Show The Flag

Show the flag and let it wave
As a symbol of the brave
Let it float upon the breeze
As a sign to each who sees
That beneath it, where it rides,
Loyalty today abides.

Show the flag and signify
That it wasn't born to die;
Let its colors speak for you
That you are still standing true,
True in sight of God and man
To the work that flag began.

Show the flag that all may see
That you serve humanity.
Let it whisper to the breeze
That comes singing through the trees
That whatever storms descend
You'll be faithful to the end.

Show that flag and let it fly
Cheering every passer-by-
Men that may have stepped aside,
May have lost their old-time pride,
May behold it there, and then
Consecrate themselves again.

Show the flag! The day is gone
When men blindly hurry on
Serving only gods of gold;
Now the spirit that was cold
Warms again to courage fine.
Show the flag and fall in line!

A Letter From A Brother To The Brothers

This just forwarded to our church e-mail (oceansidesmh@hotmail.com) from Brother Elias Salazar. What a blessing to see and hear of the good reports of the brethren over in Iraq! Thought we'd share it with you...

Brothers,

'Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon thebeard, even Aarons beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord Commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.'

Psalms 133

Brothers,

Thank you all again for the wonderful fellowship, Christian brotherhood, knowledge and uplift that I received during my time at Camp Fallujah. Please continue to be the great representatives of God's glory that you are. I pray that our paths cross again and I need you to know that I have truly been blessed by all of you.

Brother Joel Thomas

AMEN and AMEN!!!

Thank you Brother Salazar for sharing this with us. Our love and prayers are with all of you always. May the love of God, which sustains us, keep you.

'May we present to you... Mr. & Mrs. Castaneda!'

We would like to announce the exchanging of vows between Rony Castaneda and Tiffany Tassenari on this April 5th, 2008. Their wedding was a fairly simple but beautiful affair. It was held at the Heritage Museum Park, here in O'side. What started out to be a overcast morning turned into glorious sunshine by the time of the wedding ceremony. All who attended would agree that it was 'one of the nicest weddings they had ever been to' as one attendee stated. The Best Man and Groomsmen were: Freddy Castaneda, Anthony Byrd and Hurd Sims. The Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids were: Candice Tassenari, Portia Dickson and Lupe Castaneda. It was a very sweet and charming event.

The two lovebirds have flown (north,we think) for their honeymoon and will return (we hope) in a week. They have assertained to everyone that they are making quite certain there will be no point of contact for the duration of that week. Only Dad (Bro. Tazz) knows for certain where they have flown. We do know that there are tickets for Disneyland involved. We will have to wait till they get back to hear all about it... maybe.

In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy the pics!

'Warriors Of The Cross'

Salvation and its freedoms are as a flourishing garden, but when untended they fade away. It takes hard work and tender loving care in order to benefit and enjoy its fruits. Sometimes even blood, sweat and tears for the preservation of its liberty. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the apostles and many others after them gave of themselves for what we now enjoy today as Christians. They did it for the things that make the Christian life worth living. They did it for the love they bore for the country above and He that sits upon the throne thereof.

Heb 11:32 & 34 "By faith Abraham..., Isaac..., Jacob..., Joseph..., Moses..., Rahab..., and what shall I say more? for time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barack, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens."

It is only right that we carry on with the 'up-keep' of these privileges. Yes, they are 'love, joy and peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness and temperance:' but so much more is the independence of a life in Christ. There can be consistent victory for those who will take it; freedom from vices and the guilt that holds the partaker bondage; assurance in times of need; and there is always a resting place in Him. A constant Friend. The blessings of salvation are endless. But, how many times our salvation depends upon the labors, visions and sacrifices of others.

Mar 8:34 "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Too often we take the love that we share amongst our fellow Christians for granted and keep it amongst ourselves. We must remember that while salvation may come to us ward free it has come at a great, great price; that being the blood of Christ. Now is not the time to be withdraw, shy or clique-ish. After all, He was not. The least that we could do is maintain the gift in ourselves and assert to others the blazon act of love which He exemplified on Calvary over 2000 years ago.

II Tim 4:5-8 "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."

'The Time For Deeds'

I found this in one of my many books of poetry and thought it worth posting. Though this was written in World War II, in a time of great tradegy, it is still applicable in all the many fronts being taken on today. Some things don't change,...

'The Time For Deeds'
We have boasted our courage in moments of ease,
Our star-spangled banner we've flung on the breeze;
We have taught men to cheer for its beauty and worth,
And have called it the flag of the bravest on earth.
Now the dark days are here, we must stand to the test.
Oh, God! let us prove we are true to our best!

We have drunk to our flag, and we've talked of the right,
We have challenged oppression to show us its might;
We have strutted for years through the world as a race
That for God and for country, earth's tyrants would face;
Now the gage is flung down, hate is loosed in the world.
Oh, God! shall our flag in dishonor be furled?

We have said we are brave; we have preached of the truth,
We have walked in conceit of the strength of our youth;
We have mocked at the ramparts and the guns of the foe,
As though we believed we could laugh them all low.
Now oppression has struck! We are challenged to fight!
Oh, God! let us prove we can stand for the right!

If in honor and glory our flag is to wave,
If we are to keep this - the land of the brave;
If more than fine words are to fashion our creeds,
Now must our hands and our hearts turn to deeds.
We are challenged by tyrants our strength to reveal!
Oh, God! let us prove that our courage is real!

Oh, God! let us always put our trust and hope in You! May that also never change!

The 'Tall and Short' Of Things Around Here

There is another wave of marines getting ready to 'ship out' through-out the next month. But the Lord is 'shipping in' some new people too. Here is Bro. Rhee Joyce (who is leaving for this present Iraq) and our own Bro. David Shaller (who is a faithful brother).

Martin Luther King Day - Mission... Snow!

Here in southern California, where it remains a consistant balmy 70 - 75 degrees just about year round, there were certain among us that expressed a desire to see snow. Sooo..., where in California to find that?!!! Big Bear Mountian is where it was at!



The BIG Dream

In Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream", he said, at that time of his speech, that it had been a hundred years since the Emancipation Proclaimation with very little progress of freedom and equality. His dream was that all children from every race could come together and fellowship in unity. Through the impact and power of his speech, and others like it, we see a drastic change in America and its culture. His children and the grand-children are seeing this dream realized today. What greater way to spend this holiday then in harmony and fellowship with men and women from various backgrounds; laughing, playing and enjoying each others company on the snow covered hills of Big Bear Mountian!

There is another 'Emancipation Proclaimation', although, that was brought to us from the hill called Calvary. The One that came to set the captive free had a far greater, grander plan for all mankind that we could live in harmony and fellowship with God and man; that there would be no racial, economic, or social barriers. This freedom is being enjoyed by those who have cast down the bondage of sin for the liberty of salvation.

"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.'" - Revelation 7:9

The greatest common denominator for peace, liberty, joy and happiness is and always will be a true relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the message being proclaimed through out the world by His ministers and His children. Let's keep the message alive!