It's A Boy!!!

Evangelist Ralph (Raphael Adjei Kingbi) and his wife Mavis are the proud parents of a baby boy! He was born at 11:5oam Greenwich Time today, June 2, 2006. He weighed 3.2kg (7.05lbs) and is 49cm (19.3in). Doctors said the baby is very healthy.

Mavis is said to be weak but doing very well. Ralph said he was informed that her Malaria was a mild case and she should be able to leave the hospital on Monday.

The name of the baby will be announced during a "naming ceremony" in two weeks. This is the couple's first child.

f you would like to make a financial contribution to the Kingbi's to help with medical, ministry, and baby expenses you can send a check or money order to:

James Croft Evangelistic Association
P.O. Box 56
Olustee, Florida 32072-0056

You can also make a contribution with your credit card or PayPal account by clicking here. In the "comments" section of the form, please make a note that it is for the Kingbi's.

The most important thing is to be in prayer for this family.

Evangelist Ralph serves as Ghana Ministries Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association and coordinated the crusades and other events during our three mission trips to Ghana, West Africa. He also gives a ministry report each month on the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast. He ministers for the Lord on a full-time basis in the township of Teshie, which is located about 45 minutes from Ghana's capital city of Accra.

Shiloh Baptist Added To Schedule

Shiloh Baptist Church has been added to my preaching schedule for the last Sunday in June. I will be preaching in supply for Interim Pastor Hugh Dampier on June 25th. The morning worship service will begin at 11am and the evening worship service begins at 6pm. The church is located at 173 SW Shiloh Way between Fort White and High Springs, Florida. For more info call (386) 454-4978.

Please pray for this church as they are searching for a pastor.

Southside Baptist Added to Schedule

Southside Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida has been added to my preaching schedule. I will be preaching in supply for Interim Pastor Ben Bryant this Sunday, June 4th, at 10:30am. The church is located at 388 S.E. Baya Drive in Lake City. For more info call the church at (386) 755-5553.

This will be my first time ever preaching at this church.

FBC Lake Butler Tonight

I will be preaching at my home church, First Baptist of Lake Butler, tonight at 6:30pm. The service will be held in the fellowship hall as our sanctuary is being remodeled. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.

Please be in prayer for our church as we continue to search for a pastor.

Prayer Request

Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi (Evangelist Ralph) just told me that his wife, Mavis, was admitted to a hospital in Ghana, West Africa today. Doctors believe she has Malaria. To complicate matters, you may recall from previous posts to this site, she is expecting her first child in late June or early July. Please pray for her health as well as that of the baby.

I'll update this site as I receive new information.

Evangelist Ralph is the Ghana Ministry Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association.

Some Thoughts About Life

Before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your partner
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house; someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Prayer Requests or Gossip?

(By Owen Song from Kerri Pomarolli website)

A Blessed Memorial

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA
READ: Matthew 26:6-13

What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. —Matthew 26:13

Certain names from the past can elicit a variety of responses. The mention of Hitler, for example, brings feelings of contempt. On the other hand, a great historical figure like Churchill brings a positive response. Even within the circle of our own acquaintances, we remember some individuals with thankfulness, while we think negatively of others whose lives were spent in selfish pursuits.

On Memorial Day in the US, we pause to honor those of past generations. While many stirring recollections flood our minds, we realize that the time will come when each of us will also be a memory. What will others recall of our words and deeds when they think of us?

I once read about James Lewis Pettigru. His life was so exemplary that after his death the community erected a tombstone in his honor inscribed with these words:

UNAWED BY OPINION, UNSEDUCED BY FLATTERY,
UNDISMAYED BY DISASTER, HE CONFRONTED LIFE
WITH COURAGE, AND DEATH WITH CHRISTIAN HOPE.

What will your memorial be? Determine by the grace of God to live for Him and give yourself to the needs of others. Then your testimony will become a blessing and inspiration to all who follow in your steps. —Richard De Haan

What have you written on memory’s page?
Deeds that were done in the Master’s name?
Words that were spoken to spread His fame?
What have you written today? —Anon.

Will your memorial be a blessing or a blot?

Iowa Rock

Have you seen this and other photos like it circulating the internet via e-mail? The photo is real and you can see more and read about it by clicking here.

You can also read about it and see more images on Snopes.com by clicking here.

The Boys of Iwo Jima

The author of this story is Michael T. Powers. It is published on his website and has also been reprinted in several books including Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul.

You can read the story by clicking here.

Additional info about the story and the versions that circulate the internet can be found at Snopes.com and TruthorFiction.com which also includes some photos.

More information about the United States Marine Corps War Memorial can be found by clicking here.

The statue was inspired by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of the flag-raising. You can view the photo by clicking here.

Memorial Day Links

Here are some links that you might find interesting for this Memorial Day or any other day:

Memorial Day website

Official Arlington National Cemetery site

Arlington National Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknowns

Society of the Honor Guard Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

3d United States Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard"

The Old Guard Association

Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Virtual Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Advocacy & Intelligence Index for POWs-MIAs Archives

Jack Walter's Military Database

Story Behind The Statue

To read the story behind this statue, click here.

Stop To Salute

This is a true account written by Army Captain John Rasmussen and published by ARMY LINK NEWS on May 22, 2002.

It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training.

Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly.
I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.

The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque.

My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.

All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped.

A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove.

I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking. I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.

He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame.
I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again.

Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off.
I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures.

That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier."

I thank God for examples like that.

And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.

Ann of a Thousand Knights

Here's another Memorial Day story for you that has been verified by Snopes.com and TruthorFiction.com.

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black & white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.

Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.

Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as 2nd in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it".

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for "my gentlemen". With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.

She then made quite a to do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army", he said.

Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on him and shouted ugly things at him. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.

I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say Thank You to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.

I Have Had A Job

As Memoria Day approaches, I thought I would share a few stories with you. Here is the first one:

The following speech is reported to have been made during a senate campaign debate in 1974 when Howard Metzenbaum was running for reelection and John Glenn was challenging him. Glenn and Metzenbaum had also run against each other for the same seat four years earlier, a race that Metzenbaum had won.

A few days prior to the debate, Metzenbaum made a widely publicized statement that said that Glenn had never met a payroll (he didn't actually say that he'd never held a real job). In other words, Glenn had been a military man not a businessman, like Metzenbaum, who had created a major newspaper and a nation-wide parking company. Metzenbaum did not repeat that charge during the debate, but Glenn came prepared to respond to it and did it so powerfully that he also went on to win the election.

John Glenn:

"I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps.

I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program.

It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell them they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job.

You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.

You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell me that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum; you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - some men - who held real jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.

I have held a job, Howard! What about you?

Gadara Baptist in June

I will be preaching at Gadara Baptist Church on Sunday, June 18, 2006 (Father's Day) in supply for Interim Pastor Dr. Jerry Gesell, Sr.. The services begin at 11am & 6pm. The church is located at 6779 CR 315C near Keystone Heights, Florida. For more information call the church at (352) 473-3615.

Newspaper Articles Now Online

Cliff Smelley, a staff writer for the Bradford Telegraph in Starke, Florida, has written two stories about me that appear in the May 25th issue of the paper.

One of the stories titled "Croft recovering from heart surgery" is taken from a presentation I made to the Kiwanis Club of Starke concerning my open-heart surgery (see related post).

The second article is about the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast ministry. This article is titled "Delivering a 'giant' message worldwide".

You can read the articles by clicking each title.

I pray the Lord receives all the glory for these articles and that He uses them to encourage, convict or inspire each reader as He sees fit.

FBC Lake Butler Sunday

I'll be preaching at 9am, 11am & 6pm this Sunday, May 28th, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. The services are being held in the church's fellowship hall as the sanctuary is being remodeled.

WWJD

Today In History

On this day...

• 1896 Dow Jones begins an index of 12 industrial stocks (closing is 40.94)
• 1907 John "Duke" Wayne [Marion Michael Morrison] born, Winterset IA, actor
  
• 1919 Jay Silverheels born, actor (Tonto-Lone Ranger)
• 1924 President Coolidge signs Immigration Law (restricting immigration)
• 1933 Jimmie Rodgers country singer, dies at 35
• 1937 San Francisco Bay's Golden Gate Bridge opens
• 1949 Hank Williams Jr born, Shreveport LA, country singer
• 1951 Sally Kristen Ride born, Los Angeles CA, 1st US woman astronaut (STS-7, STS 41G)
• 1977 Movie "Star Wars" debuts