The Dawning of Hope

Life is a burden
And time is a curse 
Each day is a play 
That we do not rehearse

We each write a book 
With much careful thought 
But know that its pages 
Will all come to naught. 

Our moments are painted 
With much artful skill 
But colors are wasted 
In time that we kill. 

We sing songs of passion 
In much pain begotten 
Meant to inspire 
But too soon forgotten

Our stories are bland artifacts 
Buried in dust 
Our iron wills corrupted 
Our treasured thoughts rust 

Our hearts bleed for nothing 
Our mind aches in vain 
Our joys are all pointless 
There’s nothing to gain. 

The things that now hurt us 
Will soon hurt no more 
But the pleasures that drive us 
Will leave us all poor. 

For life is a burden 
And time is a curse 
Hope an illusion 
A rose scented hearse. 

Till in steps the Savior 
With truth for our lies 
The pain was His blessing 
Dressed up in disguise. 

Our hurts and our failures 
Drive us to his arms 
He wooes and He wins us 
With mysteries charms 

Then life is a blessing 
And time just a start 
A hopeful beginning 
For a once hopeless heart.

God's Grand Plan

The one who stands across forever,
…from time of old His work began, 
bids all those come to Him, whomever,
…Life and love His brilliant plan,
Souls and hearts that hurt wherever,
…as light and life came, then came man,
His power and strength a mighty endeavor,
…the image of God on man was scan
His grace and love and mercy forever!
…He blessed this life by a mighty hand.

But man deceived, he fell from grace,
…needs a costly plan of righteousness,
which then began that dreadful race, 
…the Son in babe, such holiness.
of death for man does ever chase.
…On a cross He died in loneliness.
of crushing Satan and death’s disgrace.
…A life so pure, He’s forever, yes!!
His Love overcame with infinite grace!
…Death could not hold in lifelessness.

He rose from death and conquered all,
…For love and life through Him are ours,
and crossed the chasm of our great fall.
…From Him who rules and owns all powers,
With death in hand His great forestall,
…The creator of all the sun lit flowers.
And back to him is His loving call!
…New life to us His love empowers!
We’re all astonished in wonder and awe!
…In heavenly mansions, and majestic towers! 

His life He gave to end our strife.
His treasures now on us run rife,
Brilliant and pure, our new afterlife!
Jesus, the way, the truth, the life!


John 17:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, 
he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,
“Father, the hour has come; 
glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,..."

Known But to God

To the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
A dad made a visit with his son.
Today it was Memorial Day,
And a service had just begun.

The President placed a wreath
At the unknown soldier's tomb.
Everyone was very still and quiet.
The son thought, "Why such gloom?"

"Dad, to see an unknown soldier's tomb,
Why did we have to travel so far?"
"Son, we honor all our dead heroes,
Even though we don't know who they are."

"Known but to God," my dear child,
On the soldier's tomb, it says that,
Because God knows the name of each.
It could be Bill, Jim, Sam, or Matt."

Asked the son, "How about me, Dad?
Can I be hero soldier too?"
"Yes, Son, you can be a soldier
Known to God, a Christian soldier true!"

The United States Military Code of Conduct

.

All service members receive training in the U.S. military's Code of Conduct at various times in their careers.

The Code of Conduct, which was introduced by President Eisenhower in 1955, is based on time-honored concepts and traditions dating back to the American Revolution.

The six articles outline the obligations and responsibilities of U.S. service members in harm's way.

ARTICLE I: 
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II: 
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III: 
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV: 
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmfull to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V: 
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI: 
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

The United States Military Code of Conduct

C

All service members receive training in the U.S. military's Code of Conduct at various times in their careers.

The Code of Conduct, which was introduced by President Eisenhower in 1955, is based on time-honored concepts and traditions dating back to the American Revolution.

The six articles outline the obligations and responsibilities of U.S. service members in harm's way.

ARTICLE I: 
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

ARTICLE II: 
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

ARTICLE III: 
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

ARTICLE IV: 
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmfull to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.

ARTICLE V: 
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.

ARTICLE VI: 
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.