We will always prevail as long as we never forget...

I'll try not to come across flippant or trite with how I personally feel about Memorial Day because after Easter and Christmas, it is the next most reverent day for me.

Several years ago when my teenager was still in that inquisitive phase, she was in my room looking at a shadow box that had been given to me with things from my time in the Marine Corps. My dog tags, first set of gold bars, jump wings and other badges along with the few ribbons and two medals I had earned. There was also a poster next to the box that displayed all of the United States Services medals and ribbons. She would look at a ribbon or medal then go to the poster and find it. I was folding clothes and watching, and she would turn and ask me how to pronounce words like expeditionary or exemplary always curious to how the words were defined in terms she could understand.

She studied for the better part of half an hour when the inevitable question was presented. The medals and ribbons on this particular poster are arranged by an order of importance or distinction with the Medal of Honor for each branch at the top. Being a very perceptive little girl, she noticed my personal decorations didn't make it to the top three lines of the poster.

Did you ever fight in a war daddy?

The concept of war and killing another human being over reasons of principles and politics is a little hard to grasp for a 7 year old. As delicate as possible, I explained that our country was at peace for the most part during my service with the exception of a few short military operation. She quickly connected a few dots.

Did people shoot at you? Did you shoot at other people? Do you know anybody who died in battle?

Her rapid fire delivery made it hard to keep up the gentle pace of explanation and avoidance of certain answers , so

I took a deep breath and told her that people in the military serve in order to keep her and everyone else in our country safe. If needed, they are ready to give their life in a fight to keep us safe... many have already and many would in years to come.

As a tear formed in my eye thinking about a few friends I had lost in service to their country, I saw tears also welling in her eyes and looked away as not to embarrass her. I put my arm around her and explained the extraordinary circumstances necessary for the medals on the top row, and that I served with SGTMAJ Allan Kellogg in Hawaii who was one of the few people alive that wore that medal.

I took the opportunity to explain why it's important to show respect to the American flag and what the flag represents. She reminded me she had been witness that past winter when I left my broadcasting table during a basketball pre-game following the National Anthem, walked to the opposite side of the gym and addressed a certain young man who had talked on his cell phone during the entire song...while sitting down. She now finally understood the applause from the people in the immediate section when I was finished saying what I had to say. The lesson was taking root, and I explained that during that time the National Anthem is being played and I'm looking at our nation's flag...I always remember the price that has been paid so that I can do the things I do...in freedom.

Today, I close with heartfelt praise and gratitude first to God for giving me the opportunity to teach these lessons to my children. May we never forget those who have died on our behalf...starting with Jesus. I also thank Him for those who didn't get that same opportunity because their service to others was far greater than their service to self.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

How do you commemorate what God has done for you?

Webster defines Momentum as: " strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events".

Have you ever been somewhere that seemed to have a strong positive momentum?

Recently I attended a leadership training seminar at a large church. One of the things that really impressed me was the positive momentum they had going; there were so many volunteers who attended that church who were present, wanting to increase their skills. The prevalent attitude that was so strong it was almost palpable was that of a gee-we-Get-to-serve-God-and-be-involved-in-His-work. This has got me to thinking about ways to facilitate that type of momentum.

Then yesterday, when I read Joyce's post Don't Be A Scrooge, Raise Your Ebenezer, on the heels of David's and Tony C's Memorial Days posts, it's got me to thinking about the role remembering, and formal remembrances, play in producing a positive momentum.













The Bible is filled with examples of ways to remember. In Exodus 12:1-30 we've got the start of the celebration that is now referred to as Passover, when God directed Israel to celebrate to commemorate when God led His people out of captivity in Egypt. In Joshua 3-4:20 we've got the account where God allows the children of Israel to cross over the Jordan River and it becomes dry for them to make their way into the promised land; so they set up stones as a monument so they will remember the great thing God did for them. In Luke 22:13-20 we've got Jesus declaring to His followers during passover, a new commemoration of eating the bread and drinking the wine to remember His body and blood that would be sacrificed for all of us.

So remembering, formal commemorations and remembrances, can increase our faith and facilitate positive momentum.

So, my question for you is, what are some specific ways that you commemorate the things God has done for you?

I'm really interested in what you have to say because I want to increase the ways I can do this.

Jordan

I have known Jordan since he was about 12.  He is now 24 and recently discharged from the Army.  Jordan was one of the kids in the church youth group I volunteered for. I was disappointed when Jordan told me he was gonna enlist in the Army.  He was a brilliant kid, very mature and had so many other options before him. I didn't just blurt out my opinion to Jordan.  I truly asked Holy Spirit for permission to speak my mind before I opened my mouth.  Jordan and I talked about it and that was the extent of it.  He felt lead by God to join and who was I to argue with him and Jesus.                                                                                                                Jordan eventually entered Ranger school.  He has told me that the prayers of others is what helped him get through the grueling training. Jordan would also asked for prayer when he went through Jump School.  I was often led to pray for Jordan's Spiritual training.  In fact, during this time of his service I was most concerned about his Spiritual growth.

When Jordan was about to be deployed, he would give a call and we would chat and pray.  During these times, I was sometimes conflicted as how I should pray.  After all, if I was praying for Jordan's safety, it meant that I was essentially praying for someone else to die. It seemed kinda odd to pray for Jordan to excel at his job because it meant I was praying for someone else to die. 

In no way did I want Jordan or any of his fellow soldiers to get hurt or killed.  But at the same time, there were people that would cross Jordan's path that would get hurt or killed.  And more than likely these people did not know the Saving Grace of Jesus.

I am proud of the man Jordan is and the accomplishments of his young life.  I am excited to see how Jesus uses this man to advance the Kingdom.  I love the Brother and I am thankful that he took on a duty that I know I could not have and would not have done.  I am thankful for the sacrifices all the soldiers and their families have made for the United States.  But I still have no answers for certain questions:

• How do some people feel led by Jesus to kill in the name of their country and others do not? 
• Is it responsible of me to pray for some one's safety and their ability as a soldier, knowing that someone is going to die at the hands of the person I am asking God to bless?  
• What is the difference between two people defending their warring countries?

I have no real conclusion to this entry, because I can't wrap my mind around this topic. I also am not really seeking answers to these questions. Jordan and no one else for that matter, owes me an explanation for their sense of duty towards their country.  And Jordan nor anyone else, will answer to me on Judgment Day. I put my trust and my understanding in God and His Word when it comes to the questions I have no definite answers for.

Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Romans 2.14-16

Don't Be A Scrooge, Raise Your Ebenezer

For 16 years of my life, I was blessed to live in the little town of Cromwell Connecticut. Like most New England towns, it had its quirks. One of the quirks was the celebration of Memorial Day. Cromwell disregarded the three-day weekend accommodation. In Cromwell, May 30, and ONLY May 30 was the day to celebrate Memorial Day.

If May 30 fell on a weekday, the parade would be in the early evening. The parade consisted primarily of the various little leagues, the fife and drum corps, the honor star parents and the Legend. The parade would end at the town green. The American Legend handed out flags while we waited for the ceremony to begin. The ceremonial speech would always include a reference to keeping Memorial Day as May 30. To rousing applauds, it was proclaimed that Cromwell would ALWAYS keep May 30^th as the only official Memorial Day remembrance.

The school year in Connecticut usually runs until mid-to-late June. The children have the opportunity to learn about the meaning of Memorial Day. They also experienced Flag Day that comes in mid-June. Many a year I stood outside the elementary school for the annual Flag Day program. I miss those days.

Recently, I have been involved in another type of Memorial remembrance. On Facebook, I started a group to honor and remember the church of my childhood, Salem Gospel Tabernacle in Brooklyn NY. I’ve written about the church before. It was a Norwegian ethnic Pentecostal church with no strong ties to any American Pentecostal denomination. Its theological ties were to Norway.

I don’t remember exactly my thought process when I decided to start that group. It was probably a day where I was feeling nostalgic. I probably had googled the name of the church. Or perhaps I was looking for specific people. At the time, I probably didn’t think that I was being led by the Holy Spirit at the time.

But I was. There is a Biblical concept of Ebenezer. (See 1 Samuel 7:12) The word Ebenezer in Hebrew means Stone of Help. Its concept is also that the stone is a symbol to call to remembrance the help of the Lord.

That Facebook group for people, who were helped, shaped, formed and grew in Christ through a unique ethnic church in Brooklyn NY has become an Ebenezer. I am in awe of how God has brought nearly 100 of us from various generations together. There is energy to the group. We share and laugh, but ultimately, we honor our elders.

The Pastor of my childhood was a very significant person in my life. I remember him well. He was the type of pastor that poured his life into his ministry.  His daughter now advanced in years she has joined the group. She has shared how blessed she is that her father is remembered. I see God’s Spirit at work as we honor those who gave their lives in both small and big ways to the work of the gospel in that local church. 

Through this Facebook page, we are erecting a virtual Ebenezer. We view pictures of our lives, each one contributing what they have. Excitements rise as a new person is located and joins the group or as new pictures are posted.

I would never want to take anything away from honoring our veterans on Memorial Day. However, we have people who fought the good fight of faith. There are people in our lives who gave their lives for us. Maybe you need to raise an Ebenezer to them in some way. If you know where they are, maybe you could call them, write them, email them, and tell them how much you appreciate their service for the Kingdom.

The scripture is full of metaphors to being in a battle. Today, I will visit the cemetery to pay respects to my parents. While I am there, I will also visit two other graves. One of those graves is that of an officer in the Lord’s army, another former Pastor. The other is that of a former teacher and officer in the Lord’s army. Both gave their lives for the work of the gospel – they gave it all and now I will honor them.

Who might you honor today?

Memorial Day

Today I plan on attending the Memorial Day parade in Holliston, MA; a little town not too far from Boston. We'll probably park the car at St. Mary's, arriving early enough to get a shady seat on the bench in front of Fisk's Variety Store. My wife's family and friends will be there. (MORE on this story)

It's a yearly tradition much like Christmas or Easter. It's a time when our family plans to be with others, to have a feast, and make some memories.

Memorial Day is not a Christian celebration - and like Christmas and Easter, it has for the most part, become something that it's not. HERE is the history of Memorial Day.

Yesterday a fellow at work was talking about being a kid in Brooklyn and going to the parade. They had tanks and other military equipment which you could go and climb on after the parade. Wow! Me, I am small town sort of guy - we had a couple of old Ford's and a few WWI vets.

It's hard not to be grateful when we are face-to-face with a WW II vet. It's hard not to be proud of those that are home from a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan. I admit, I am lost for feelings as I remember the lives of those that dies in battle,

Today is a day in which we are to remember those that gave thier life so that the US could be what it is today. In many ways it is not a spiritual day - except when we think about the founding of the US as the only other country in the world that was set apart for the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob except for Israel. Hmm...

Unfortunately war will be a way of life.until the last generation. In all it's violence, destruction and death, it seems to be the only force left in which nations can shape themselves. There is no more undiscovered land - it's all taken. I wonder what world events will cause the 10 (horns) kingdoms described in Revelation? What if the EU is the first?

In between root beer, hamburgers and lemonade, I am remembering those that have died in service to our country - wondering how many of them will be in Heaven?

I think about my dad who served in 2 wars and received 2 Purple Hearts. He was a disabled vet most of his life. I am thinking about the fear and violence on the battlefield - something out of Saving Private Ryan - soldiers giving the ultimate sacrifice.

I am thinking about the sacrifice of Jesus who took my place on the cross.

I am thinking of millions of small flags placed on the graves of those the lost their lives so that you and I could be free to worship Jesus.

I am thinking that freedom isn't free.

I am praying for our troops.

I am praying for God to have mercy on the US.

I am thinking about the return of Jesus.

How about you, what are you thinking about today?

May God Bless America - Happy Memorial Day



(Photos Life Magazine unless otherwise noted)

Because You first loved me...

It's been a jammed packed week, so I'm late on a lot of my reading. As a matter of fact, I just finished reading the post this week of my fellow Kingdom Bloggers. Wow! What a diverse and talented group they are, and a real blessing to me personally.

You may be getting a bit tired of hearing me say that, but it doesn't make it any less true. I've never met David, Joyce, Dave or Tracy in person, but I know God has placed them in my life to shore me up, reinforce me, during those moments of doubt. Oh yes, those moments do come. More often than I care to admit. But it's not just my fellow Kingdom Bloggers. Many times a comment or email made by a reader will come at just the right moment. A moment when God is reminding me I do this for Him...not me.

For those of you who blog, you understand the commitment to pen new muses on a regular basis. For those of you who read, the commitment is no less real. We write and we read to find and enjoy fellowship with other Believers. We also write and we read to to be in one accord. Do we all agree on every point of Christian theology? Yes, I chuckled at that absurd question too, but what we do believe in is a God that loves us so much, He provided a way for us to return to Him after we messed up a great thing.

That's where I believe my doubt has changed through the years. While there was a time I arrogantly questioned God's wonderful plan of salvation because it was based on faith, today my doubt will often come from the overwhelming gift of His grace. How can I possibly deserve such a gift? Well...we all know I'm not worthy of His grace, and that's what makes the gift the greatest ever given or to be given. It's hard to imagine that much love.

I can't think of a better way to end the week than 4 minutes and 50 seconds thinking about that gift...have a blessed holiday weekend with God all over it.

Help me overcome my unbelief

Can a real Believer, a born again follower of Christ, have doubts?

Yes.

I know I sure do.

I also know that I love God. I'm grateful beyond anything words can ever express that He gave me the faith to believe in Him, that I have a relationship with the creator of the universe, that He cares for me, and that He has good plans for my life.

The late Michael Spencer who wrote at the Internet Monk site, once said something about doubt that I appreciate and that's really stuck with me:

"I deeply disagree with those who say we should not speak of faith until we have answers. It shouldn’t take a lot of consideration to understand the answer may be “there’s no answer for this question.” If I have to go beyond that, I’m going at the expense of my integrity. Nothing good comes of that.”

For me, if my faith isn't genuine, then it's worthless. For me to have genuine faith I must be honest. If I'm honest I have to admit that there are some things in the Bible that don't make sense to me, or that I don't really like, that all the explanations for why bad things happen to good people still leave me feeling sad and disconsolate; and this is not even mentioning the fact that, like Joyce wrote about on Tuesday, sometimes I have trouble believing God because of my own fear.

Recently I attended a Catholic Mass for the first time. I was moved by the beauty and symbolism throughout the service and captivated by the references to the mystery of our faith. I like that phrase because I really believe that there are many things concerning God that are just too much for me to understand. I'm reminded of the Bible passage found in Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV):

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When it's all said and done, I don't think a God who I could totally understand would be very valuable. I'm grateful that God's ways are higher and better than mine, that He's got the big picture and is working things for the best outcome.

I'm also grateful that, when I want to follow after God and find myself doubting, that I can always reach out to Him in honesty and ask Him, just like the father did in Mark 9:20-25,to help me overcome my unbelief.

Jesus Can't Get Here Soon Enough

Blind Girl Raped
Grandpa Rapes 2 year old Grand daughter
Woman Flogged For Not Wearing Socks
Mom Mircowaves Baby
Two Headed Baby Dies
Iowa City Man Kills Family
Rwanda Orphans
Human Trafficking

I don't doubt the existence of God, just like I don't doubt the existence of evil. I don't doubt that God loves and compassionate, just like I don't doubt that mankind is wicked and perverse. It is still difficult for me to comprehend the horror and tragedy of the articles listed above. Perhaps it is because of stories like the ones listed above are why I don't venture much into the news except for sports and politics. Reading these sorts of stories slaps me in the face with the realization of how superficial and self centered I can be.


It is because of the evil in the world is why I most look forward to the return of Jesus.

For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone Who this is by raising Him from the dead.
Acts 17.31

I'm From Missouri - Show ME

I think I’d like to just say ditto to David’s blog yesterday and move on. So much of what he said pertains to me as well. While I didn’t fail English and I have at times fancied myself to be a writer, I too doubted when I hear over and over and over again, you need to write a book. I don’t know if doubt is the right word to describe my feelings it is more that I think I am just giving into my own fantasy and wishes. Yet, how could all these people who know little about me say the same thing?

I also thought of Thomas as soon as I heard the topic for this week. Doubting Thomas – I preached on him just a few weeks ago. I agree, Thomas had a lot more faith than I do too.

As I looked at the passage where we proclaim Thomas a doubter, I saw something rather different than I had seen before. We focus so much on Thomas and his doubt that we forget about the other people in this story. Like Thomas, they had been with Jesus. They saw all the miracles Jesus did. But what were they doing?

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side.

Locked inside…

That doesn’t really sound like men and women of faith and power to me. It is clear. They were scared. I think terrified might be a better word. Their Teacher, the one they had banked their lives and livelihood on had just been murdered.

Notice that Jesus showed them his hand and side. He spoke Peace to them. Many of us are doubters like the disciples. We hid behind closed doors never admitting our fear or doubts. We’d prefer to look like people of faith and power – we make good confessions and say hallelujah and amen! But in reality, we are locked behind this façade of superficial faith. We know all the right words.

I’ve been a lot like that at times. I’ve prayed for people with some pretty serious illnesses and situations. I pray for them that they will be healed, or their finances restored, etc. Yet, when it comes to me, my needs, my problems, my issues, I seriously doubt. Not that I doubt what God can do, I just doubt He’d do it for me. I lock myself up inside and hide just like the disciples.

All the disciples had doubts – fear and doubt go together like peas in a pod. They have this symbiotic relationship and feed on each other.

Thomas on the other hand was not behind the locked door. I wonder what he was doing? Do you ever read the scriptures and wonder such questions? I do. Had he returned to his former life? Was he the one who had the most courage to go shop for the trembling disciples? I don’t know. But he wasn’t locked up behind a door.  It seems he wasn’t as bound up in fear.

I guess Thomas was a Missourian – Missouri is the show me state. Their motto: I’m from Missouri and you gotta show me. I’ve lived in Missouri. I’m a bit like that myself. You want real. You want to know for yourself. You want to experience it yourself.

Eight days later when Thomas was with them, it doesn’t say the door was locked. Seems that encounter with the Holy Spirit took away the fear. It’s much easier to not doubt once you’ve had an encounter for yourself.

Thomas was honest about his doubts. The only way to have your doubts resolved is to be honest. To stop hiding behind the closed doors of fear. I think Thomas was a realist. He wanted to know that this was real. He wanted to know it for himself. He said SHOW ME.

Sometimes, our doubts are just the opportunity Jesus is waiting for to show you just how real He is.

What are you doubting? If you’re hiding behind a door of fear, don't be surprised if Jesus pops in your life and says PEACE. If you’re like Thomas and you want to be sure it’s real. Say so… 

My God is real, how about yours?

Beyond Faith and Doubt - My God is Real

I was reading about doubting Thomas the other day. Over the years, he has been the poster child for doubt in the church. Whenever any preacher, pastor or priest talks about faith, many talk about doubt, and invariably Thomas's name comes up.


This week the brethren are going to write about doubt. Every Christian has a crises of faith from time-to-time.


There are lots of times when, in my walk as a Christian, I have doubted. I would often take comfort in the fact that Thomas was a doubter - and that I am blessed if I don't have to see proof. Amazingly, last week I was reading and writing about Thomas. I thought I would share the part about Thomas here on Kingdom Bloggers. I wrote the following over on a  Fire & Grace blog.


"Trust me, if you were Thomas, you’d have much more faith than the average American Christian. You may remember the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.


John 11:16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.


We all know how the story ends. Lazarus was raised from the dead by Jesus. Of course Thomas was there when the Gaterenenian Demoniac was set free, the storm was calmed, the water was turned to wine, and he was one of the guys watching bread and fish multiply before his very eyes as he distributed it on the hillside to 5,000 men and their families!"


When I view Thomas from that perspective, I believe I am much more of a doubter than he was.


As a Christian, when I talk about doubt, I noticed my doubts have changed over the decades. In the early days I was concerned about Jesus the man/God. Later on, I struggled with the supernatural - healing, tongues, demons, prophecy, words of knowledge, miracles - it was all unfamiliar to me. And because of that I doubted the Bible in other areas, though I seemed pretty secure in my salvation. The truth was, I did not know how to hear God's voice - it was unfamiliar. As I have said before, I thought it was some random act when God spoke to me about something.


Finally, I learned to have 2-way relationship with Jesus. I learned how to pray, to listen, to flow with the things that I was sensing. It took years because I had a lot of Bible, but no real mentoring. Many men tried to make excuses for the parts of the Bible that were unfamiliar to them. I thank God that I just abandon myself to Him, that I read many books about miracles and other supernatural things that my God did for others - hmmm... was it possible that He would allow me to be a part of that too?


I remember one day I was I read this passage.


1 John 1:2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.


The apostle John wanted to testify in writing what He had seen. What do you suppose John thought at this moment? Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."


I had received a prophetic word about writing - "you will write, write, write." Little did the one giving the word know I had failed English and/or reading 9 out of 12 grades - writing - heck spelling wasn't even a strong point.


One day I was sitting at my PC and I heard the voice of the Lord tell me to write about the wedding in Cana. I read the passage and I felt an amazing anointing and I simply understood it as a picture of salvation. And so I wrote about it. A few days later I began to write about things God did through me and others that I knew - shared about prayer, power, and anything else that God would give me during my morning devotions. I searched God out at every conference and meeting that I could find - and I began to see God work in powerful ways.


In fact I have seen so many things that God has unquestionably done, that I must tell the stories. 400 or so are within the this blog and Fire & Grace. But there were over 500 daily emails that I sent out as well. I love to give God glory, and to testify to the things that He has done in my life. I write about these things because, for so many years, I was simply told to have faith, pray for faith, operate in faith, but I doubted.


Testimonies are a good way of building your faith, and the faith of others. It is how I have overcome doubt. It is important to tell others what God has done, that is one of the ways we overcome the Devil!


Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.


When I do not doubt, I can see the dry or desert times for what they are. I can ask for wisdom and knowledge, or I can ask God to heal or change a situation. It is because of what He has done on the cross, His great love for me (and you) and because I dared to believe even the wildest of biblical claims.


My God is real, how about yours?