The troops fighting overseas in Iraq are caught up in the middle of a terrible war, which is getting worse and worse every day. More and more American troops are getting hurt and killed daily. The worst part about this war is that our enemy is too much of a coward to fight face to face; they have to use suicide bombs to do their damage. Since this is the case, our troops have to stay on guard and keep their eyes open at all times. Keeping up your guard twenty four hours a day can really take a toll on your psyche. The only thing that keeps these troops going is the hope of returning home, and the memories that they have of their loved ones. Our troops need to know that we love them and care about them and are very thankful for the job they are doing in Iraq. The best way we can support our troops is by sending them care packages. Care packages can be a wide variety of things from food, to a letter, to items that remind them of home.
If you would like to warm a troop’s heart you can bake some brownies, or make one of your favorite dishes. Then you can package this up and send it overseas so that the troops can get a small taste of home. Food is very good at raising the morale of troops while they are away at war. If you do not have time to cook something, or you would rather give the troops some inspiring words then you can just write them a letter. Whether it is a poem, some funny jokes you heard, or just a thank you, our troops would love to hear from you, because it reminds them what they are fighting for. Another thing you can do to support our troops is sending them some items that they might want or need from America. If you have a little extra money and you would like to send them a CD or something like that, you could really raise their spirits with a small gift. No matter what you have time or money to do, you can make a difference in a troop’s day and maybe get them through a tough time during their service overseas.
Pleaes Visit showyacare.com showyacare.com and showyacare.com/sitemap.php showyacare.com/sitemap.php. The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the owners of these sites.
Being a single Christian is not a disease, it is an opportunity. Far too may singles think ill of themselves due to naked-left-ring-finger-itis. Far too many in the church treat singles as if they were incomplete. Name 3 singles over the age of 25 that have not had Christian friends trying to play Cupid for them. The church should value her singles as highly as she values those that marry, perhaps more so. Paul clearly prefers the single life in 1 Corinthians 7. He claims it is a great opportunity. Why?
Singles can give more time and attention to the needs of God’s kingdom. Paul argued that marriage entangles the Christian with many necessary responsibilities from which the unmarried are free. If marriage takes time, being single saves time. Therefore, Paul could wish that all were single as he was. (1 Corinthians 7:7) Paul also more highly recommend not marrying or giving in marriage so that the single Christian could build the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 7:36-38)
The single’s great opportunity is the availability to do ministry. (1 Corinthians 7:32) Unfortunately, most singles spend their “extra time” on themselves. If you are single and are not giving your extra time and energy to serving God in the ministry of the church, you are not doing it right. You are wasting the opportunity that God has given you.
Let me ask you quite frankly, single Christian, what is your ministry in the church? Do you have one? Are you wasting your time and opportunity on merely selfish interests and nursing your neuroses? Are you killing time in merely trivial pursuits? Compared to your married brothers and sisters in Christ, you have fewer worldly concerns and are liberated from many anxieties. (1 Corinthians 7:28, 32) I write this not to add to your anxieties but rather to clarify your opportunity. Your brothers and sisters in Christ need you! The life and ministry of the church needs you! Your gifts, your time, your talents are worth their weight in gold in the kingdom of God.
You can only play the hand that you have been dealt, but you can play it well. Dear single Christian, I plead with you now; invest yourself in the ministry of the church. Make the most of the opportunity that God has given you. Why? Serve because that is what God has called you to do. Serve because being active in the service of the King is the best way to meet eligible sons and daughters of the King. Cupid reappears, but I will write more on finding that special someone next time
Pastor Mark A. Scholten is the Senior Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Manchester (PCA) 394 Lydall St., Manchester, CT 06042 manchesterpca.org manchesterpca.org
Mark has been single for half his life, and married the other half.