Memorial Day

Folks today seem to have lost some of their enthusiasm regarding Memorial Day. I know that is a general statement and surely doesn't include everyone. However, ask almost any young person what Memorial Day is about and they won't be able to tell you (probably a few of the adults also). For most folks today, it means a day off work and a big party, cook out or picnic.

What is Memorial Day? A "Memorial" is an object or action which serves as a focus for memory of something. "Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces."  (Wikipedia)

The idea of a memorial is not new. We find a memorial mentioned 78 times in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament (KJV) and it always has to do with people's relationship to God. Whenever we do anything that focuses our memory upon God we have a memorial to him. In Acts 10:4 we read of Cornelius, "The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God."

The principle of course we want to think about is the most important memorial, which is remembering our God. We read in Psalm 135:13, "Your name, O LORD, endures for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations."

Let's not forget the fallen hero's of America, but more important, don't forget a memorial to our God for his sacrifice.

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

Seriously, I thought these words were immortalized by Charles Shultz with his famous cartoon character "Snoopy". Often Snoopy would be shown sitting in front of a typewriter typing those words. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised when I just began a new SiFi novel (new to me) written back in 1962. The first words on the first page were, "It was a dark and stormy night" (From: "A wrinkle in time").

As I read those words, my mind flashed back to the night in the New Testament when a few men were making their way across the Sea of Galilee on a dark and stormy night. Have you ever experienced one of those nights? The ones that seem to bring total darkness, that leave you feeling totally alone, that cause you to feel like no one in this world cares?

Those disciples felt that way, but what they forgot was that Jesus was right there with them all of the time. Notice the story in Matthew 8:23-27, "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!"

Have you ever forgotten that Jesus was right there in the boat with you on your "dark and stormy night"? Or like these men, failed to realize his power or who he really was? After Jesus stilled the storm these men ask, "Who is this man?" they still didn't get it, they still didn't understand. What about you?

When you are in the middle of your personal storm, to who to you cry out? Do you call your parents, or your friends, or your work mates, or your school mates? Why is it that far too often we don't think to call out to the one who can still the storm until we have no where else to go, rather than calling on him first?

A MOTHER'S DAY THOUGHT….

         

"Mother's day", a special day set aside to honor our mothers. Mothers we do honor you and thank God for your influence in our lives! Now having said that, I realize that not everyone has that kind of relationship with their mother, which will allow them to honor her. That is a pity for all involved, but that is Satan's influence with sin in the world.

Each year, we and most churches across our land acknowledge Mother's Day in some way. Have you ever wondered whether or not we should be doing this (as a church activity)? Have you every considered whether or not it is scriptural to celebrate Mother's Day? I mean, is it based upon scriptural doctrines, principles or example?

Well, I hadn't either, so here is what I came up with, I think it is. No, it is not commanded in the scripture and we have no example of the early church setting aside a special day to recognize mothers. However someone did acknowledge just how important mothers are to us and honored their mother.

Nine times in the scripture we are commanded by God to "honor your… mother." Think about Jesus' last few moments upon the cross, who did he remember out of all of the people gathered there? His mother! In John 19:25-27, we read: "Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home." (NLT)

If our God feels it is important to honor our mothers, even when he is dying in agony, then I feel it is important for us to do so also. So, for each of you mothers, I wish you the happiest of Mother's Days. May your husbands and children honor you as God intended.