Greatness

{faith, hope, love}

Memorial day

memorial_day2

“Courage is contagious.  When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

It began as “Decoration day,” May 30, 1868 – a day to honor those who gave their lives in the Civil War.  Since becoming a Federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day now represents a day to remember all those who have gone before.  Amid the fun of a three-day weekend – picnics and BBQs, family and friends – let us not forget the men and women who have paid the highest price.  From the American Revolution to the Gulf War, over 1,500,000 men and women have given their lives – not including the countless men and women who have died, and continue to die, in the battle that rages today.  We may never know their names, but someone does.  Someone has lost a father or mother, a son or daughter, a sister or brother, a neighbor, a friend.    A life once lived is now gone forever; and all for taking a stand.  As we remember their courage and ultimate sacrifice, let us vow to do more than acknowledge a moment of silence, or drape a flag upon a headstone.  Let us be determined to allow their courage to strengthen our own.  May we never tire of doing good; may we never tire of standing for what is right.  And in so taking that stand, our memorial will be more than just a date on the calendar.  It will be our very lives.

Happy easter

 
“‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here, He has risen!’” –Luke 24:5-6
 
Imagine for a moment, you are among those bringing spices and perfumes to the tomb of Jesus.  It seems only yesterday you were traveling from Galilee with your Lord.  Now he is dead.  In the past days you have witnessed the one you loved — the on you laughed with, mourned with, learned from — betrayed.  You saw the one who fed the hungry and clothed the naked, stripped of all dignity, and given bitter liquid to drink.  You saw he who blessed and healed, insulted and tortured.  And then you saw him die.  Tears streamed with the pouring rain, and your heart felt as though it had shattered in a million pieces.  It can’t end this way.  But as they took his limp body from the cross, you realized it was over.  It is finished.  Just as he said.  You spent hours weeping, until there simply were no more tears.  Now you walk the long earthen path toward a borrowed tomb.  You try to talk with the others, but words are few.  So you walk in silence.  But then you hear those precious words.  It didn’t end as it appeared.  When Jesus declared it finished, he didn’t mean his life, but your chains.  Never has there been such joy!  Our Lord and Savior overcame death to seal OUR victory — a truth no less profound now as then.  Therefore today, of all days, let us not allow the sorrows of this world to drag us down.  After all, we have far more than a few Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies to bring us joy, we have an empty tomb!   Jesus — our Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Advocate, Cornerstone, Healer, our Friend — he is not dead.  He has risen.  And he did it all for the love of you …