In Memoriam

It's Memorial Day here in the US of A. What's everybody up to? Going to a veteran's memorial service? Driving back home from a big weekend up north?

I personally don't think we spend enough time honoring those who sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free. I wonder if our younger generation (those under 20) understands just what it means. They have no idea what war is like.

The last US war ended in 2021 - Afghanistan. You remember that hideous withdrawl, right? 13 US soldiers died that day. Here are their names.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, Calif.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tenn.

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, Calif.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyo.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, Calif.

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Mass.

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Ind.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Mo.

Navy Hospital Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Neb.

I know that other soldiers have died serving our country since these 13 perished in Afghanistan but these 13 came to mind for me. And look at their ages. All but one of them were in their 20's. Most of them in their EARLY 20's.

They were strong and courageous. I do not know if any of them knew The Lord. I hope they did. But this Psalm is for them regardless:

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me." - Psalm 144:1-2

May this Memorial Day be one of rememberance and honor for the fallen heroes of our country. And may there be no more names added to the list of the dead.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, and may the Lord above guard the hearts of their families and friends . . . today and always.

Soldiers For Christ

Have you ever considered the similarities between the American soldier and the Christian believer? They are nearly identical. At least they SHOULD be.

Our pastor gave a message yesterday about the faith of the centurion (Luke 7). He listed six "characteristics of faith" found in that Roman soldier.

Faith, Reverence, Respect, Humility, a feeling of unworthiness, and Trust. The centurion in Luke's Gospel had them all. Jesus saw the character of this man's life and said this.

"When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” - Luke 7:9

When we think of the soldiers of today what characteristics come to mind? Sacrifice, Duty, Honor, Bravery. Those words reflect the same characterizes of Jesus, wouldn't you say? The sacrifice on the cross. The duty and honor Jesus continually displayed to God, The Father. And the bravery of His willingness to die on the cross, once and for all.

Shouldn't WE have those same characteristics? The characteristics of Christ? The characteristics of a soldier?

All American soldiers have been honored throughout our history for their service - except for the Vietnam soldier. They were spit on and shunned when the war ended in the early 70's. I will submit to you today that that disrespect marked the beginning of our downfall as a nation.

The media first expressed "their opinion" during the nightly news at that time. No respect was given to our returning soldiers. There was a waning reverence for God as we began removing Him from our schools and courthouses. There is no respect for our constitution. No honor is given to our highest court or political offices. Trust is absent and we feel that WE are more worthy than God.

We now see the result of our disobedience in just about every news story out there. We need to seek forgiveness from God for all of our shortcomings.

I challenge you to walk through a cemetery today. Seek out a Vietnam soldier amongst the headstones. There are thousands of them. And when you find one, take a knee and give thanks to God for providing such fine examples of His workmanship.

God is mighty to save, but we first must repent as a nation. Then, and only then, will He save this great country of ours. We must reinflate our 'In God We Trust' motto with the characteristics of a faithful soldier. And we need to do it quickly.

Behind Enemy Lines

My uncle died yesterday morning, early. He was a World War II veteran. He never talked much about the war. There was a reason for that. Talking is what gets you killed.

My uncle was in reconnaissance - a paratrooper. He would parachute into enemy territory, behind enemy lines. He recorded all the enemy locations he could, and then tried to make it back. Thankfully, he was successful.

Could you imagine what that was like? All alone, no one to talk to. And if you DID find someone to talk with, there was a chance they would turn you in.

Being a Christian, which my uncle ALSO was, is similar in some ways to the dangers of parachuting behind enemy lines. In many countries around the world, Christians are persecuted for their faith. Opening your mouth to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ can prove fatal.

We carry that same fear of persecution with us here in America. Thankfully, the threat of death is not at the level it is in other countries. But we can still be stereotyped and pigeonholed. We can still lose friends over our beliefs. Even family members can become estranged over our beliefs. 

So, what are we supposed to do? Well soldier, we are supposed to do our jobs to the best of our ability. And we are supposed to go one step beyond what recon paratroopers did in World War II. We are to stand boldly in faith, proclaiming the Gospel, regardless of the outcome.

Even The Apostle Paul knew this effort of his fellow Christians was going to be a battle when he wrote:

"Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." - Ephesians 6:13-17

The life of a Christian is not an easy one. It can even be a battle at times. But what is our job, our duty as believers? It is to share the Gospel, to love God and to others, even our enemies. And then, when our mission is over, we are to go home to be with our believing brothers and sisters who have preceded us.

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." - Ephesians 3:20

Every Man Dies

Pastor Paul Washer was speaking to a group of youth pastors about the depths of their responsibilities to Jesus. After he delivered his message, one of the youth pastors came up to him and said, "If I do all of those things you just told us to do, the elders at my church will kill me." Pastor Washer calmly looked at the man and replied, "Then die."

That spoke volumes to me as we consider exactly who it is we are serving in ministry. In life.

On my way home from work the other night I was listening to Janet Parshall's In The Market. Her guest was Randall Wallace, the guy who wrote Braveheart. Randall Wallace is a descendant of William Wallace, the character Mel Gibson played in the movie.

During the show they played various audio clips from the movie and there was one that touched me - enough to write a story about it:

"Every man dies but not every man really lives." - William Wallace

After reading Song of Songs in the Bible last week, I began to realize the true passion and love that God has for His people. I also became convicted of my OWN lack of passion for God. Do I have that kind of love for Him? Do I exhibit that kind of love for others in the world around me? Am I "really living?" My answer was a resounding, "No."

Alright then. How can I change that? How can I "really live" my life MORE for Christ? Well, the first thing I should do, as with ANY situation, is to pray about it. Pray to God that He might change me into who He wants me to be. Not into who I want to become. Who God wants me to be.

Next I think I think I need to read more. I've been trying to read at least a chapter a day in the Bible. Perhaps I should read more than that so I can absorb more, more quickly. Yet, at the same time, take my time with it so I can understand as I go.

I need to be more intentional in spending time with God. Involve Him in more of my daily life. Like He's right there walking beside me because . . . He is.

Then love more. Invest time with other people. Listen to their stories. Share their pain. Walk with them as Christ walks with us.

Don't be afraid to physically touch someone. A hand on the shoulder or on the back. If they need a hug, give them one. I need to express my love for others in visible, tangible ways . . . with out getting into trouble in doing so.

Hmm, you know these lists are great. Their wonderful as a check list to show us where we come up lacking. But with out that genuine love in our hearts they are really quite useless. The true solution to loving God and loving others is to follow the advice of William Wallace. I need to die, as every man does. Not a physical death. In that sense we all will accomplish that one day. We need to die spiritually to anything that makes us "live" in this world.

Do I merely existing in this world, pretending to be "religious", and then in the next moment, do something worldly? If that is me, then I must die. I must be consistent - in Christ.

As every man, and every woman, walks through this life, let us be about being who we are. How will we be consistent today? How will we be Christlike today? How will we be examples of the One who saved us from the death that every man dies? The answer is simple. We must live the life we were called to live.

"If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
 

²² “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴ “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” ²⁵ For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:20-25

Every Man Dies - Braveheart
Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets