When I was young I found it difficult to understand what people meant by the word 'faith'. To me, it seemed that I was to accept what someone told me as gospel and to not question it.

However, I'm not one to not question things. So my journey took me in the direction of factual documentation and understanding. I sought proof!

While I, for example, sought to prove the existence of God, I was somewhat disappointed with my failure, but accepting of my faith when God proved His existence TO ME.

Now 'faith' is easy, because it is rooted in the evidence God has provided me. God exists. Life after death exists. And, so now I have placed my faith in Him and His choices for my life.

Which leads me to another question.

With faith in God, and no longer the fearing of death, how is it that I can fear so much else that I must deal with of this world? Hardly seems worth worrying about, doesn't it? But, then again, maybe that's what makes us human.

"We are only limited by our imaginations. Anything we can imagine must be possible; for if it wasn't possible then God wouldn't have given us the ability to imagine it."

"If the mountain was smooth you couldn't climb it. It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born, and God's greatest gifts are given."

"In life, as in death, one must sometimes lose everything to reap thy full bounty."

"IT'S JUST BUSINESS!"

{Devotional}

There are, of course, many aspects to our lives: personal, family, business and so on. So it is therefore a great daily challenge for us to maintain our focus as we make a multitude of decisions throughout our day. And, that focus for Christians is guided by the words, teachings and actions of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nonetheless, we, as the embodiment of Christ [LUKE 17:21], find ourselves often facing compromises between what our faith calls upon us to do and what our worldly interests seem to require.

Perhaps the depiction of the following illustration will place this thought in perspective:

A successful businessman passes and finds himself facing the judgment seat of God, when the following conversation ensues…..

GOD ASKS: “You read and studied My bible, My word?”
MAN: “Yes. I did, Lord!”
GOD: “You accepted My son, Jesus, as your savior?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord!”
GOD: “You were a very successful business man?”
MAN: “I was, Lord!”
GOD: “And, a loving husband and father?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord!”
GOD: “A good neighbor, and friend?”
MAN: “Yes. I believe so, Lord!”
GOD: “I recall an incident you had with an employee…?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord! That was just business, sir.”
GOD: “And, the questionable treatment of your customers…?”
MAN: “Yes, Lord! That, too, was just business, sir.”
GOD: “Tell me, did you treat your family, friends and neighbors in like manner?”
MAN: “Oh, no, Lord! That’s personal!”
GOD: “Well, then, would you explain for me the difference?”
“ That is: ‘personal’ vs ‘business’?”
MAN: “UHMMM!!!””Well, you see…”
{Uncertain just how to answer}
GOD: “No, you see, my son, what you have failed in your life to comprehend is that it’s ALL personal, with Me!”

AND GOD CALLED OUT: “Who’s next? Oh, the politician?”


God calls for each of us to be ready to respond to life’s opportunities to serve Him “…Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done, On Earth…” and take the lead amongst His people wherever and whenever we are called to serve Him. How we respond, in the simplest or most demanding of circumstances, is a reflection of whether we are thinking of ourselves or of Him.

We may ask ourselves, the next time we are faced with a choice of what to do or how to act, if we are only living for today or if we are planning for tomorrow. Are we choosing what serves our needs and interests in the here and now or, even at the risk of our own plans and peril of our earthly desires and success, to act with God’s higher calling in mind?

Which will you choose? Which is your master? Will you choose what God expects of you to fulfill His plan and purpose for your earthly life, and your future life with Him in heaven? Will you lead others to Him in a demonstrable expression in every aspect of your daily life?

If there is to be meaning as well as purpose to our lives, the answer has already been given us. It is said that life is a journey, not a destination. And just as Christ followed a path serving the Father, our path begins with a single step [1PETER 2:21], to tread in the footsteps of our Savior. We are to lead others to salvation; by sharing God’s word through our actions, words and deeds. And we may accomplish our task by taking just one step at a time.

It has been found that in the denial of individual pursuits, and the devotion to God’s given plan, that ordinary people achieve extraordinary things; for it is God whom dwells within us and through us so that we may live for Him. Thus, in living and sacrificing as individuals for our personal God we also prosper, for our own salvation and for that of all humanity’s.


Amen!

Psalms [11:2]

The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. [Psalm 11:2]

EULOGY FOR MARY E. RICKARD

The saying goes, "Oh! If we could only see ourselves as others see us." And, it is also true that all too often we never learn of our impact on the lives of others. For it is at moments such as this, the funeral for Mary Elizabeth Rickard, that the joy, the surprise and the caring we experience with another, friend, family member, neighbor is brought to the surface and made public.

We all have our personal traits and histories that are humorous or funny, serious or sad, generous and thoughtful, all too human, that we experience or we generate and leave behind for others to reflect upon that characterize our lives; lives that are often remembered by the smallest and seemingly most insignificant events.

For example: Mary's niece, Margie remembers MiMi, as she was known to her family, taking her to her very first movie at a local theater. The movie? 'Mary Poppins'. And, accordingly, Margie pictures MiMi as Mary Poppins in her memories.

Bobby will remember virtually growing up on Wellston Place, in the house that Grandpa Rickard built, surrounded by the Rickard family and the love and attention he received from aunt MiMi. Especially while dad was away during WWII and the years of national recovery following that war, when Americans again began rebuilding their lives.

While I myself have many fond memories of MiMi, there is one memory in particular that was both touching and principled. I will carry it with me always.

Winston Churchill, statesman and Prime Minister of England once said, "We make a living by what we get, but.....We make a life by what we give."

Many years ago, at a time when I was struggling financially and wondering where I would find the cash to buy Christmas gifts for my daughter Kristina, a card unexpectedly appeared in the mail. It was from my aunt MiMi. Enclosed was a check, and the card read, "Remember this, and one day you will help someone else." To this day I do not know how she knew. I had not made any mention of my concerns to her. But, she knew! And her unsolicited generosity has had an impact on me, and no doubt many others, that will live long past her time on this earth.

Coming from simple and modest beginnings, MiMi was just an average middle-class American. But she had some flare for entrepreneurship. In her life, MiMi, along with her sister Margaret, our mom, had owned and operated some local dress shops in O'Bryonville and Madisonville. She had a great artistic talent for flower arranging at 'Flowers by Marjorie' in O'Bryonville, and for many years as a saleslady at fashionable 'Martin's' at Hyde Park Plaza. Full of energy, and vivacious, and maybe just a little bit hyper-active (ha, ha), MiMi continued working well into the years that most people spend in retirement. Not because she had to, but because she enjoyed people, making their acquaintance and their friendship. She was a real pro. And a talented one at that!

Late in life, Mary reflected on her years. She felt accomplished in her work, loved in her family, experienced in her travels, happy in her community and ready for the Lord to bring her home. Leonardo da Vinci put it best, when he said, "As a well-spent day brings sleep, so life well used brings happiness in death."

George M. Cohan, the famous broadway entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, director and producer {he was a very talented and busy man} wrote a popular melody called "Mary". The song's refrain went.....

FOR IT WAS MARY, MARY, PLAIN AS ANY NAME CAN BE

BUT WITH PROPRIETY, SOCIETY WILL SAY 'MARIE'.

BUT IT WAS MARY, MARY, LONG BEFORE THE FASHIONS CAME

AND THERE IS SOMETHING THERE THAT SOUNDS SO FAIR

IT'S A GRAND OLD NAME!

And, stating with the most flattering of intended graces and class that she was, Mary was a grand 'ole dame.