Blog Archives

Thoughts on Citizenship

5/30/2016

Upon being selected as the U.S. Senate Chaplain, Peter Marshall stated:
"The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration. I am rather tired of hearing about our rights and privileges as American citizens. The time is come - it now is - when we ought to hear about the duties and responsibilities of our citizenship. America's future depends upon her accepting and demonstrating God's government."

As we enter this Memorial Day holiday weekend, let us be mindful of the cost of freedom. It comes at a high price - much blood, sweat, and tears have been shed so we can enjoy our freedom.

To you who choose to "showcase" your freedom by rioting, protesting, harming policemen and maiming and killing police horses, spewing hate and death wishes upon others, burning our flag, and spitting upon our military - your freedom does not give you the right to do what is not right morally.

Peter Marshall also spoke the following words in a prayer before the Senate in 1947:
“May freedom be seen not as the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to do what is right. May it be ever understood that our liberty is under God and can be found nowhere else. May our faith be something that is not merely stamped upon our coins, but expressed in our lives. Let us, as a nation, be not afraid of standing alone for the rights of men, since we were born that way, as the only nation on earth that came into being ‘for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith. …"

Thank you to our Veterans and active duty military for your service. You set aside your rights and privileges to protect ours; the epitome of American citizenship - true freedom fighters that accept and demonstrate God's government.

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Remembering to Remember

5/30/2016

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Visions of Memorial Days past are running through my mind. Marching in or standing on the curb watching patriotic parades in honor of our fallen soldiers, flags waving, Veterans saluting as Old Glory passes by. Homes decorated in patriotic buntings of red, white and blue and the smell of charcoal grills filling the air with the aroma of well-done burgers and hot dogs.

It’s a day off, giving the benefit of a long three day weekend. Some travel to the beach or the mountains as a way of kicking off the premature celebration of Summer. Local swimming pools fill with children that don’t seem to mind the chilly water temperature as their parents soak up the sun’s warming rays. It’s a time of gathering with family and friends and enjoying being able to get back outside together for a leisurely picnic.

But all of this came at great expense. Men and women sacrificed their lives on battlefields and in the trenches of war, fighting for the privilege of freedom that we so nonchalantly enjoy. Their bodies lay lifeless and cold in cemeteries across America and around the world, the price they paid so we could continue to enjoy life freely.

May we all pause and remember to remember the valiant deeds of soldiers past and present, and pay homage and honor by acknowledging their sacrifice. Let’s remember to remember to pray for the families that are still reeling from the loss of a husband, a wife, a father, a mother, a son, a brother, a daughter, a sister. Their long weekend is yet another series of long days marking the passing of their loved one, their hearts screaming out, “Don’t forget my loved one not only died, but he had a life. I want you to know my loved one. Ask me about his life, talk about him. Remember to remember him. Please don’t forget him!”

How easy it is to forget sacrifices made for the sake of freedom. Perhaps that is why we were given the instructions as a body of believers to observe communion regularly. We are to be stirred up to remember to remember the sacrifice Christ made, the shedding of His blood so we could be free from the penalty of sin and enjoy a life lived in honor of Him. We’re to remember to remember to proclaim His death until He comes again.
“And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-26

This Memorial Day, examine your life. Are you remembering to remember our fallen soldiers? Are you remembering to remember the sacrifice of our Savior? What are you doing to honor those who have paid the price for your freedom?

Father, it’s easier to forget than it is to remember the sacrifice You and others have made for me. Help me to remember to remember, and to live a humble life that exemplifies a heart of gratitude towards all that have paid freedom’s price. I love You.

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Finding Hope Along the Journey Called Life

5/11/2016

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Every moment is a unique place we’ve never been. The familiar becomes the unfamiliar. Trusting our unchanging God when we’re traveling uncharted territory is vital to finding hope. Sorrow, suffering, brokenness, are all an inevitable part of our journey. We could not know love without loss and sorrow, joy without suffering, and peace (wholeness) without brokenness.

When you're trying to find your way through the messy road of hurt, cling to what you know is true—-we have an unchanging God. That doesn’t mean the road of hurt to healing and hope is going to be easy; it will more than likely be a messy journey full of detours. And your journey is not going to be like someone else’s—-it’s a personal journey with a personal, loving God traveling the road with you. I wish there were five easy steps to no longer feel your pain, but there’s no such thing. What you do have are cross-shaped blazes marking the way to finding hope, reminding you of the truths found in God’s Word. Christ is your hope of glory, your hope for healing and peace. Based upon the truths found in God’s GPS system (His Word), I can promise you, you will get through this. He is with you because He doesn't leave you to walk this journey alone.

Grief tempts us to walk alone because it’s raw and messy and we don’t want to be seen as weak. Fight against that temptation to walk the trail alone. Walk knowing He is with you and ask Him to bring godly friends to walk beside you on this path to healing. They will be “Jesus with skin on’ as you journey through the messy paths of life.

“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; f
or why does one also hope for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance, we wait eagerly for it.”
Romans 8:24,25

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Pausing to Remember

5/6/2016

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Today I am pausing to remember my step dad of 30 years, Christian Andersen, who went to be with the Lord seven years ago today.

Actually, he’s in my thoughts every day. I see his winsome smile and hear his voice ringing with tales of his life and miscellaneous whimsical stories - some true, some just for fun.

He taught me so much over the years about life and loving. He showed a tremendous about of love to me and my family--as if we were his own. But the best part is the way he showed love to my Mom. He was more of Father to me than my own Dad. And all 3 of my children grew up calling him, Grandpa. There was a lot of love that flowed between them, a whole lot of love.

Today, I’m thankful I know that he’s no longer suffering and in the presence of the Lord. Even though we all miss him terribly, I can rejoice knowing that one day we will all be reunited.

My Mom and I were with him during those last days and hours before he went home.
To watch his breathing change from painless shallow gasps to his final exhale was a sacred moment. His furrowed brow relaxed and a look of gentleness and peace fell upon his face as he was ushered into the presence of His Lord and Savior.

The last words he spoke just hours before he left or heaven were, “I’m a blessed man." I’ll always treasure those words because so many of his words for 2 weeks had been controlled by dementia.

I assured him I would be there with him, comforting and encouraging him on until he reached his last breath, then I couldn’t go any farther. He would be in much better hands than mine at that point, the hands of God’s messengers sent to deliver him to his Savior. Transferred from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. He “squeezed” my hand and smiled.

Just 7 hours later, I could see from the expression on his face, he saw the light of his new Home and was anxious to breathe that celestial air, realizing he’s finally Home. My job was done.

It’s how a life is lived between the first breath and the last that leaves an indelible imprint on those that are left behind. I can truly say I’m a blessed woman whose life has the imprint of many who have pressed their hearts and lives into mine.

From life’s first breath to it’s very last, life is sacred.

“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13,14

You are loved and missed, Chris.
You lived well and loved much.
See you soon.

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When Mother's Day is Hard

5/4/2016

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Mother's Day is extremely difficult for many of us. The pain in our hearts seems to be magnified on days that the world tells us we're to be happy and celebratory.

For the rest of this devotional click here to read on Marsha's Musings. It's an updated version of last year's post. I'm also over at the team devotional blog, Laced With Grace with the same devotional.