Veterans Day

I have always thought that Veterans Day was a big deal. You see my father was a WWII veteran. He kept a journal  in his boot when he was traveling to and from North Africa transporting POW's to the US.  It was fascinating to read his short accounts, however it was heartbreaking too. The fear and sadness at the loss of comrades and friends in time of battle.

Veterans Day means so much more to me today, as my oldest son is now a veteran of 2 deployments. He has witnessed the tragedy of war and the pain which it brings to families and friends.

Veterans Day is a day of thank you in our house. Thank you to all my family who has served, thank you to all the service men and women who have answered the call to serve this country.

This psalm reflects my heart felt thoughts for each and every veteran today:

Psalm 91

1 

"He who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High

    will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 

He will say to the Eternal, “My shelter, my mighty fortress,

    my God, I place all my trust in You.”

3 

For He will rescue you from the snares set by your enemies who entrap you

    and from deadly plagues.

4 

Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers,

    will protect you under His great wings;

    His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you.

5 

You will not dread the terrors that haunt the night

    or enemy arrows that fly in the day

6 

Or the plagues that lurk in darkness

    or the disasters that wreak havoc at noon.

7 

A thousand may fall on your left,

    ten thousand may die on your right,

    but these horrors won’t come near you.

8 

Only your eyes will witness

    the punishment that awaits the evil,

    but you will not suffer because of it.

9 

For you made the Eternal [your][a] refuge,

    the Most High your only home.

10 

No evil will come to you;

    plagues will be turned away at your door.

11 

He will command His heavenly messengers to guard you,

    to keep you safe in every way.

12 

They will hold you up in their hands

    so that you will not crash, or fall, or even graze your foot on a stone.[b]

13 

You will walk on the lion and the cobra;

    you will trample the lion and the serpent underfoot.

14 

“Because he clings to Me in love,

    I will rescue him from harm;

    I will set him above danger.

Because he has known Me by name,

15 

He will call on Me, and I will answer.

    I’ll be with him through hard times;

    I’ll rescue him and grant him honor.

16 

I’ll reward him with many good years on this earth

    and let him witness My salvation.”

The Voice Translation

Whom Shall You Serve

Joshua 24: 14-24

Joshua was a the man that would follow Moses and lead the people of Israel.  He learned from Moses the commands and the ways of God.

God began to teach Joshua about what it takes to be a servant of the most High King.  In chapter 24 we learn that we can serve no one greater than God our creator.

                    vs. 14 "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness..." Vs 15 says "But if serving the Lords seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." 

Joshua is telling us we can choose whomever we want to serve. BUT he is sharing with the people of Israel, he is going to serve only GOD.

So let me ask you today!!!!!

            WHOM WILL YOU SERVE?

All Saints Day

Today we celebrate those people that have gone before us in the faith of our churches.  Many people today in mainline churches celebrate this day as a remembrance of those that have died.

Let us reflect today on their story, their journey in life with God.  

I remember growing up in church with my parents who were faithful attenders on Sunday mornings. My mom had us there each week and all Holy Days as well. In her tradition, the Holy Mass was vital to her growth as a Christian.  My dad was less regular, but wanted his children to grow up in the church.

Now that I am older and maybe somewhat wiser, I realize the importance of those memories and the relationship I would now have with the church and God. As a UMC clergy, I know that God is vitally important in my life and the lives of my children and grandchildren. 

I have learned the importance of telling our faith story to the next generation of church attenders and followers of Christ.  If we do not share our story with others, how are they going to learn the ways of God and the church.

So as we remember today, friends and family alike, let us never forget the importance that God has on each person's life.

Thank you to all those who touched my life in the ways of God and his teachings!