It's Friday already????? Yup! For many of you that means the weekend (and time off from the job) is just a few hours away. For me, it means the most intense part of my work week is just around the corner (It's Friday ... and Sunday's coming!). So pour yourself a cup of your favorite JOE and join me for a few random thoughts.1. Do you wonder why a cup of coffee is often referred to as a "cup of joe?" Three years ago I posted a link to the answer to this question. Thought some of you who missed that might be interested in reading the answer ... click here.
2. Yesterday I sat on a committee as we worked through a number of nominations and selected a group of three police officers for awards to be presented on May 15, 2016 at the annual law enforcement appreciation and memorial service that our church has been conducting for thirty plus years now. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the service and how it all began, here is a brief history of the service:
The
year was 1984 and Grace Church was in its fourth year at its present location
in Willow Valley Square. A West Lampeter Township Police Officer who started
attending the church asked founding pastor Vernon Harris if the church would be
interested in sponsoring a service to honor the Lancaster County police
officers who had been killed in the line of duty. Pastor Harris loved the idea.
Officer Roy Shaubach organized the first service and was involved in the
planning of the service for many years until his death. Since the service was
started in May of 1984, five names have been added to the Roll Call of Honor. Our prayer is that we will never have to add another!
Thirteen
years ago, along with remembering those who have given their lives in the line
of duty, a new addition was added to the service - that of giving awards to
officers currently serving our community. Currently, there are three award
categories - Outstanding Officer of the Year; Outstanding
Investigator of the Year; and Outstanding Act of Bravery. These
awards are given in cooperation with the Lancaster County Chiefs of Police
Association.
It was these three awards that we decided upon this morning. The recipients are very worthy! In a day and age in which police are often in the news for the wrong reasons, it's a must to recognize that the vast majority of police officers do their jobs and do them well. For all of us who live here in this country, we are better for it! If you are available to join us on the 15th, the service begins at 10:30am.
3.Yesterday morning, as I sat an intersection waiting for a light change, I happened to glance to my left. At just that moment, a hawk swept into a tree and grabbed an unsuspecting squirrel. As quickly as the hawk arrived on the scene, just that quickly it was gone, lunch in hand (or better said, talon!). That poor creature didn't stand a chance! It got caught unaware of the hawk's presence! The Apostle Paul warns us about being unaware about someone who desires to make us his prey. That someone is Satan (2 Corinthians 2:11). Satan and his army of fallen angels are quite active. They are out to blind people to God's saving truth (2 Corinthians 4:4), to ensnare people to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26) and tempt us to defy God (1 Corinthians 7:5). The best way to prepare for Satan's advances is to know God's Word! Isn't it interesting that when Jesus the God-Man was tempted by the Evil One to sin against his Father, Jesus responded each time by quoting appropriate Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11). In doing so, he fended off Satan's temptation and caused the devil to flee! All this to say, if we want to stand in the day of evil ... we must know God's word and apply it as appropriate. Only then will we avoid becoming prey of the one who is on the prowl, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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