Andre Boutte, French and Indian War, 1763.

Francois Boutte, Louisiana Militia, American Revolution, 1775.

Calvin and Luther Blanchard, Massachusetts Minute-Men, 1775.

Thomas Blanchard, North Carolina Militia, 1776.

Thomas Newton, Commissioner, US Navy, 1776.

Thomas O. Blanchard, War of 1812.

Francois Boutte, War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans, 1814.

Albert G. Blanchard, Maj. General, 9^th Louisiana, CSA 1861.

Calvin and Ebenezer Carson, 16 Alabama Cavalry, CSA 1861

Carey Edward Blanchard, 17^th Texas Brigade, CSA 1864.

William P. Blanchard, 71^st Inf., US Army 1941.

Neal Blanchard, Doctor, US Army, 1941.

Dyer Blanchard, US Navy, 1941.

Hal McGown, Lt. General US Army, Korea and Vietnam, 1948.

Felix Castille, 1^st Marines, Korea, 1951.

Charles Blanchard, US Air Force, Vietnam.

William Carson Blanchard, US Army Medic, Vietnam.

Burl Crain Blanchard, US Air Force, Vietnam.

Jonathan David Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

Joel Christopher Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

Joshua Luke Blanchard, US Air Force, Afghanistan.

Jared Blanchard, US Army, Iraq.

William Preston Blanchard III, US Army, Iraq.

My older brother was a Physician’s Assistant in US Army during the Vietnam War. I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Three of my sons and two of my nephews serve in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since my grandfather came to this country in 1637, our family has defended it. My family are patriots. There are a lot of people who have served our country and I am thankful for it. We are blessed by God with a good land to live in. And it is worth defending our country, no matter how bad it seems to be. I just want to thank the men and women who have served our country in the military. It is right to honor them. Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus began to explain the parable of the sower. He said, hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Jesus had just explained why people don’t hear Him. So He explained the parable to His disciples. How do we hear the word of God? It is the Holy Spirit who reveals the word to us. At that time, the Holy Spirit wasn’t given to man, because Jesus hadn’t died and rose again. So Jesus explained the parable. After Jesus ascended into heaven and the disciples had received the Holy Spirit, they remembered the words of Jesus. It all made sense to them. And could use the word to preach the gospel. Jesus said that many prophets and righteous men wanted to see and hear what He was saying, because the Holy Spirit hadn’t been given yet. He only came upon them to do God’s will. So the parable of the sower is about seeing and hearing and doing the word of God. Jesus said some will produce a 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. It is in all that you believe. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what will you produce?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:18-23, Jesus explains the parable of the sower. He said the seed, the word of God, that’s sown by the wayside are people who don’t understand. It’s because the devil comes and steals it. The seed sown on stony ground are people who hear and recieve with joy. But when persecution comes, they are offended. The seed sown in the thorns are people who hear, but the cares of the world choke it out. And they become unfruitful. The seed sown on good ground are people who hear and become fruitful. Some 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. The word of God can make you productive. It all depends on you. We are in that parable. Our lives as a believer is there. So, I ask again, which one are you?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:10-17, in parable of the sower, Jesus was and is teaching principles of the kingdom. The disciples came to Him and asked why He taught in parables? Jesus said it’s the children’s bread. It is for you to know how the kingdom works. But to others it isn’t. It’s given to the ones that God,the Father, has given to Me. Jesus said, in Isaiah 6:9, “And he said, go and tell the people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.” Jesus said, these people have harden their hearts and closed their eyes. He said blessed are those that see and hear. Jesus said many prophets and righteous men have seen and wanted to know what these things mean. Jesus taught in parables so that only God’s children will understand. It’s a way of separating the sheep from the goats. Only the Holy Spirit gives understanding. You can’t understand the word of God without Him. The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to God. Many people have found the gospel inconvenient and have refused to listen. This is God’s wisdom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus told a story. It’s the parable of the sower. The Israelites were and are farmers. So when Jesus talked about sowing seed. Everyone understood about sowing seed. But they didn’t understand how it applied to them. Even the disciples didn’t understand. How many scriptures have heard? I have been saved for 40 years. I’ve been to church each sunday, at least. That 52 sundays times 40 years. That equals 2080 times I’ve heard at least 5 scriptures each time. That means about most of the new testament. How many scriptures do you obey? The word of God was sowed into your heart and will produce fruit, if you let it. So, how much has the word of God produced in your life? So, 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. It is all up to you.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus was told that his mother Mary and his brothers were outside, wanting to talk to Him. What He said wasn’t a denial of His earthly family. What Jesus was saying to His disciples was how to enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus asked a question. Who are my mother and brothers? He pointed to His disciples and said, whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, is my brother and sister and mother. Yes, Jesus had brothers and sisters. His sister’s name was Diane. We know that James the Lesser was also His brother. It is believed that Matthew is also His brother. These are the children of Mary and Joseph. But this narrative also says that being a blood relative doesn’t guarantee entrance into heaven. It is by faith, believing and trusting, that a person can enter into a relationship with Jesus. Remember Jesus is the son of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:38-45, the pharisees came to Jesus and asked to show them a sign. Jesus said, you adulterous and perverse generation, no sign will be given to you except that of Jonah. He was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights. Jesus was pointing to His death and resurrection. Jesus used examples to teach them lessons. He said the men of Nineveh would rise up in judgment, because at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. Belief isn’t by what you see. It is by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not seeing but believing. Jesus wants us to believe. He showed us the way. Now it is up to us to trust that God will bring us home. The scary part is that the Israelites had the word of God and didn’t believe. Like God said, He used the gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy. Because the gentiles readily accepted the gospel. Don’t ever think that your life in God is so firmly fixed, that He can’t shake you loose. Faith is the only thing that God wants from us. The rest He does.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:31-37, the pharisees had spoken against the Holy Ghost and Jesus was going to address the issue. He said every blasphemy spoken against Him would be forgiven. But any word spoken the Holy Ghost wouldn’t, in this world and the next. He turned to the pharisees and said, you generation of vipers, how can you speak truth being evil. A good man out of the good treasure of their heart brings forth good things. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Every idle word that man shall speak, they will give an account in the day of judgement. Jesus said, by your words you will be justified or condemned.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

As Jesus and the disciples were walking, someone brought a person possessed of the devil. He couldn’t speak or see. Jesus healed him and he began to see and speak. People began to say, isn’t this the son of David? The pharisees jealous and angry, said Jesus cast out devils by Lucifer. Jesus knowing what they said, talked about a divided kingdom. If I cast devils by lucifer, then he’s kingdom is divided and will not stand. But if I cast out devil by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. And you have rejected it. Then Jesus said, if you are not with Me, you are against Me. Then Jesus said, if you don’t gather with Me, you will scatter the flock. Pick your choose, is an old French saying, meaning make your choice. This is what Jesus was saying. We have a choice today and every day whether to serve or not.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:14-21, after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the sabbath, the pharisees wanted to kill Him. Jesus knew and left the city. Many people followed after Him. The bible says He healed them all. But not wanting the pharisees to know where He was, told them not to say anything. All things that happened to Jesus were prophesied in the old testament. In Isaiah 42, the prophesy that the messiah would be humble and kind to the wounded in spirit and body. And He would bring judgement to the people through mercy. So that people would trust in the Lord. Hope and trust are an important part of our faith. The hope that things will change and the trust that God will do it. This is called faith. Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com