Without The Law We Would Not Be Sinners

Romans 4:13-17; 2nd Sunday in Lent; Some would do away with the law altogether in or not to feel guilt or shame.

Give Their Lives For Others

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                                                         (John 15:12-13 KJV)

Veteran's Day is set aside to remember the many who have fallen in support of this country and for the freedom of others around the world. 

Last summer my husband and I visited the Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington is such a quiet and peaceful place unlike it's neighbor next door, Washington, DC. It was a time of reflection as well as awe at the reminder of how many have been willing to give their lives for the sake of others.

As I remember the fallen, I am pained also by the knowledge of why so many died to protect others; why so many wars were fought in the first place. If it had not been for so many greedy and power hungry rulers and people; who were willing to persecute; to destroy people who did not agree with them or follow and worship them there would have been no reason to have to defend others by giving their lives. In other words if there were no sin; there would be no wars.

This past year due to Covid-19 I have watched a lot of television. Most of the shows were either documentaries or fictional stories based on history. It has been gut-wrenching at times to recognize the atrocities that humankind would inflict upon one another. I have had to walk out of the room many times to avoid watching or hearing about the most grievous atrocities. It grieves me to know that so much, if not most, of the violence was brought on by either political or religious beliefs or both. Over the years I have been questioned by some as as to why I believe so strongly in separation of church and state. It is because history tells me that when they get together really bad things happen to people who don't agree with the decision makers and rulers. Wars happen! Persecution and even murder continue to happen all over the world even today as countries decide one religion must dictate the law or when the governments say that there can be no religion at all.

The loss of lives over the centuries; from the beginning of time, due to wars is astronomical. We grieve those losses. We remember today and are most grateful for those who were willing and continue to be willing to give their lives in the hope of giving others better lives.

It is way past time to stop persecuting others for either their political or their religious beliefs. I am not saying stop evangelizing. We can continue evangelizing with peaceful and loving hearts. I am saying stop destroying people just because they don't believe what you believe. Don't persecute them. Pray for them.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Time To Live

A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to live life in between those times.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the  
    heavens:

   a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
   a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
   a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather

    them

   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from

    embracing
   a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
   a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
   a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace.

                                           (Eccl 3:1-8 NIV)

 

There is a time for everything. The reading for my mother-in-law's funeral was this very familiar one from Ecclesiastes. There is a time for everything. I am sure of it. Sometimes the time gets a little crunched and I wonder if there will be actually be enough time to ever live life and to really enjoy life. It sometimes seems as though I have been running steady my whole life and have taken time for a few naps only because I was totally exhausted and could not go any more.

 

But, the wisdom writer from Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is time to for everything. There is time to enjoy life. It is time to grab hold of that time; slow down, and live life. This is a gift from God.

 

Carpe diem! It is time to seize the day and live the life that God has given you here on earth; live it fully to the glory of God!

 

Gods Peace - Pr. J

 

 

Laying Down One's Life For Others

A few of the members who put red roses (a symbol of love) on the Veteran's graves at Craig Flagler Palms Cemetery.

(some are missing from the photo)

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV) 

Today is a day of remembrance. Today we remember those Veterans who have given their lives in service to this country. They have given their all not just for the sakes of the people of the United States. They have served to protect freedom and for the sake of justice around the world.

Jesus said that there is no greater love than the love which would motivate one to lay down their life for others. Today we pause to remember those men and women. But, let it not be just for today. Let us always remember the love they had for others that they were willing to risk their lives for us; not just for their friends; but, for all people, friends and strangers alike.

Every Saturday before Memorial Day, members of Christ Lutheran Church, put red roses next to the flags on the graves of Veterans at our local cemetery as a token of our love and appreciation of the sacrifice they have made for the sake of others.

The prime example of one who was willing to die so that others might live is Jesus. May God help us all to follow his example and the example of others putting others before ourselves in love.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy