A Time to Remember

 

 

We spent the beginning of this Memorial Day Weekend celebrating a grandson’s graduation from high school. Memorial Day is most often recognized simply as the kick-off to the summer vacation season. But Memorial Day is so much more than!

This is a holiday which has its roots in the days following the Civil War and which began as a way to honor and remember those who had died in that war. In those days, it was known as Decoration Day. Although in recent years it has been observed much like other patriotic holidays (Independence Day and Veterans' Day) as a way to honor all the men and women who serve in our nation's military, I believe it is important to remember why we have this particular holiday.  

 

This day is so much more than a day to honor the military, as important as that is. We have Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May) to honor those who are now serving in our nation's military. Sadly, unless you are part of a military family or you live in a community near a military base, you may not even be aware of this holiday. And we have Veterans' Day in November to honor all those who have served in our nation's military.

This holiday, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to remember those who have died in service to our country. To remember that freedom isn't free. To remember that all those who went off to war didn't come home. Memorial Day is a day to remember.

In places like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. At Bull Run and Bunker Hill. In faraway places like Normandy and Argonne. Korea and Vietnam. Baghdad and Mosul. Kabul and Kandahar. In all these places and many more, somebody died for you. Memorial Day is a day to remember that. Somebody died for you.

As you're celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, let's remember.

This weekend, while you're enjoying your day off from work, or your day at the beach, or your barbecue, take time to remember.

Freedom isn't free.  

Remember.

Somebody paid the ultimate price so you can enjoy all these things.

Remember.

Somebody died for you.

Remember.


"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13 ESV)

The Simple Life

 

I spent last week with 39 friends in Ohio’s Amish country. We saw some beautiful scenery, we visited many interesting sites, and we ate a lot [too much] delicious food.

One of the things that most often comes to mind when thinking about the Amish is their mode of transportation. Or perhaps it’s the way they dress. When I think about the Amish and Mennonites who live in Homes County, Ohio and other similar communities around the country, the word that most often comes to mind is “simple”. They live a simple life.

The Amish and Mennonite way is one of simplicity. Simple, good food. Simple clothes. Life without many of the things we might consider necessities in the modern world.

But beyond that, the Amish and Mennonite life is a committed life. Commitment to family. Commitment to God. Commitment to what they believe about God. What I observed in the Amish and Mennonite people is that they don’t just talk about what they believe. They are willing to be thought “odd”. They are not willing to compromise their beliefs for the sake of “fitting in”.

How does that compare with typical American Christianity?

I’m not suggesting we all suddenly become Amish. Or even Mennonite.

What I am suggesting is that we can learn a lot from them. About love of God and love of family. About healthy eating. About a healthy lifestyle of fresh air, fresh food, and exercise. About knowing what we believe and why we believe it. About not being willing to compromise those beliefs. 

Perhaps it’s time for us to slow down. To reevaluate what is really important. And to live in light of it.

Not only to talk the talk, but to walk the walk.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22 NKJV)