Today is many things – it is the 1st of a new month, it is Friday, but it also very special to me. My daughter was born on this day, starting my adventure of motherhood, and blessing my life in so many ways. I cannot begin to describe with mere words who she is as a woman, as a daughter, mother and friend. Her wit, humor, intelligence and strength put a proud smile on my face daily. Being her mother has been indescribably wonderful, and I pray we have many more years together to celebrate many more birthdays. Happy Birthday K. You are one of the greatest joys in my life now and always.
Verse of the Day
March 1, 2019
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Thoughts on the Verse of the Day
Now that’s a long way – from sun rising to sun setting, that’s how far God has removed our sins. But the key word is removed. When we sin and come to God in repentance, God doesn’t just forgive our sin; he purifies us of all unrighteousness. What was unholy in me is made righteous in him. What was impure is now clean. What was stained is spotless. Why? How? We can now see more fully what the Psalmist could know only in part. God doesn’t see our sin, but Jesus’ sacrifice. His blood purifies and cleanses us! Our sin is gone and we are clean.
Food for Thought
We are all created in the image of God, that’s what His word tells us. If He created us the way He wants us to be, shouldn’t that be enough for any of us? Try looking into the mirror today and seeing what He sees, then look towards others and see that in them as well.
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day – All of America’s military and veterans deserve our gratitude, and today we pay tribute to the United States Asiatic Fleet. The U.S. Navy has had a presence in the far east since about 1822. The Asiatic Fleet was formed in 1902, and reestablished in 1910 and served into 1942. The Fleet protected American lives through years of unrest. They also helped civilian areas that had been devastated by forces of nature and internal warfare. When the attack on Pearl Harbor threw the United States into World War II, the Asiatic Fleet played a key part in defending the Philippines. The Fleet was outnumbered and outgunned at sea and in the air, but were joined by ships of the British, Dutch and Australian navies to oppose the Japanese advance through what is now Indonesia. The Fleet’s destroyers hit the Japanese at Balikpapan and Badung Strait, and the cruiser Marblehead fought through massive air attacks off Bali while submarines, which were short of fuel and torpedoes, hit the Japanese supply lines. The battle reached its height in the Java Sea. In the early hours of March 1, 1942, the American cruiser Houston and the Australian cruiser Perth, outnumbered and outgunned, fought to the last in the Sunda Strait. They went down with their guns still firing, followed just hours later by the British cruiser Exeter. The rest of the Allied ships were ordered to head to Australia. It was the end of the Asiatic Fleet, but it left behind a heritage of courage and selfless dedication which encouraged our Navy to ultimate victory in World War II. The Seventh Fleet carries on the Asiatic Fleet’s duties, helping to preserve peace in East Asia, earning honor in the Korean and Vietnam wars. The brave men and women in our Naval services who saw the Cold War come to a peaceful end, and won victory in Operation Desert Storm, do honor to the sailors and Marines who earned glory in the Java Sea. Today we pay tribute to the memory of the Asiatic Fleet, calling on all Americans to salute its proud heritage of bravery and honor. Below is a copy and paste of the proclamation by President Bush, declaring this a National holiday:
“The Congress, by Public Law 105-261, on October 17, 1998, has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in commemoration of the United States Navy Asiatic Fleet. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Friday, March 1, 2002, as U.S. Navy Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth. “
Dress in Blue Day – This is a sad one, but one that is important. One in every 20 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer, leading to more than 50,000 deaths each year. This is such a sobering number, but the Colon Cancer Alliance refuses to accept these horrible statistics for a disease that can be largely prevented through recommended screening. They are urging individuals, businesses and community groups across the country to take part in the nationwide “Dress In Blue Day” today. By wearing blue and urging other people to wear blue also, you can help put colon cancer awareness on the map. This event takes place each year during National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The idea behind it is to start a conversation nationwide about how important it is to get screened and save lives by knocking colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers. The first step in saving lives is starting the conversation, so let’s wear blue and raise awareness today.
Employee Appreciation Day – We have Secretary’s/Admin Assistant’s Day. We have Boss’s Day. What about the other employees? Today ALL employees get to feel appreciation, since it honors employees everywhere. This is one that is supposed to be created and executed by the company the employees work for, and it can be as simple as a thank you, or as big as a treat, lunch or even a small gift of recognition. Everyone deserves to feel appreciated . . . so let’s hope that all employees go home feeling that way today.
National Day of Unplugging – From the moment our alarm clocks wake us up in the morning, to turning on the TV for the morning news, getting online to check our email, using our phones to text people throughout the day, movies, games, go-go-go! We are ALWAYS plugged in somewhere all the time! This day is set aside to rest from all of that – remember what rest is? Do you remember a day when you were completely unplugged? Well, I do, but it’s only when we’re hiking and there ISN’T any way to plug in. Unless you are out in the mountains hiking, it’s hard to COMPLETELY detach from technology, but do the best you can. Turn off the phones, tablets and computers. Leave the TVs, games and movies off. Play games, read, go for a walk, have a picnic, etc. Doing all those things we did before all of this “stuff” was available 24/7. Of course, this would be more logical if it landed on a Saturday and Sunday instead of a Friday and Saturday. Apparently, the creators didn’t have to go to work, where we are plugged up from the moment, we get there until the moment we get home. If you can, even for a few hours this weekend, just UNPLUG! The rest from technology will do you good.
National Horse Protection Day – When we think of horses, what comes to mind? Maybe a beautiful horse standing in a field, or a peaceful ride through green meadows and on sun dappled paths through the woods? This is a beautiful picture, but sadly, there is a lot of cruelty that happens outside the scenes in the movies, or the well-cared for horses we see in the countryside. Some horses are subjected to unimaginable abuse and slaughter by cruel and horrible people. It is considered normal to eat horse meat in some countries of the world, and it is even eaten in some places in our own country. This breaks my heart and is definitely not something I would voluntarily eat. Beyond that though, the abuse and cruelty, the horrible neglect, has got to be addressed and stopped! I just don’t comprehend it! In 2004 there was a bill passed called the Wild Horse Protection Act that made it OK to slaughter wild horses. In 2009 the Bureau of Land Management that farms these wild horses decided that they were going to get rid of 620 of them. Why? Because they were “trampling the landscape”. Seriously! They wanted to slaughter these beautiful animals for trampling the landscape? They are wild horses! What did they expect? It was said that the BLM was abandoning the care of the horses in favor of political interests. Sadly, that sounds like it is likely true – considering how I feel about most politicians. So, what can people who love horses do to demonstrate how much they care? Well, the number one way, if you possibly can, would be to adopt a horse! If you have the ability and resources to bring a horse into your family, you would be showing great kindness to an animal that needs it. That isn’t practical though, not for everyone. You can get into the National Horse Protection Day website and see different options for helping out that may fit better into your life and know that you’ve done a good thing.
National Pig Day – Today we recognize the importance, and sweetness, of domesticated pigs. Pigs are smart animals, yet most people don’t realize how smart they really are! They can be taught to do tricks, and if you’re keeping one as a house pet, they can be potty trained! This celebration is observed by zoos, and they hold activities like snort offs, pig outs and online pig chats. Not sure how that last one works, but it definitely sounds interesting. I’ve always thought a potbellied pig would be a fun pet . . . but I think a lot of animals would make a great pet and we just don’t have the room for all of them! Enjoy today and honor a pig if you get the chance . . . and no, having bacon for breakfast does not qualify this time.
National Salesperson Day – Sales professionals make up a huge art of our workforce. They are under appreciated and sometimes even thought of with disdain. We’ve all run into salespeople who are just plain pushy – used car salesmen come to mind, or telemarketers. Fact is that they do perform a service that needs to be appreciated . . . SOMEONE has to do these jobs, right? Other examples of salespeople to appreciate today would be clerks at stores, people who sell door to door (these are becoming fewer and fewer – with good reason. I won’t open my door to one EVER), insurance agents, mortgage brokers and loan officers (yep, they are selling too), manufacturer’s representatives, and the list goes on. You don’t have to LIKE being pressured to buy, but when you are in the market to get something, you’ll need a sales person to help you! So, if you are in sales, today is for you!
World Compliment Day – Today is the most positive day in the world. It is hard to argue that point when everyone is going around complimenting each other. There is an art to a good compliment though. A true compliment must be genuine, and heart felt, or the person being compliment will see straight through to the insincerity. There is also a way to accept a compliment – with graciousness – a simple Thank You is all that is needed. If done properly, Compliment day can be a force for good in this crazy world. Today, try to find something to compliment about everyone you see. I realize that for some this could be a challenge but do your best.
World Day of Prayer – This is a special one. Today is World Day of Prayer, an international Christian women’s initiative that works under the motto, “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action”. It is celebrated each year in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March. This movement is aimed at bringing together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a common day of prayer each year. The Women’s World Day of Prayer first began in the United States in 1887, when Mary Ellen James, the wife of a Presbyterian minister from New York, called for a day of prayer for home missions, and Methodist women called for a week of prayer and self-denial for foreign missions. Two years later, two Baptists called together a Day of Prayer for the World Mission. The Day of Prayer started by these two women spread to Canada, then to the British Isles in the 1930s. On this day, women are encouraged to be aware of other countries and cultures, taking up the burdens of other people, sympathize with the problems that other countries and cultures suffer, and pray with, and for, them. We should each be aware of our talents and use them to serve God by helping others. Today we demonstrate that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have influence in the world that cannot be measured.
This Day in History –
1872 – Yellowstone becomes the U.S.’s first national park.
Food Celebration of the Day
National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day – We stand up and salute America’s favorite sandwich spread today. Can you think of any kid who didn’t grow up loving PB & J sandwiches (barring those who are allergic, of course). Smooth peanut butter is more popular than crunchy – but I can’t figure out why. I absolutely LOVE the crunchy stuff – especially in cookies. Think of all the ways you can eat peanut butter, and they are all good! On crackers, celery and other “holders”. It is used in cookies and candies, and I honestly love it in sauces over chicken and veges – like Thai Chicken! Yum! Did you know that peanut butter is 90% or more peanuts? If you get the natural brands, they are ALL peanut! If you can, enjoy something made with peanut butter today!
Some interesting facts about peanut butter that I thought I would share with you:
An 18 oz jar of peanut butter needs 850 peanuts.
The USA produces about 6% of the world’s crop of peanuts, by comparison Indian and China together produce about 70%.
West Coast people prefer chunky peanut butter, and those on the East Coast like creamy.
Peanuts account for 2/3 of the total snack “nuts” consumed in the USA.
96% of people, when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, put the peanut butter on before they put the jelly on.
Two Presidents of the USA, Jimmy Carter and Thomas Jefferson, were peanut farmers.
Well, I’m out the door now! I am making up my last day of snow day make-up today, and am already looking forward to next Friday, so I can be home! God bless you and I’ll see you tomorrow.
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Celebration list sources:
www.verseoftheday.com www.brownielocks.com www.holidayinsights.com www.thenibble.com www.foodimentary.com