Memorial Day USA--backyard picnics, Main Street parades, and back to work the next day! A passing reprieve in the busy schedule of life--the significance of the day almost outdone by the smell of overdone, barbequed steak on the grill and the sun-splashing fun in the pool! We give our distinguished men of sacrifice and honor a passing glance, and we're back to life as usual.
But men marched; men lay in dirty, muddy foxholes; men died, that we might enjoy the grill, the garden, the pool, on our "day off." Let us pause in quiet respect and reflection to honor them today! And let us never forget the days and the deeds of bygone sacrifice for our freedom!
How easily we forget--moments of honor, moments of sacrifice--and perhaps that is why the ordinance of Holy Communion is one of the church's most sacred moments, celebrated weekly or monthly, whatever your church affiliation may be. Let us pause in quiet respect and reflection to honor HIM today. And let us never forget the days and deeds of HIS bygone sacrifice for our freedom!
A Helping Word...or Two!
I Loved!...Look at the Cross and you will remember! For out of the agony of the moment, came concern for Mary, my mother. I loved her--she must be cared for, and I provided for that care. But look again--for the love that poured from my heart STILL flows--to give YOU power to love. Power to love your family, your friends, yourself. Power to love the difficult ones, the unlovely ones, the shadowed ones. It's all there in the power of the cross. Remember Me--and live!
I Paid!...Look at the Cross and you will remember! For again, out of the agony of the moment, came forgiveness for the thief by my side. I forgave every dastardly deed he had ever committed; He went in paradise with a body in pain, but a soul in peace. I paid for that forgiveness and that peace with my own precious Blood. But look again--for the forgiveness that poured from my heart STILL flows--to give YOU power to forgive. Your family; your friends; yourself. The difficult, the unlovely, the shadowed. It's all there in the power of the cross. Remember Me--and live!
I Gave!...Look at the Cross and you will remember! For in those final moments, out of the agony and pain, came a surrender to the Father. The One who had given me life now demanded my life, and I freely gave it. The controls of my life and my death were in His hands; I surrendered to His infinite divine purpose; my Spirit fully committed to do His Will. But look again--for the same surrender that poured from My heart STILL flows--to give YOU the power to surrender. Power to "surrender" the controls and situations of your life; to place them in the hands of a far-wiser Father that He might perform the good He has started in you, completing it to the day of Jesus Christ. It's all there in the power of the cross. Remember Me--and live!
Remember the Christ who loved, who paid, and who gave. He gives you power to do the same--that's HIS legacy to you, His precious child. Receive it this day--and be set free to serve Him the rest of your life!
And that's just a word--from my heart--to yours!
His Healing Word
"And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood; this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me (1 Corinthians 11:24,25 KJV)."
"Lord, it's easy to forget--to take for granted by Your blessed Cross and what You have done for me. Help me remember your love; that as I live in that love, I too can love, forgive, and surrender. Help me do it in MY world this week. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
