REMEMBER

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 2:2 - 5

In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

REMEMBER

Anyone who knows me knows I am not big on history or genealogy. I am big on people who defend this country and the rights of its citizens.

My father was a Private in the Army and served in Infantry Co B 115th Inf Reg. He served in the Rhineland and central Europe and received two Bronze Stars. My father-in-law was a Master Sergeant in the Army and was the Chief Radio Operator over 39 men. Neither died during their military service, but they served proudly.

Both of these men were older when they were called to serve during WW II. My father, who was truck driver, was put into the infantry. We still have not figured that out other than he told a Sergeant he could drive a truck and the Sergeant told him to walk. And walk he did. Dad never talked about the war.

My father-in-law managed a store's hardware department and was an amateur radio operator. The Army put his skills to good use and he taught others. I never met him, but I have often wondered what he would think of the internet. I understand he never talked about his service either.

My brother served in the Army during peace time. Our son-in-law was in the Navy. One nephew was in the Navy and traveled far from Indiana. One nephew is in the National Guard and served in Iraq. My sister, although not military, works at Camp Atterbury and sends soldiers off with a smile and greets them when they return with an even bigger smile.

We have a friend that served in Korea and many who served in Viet Nam. We have a friend who is in the Air Force and friends who are Marines. (Once a Marine, always a Marine.) A Canadian friend served with the US military. There are men in our church who survived the Battle of the Bulge and the landing at Normandy.

I am proud of my family members who have served this country. I am grateful for each and every soldier - old, young and those in-between; male and female; Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Guard - who has defended the United States of America.

It does not matter if we remember on the traditional Memorial Day of May 30 or the day now set as the last Monday in May. What is important is that we remember and, with respect, offer our gratitude. A line, in a 1915 poem, says, "That blood of heroes never dies." That is true. The blood of heroes lives in our freedoms. Always remember.

LET US PRAY

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord. Lord I do come to your mountain. I come with prayers of thanksgiving for those who are willing to serve and risk their lives so I may have freedom. I come with gratitude for all who gave their lives to protect the freedoms of the United States of America and the freedoms of other countries and individuals. I do not take for granted my right to pray and worship you. I do not take for granted the freedoms I have today because I know that, without willing soldiers, these freedoms might disappear. I pray for the safety of our soldiers. I pray for the mental and emotional stability of our soldiers. I pray for the families of our soldiers. Also give them the physical, mental and emotional strength they need to stand with their spouse, parent or child who is serving in the military. Lord I do come to your mountain and I will celebrate the day when there are no swords. No spears. No wars. Amen

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: LUKE 15:3-7

Then Jesus told them this parable, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

Well, let's see. Rainbows and puppies make me smile. Wiggling my toes in the mud and blowing bubbles make me smile. Family and seeing Bill smile, makes me smile. Also, the sound of children laughing, the feel of a child's hand in mine and cartoons. A finished project. The first winter snow. The last winter snow. A good glass of wine. Friends.

Oh, my. This could be a very long list. Take a deep breath, here we go: Books, the sound of the ocean, buffalo, a new born calf and the sound of our children, even at their ages, calling me mommy. Driving very crooked roads, a good nights sleep, music, cheesecake and helping children. Quiet time but also the noise created when friends and family are all talking at once. An email from my sister, a USA flag blowing in a gentle breeze, white roses and playing games. Also, sitting on the deck, clouds, sunsets and getting a nice hot shower.

Deer running through our yard, fresh lettuce from the garden. Praying in a quiet church, children singing, Sunday School classes, Psalm 139 -- I better stop because these are just a few of the things that make me smile.

I do like to smile. Smiling makes my face feel good, changes the tone of my voice and improves my outlook on life. A smile can change my day from lousy to fantastic.

What makes God smile? I think God is happy and has a very large smile when all of His children are safe in His care.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have any of these made you smile? Did you start your own list as you read mine?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

I am smiling God. Can you see my smile? I look around and find so many things to smile about. Your world and all you placed in it are amazing. I pray I never loose the ability to smile at simple pleasures like mud in my toes and bubbles floating to heaven. I hope I make you smile. It makes me feel so secure to know that when I am lost YOU will come find me. It makes my Holy Spirit smile to know you want me in your flock. I am smiling God. Can you see my smile? Amen

THE LIGHT IS THERE

A very generous friend has allowed us to stay at his cabin in Colorado. We have been there twice and are looking forward to returning this September. It is very quiet. You can rest. You can relax.

One end of the cabin is windows and, in the mornings, you can watch the world wake up and, at night, watch it go to sleep. One evening, as I walked from the kitchen toward the window, it looked dark outside. But when I got to the window I saw it wasn't totally dark. Above the tree line, the sky was still light blue with a few scattered clouds. Then I saw the white jet stream. So close, it looked as if I could touch it. What a closing to a wonderful day. A reminder that when we think life is dark, full of problems, the light is still there. So close, we just need to reach out and grasp it.

The scriptures are full of reassurance.

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:3. God created the heavens and the earth. Then He lit up the sky! He lit up our lives!

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29. It is never so dark that God's light will not shine through.

The Lord is my light and my salvation Psalm 27:1. Wow, not only our light but our salvation. Two for one!!!

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. Psalm 56:13. Joy of joy! The light of life!

Where do we find this light? How do we understand it? The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130. Where and how? We look in God's word.

From my favorite Psalm, we learn even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:12. So -- no matter how deep the dark is that surrounds us, God sees us. He knows where we are.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26. God created us and all we have to do is lift our eyes and look to the heavens.

Micah 7:8 encourages us. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Yes, we all fall and sometimes we all sit in darkness. When that happens, do not think you are there forever. Do not let your enemy win. When you fall, ask the Lord to be your light.

You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14. Just as God is our light, God expects us to be a light to others.

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:5. We never know what the next minute may bring, let alone tomorrow. But, one thing we know for sure is that the time will come when there will be no more darkness.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible, the unfolding word of God, gives understanding to each of us so we will call upon the light. "Darkness" is different for each person and can come when least expected. When your life gets dark. Or you feel alone. Or you feel like you are at the end of your rope, remember, reach out and grasp the light.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Do you have this light in your life?

PRAYER TIME

Today, use the scriptures to surround yourself with the light of God.

Dear Lord, Bless all who call upon your light so there will be no more darkness. Amen

VOTING

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: GALATIANS 3:26 - 29

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

VOTING

I have not worked the elections for a long time. When I said, "Sure I can help.", I forgot about getting up at 4:00 AM, to be at the polls by 5:00 AM, to begin at 6:00 AM, to end at 6:00 PM and then leave a little after 7:00 PM. My memory had failed to enter a few years of aging into the tired equation.

Bill said, "No your butt is not dragging behind you." Maybe not, but all it took was a shower to make my behind land asleep on the couch.

The polling place I worked was in a retirement home. As I watched people come in, using walkers, canes or wheelchairs, I realized voting is a freedom, a right and a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

I have not missed voting in any election since 1967. Primary. General. I have voted. Voting is a privilege we should not take for granted. Even in the United States, voting has not always been open to all.

• 15th Constitutional Amendment Feb 26, 1869: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
• 19th Constitutional Amendment Aug 26, 1920: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
• 26th Constitutional Amendment July 5,1971: The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

You would have thought that the 15th Amendment would have given women the right to vote. Nope. It took 51 years and the 19th Amendment before women could vote. Although 18 year olds were drafted and could serve in the military, they were not allowed to vote until 1971.

Voting is a privilege we should not take for granted. Voting has not always been open to all. Being a child of God is open to all who "vote" by being baptized.

How have you voted?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Can you say you are an heir to God's kingdom? Have you been baptized? If so, then offer this prayer of joy:

I am one in Christ Jesus. I have been baptized and am clothed with Christ. I belong to Christ and I am an heir to the promise given Abraham. Amen

OR

Have you not been baptized or not sure if you are ready to make a commitment? Would you like to learn more? Do you have a place where you can learn more? If so, then offer this request for guidance:

Jesus, I understand baptism is the outward sign of the inward change of my spirit. I am trying, but am not quite sure and have not been baptized. Jesus, open my heart, my mind and my soul. Place in my life the direction I need to discover a strong, unshakable faith. Amen.