Ten Year Blog Anniversary

Ten years ago this week I dipped my toe into the world of blogging.  My first post was published on July 22nd, but the post that has been the heart of McMoments and Memories was my third post, published on July 24, 2008.  Mom's Bible has been a constant here in my part of the world wide web.   The entire post was short and simple:

As I mentioned in the previous post, I will be sharing thoughts from Mom's Bible. I'm sure many of the thoughts are not original, most likely they are things she heard during the preaching because she always took her Bible to church. (And that's a thought for another post!)

She received this particular Bible for her 47th birthday, January 1, 1987, and it was the final Bible she carried. This contains her thoughts during an eight year battle with cancer and the loss of her youngest son, Rod. While that was obviously the most difficult time in her life, the notes and thoughts are constantly positive and uplifting.

So... if you see a note or thought labeled "Mom's Bible" that is exactly where it came from. And if the thought was originally yours, thank you for sharing it with her, because I'm sure if she wrote it down it was an encouragement to her.

One who uses the Bible as his guide , never loses his sense of direction.
- Mom's Bible

Mom's example of writing down notes and thoughts that were positive and uplifting is something I strive for.  I love sharing the adventures that Les and I have been on, but it's when I sit down with a thought or a scripture that's been tugging on my spirit that I feel like this blog is worth maintaining.  Just this week I shared a post with a friend - it was something I had written over five years ago, but it was right for her this week.

And here I am ten years later, still writing and still hoping that I can brighten someone's day or give the encouragement they need...

You Led Me to Believe

Sweet Comfort Band was a Christian band that was popular in the 70s and early 80s.  I've got some of their songs on my phone and was listening to them yesterday while I was out running.  One song in particular has stayed on my mind.  "You Led Me to Believe" has some sobering words about someone who walked away from the faith.

I've thought about this song a lot lately and I am filled was thanks for those who led me to believe.  I'm also so grateful that the ones who led me to believe have kept the faith.  My mom, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders.  I can't think of a single one who walked away.

I know that is not always the case.  I know of pastors and pastor's wives who have thrown it all away.  Parents and spouses who have left.  It's painful, more than I can adequately express.

If you're thinking about walking about from what you know is true, Stop.  Think about it.  Pray about it.  And stop.  Don't go.  Don't throw it all away.  It's not just about you.  There's a lot at stake.

If you've watched the one who led you to believe walk away, don't let that turn you away.  Don't turn one tragedy in to two.  Hold on to the One you were led to, not the one who led you there.  Keep holding on to all the thing you know are true.

You Led Me to Believe

You had the starring role that I wished I could play
So I learned every line that you were known to say
I stood in the shadows when the spotlight hit your face
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away
After You'd take the stage you could do no wrong
And I was the first to cheer when you would start the song
I hid by the curtain and I softly sang along
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

You were the guiding light for all who passed your way
The neighborhood Superman who always saved the day
You were the model, I was the clay
But I never dreamed you would throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Now I miss you everyday and it cuts me to the bone
You have gone so far away and I must stand alone
I kept the things you taught to me and I found them to be true
I only wish that you believed them, too

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Kings of Judah and Israel

I am currently in the book of 2 Kings in my daily Bible reading.  It can be confusing reading about the different kings.  Some names are similar, while others are identical.  Reigns overlap.  Many kings are identified by their parents.  I found this chart to be helpful:

Over and over the Bible says, "he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord" and "followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin."  Of 42 kings, 11 were counted righteous over the course of 464 years.

We celebrated the birthday of our country this week.  242 years since we declared our independence.  I wonder what a chart of our presidents would look like.  Of 45 presidents, how many could be counted righteous?  There will never be a perfect ruler, but we need to pray for our divided nation.   No matter who rules, we as individuals still have the choice to do that which is right in the sight of God.

I'm Really Curious

I am a reader.  My morning starts with daily Bible reading, but I also read books of all types. I've blogged about many books through the years - from Evicting Jezebel to Long Way Gone to Two Are Better and Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen.  I like books that make me think.  I like non fiction like Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy and missionary stories like Box 44, Monrovia.  I also enjoy historical or Biblical fiction like Isle of Shadows and the A.D. Chronicles.  I've read classics such as The Count of Monte Cristo and Jane Eyre.

Sometimes I just want to read for pleasure.  I'll pick up a freebie for my Kindle with no plans of expanding my brain!  I started one such read Sunday afternoon.  It started with a scene I have read many times before:  the bride walking down the aisle, her father giving her away, and the groom bolting from the room.  I've read many variations of this scene - from the bride climbing out the window of the bridal dressing room to the groom not showing up at the church.  Sometimes the story ends with the couple finally getting married, other times they marry someone else.

As I read the scene I stopped and asked Les, "Have you ever seen this happen in real life?"  We both agreed that we had not.  I've known people who got engaged and called it off, but I have never actually arrived for the ceremony to find that one of the key players decided not to show up.  I attended my first wedding (my Dad's youngest sister) when I was about two and have been to numerous weddings since, but I've never seen either party left standing at the altar.

So, I'm really curious.  Have you ever seen this happen?  Do you know anyone who on the day of their wedding just couldn't go through with it?  This is not a scientific poll, I'm just really curious!  Feel free to share the story but change the names to protect the innocent (and guilty!)