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“And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” Hebrews 11:4b 
This weekend (commonly called Memorial Day weekend) means different things to many different people: from hotdogs to hamburgers, grill outs to home improvement projects, time away from work to time around a camp fire, it marks the end of a school year, and is seen as the unofficial start of summer. As wonderful as these activities are, none of them truly represent the reason for this long weekend.
Memorial Day, or as it was originally named, Dedication Day, has been set aside since the 1800’s to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in military service. It was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, and was expanded after World War I to include all those who died while serving our country. 
However, like many holidays the reason, meaning, & mode of celebration has become commercialized, forgotten, and replaced. The stories, battles, victories, and sacrifices made have slipped out of memory. The great moments in America’s history and the men and women who gave their lives to secure our freedom, who at one time seemed to be unforgettable, a legacy whose shadow stretched long and far, are now blips in history books or remain in vine covered statues and overlooked monuments in city parks. 
Nevertheless, we set aside Monday to remember, reflect, and honor those who have given all in service to their country. 
As I was considering this upcoming holiday of remembrance and honor, one question remained on my mind: “What sort of legacy will I leave behind?” What will my kids and grandkids remember when I’m gone? What I am passing down on to them? What will whispers of my life speak when I am silenced?
This question was answered months before as I was reading through Hebrews 11. As my eyes scanned through the names listed in those 40 verses, it became evident that the only legacy worth leaving was one of Faith.  
Yes! Each person listed in this chapter accomplishment many great things. They lead nations, won battles, acquired riches, and treated others kindly, but they are not remembered for any of these. No! Their names are listed because of their faith in God. “These were all commended for their faith.” Hebrews 11:39
When your voice is silenced, your number is called, and all that marks your life is slate granite in the  ground, how will you be remembered? As a person of faith or something else? 
The only legacy worth leaving is one of Faith! 
“For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5b
“By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Hebrews 11:7b.

I could hardly believe my eyes as I watched the 10PM news two years ago. Right before the commercial break a new company entitled “Eternal Image” was featured. On my 36 inch TV screen was a computer generated rendering of a casket with the Minnesota Twins logo pasted all over it. In fact, Major League Baseball has entered into a licensing agreement with Eternal Image, which makes urns, caskets, and headstone markers containing the logos for all 30 MLB teams.

However, if baseball is not your thing, there are many more options to choose from, a full line of Vatican, Precious Moments, and Star Trek caskets and urns. Not to mention memorials for your beloved pet. Now, matters of life and death are very serious, and I do not mean to make light of them; moreover, what a person wishes to be buried in is completely up to them, for the Bible provides no guidelines for burial places.  Yet what worries me, is how many in our culture view life and death.

Oftentimes the grave is referred to (and seen) as our final resting spot. The end of our life. However, this is not true. While on earth Jesus spoke very plainly about life and death; and life after death. In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16:19-31, Christ is clear that while death is end of our physical life, our soul continues to exist for eternity.

In John chapter three, Christ has a late night meeting with a man named Nicodemus. In verse 16 Jesus gives this promise “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Christ promised Life, not Death. In fact, this was the reason why Christ was sent to earth. In verse 17  Christ expands this thought “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him coming to earth.”

Christ came paying the penalty for sin; offering the promise of everlasting life in the presence of our magnificent and glorious God for all of eternity. This promise is universal, and is offered to everyone who repents, believes, and trusts in Him alone.

This promise will never fade, spoil, or perish; but will last for all eternity, and will change you for eternity as well. The only true rest one can ever find in this life or the next is found in Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord for offering hope, peace, and the great promise of new life in Jesus Christ. Teach me to rest in His peace.

Unbreakable

I know you’ve heard it. I know you’ve experienced it. And I imagine you’ve shattered a few in your day as well. At times it does seems like “Promises are made to be broken.”
Yet as I reflect on that statement again, I’m reminded how much I dislike it and how illogical it truly is. By definition a promise is “a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that it guarantees that a particular thing will happen.” Promises are made to bring assurance, confidence, and peace of mind, not disappointment. 

Sadly, this statement has not been born out of its dictionary definition, but experience. For we live in a world of broken promises. Wether from a politician, businessman, or loved one, each one of us has experienced the disappointment of having a shattered promise. Sadly, we too have broken our fair share of promises. 
Nevertheless, there is One who has never broken a promise and never will. It is impossible for Him to do so; for by nature He is The Promise Keeper. 
Numbers 23:19 says “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” 

The Author of Hebrews shares the same sentiment as he writes in Chapter 10 verse 23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” 

God has never, and will never break a promise. What He says, He does. What He promises, He delivers. This is seen throughout the pages of Scripture, for God’s word is filled with hundreds of promises fulfilled. 
God promised to give Adam a helpmate, He did. God promised never to flood the earth again, He hasn’t. God promised that a nation would come from a barren woman, it did. God promised to lead the Jews out of Egypt, He did. God promised them victory in Cana, they won. God promised a virgin would conceive, she did. God promised the Messiah must suffer and die, He did. God Promised He would rise, and He did. 
Yet, they continue! He promises to forgive sin, He does, He promised never to leave us, He won't, He promises to come again, and He will! But this is only the tip of the promise iceberg, for the Bible overflows with promises for those who trust in Christ. Since He has left such a great legacy of promise keeping, we can be assured He will keep each one yet to be fulfilled. 
Stop for a moment asking God to remind you of the promises He has fulfilled and those He will keep. 
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness in keeping your promises in the past, and let me rest in your promises for the future.

Inconclusive. Unsure. Out of options. 
These are words that no one wants to hear from their physician.  However, phrases like this have filled the dead air of the hospital rooms that my Mother has dwelled in over the past few weeks. Throughout this time teams of doctors have examined and reexamined her, ran and reran numerous tests, and spent countless hours consulting and researching possible causes, conditions, and treatments for her. While much has been ruled out, and even a few things understood, they have been unable to discover root causes and treat them.  While we are rejoicing and are encouraged by many of the negative results, as the medical staff reaches the end of trail there is a fog of mystery and concern covering our family. 
Nevertheless, I am reminded of King David’s advice in Psalm 143:3-5. “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”
I am grateful for the highly trained Medical Staff who have diligently cared for our family; relentlessly pursuing reasons for my mother’s illness.  I am grateful for the training and the medical advancements which have doubtless saved her life. I am confident they will do everything within their power to find answers and treat her. Yet therein lies the problem, everything in their power. Regardless of how much training they have, where they practice, or amount of medical equipment at their disposal; they still are human, with a finite mind 
Yet my hope doesn’t lie within doctors or tests. It doesn’t lie with results and medication. It relies on the Lord. The one who “knit” my mother together in the womb. He knows what, where, why, who, when, and how. He is the God who spoke and the sea was calm, touched the blind and enabled them to see, the same God who died for me. He Knows, He Cares, He has the power to heal, and grace to sustain. My Hope Lies in the Great Physician.  His Grace is sufficient even when the answers aren’t. 

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28
“Sugar and spice and everything nice.” 
This may be what makes up little girls, but what is the recipe for a good Mom? Parenting Magazine recently published an article aimed at answering this question. Although this article may bring some encouragement and balance the scales of what it truly means to be a mom, I wonder is flexibility, risk taking, and understanding yourself and your own mother are the true ingredients for Motherhood? Will the right measurements of each produce a “good mom?”
A better recipe is found in Luke 1:26-38. A recipe for a “Highly Favored Mother.” Like all good recipes this one is short, easy to follow, and only has three ingredients. 
  • A Mother Hears God’s Word. In Luke 1:26-36 God’s Word is revealed to Mary through the word of the angel Gabriel. Despite her initial reactions (fear and confusion v29) she stayed and listened.
  • A Mother Believes God’s Word. The message was truly beyond belief. She would give birth to a son. How could this be, Mary thought, for she was a virgin? So she asked, and waited for a reply. Soon it was given (35-37) - she would conceive by the Holy Spirit. This was not only hard to understand, but was also shameful; for Mary had no husband and ran the risk of losing the one promised to her. Despite all of that she believed. 
  •  Mother Obey’s God Word. In verse 38 Mary simply replied “I am the Lord’s Servant. May it be to me as you have said.” She understood her role was to walk in obedience to the Lord’s Word and Will. She didn’t argue or bargain just obeyed. This is seen in the rest of Luke chapters one and two
What makes a good Mom? A woman who hears, believes, and obeys God’s Word. When used regularly these ingredients will produce a Great Mom. One whom is “Highly Favored” by her Husband, Children, and most importantly her Lord.

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