Memorial Day is just about over. The flags have been brought in and it’s back to school or work tomorrow.  For a few hours, this country took time out to honor our fallen heroes; the ones who gave their all so that we can have it all.  These brave men and women gave their lives for our freedom and Christ gave His all so that we may have eternal life.  This is what Jesus said as stated in the book of John, chapter 10 “⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  ¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  ¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

Will anyone remember those fallen heroes tomorrow or next week, or will it be another year when Memorial Day rolls around again before we stop for a few moments to honor those lost lives?

In the 1940’s, it was WWII and Pearl Harbor.  Our Naval base in Hawaii was brutally attacked. Lives were lost. And we erected memorials and I’m sure many prayers were said.

And then, all was forgotten.

Then there was Korea.

And Vietnam.

Not only were those “conflicts” buried, the returning soldiers were badly treated.

In the 1990’s, the US Military struggled with Gulf Storm and the Gulf war. I remember it like it was yesterday.  During that time, I worked at a Christian Radio Station.  All of us were seriously tuned in to the spiritual warfare that was going on in the mid east. And we prayed. And our listeners prayed. And our various program ministries prayed. We even recorded some heart-felt prayers from some of the pastors and aired them throughout the days and weeks.

And then, all was forgotten.

Then, in 2001, the unspeakable happened. The United States was viciously attacked at home on our own soil. NINE – ELEVEN happened. 9/11. Terrorists tried to break us. Terrorists tried to destroy us. Terrorist flew into our Twin Towers. Terrorists flew into the Pentagon. Let’s Roll© was uttered. Terrorists took many lives that day. We prayed and we cried. Many memorials were erected all over the country.  Numerous songs were written and sung.

And then, nearly all was forgotten.

So much has been forgotten; so much has been stuck up on a high cabinet shelf like an unwanted can of vegetables.

Let us not put Christ up on that shelf and forget Him.

Run to God when times are rough .. absolutely! See Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  The Message says it very well, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

But remember to praise God in the good times, too. In I Thessalonians 5:18, Paul exhorts us, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” And in the old testament, 1 Chronicles 16:25a, “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.”

I’ve heard it said the best way to keep a bible dusted it to use it. Let’s take our bibles down off the high shelf and use them!

Thank You, Father, that you patiently wait for us to run to you again and again. Forgive us Lord, for stowing you away like a can of green beans.  Thank you for life, life more abundant than we can ever imagine.

All scriptures are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

©2014 Cat Brennan

What you think of me is none of my business!  That’s a mouth full of wisdom!

This short quote served to turn around and improve much of my thinking. I was raised with a lot of the old south traditions, many of which are just down right harsh. I have difficulty ridding myself of some of them, but I’ve learned that I don’t need to tell you or anyone else, for that matter, what I think.

One of the “rules” that was pounded into my being was, “do not wear white shoes after Labor Day or before Easter!” Sound familiar?

Do you call someone mean? Do you suggest that a certain person gossips relentlessly? Have you said that so-and-so is a liar?

Be very careful with your judgments. If you’re drawing a conclusion about someone’s behavior, that is judging! And judging is not ours to do!

Jesus was very clear about this in Matthew, Chapter 7:1-5, “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.” (The Message)

My own example is beyond “the ridiculous”.  I am the first to admit that I’m an impatient driver.  I get upset and fuss at drivers who don’t let me in, or cut me off or daydream at a green light!  Seems like every single time I gripe at a driver for, let’s say, cutting me off, guess what? In the next few minutes, invariably, I’ve cut off another! (Grrrrr). And every time, the Holy Spirit gently reminds me not to judge the next driver who infringes on ‘my’ territory.

Think about it and think hard on it. The next time you decide to judge someone a gossip, stop and listen to your next conversation.  Are you repeating something you have been told in confidence? Or, worse yet, are you suggesting to a third-party that so-an-so was at such-and-such a place and guessed at what bad thing that person was doing? The next time you judge someone mean, how have you just treated your husband or wife or sister or best friend (Did you just say ouch?).

Gossip, lying, bossing and judging another will bite you every time.

You’ve heard this one, “What goes around, comes around.” And here’s another, “What is down in the well, comes up in the bucket.”  It’s true! If you give good gifts and use good words, these good things will come back to you. If you are harsh or mean or bossy or cruel or stingy, those negatives will return to haunt you! It is one of God’s universal laws that affects all people in all walks of life all of the time.

Have you noticed how a stranger responds when you smile at him? Or how a lady responds when you give her an honest compliment? Men and women alike respond in kind to kind treatment.

Think long on Jesus words in Luke 6:45, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (NAS)

And, James 3:11,“ Doth a fountain send forth from the same place sweet water and bitter?”  If your heart is in the right place, your words will be too.

What’s in your heart? Judgment or mercy? Harshness or Grace? Death of Life?  Darkness or Light?

I pray you choose Light.

Scriptures quoted are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

© 2014 Cat Brennan