The Differnce

What a difference it would have made
If they had only listened
To all You had to say
To all You had to teach them
They would have realized
That the time of sorrow would soon end
When on that third morning
The Son would indeed rise again
Tears would have still been shed
At the loss of such a teacher and friend
But on that Sunday morning
Joy would flow in them
What a difference it makes
The assurance we know
That You'll come again
Then to Heaven we'll go!

April 4, 2010

Thank You

There is a group in American society that I believe is seriously taken for granted. These Americans put their all on the line on a daily basis in the name of freedom. Do you know who they are? They are the many men and women serving in the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guards, and Reserves. They are the ones we see in those pictures sent in emails who are sleeping on the ground, the ones who dream at night of being at home with their families, the ones who leave behind wives, husbands, parents, children, other family members and friends to ensure that the freedom we have in America will continue. They are the ones who volunteer for this service. There is a pride among our military that they are the United States Military. So who are we as civilians to take that pride away by taking them for granted? This Memorial Day weekend I challenge all of you regardless of what your political leanings may be or how you feel about the war in Iraq to remember that each of the soldiers is still someone's family member. A tragedy occurred in America after the Vietnam conflict ... the American citizens forgot to Thank our military for their bravery and their service. If you could ask our Vietnam Vets what they would have liked to receive it would have been thanks for what they went and did. Let's not let another generation of American servicemen and women feel that let down by the very people who should be holding them up! Let's tell them thank you at every opportunity....and on this weekend of remembering....let's not forget that it isn't just about not going to work and cooking out or going to the beach or even getting drunk...let's remember that it is a day of reflection of all the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country...the brave patriots leading a revolution for a new way of life, the brave men who fought the French, Indians, Spaniards and English in molding a new nation, the men that fought in a nation torn one side for freedom of others and the other side to protect a way of life, the men and women who fought for peace and freedom in not one but 2 world wars, the soldiers who went to Korea in the name of freedom, the forgotten heroes of Vietnam, the men and women who fought for freedom from a monster named Sadaam Hussein in Desert Storm, and the men and women who have been fighting and are still serving our nation in Iraq. Let us also pause and remember the heroes of September 11th who woke up just normal people but died heroes at the hands of terroism. Maybe we should rename this day the national day of US Heroes...because I don't know about you but they are all heroes to me the ones who have served in the past and still serve, the ones who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, the ones who were injured and bear scars in the name of freedom, and the ones going to bed tonight on sandy groud, the one standing guard on a hill this very moment, and ones in basic training learning to be an American Sailor, Marine, Soldier or Airman - -these are the true American Heroes!!! Thank them, love them, appreciate them...but most of all Pray for them!!!! So to those close to my heart who have served, to Mike, Grandaddy, Chris, Bobby, Janelle, Lamar, Bud, and the others I say......

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY... I PRAY THAT GOD BLESS YOU !!

My Gift to You

I wrote this December 2008

I was sitting here watching a rerun of 7th Heaven where Rev Camden passes and is led by his mother in law in choosing gifts for the family in Heaven. It got me thinking about how we spend so much time here on earth worrying about the material things...and how I have been so guilty this year of letting Satan take the joy away from me that is Christmas. Why should I let myself be depressed because I don't have a job or a husband or children to watch on Christmas morning or my own home? I have a security of eternal life - -I have faith in God - -I have the promise that no matter what comes my way God will take care of it and God will work it out to His glory and to my spiritual growth. So, I sit here pondering my life at this time and watching and realize the truth of the gifts on the show....and knowing that if I could I would love to give to all those special to me those same gifts. 1st the gift of time...we are so busy in today's world that so often we overlook the precious gift of time....my wish is that in the new year each of you [& me] will take the time to live the life that God would have us live...take that extra moment to let your family know what they mean to you...take the time to stop and just enjoy your children before there is no time...take the time to serve God to let others know who He is and all that He wants to do for them...2nd I give each of you an eraser - so many times we hold on to things in our past that we have no way of going back and changing...one of my favorite Bible verses talks about forgetting the past and looking to the future...when we tell someone to forgive and forget something often we need to tell them to allow God to forgive you and then you forget it because he already has so there is no sense in allowing the mistakes of our past to cloud the joy and vibrantness of our future...3rd you shall receive Courage -- courage to take that next step to step out on faith and allow God to do a miracle in your life...so many people wanted to know this year how I could with peace accept the severance package I was offered when I could have went into another department and continued working for an undetermined amount of time...I had the courage to face the unknown because I had the faith to do what God wanted me to do...I don't know what the new year holds for me but I know that God will give the courage to do what I need to do...Next I wish for you Purpose...each of us has a purpose in this life...so often however we wander along aimlessly not knowing what that purpose is...may God reveal to you your purpose and what His purpose in this life is for YOU!! Next I wish each of you dignity- dignity to hold your head high no matter what life throws at you - my wish for you is that you will value you and who you are and always act in a manner that is becoming to the person you are and the One who created you...along with dignity comes beauty - not so much a physical beauty but a beauty that comes from within a beauty that is give to you by God a beauty that is not something that makes you the perfect magazine cover but a beauty that shines from a beautifully forgiven blood washed heart~~ a beauty of actions deeds and self worth and when you combine dignity and beauty you will receive the gift of loyalty~~loyalty to yourself [remember Shakespeare - to thine own self be true], loyalty to others that allows you to stand up with your loved ones and friends in the face of adversity that allows you to be the one who laughs with them, crys with them and supports them thru thick and thin,,,but most of all a loyalty to God to be able to stand and look anyone in the eye no matter the cost and proclaim your love and faith in Christ...I could go on and on about things like respect and companionship and encouragement etc...but the greatest gift I wish for you is love ~~~love of your family and friends...love for yourself love for others love for life...and most definetly the love offered on Calvary...FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON THAT IF YOU BELIEVE IN HIM YOU WILL NOT DIE BUT WILL LIVE FOREVER [JOHN 3:16]...Have you ever wondered why God sent his son like he did to a stinky dirty cattle stall instead of sending him to a palace or place worthy of the King of all kings? He wants us all to experience his love and know that no matter who we are where we are from or what we have done in the past Jesus came to offer us hope peace joy love forgiveness and salvation....

Merry Christmas May God Bless you!!!!

THE CALL OF THE CROSS

There's a call that rings out from a cross on Calvary
It's rang forth throughout the years.
It beckons you and me to follow Jesus
For only he can give peace and calm our fears

It's a call of true allegiance
Allegiance to the spotless lamb that was slain
Only when we stand and heed his call
Can we the cleansing power of its blood claim

Best of all the call is a call of love
Unconditional, all accepting love for you and me
A love that when we accept Him
Makes Jesus our Lord, our Savior, our King

The call can be as loud as a resounding trumpet
Or as soft as a gentle Spring breeze
All God desires for us to do
Is to follow the example of the crucified thief

Answer His call today
Open your heart and let Christ in
And the assurance of an eternal life
In Heaven with Jesus you will win.

by: Melissa Stokes March 13, 2005

The Christmas Menagerie

Throughout our journey on this earth we see
Various menageries every day
Groups of people or objects life has placed together
Because of who or what they are or the role that they may play
Thousands of years ago
The most special menagerie was made
A collection of people and events
To pay a debt no man could pay
It starts with a prophet who lived in days of old
He often spoke of a coming Messiah
The promise of a coming Prince of Peace
The world’s Savior proclaimed Isaiah
Years passed by until late one night
And angel visited a virgin girl
With a message of hope and not of fear
He told Mary that she would soon
Bear the Savior of the world
Another visit late one night
To Joseph her betrothed
Gabriel assured him of the will of God
That this child would one day bear our cross
A census decree leads us all
to the town of Bethlehem
Where Joseph and Mary arrived to find
The was no room in the inn
It was in a stable filled with hay
That Jesus Christ was born
A star shone brightly overhead
Leading shepherds and Magi to worship the baby Lord.
This menagerie that was created on that holy night
When all the angels in heaven sang
Is just one small example of God’s great menagerie
Made of souls who shall reside in Heaven on day.

Melissa Stokes 11/27/05

The List

As little children we have all been told
About Santa and his list
It contains the names of good and bad
And not one child is missed.

Every child has one goal each year
To be listed on Santa’s good side
So they will find toys and not any coal
After his visit on Christmas Eve night

Do we find ourselves concerned with
Being on God’s list of names
The Lamb’s Book of Life, the list of those
Whom his sacrificial gift have claimed

This list is not a temporal one
It has no earthly rewards
But if your name is written there
You are a joint heir with the Lord

How do I get my name on this list?
You may one day ask of me
My answer is a simple on
Just trust Him and believe

Believe He came to this walk this earth
The first Christmas in Bethlehem
Then years later the crucified him on a cross
And then saw Him rise again

Accept these facts, believe in Him
And ask Him in your heart to abide
And one day when you stand before God
Your name will be found in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Melissa Stokes 11/30/2005

The Ministry of Psalm 23

Written for Clergy Appreciation 10/8/6 Gibsonia Baptist Church

Pastor, you are our shepherd
Guiding our church each day
You’ve been anointed by the hand of God
He leads your steps, tells you what to say

You spend your days in ministry
On your knees in prayer you are found
Your Bible always open as you study
Some great truth of God you’ll expound

You’ve given your all to the sake of Christ
Forgotten you plans to follow His Call
You spread His Word & shine His Light
Whether preaching or coaching ball

We pause this morning to take the time
To honor all that you do
Thanking God for making you our pastor
We love and appreciate you.