Let's Never Forget!

“Memorial Day” is a special day designated to remember some very special people.  It was originally called “Decoration day,” and set aside as a means of honoring those who paid the ultimate price in service for our country.  For many however, it is just another holiday, the unofficial beginning of summer, parades, or another long weekend from work.  It does give us an opportunity to spend time with our family and friends and celebrate the freedom we have; however, it is far more.  It is a day to remember those who gave their all and for the families who paid a tremendous price to obtain and protect our freedom.  It also gives us opportunity to say thanks to the ones who served and is now serving in the armed services of our great country.  We must never forget!

Recently, while walking down the street, proudly wearing my “U.S. Army” hat, a young girl, approximately ten years old came up to me, reached out to shake my hand and said, “Thank you sir for serving.”  Tears came to my eyes as I once again felt the same pride as I had when privileged to wear the uniform, some fifty years ago.  I also remembered some of the close acquaintances with whom I also served but paid a far greater sacrifice. 

Most of us have known one who served in Armed Services and paid the ultimate price.  Allow me to share with you one that served proudly and bravely; his name was Captain Johnnie P. Sawyer.  He was from Conway, SC and we became friends in 1958 while serving in New Jersey and served another two years together in Germany.  He reenlisted in 1961 and went on to become an officer and pilot.  He was the pilot of a fixed wing plane when it went down in Viet Nam on June 10, 1966 leaving a young mother and two small children, other relatives and many friends.  He was so proud of his accomplishments in the Army and so were all his friends.  Words are not sufficient to define the man that Johnnie was and his commitment to our country.   He was a man of integrity, honesty, dedication, commitment, trust and compassion.  His core values were so strongly implanted into his life that one could never doubt his position.  He refused to compromise the core values of his faith.  I can truly say that I am a better person today because of my friend, Johnnie P. Sawyer.  So today, I stand at attention and salute Johnnie and those who gave all for our freedom.  Once again, I pledge to renew my commitment to the freedom for which they fought and for which they died.  The Scripture speaks of us being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, cheering us on to victory.  I believe when Johnnie’s plane went down, he accepted a higher commission as a part of the crowd in Heaven cheering us on as he heard the words, “'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'[1]

One has said of these heroes, “They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation.”[2]  So join with me today and sing,

“And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.”[3]

So as we observe Memorial Day, let us remember that is was because of a tremendous price that we have freedom.  Many people in the world would like to take it away but let us stand tall and sound the alarm from the highest mountain that we will not allow the tremendous sacrifices of millions of young men and women to be in vain.  Let us lift our voices as loudly as we can and proclaim, “Let Freedom Ring!”  We as Americans enjoy the freedom that we have because someone has paid the price for that freedom – freedom is not free; it is not a given; and let us never take it for granted.  Let us commit again today that we will not allow their sacrifice be in vain.

May God Bless these United States of America!
“No one has greater love than this – that one would lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

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[1] Matt 25:23 NLT

[2] Henry Ward Beecher

[3] Lee Greenwood

The Value of Time

Looking at our schedule for the next three weeks, and how much we have tried to pack into such a short period, I immediately started thinking about the value of time.  Time passes so swiftly and one wonders how, and where it goes.  This quote is so true today; “Time is a resource that is nonrenewable and nontransferable.  You cannot store it, slow it up, hold it up, divide it up, or give it up.  You can’t hoard it up or save it for a rainy day–when it’s lost it’s unrecoverable.  When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection.”[1]

Most of us have heard that, “Time is money.”  However, it is more valuable than money; one can make more money but impossible to make more time.  Time is like a checking account; we look forward each day for another deposit of 1,400 minutes.  Each day we write checks against our account.  The difference about our checking account of time is that we do not really know when the balance will hit “zero and no further deposits.”  Therefore, it is important to spend our time wisely in areas that pay long-term dividends. All of time is valuable; when one kills time, it is wasting one of the most precious commodities that God has given to us. 

We measure time by days, weeks, months, years, holidays, seasons, and the clock.  The clock can be one of our greatest friends or the most feared enemy.  It is amazing how slow time goes while watching the clock, but when concentrating on other things, it seems to go double speed.  One making a comparison between the clock and the hourglass has written, “Clocks, with their revolving hands, create the illusion that time goes on forever.  Hourglasses remind us that time is running out."[2]  We often try to pack so much into “time” that we become frustrated and never have a sense of accomplishment in being the best of our capability.  The older one gets, the faster time seems to go and we ask, “What happened to Time?  When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.  When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.  When I became a full-grown man, time ran.  And, later as I older grew, time flew.  Soon I shall find while traveling on, time gone.”[3]  

It is easy to surrender the opportunities, wrapped in time, that God has provided for us and get too busy to experience the real meaning of life.  As a result, it may be years before we recognize the tragedy of the loss.  When time controls us, it will be easy to feel what many have expressed, “I feel like I’m on a roller coaster and no place to get off.”  We need to listen to the words of a wise individual, "Live smart, work smart, be smart and make the best use of our time because it ain't gonna get any better.”  Therefore, take control of time or time will control you.  It is nice to remember that, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. [4]

“Treasure every moment that you have!  Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  Today is a gift....  That’s why it’s called the ‘present’!”[5]

Ps 118:24 “This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  NLT

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[1] A. W. Tozer

[2] Tony Campolo

[3] unknown

[4] C.T. Studd

[5] unknown

Mother’s Day

Each year at this time we honor a very special person we call “Mother.”  Mother’s are very special people and really do not often get the credit due them for the influence they have had in the development of our country and us.  A mother’s love is perhaps the best representation of God’s love that one can see in the world today.  In the book of Joshua, we find many areas where God told Joshua things concerning Israel like, “I gave…I brought…I delivered…I provided…I protected…I carried you.”  Is this not what our mother’s could say to us?  Most of them are so modest they would say, “Oh, it was nothing.”

It is great for us to listen to children say when questioned about their mother.  Look at some of these answers. 

• Why did God make mothers?  “She’s the only on who knows where the scotch tape is.” 
• What was your mother like as a child?  “I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.”
• Why did your mother marry your dad?  “My grandma says that Mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.”
• If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?  “I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.”[1]

A little girl was seated between her parents and for the first time she got a look at her parents’ wedding album.  She was amazed when she saw her Mom in the bride’s dress and her Dad in his tuxedo and she turned to her Dad and said, “Daddy, is that the day you got Mom to come and work for us?”[2]

Moms are more than the one that “works” for us.  They give us unconditional love, exceptional understanding, unimaginable strength, unexplainable wisdom, unwavering direction, and other attributes that help us to know that God has touched mothers with a very special quality that can only come from Him.

Proverbs 31:25-31”She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.  When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions.  She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.  Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!  Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.  Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”  NLT

So today Mom we honor you.  We will publicly declare a special thanks to you and thanks to God for giving us “YOU.”  Enjoy all the pampering you can today because you deserve it and besides, tomorrow is Monday again.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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[1] Author unknown

[2] Author unknown

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