Category Archives: Uncategorized

Our Soldiers and Veterans.

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I have four sons. Three of them served Operation Iraqi Freedom. My older brother and I served during Vietnam War. I have a cousin that died serving during the Vietnam War. I have a cousin that died in Korea with the 1st Marines. My dad and his two brothers served during WWII. Whenever there was a need for soldiers, my family answered the call. The average age of a soldier is in the military is 18. That means they are giving their youth to serve their country. My family served as Minute Men in Massachusetts and in the Atchafalaya Militia during the American Revolution.

During each and every war that America served in, men gathered to answer the call. When they gathered, their families were there to see them off. The families did not know whether or not they would see their sons again. So they laughed and cried and cheered them on. Do you know how many times since the founding of our country that families gathered to see their sons of to war?

I want to tell you about an experience that I had when we saw our second son off to the Iraqi war. We were gathered with many families. Some were crying, some were laughing and everybody was being brave for their soldier. We got there about two hours before they left. The longer I was there, I kept hearing a song go through my head. I couldn’t shake the song out of my head. In fact, it got louder. The song was from the American Revolution called “Johnnie has gone for a soldier”. The more I heard the song, I looked around and thought about how many times families have gathered to send the children off to war. And how we were no different than those families in the American Revolution. As much as we say that things have changed, they still remain the same.

I am proud that my children have served and that my family has served also. Honor the men and women that serve our country. They have given their youth for your freedom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Uncertainty principle of our lives.

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The principle says that the more something becomes certain, the more everything else becomes uncertain. It is like all things, atoms, are in motion. And they will fly apart if there isn’t a stabilizing element to everything. There is truth to the principle. If you look at mankind throughout the ages, you can see how uncertain or unstable he is. Man has never been able to keep the peace anywhere for any length of time. War always breaks out somewhere. This is a fundamental flaw in mankind. Man doesn’t have the power to overcome this flaw. Mankind can hid this flaw only for a certain period of time. Then it crops up and destroys everything around them. Peace isn’t an attribute of man.

So, why is it that mankind can’t live in peace? It is because we are born flawed or defective. God made us with this hole in our makeup. The only way to fill that hole in our makeup is through obedience to God’s way. As smart as man is, we are powerless to change our makeup. Do you remember all the self-help books that came out? The premise for each book was that we, mankind, can change our destiny through determination. It is a half-truth. Just like the half-truths that the devil spoke to Jesus in the wilderness. They seem to be truthful, but are a trap.

If we, mankind, align ourselves with God and accept His plan, God will use His power to change our lives for the better. We don’t have the power, only God does. Then our uncertain world becomes certain, if we follow after God and obey. This is where determination comes into play.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

This Day in June.

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What do you remember about this day in June? I remember the end of school and summer camp. In high school, I remember working each summer delivering newspapers 6 days a week. I remember missing a vacation trip my parents to California to go to college. My life is filled with memories about every stage of my life. As each period of my life transformed, I saw the future and was uncertain what would happen to me. But I never backed down. I didn’t care if I stumbled and fell. I would get up and go again. I was determined not to stop, even if it killed me. Then one summer, I sat and listened to 2 men about Jesus. It fascinated me that these men lived a life that I rarely saw. I listened intently. And finally decided this life was for me. So, when they asked me to go to church with them, I had already made up my mind.

My life in Christ has never been easy. There has been ups and downs. But I have been determined to follow Jesus, no matter where He leads me. I remember the first time I realized that He was talking to me. I was so excited that God cared enough to want to talk to me. I never thought that I was anyone special to God. But I was wrong. I am a son of God. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus died and was resurrected for me. And not only for me, but for everyone. And the sad part about all of this is that not everyone will chose to follow Christ. God said that Jesus will not return to this earth until the gospel is preached to every creature. So, that everyone will have the opportunity to accept God’s plan and return home. Praise God.

So, remember today what God has done for you and chose to go home to heaven to be with God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Truth!

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Everybody talks about how their reality is truth and everybody else’s is a lie. Our perception of the truth is as far as we can see. Sometimes that’s at the end of our nose. People get disillusioned when their truth is proven wrong. Did you know that the #1 illness in the world today isn’t cancer. It is depression. This is what happens when our belief system fails. Yes we are talking about the same thing. When our truth or belief fails, it causes depression. This is how human beings function in this world. Unless our belief system is based on a truth that is real, we will become disillusioned. Truth is based on a fragile hope that it will change our lives for the better. The cares of this world will trash our hope unless it is based on a faith that can’t be shaken. What kind of faith is that? It is a faith that is based upon proven reality. When our faith in truth comes true, we perceive that it is a reality. When it continually comes true, we see that our faith is justified. This doesn’t mean that our faith isn’t tested. Sometimes it seems that our faith is pressed to our limit of endurance. This is when we find out if our faith is justified or not. So, what is this truth that I am talking about?

I have only found one truth that is real enough for my lifetime. His name is Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father(God), but by Me. This truth has been proven in my life for over 40 years. It is very simple for anyone to be able to receive this truth. God said, turn to Me and repent and I will forgive and restore you. This is truth!

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Memorial Day 2024:

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We, as Americans, honor the men and women who died in serving our country in the military. My family came to this country in 1637 and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. From the beginning, my family served as militia protecting family and friends. Listed below are family, on both my dad’s and mother’s side, that served in the military in America that effected how this nation developed. Some are controversial, but all serve to help our country.

Andre Boutte, French and Indian War, Royal French Marines, 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, US Army.

Francois Boutte, War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans, Lafitte’s pirates, 1814.

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

Calvin and Ebenezer Carson, 16th Alabama Cavalry, CSA, 1861

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

Newton Crain Blanchard II, USRA, Dept. of Interior, WWI, 1917-1920.

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

Neal Blanchard, Doctor, US Army, WWII, 1941.

Dyer Blanchard, US Navy, WWII, 1941.

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

Felix Castille, 1st Marines, Korea, 1951.

Charles Blanchard, US Air Force, Vietnam.

Carson Blanchard, US Army, Vietnam.

The Bible talks about people who serve their fellowman with courage and honor.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

(John 15:13 KJV).

So remember this day what our family did for throughout the ages.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s funny how everything changes.

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The Apostle Paul wrote 3 epistles to the churches in Asia Minor. They were to correct errors that the churches started believing, the traditions of men, that you can make it to heaven without Jesus and the Lordship of Jesus wasn’t necessary. The epistles are Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. We don’t fight against flesh and blood. We fight error or heresy with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What is the truth of the gospel? It is that we are sinners and separated from God. We need to repent of our sins and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. God provided the perfect sacrifice in HIs Son Jesus. And though Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be forgiven of our sins and make peace with God. We are to follow God through Jesus all the way home to heaven. God made Jesus Lord of lords and King of kings. And by the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we have access to God.

This is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ that God set forth in His word (the bible) and in our hearts. With the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can defeat the errors or heresies of the world.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Answer to the Riddle.

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I have always written blogs to be puzzles. So that people can figure them out. Some have been difficult and some haven’t. But I always wanted people to understand what I am writing about. I have written about many subjects, but all leading back to how we should respond to God. And more importantly, how God has and does respond to us. God has already made the way back home for us. It is a no-brainer. We don’t have to figure it out. And to the answer to the Riddle.

What starts out the same and is made to be different and ends up the same? And Why?

The Heart of Man. When we are born, we know nothing and can do nothing. We are dependent on our Parents. As we grow we mold ourselves into our image of our self. In death, we are the same. Nothing of this earth can be taking with us. We are the image and likeness of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What was shall be again!

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When I started writing this blog, I wasn’t sure what exactly I was going to say. I knew that I didn’t want it to be boring. But I wasn’t going to write just to please the crowds. So I started thinking about what to say to people could understand my message. I tried different things to see what people responded to. I was surprised when I wrote about wasting time (Disconnect). The blog went around the world and recieved comments from many nations. I was excited about that.

For the first Christmas, I wrote a riddle. And it is as true today as it was then. Here is the Riddle.

What starts out the same and is made to be different and ends up the same? And Why? See if you can answer it without looking up the answer.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Call.

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Do you remember when you were young and one of your parents call you home for supper? You heard that distinctive voice and responded to it. There was no mistaking that voice. You knew exactly who that was and responded accordingly. If it was your dad and he called several times. Each time with increasing volume, you ran as fast as you could until he saw you. All time knowing that there was an urgency about that call. Or if your mom or dad called your full name across a crowded room of people talking. You heard that voice clearly. This is the clarity of the call.

Most people don’t think that they hear God’s voice. But this isn’t true. God place in each of us His word or the bible from our birth. And we hear His voice to varying degrees accordingly to how we have responded to that voice. If we have ignored that voice and push it out of our consciousness, that voice begins to dim. And to that point, we can no longer hear the voice of God. It is a scary place to be, because at that point we don’t have any shame only guilt.

I won’t go into details about shame, but God put shame and fear into our hearts as tools to protect us against evil. And the understanding on how to use them correctly. So how many people can say that they hear the voice of God? And if you answer yes, then why aren’t you answering the call? God calls everyone. There isn’t one person on this earth that God doesn’t call home. God isn’t a respecter of persons. Everyone is equal in His eyes. You see, we are His children and He wants us to come home. It is because home is the only place that we will be safe forever. So the next time God calls your name, turn to Him and say, here I am.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Look at Your Hands!

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Look at your hands. What do you see? Look closer and you will see your life. Yes, your life is in your hands. Everything that you decide to do are in your hands. No body can make you do anything. You first have to decide that you are going to do this. Somethings are easier to do than others. But nobody made you do it. It’s not your mommy, not your daddy, boyfriend or girlfriend that made you do things. We are personally responsible to God for everything we do.

We may get caught in traps, we walked into them with our eyes wide open. God use to have our fathers responsible for our children to the third and fourth generation. Then 4000 years ago, God put His laws into our hearts at birth. We carry around a bible in our hearts. We know the truth from the beginning. Now whether you listen God or not, you are responsible to God for your actions.

God says that in the end we will be judged accordingly to what we said and did on this earth. God says for every word spoken. It is because from our mouths our heart, who we are, speaks. Accountability is a very serious and important thing in our lives. Choose wisely, because it is in your hands.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com