Memorial Day 2024

 I hope you don't mind I am reusing my blog from 2022's Memorial Day post ( whichwas a repost of 2021). The words still ring true.

What does Memorial mean? 

1 : serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative. 

2 : of or relating to memory. (Merriam-Webster.com)

Today, in the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day...a day that was set aside to honor those who gave their lives in service to our Country.  Wreaths are placed on memorial stones, flags lowered, poems read, Taps played and gun salutes fired.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. Wikipedia

I have blogged about the day in past Coffeetime With a Dear Friend posts; Bucket Full of Grace (2020), Lord Bless (A Reminder) 2019, Lord Bless (2018, 2017)

Today, as we celebrate and honor those who have sacrificed on Memorial Day...I am going to go in another direction with the word "memorial"; "Of or relating to memory"  

As we read scripture, there are many who gave their lives in the "battle" to advance the word of Christ.  His followers, disciples, were martyred.  Stephen, Andrew, Peter and other names down through out the ages.

📖While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60

Of course the One that comes to mind most prevalent is Jesus Himself.  He died so that we could have eternal life, so that our sins would be forgiven, and so the Holy Spirit could come for each one of us.  

📖  “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.    John 14:25-26

 When Christ walked the earth He was able to talk to crowds but there were limitations of what His earthly body could accomplish.  It wasn't until He gave His life that there were no limitation, no boundaries, (short of our refusal).  Once His death and resurrection were completed the gift of the Holy Spirit was able to happen and every individual  believer was able to have that indwelling.

We as believers can never forget what was done for us.  To memorialize what He has done we need to tell our story; what Christ has done for us, to pass on the words of Christ. MEMORIZE His word, it is another way that we can remember what He has done for us. 

Giving our lives as living sacrifices allows us to be living memorials as well.

📖 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship Romans 12:1

However there is a BIG distinction; Memorial Day we honor the dead ....and I have talked about the martyred for Christ...Christ died.. BUT He LIVES!  Because Jesus conquered death itself ...and we have the victory!  THAT is our story and what we want people to know!!

📖 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter                                                                                                Lord Bless 

Lord Bless the memories

of those who have given their lives in service to our country

Lord Bless the soldier

at their post, where ever that may be

Lord Bless the families

who are left behind to continue on with their lives

Lord bless the ones

who carry the scars as a reminder of their sacrifice

Lord Bless those

who have been and are prisoners to an enemy

Lord Bless the children

who hold a picture of the man they call their Daddy

Lord bless the wives

who sleep alone,

Lord Bless the parents

Lord Bless the children
who hold a picture of the man they call their Daddy
Lord bless the wives
who sleep alone,
Lord Bless the parents who wait at home  

Lord Bless them,

the men and women

who have dedicated their lives

to protecting what we know as our country,

our freedom, our home;

the United States of America

  

Tracey J. Thompson

©5/27/06

Photos by Rachel Ramsdell Photography

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Lean In To Hear

I had the privilege to attend the New York State Association of Fire Chaplains (NYSAFC) annual conference with my husband; who is a firefighter and the Chaplain of our local volunteer fire department. 

Over three and a half days there are speakers, spouses activities, the annual meeting, new officers, worship, a memorial service and lots of fellowship and eating...good eating! This year we swore in the new Chief Chaplain for his two year term.

The theme for this year's conference was "Let Your Light Shine".

I enjoy listening to the speakers they have for their training sessions, and this year was no exception.

Some of the things I heard through out the conference;

👂 "Kindness is something we can do well" and we can do it well by;

"Practicing the act of kindness".  The little things; a smile, a nod, holding a door, etc. Small gestures that can make a huge difference, to make someone feel noticed. 

A story shared within the conversations about suicide and suicide prevention; "after an individual who successfully took their own life a note was found. "On my way" (he was heading the the Golden Gate Bridge), "if one person smiles at me I won't do this."  One smile would have changed the course of this person's existence. 

We have that ability, that power, that responsibility. 

📖  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

As Christians we are to show God's love to everyone one we meet..even if we don't feel like it.  

📖  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39

What usually happens when you smile? They smile back...say hello? they say hello back. YOU will receive back what you give.

📖 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

👂"Lean in to listen"

The gentleman who said this was apologizing for getting in personal spaces as he leans in to listen because he is hard of hearing. But it made me think of our God. He leans in to listen to us...though He doesn't need to...He created us to communicate with Him and He leans in to hear what we have to say to Him.

📖 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Matthew 11:28-29

👂"Listen" was a word spoken often, how important it is to just listen. The importance of listening was reiterated through out the conference. People need to feel they are being heard.

📖 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— proverbs 1:5

How can we respond or even begin to help if we don't listen to what is going on within.

📖  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  James 1:19

We are Jesus's hands and feet....we need to be His ears. He hears along with us. But right below our ears are our shoulders...and our arms extend from those.  From our listening...a shoulder to lean on, cry on, and then arms that can hold someone.

📖   Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans12:15

The best way we can practice kindness and do it well is to be aware of those around us and that they know there is a listening ear, a kind shoulder and compassionate arms when they need.

My prayer 

🙏🏼 Dear Lord, I pray

📖 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Guide each person in the direction they should go. Please give compassion, empathy in their listening and acts of kindness♥️

The Tie That Binds

This week's blog is the message from yesterday's Mother's Day Service at church.  

There are two links;

First one is the songs and a special Mother's Day presentation.

🎬 Video 1

The second link is the message and closing of the service.

🎬 Video 2

I also will include the text that was the basis for the message:

A picture in my car.  Not sure how….but hated to remove.  Makes me smile, reminds me of family ties, that bind me….family memories, stories that tie us together

 

Your family may not be one you want to be tied to. You may not have photos that remind you of happy times.

 

I posted a blog a few months ago  titled No Matter the Bumps;  about family relationships following a family party. I wrote basically that regardless of the disagreements and flaws, we still care about each other and celebrate and love.

Just as no matter our flaws and brokenness, actually because of our flaws and brokenness Christ loved us so much to take on the sins of the world, which includes mine and yours….to be separated from His Father in death…and to rise again for ME.  Because I am a part of His family.

 

📖 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17

 

Our mothers are an important thread in our lives, a necessary thread…because with out them we wouldn’t be here.  Even if they aren’t here anymore, the memories that we have are still woven through our lives. Even if they weren’t in our lives, or involved or weren’t a positive influence.

Regardless of our family situation, regardless of our relationship with our mother here on earth  we have a family in God, in our relationship with Christ

 

📖 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him 1 John 3:1

 

We are not the same, we do not always agree, we are diverse as any family but we are one…

 

📖For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:13

 

As believers in Christ, as children of God we are united as one.

 

📖If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26

 

We are tied to the Father through Christ.

📖 John 14:6   Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

📖 I and the Father are one.” John 10:1

They are tied together as one.

When we accept Christ as our lord and savior we are tied to them.

 

God didn’t intend us to be on our own, He designed us to need the support and connection of others.

God created Eve for Adam.

📖The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”  Genesis 2:18

But more than that we are bound as a community of believers, a family.

 

📖Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Philippians 2:1-3

 

It is important to be tied together, IN CHRIST.

 

📖Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

God weaves our lives with Him as the common cord.

 

Our relationship to Christ is what binds us together and our stories as to how that relationship came to be…a common thread.  That common thread of being a child of God is a wonderful legacy in some families. It is important to share our story of salvation…not just for our biological families but our Christian family.  So I have asked a few to share their story, briefly.

 

Me: I was asked years ago to “give my testimony” for the first time….my salvation experience. And I had said it isn’t very exciting…I was young, about 10.  I had gone to Sunday school and church as long as I could remember. My mother was a Christian that served in her community and church. I had a great grandmother that was “Jesus with skin on” she lived her faith.  But I remember that moment when it became personal for me. You know when you are young and for me attended youth conventions and events….they have the alter call. And I had gone forward.  Praying THE prayer. But then later on wondering ….had I done it right, had I said it right?! So you feel you need to pray again…to be sure….

But I watched a movie on TV Jesus of Nazareth (1976) our generations Passion of Christ. And I remember crying…most of the night….just the anguish of what He suffered and realizing that it was for me, for my sins and not just what sins I had committed as a 10 year old young girl….but for the sins that I would commit as I moved through my life.  It was then that my relationship with Jesus became my own. Not exciting?  Well it wasn’t a blinding light on a Damascus Road….but I know that there was rejoicing in Heaven!  It was exciting enough for me!

Aimee

Kay

Our lives are tied together with those that God has brought across our paths. Some stay, some go.

But they have influenced us in some way.  AND I pray that we have had a Godly influence on their lives….regardless of what theirs was on ours.

 

The last song is the time for anyone to time to respond to what God has laid on our hears, to make a decision in our pew or here at the alter, feel free come forward to pray or to have someone pray with you.

The ties that bind us in Christ are ones that can last an eternity.

 

📖Mathew 28:20   And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Blest Be the Tie that Binds

🙏🏼Praying blessings on all♥️

 

Ears To Hear

👀 Eyes to see, 👄mouth to speak, 👂ears to hear.

If I was left with only one

🙈🙊🙉...which would it be?

In the old testament, Elijah saw a great wind, a powerful earthquake, and a raging fire..but in the end God was in what he could only hear....not see.

📖 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Kings 19:12-13

When Jesus was teaching using His parables, He repeatedly reminded those listening to "hear!". 

📖  If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”  Mark 4:23-25

We need to truly listen to what is said, so that we understand and take it to heart, so it can make a difference.

We can see the Word but it doesn't mean we hear what God is telling us through it.

📖  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

We have to process and act on what we hear from Him.

 

It is with our ears and listening that we KNOW our Shepherd. 

📖  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”  John 10:2-5

It is so important to be in communication with Him, listening, so that we recognize His voice!

We hear many things, but if we listen to our Shepherd first and most we will have the discernment to know what is truth and righteousness. 

James spoke of the importance of listening over speaking especially when angry...but I feel it is a good practice in any situation.  

📖 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 

James 1:19

Spend more time listening less time speaking.

🙏🏼Dear Lord, you have given us, eyes to see, a mouth to speak and ears to hear, may they all be used for Your Glory. May we make sure to listen to You and to those who choose to speak to us. Amen♥️

Enough

"It is enough ...if no word were spoken no song sung. Is it enough to be in His presence?"

A line from a book I was reading. And it made me think...

Could we have this attitude at church? 

When we attend our worship service do we seek to be in His presence, seek communion with our God. 

Is it enough to meditate on His word and be still?

📖 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Now don't get me wrong...sometimes the lyrics to a song move me in a powerful way, cause my spirit to soar in adoration.

📖 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

 Worship the Lord with gladness;

  come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:1-2

 The images with the songs are moving. 

The message spoken convicts my soul.  

📖 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

The scripture stirs my heart and mind.

📖 ⁶Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

But what if one Sunday they weren't present?  Would it be enough? Enough to still be church? Enough to still be a worship service?

YES!  It least I hope it is a YES!

Me and Him should always be enough.

But the amazing thing about our God is He always pours out more! Builds and adds to.

So it starts with me and Him, a child and a King, a soul and it's Creator. 

But then He allows community and fellowship, corporate prayer, congregational singing, edification and encouragement. 

📖 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

 And the act of worship grows exponentially. 

Even with no word spoken, no song sung ....He is enough!

📖 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

🙏🏼Lord God Almighty, You are Enough! I pray that we seek You and find You and k ow that YOU are enough. We are grateful for the ways we can worship You! I pray we can find many ways to give you all our honor and praise.  Amen♥️

📖 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3