risen star

Amen Brother! That is as good of a Christian pledge as I have ever heard.

I believe that the answer is as simple as understanding the words of the two thieves who were crucified with Christ! One thief mocked Christ and the other seems to have repented and accepted Christ as God! This accounting from St. Luke speaks nothing of baptism nor works. Luke 23:39-43 New International Version (NIV) 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(A) 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(B) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[a]”(C) 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(D)

It is not a matter of being good or bad but rather do we accept Christ as our savior? We all have the power to save ourselves as the thief on the cross who accepted Christ and was promised salvation. John 3:15 "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

20 years in the Air Force from 76-96. The last 11 in the Reserves. I actually found the reserves the more difficult. On active duty I guarded nukes and B-52's, all quite routine, day in and day out, through the cold of South Dakota to the snow in the upper Peninsula of MI. I thought finishing up in the Reserves while raising a family would be a cake walk and I was wrong. Many do not realize what the Guard and reserves really accomplish in their required service days. The training and commitment was more than I expected and I often think that those men and women do not get the respect that they deserve. Do to cut backs these soldiers and airmen are being tasked above and beyond the call of duty. Lets not forget these men and women because their commitment is stronger than ever. God Bless them all. I also wanted to remember my grandfather who I barely knew who fought in WWl and had is life impacted from mustard gas and my Father who served during Korea. Both have passed and their proud service will always be with me.