Eddie Laney was a New Mexico cowboy evenings and weekends, and a heavy equipment operator by day, and he was good at what he did. Be he had never played baseball.

One summer the Silver City Baseball League had 500 boys to sign up to play ball, but there were hardly any coaches. So, Eddie, being the tender hearted man that he was, volunteered to be a coach. “I ain’t  never played baseball in my life,” he admitted, “but if you’ll give me the rule book I’ll learn. So they did.

Eddie studied that rule book from cover to cover and from the inside out, and became a super coach. Because of his love for children and his willingness to learn, a dozen more boys spent the summer playing baseball instead of running loose on the streets, perhaps getting into trouble.

Wow! Another school year has passed, so once again I want to give our school teachers a little of the honor they deserve. Last night we had a precious conversation with our grandson, Landon Brown's teacher. If there ever was a lady who loves children it is Angie White, first grade teacher at Richlands Elementary School. And I've no doubt there are a zillion others out there who deserve the same appreciation. So, I repeat our last year's inspiration for every one of them.

We are all familiar with the expression that Christians are “saved to serve”, and that is true. But today, on this Memorial Day I would like to turn that expression around and consider it from the opposite end.

Please consider this bit of information folks are sharing on Face Book:  “A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.” Their lives are no longer their own. So why do they do it? To protect and save us and our great nation from those who would like to destroy us. Our troops are “serving to save”, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice. So we honor them now.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Proverbs 9:10

 Yes, I am on Facebook, and I have discovered that it is a powerful resource from God to reach out to other people. But I had to learn the hard way. Let me explain.

At first I wasn’t too impressed with Facebook, but the more I learned the better it became. Here are some of the things Facebook has done for me. I have reconnected to old friends I hadn’t seen in over fifty years, and prayed for prayer requests I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. I have read folks pet peeves and problems, and learned a lot about them and their worlds. When I have been in need my Facebook friends have prayed for me.  I’ve learned and become connected with helpful organizations that I never knew existed. And due to health problems that keep me isolated, I can stay connected to the outside world through Facebook.

But one mistake I made was to post a very judgmental statement on my Home page, and the Holy Spirit gave me a spanking I shall never forget. He showed me that my Facebook was the connection to so many hurting folks who need prayer, encouragement, or just a sympathetic ear. He reminded me that whoever crosses my path, be it in my every day walk, or on the internet, has been sent by Him and I must meet them at their point of need. So, I had to repent, not just to God, but to post my apology on the internet. Shame! Shame!

As for being a Foe as opposed to being a Friend, I’ve also learned that I can spend far too much time on FB instead of taking care of my other duties—my personal time in God’s Word and prayer, and my home and family responsibilities. 

Now, ask yourself: Is my Facebook a time stealer, or a resource for the road? I recently heard someone say that although Facebook is a powerful tool in the hands of God’s children, we must never forget that it is nothing compared to the All Powerful Word of God. –Rebecca Somoskey