m having a hard time right now. Please send me some groceries. Regardless, I will continue to praise You!"
 
The next morning as she walked out on her porch, she noticed a large bag of groceries beside her door. Without delay she exclaimed, "Praise the Lord for hearing my prayer and sending me groceries! God is good all the time!"
 
Suddenly, her neighbor appeared from behind a large shrub and sarcastically remarked, "Who is good all the time? God did not buy those groceries; I did! Didn't I tell you that there is no God?"
 
Without blinking an eye, the elderly Christian began clapping and dancing around her porch, proclaiming, "Praise the Lord, indeed! He not only sent me groceries; he made the devil pay for them. Praise the Lord!"
 
It is no secret that the devil and his followers will do their best to discourage, dishearten and distract God's children. Despite their efforts, however, God will always triumph – 2 Cor. 2:14. Even when things appear hopeless, look carefully and you will always find something for which you can proclaim, "Praise the Lord!"
 
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
 
Dennis

DON’T FORGET!
 
Three elderly ladies were discussing the frustrations associated with old age. One said, “Sometimes I catch myself standing in front of the refrigerator holding a jar of mayonnaise, unable to remember if I’m putting it away or preparing to make a sandwich."
 
The second woman chimed in, "Yes, sometimes I find myself entering a room to get something, then have no idea what I went after."
 
The third, the youngest in the group, responded, "Well, I'm thankful that I don't experience any memory lapses, knock on wood."  A moment after rapping on the table, she said, "Oh my, someone must be the door; I'll get it!"
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As we age, it’s only natural that we will become increasingly forgetful. (Please don’t ask Brenda how many times I forget where I laid my phone, eyeglasses or keys.) Although our “senior moments” may be relatively harmless, there are 6 things that God wants us to never forget.


1. “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psa 119:16).
·        NEVER FORGET GOD'S WORD.
 
2. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits…” (Psa 103:2).
·        NEVER FORGET GOD'S BLESSINGS.
 
3. “…do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb 13:16).
·        NEVER FORGET TO DO GOOD. 
 
4. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Heb 13:2).
·        NEVER FORGET TO ASSIST STRANGERS.
 
5. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psa 9:17).
·        NEVER FORGET ABOUT GOD.
 
6. “…do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.…but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” (2 Pet 3:8,10).
·        NEVER FORGET THAT JESUS WILL RETURN.
 
Building Faith that Sticks in 2026!
 Dennis