Christian Reflection and Prayer

Here is something Every American should know.
Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out
and it's true: 
We in the   United States  have all heard the
haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives
us the lump in our throats and usually tears in
our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? 
If not, I think you will be interested to find out
about its humble beginnings. 
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the
 Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert
Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing
in   Virginia  .  The Confederate Army was
on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans
of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. 
Not knowing if it was a   Union  or Confederate
soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and
bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the
Captain reached the stricken soldier and began
pulling him toward his encampment.. 
When the Captain finally reached his own lines,
he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier,
but the soldier was dead. 
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught
his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim
light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his
own son. The boy had been studying music in
the South when the war broke out..  Without
telling his father, the boy enlisted in the
Confederate Army. 
The following morning, heartbroken, the father
asked permission of his superiors to give his
son a full military burial, despite his enemy
status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge
for his son at the funeral. 
The request was turned down since the soldier
was a Confederate. 
But, out of respect for the father, they did say
they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the
bugler to play a series of musical notes he
had found on a piece of paper in the pocket
of the dead youth's uniform. 
This wish was granted. 
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps'
used at military funerals was born. 
The words are:

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes 
From the hills. 
From the sky.
All is well.. 
Safely rest. 
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright. 
From afar. 
Drawing nigh. 
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise. 
For our days. 
Neath the sun 
Neath the stars. 
Neath the sky
As we go..
This we know. 
God is nigh

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps'
but I have never seen all the words to the song until
now.  I didn't even know there was more than one verse . 
I also never knew the story behind the song and I
didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it
along. 
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than
I did before. 

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were
discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture
had a different hair color than the other members... One of her
students suggested that he was adopted.
A little girl said, 'I know all about
Adoption, I was adopted..'

'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked
another child.

'It means', said the girl, 'that you grew
in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!'

GOD BLESS MOMMY'S HEART!

(from God's Daley Promise)

Scripture:

Make them pure and holy by teaching
them your words of truth.
John 17:17 NLT

Reflection:

Truth is unchanging

"Hey, Mom, guess what we learned
in school today?" Victor took off his
raincoat and dropped it on the floor
inside the back door.

"Did you know that people used to
think the world was flat?" Victor said.

"Did they?" Mom said, dropping her
mouth in an expression of shock.
"If it's not flat, what shape is it?"

"It's round," Victor said. "You know
that."

"You're right," Mom admitted. They
sat down in a chair next to a freestanding
globe in the corner of the front room. "But
all those years people  thought the world
was flat, was it flat or was it round?"

Victor thought for a moment before
answering firmly, "Round."

Mom nodded, "That's right, Victor. You
see what people thought didn't change
what was true, did it? Let me ask you one
more question, Victor. Some people say
the Word of God isn't true. What do you
think about that?"

Victor pondered his mom's question for
a long minute before answering. "What
they  think doesn't matter, does it,
Mommy?" Victor answered.
"You're right, Victor," Mom said.
"BECAUSE TRUTH DOESN'T CHANGE"

Adapted from The One Year® Book of
Josh MacDowell's Family Devotions by
Bob Hostetler, Tyndale House Publishers
(1997), p 122.