Sunday Words of Encouragement May 29, 2011

Our Pastor did a sermon today to honor Memorial Day. It was entitled "We Will Remember." Pastor told us a story of early Memorial Day celebration* and reminded us that the purpose is to remember those who died in service of our nation - so that we will never forget.
Pastor then reminded us how every Sunday is a memorial day to remember our blessings. He pointed out many blessings enumerated in Psalm 103. He also gave us several verses acknowledging "memorial." But my favorite part of the sermon three ways our lives can be an active, living memorial to God. We can do these three things each day:
<1> Give Thanks. (Note - the difference between a prisoner and a monk is one has an attitude of 'griping' while the other has an attitude of 'gratitude.')
<2>  Walk in God's Way. Determine to follow Him and Honor Him.
<3>  Teach our children His ways. Teach peace, faith, love, belief and other virtues of God. But often these lessons are caught better than taught so the way we live should reflect God's way.

I set aside this song video in honor of Memorial Day.

The words are below the video.

All My Tears by Jars of Clay

When I go, don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole.
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store,
Come and drink, and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

So, weep not for me my friends,
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Verses for today.

Psalm 115:12-13 (NLT)

 ¹² The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
      He will bless the people of Israel
      and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
 ¹³ He will bless those who fear the Lord,
      both great and lowly.

I prayed today for the safety and well being of those in service and for comfort to the families who have lost a loved one in service to our Nation.
*(Some sites for Memorial Day history: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html; http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history; http://www.memorialdayorigin.info/)