“It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg AddressWhen the bully is picking on one of the smaller kids, it’s up to the bigger kids to protect them. If it’s possible to condense a sermon into one sentence, this would be it. The Sunday before Dessert Shield turned into Dessert Storm in January 1991, my pastor gave this sermon. A Scottish-born, naturalized citizen of the United States, he was trying to help us US-born citizens come to terms with why we were going to war half-way around the world. Our pastor shared that many other countries felt the same sadness, injustice, and longing to help, while watching Iraq invaded Kuwait. But, the smaller country of Scotland could do little without the coalition headed by the US, ‘the biggest kid on the block.’ So our volunteer military go around the world to defend freedom that will keep the smaller countries from falling, one by one. This will, we always hope, keep the Bully from eventually coming to our shores to challenge the freedoms we enjoy. Everyone who enlists in the military has to face the fact that their choice may include a call to the front line. This is no different from firefighters and police who know the dangers of their chosen profession. They all know that the costs, but when weighed in the balance, they choose to server and protect.
The past two weeks my husband has been riding through all kinds of weather from Auburn, CA, to Washington D.C. with the National Veteran’s Awareness Organization. They honor veteran at thirteen veteran’s homes and hospitals; they honor the fallen, POWs, and MIAs at eleven memorial sites; and they educate the youth at four schools to better understand the role of our military and to encourage their ROTC programs. Although not all of us will join the military, police, or fire department, we all need to be “dedicated to the great task remaining before us,” to carry on the work of freedom. Picnics are great. Gathering to enjoy time with family and friends is among the freedoms we enjoy. But let’s not take it for granted that our children will absorb the history of Memorial Day through osmosis. We need to do the work of freedom by teaching them that Freedom isn’t free; to prevent all who have perished to not "have died in vain." John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." Will you join me in committing to do the work of freedom? Are you doing something today with family or friends? How can you incorporate a sense of remembrance into your Memorial Day celebration? Lord, You were the first to teach that all people are created equal and the concept of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ May we keep alive these values, ”…with liberty and justice for all,” in our country and around the world. “For you were called to freedom…only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 What are your thoughts? Libby
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“The most profound affinities are those most readily felt.” George Santayana“Dennis asked his doctors to stop all meds except pain killer,” my husband, Wayne, told me over the phone on our daily call. Wayne left for his annual ride to Washington DC three days before but continued following his friend’s condition on Facebook and phone calls to his wife, Margie. “Dennis is at peace, he’s ready to go home; but pray for Margie, she’s struggling with his decision.”
Wayne had only been gone a few days and I was feeling sorry for myself because I was lonely. But now, just thinking about Margie and what she must be feeling, I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to know it was only days, or maybe hours, before my husband would be gone…permanently.
Lord willing I only have to wait eight days. But it’s the same faithful God we trust, the same hope we look forward to. Is there someone you feel an affinity with? Is your mutual affinity based on the same hope? How can you leverage that affinity to further grow that relationship? Lord, I’m grateful this separation from Wayne has heightened my affinity for what Margie is going through so I can better pray for her comfort and the many life adjustments she now faces. Amen “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 “Bear one another’s burdens…” Galatians 6:2 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: Jorge Agustin Nicolas Ruiz de Santayana y Borras, known in English as George Santayana (1863-1952), a Spanish philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist known for his aphorisms such as: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” and “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” “The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.” Madeleine L’engleWhen my dad was sick we spent a Saturday together. We went to lunch at an outdoor café, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air, and then we walked the mall with no particular destination or shopping list. At one point he saw me admire a dress in the window of a shop. Dad passed away in 1983, but I still have the dress. Just looking at it takes me back to the memory of that day with Dad. No matter how old or gray I get, I will always remember what it is like to be a princess in my father’s eyes.
When I get to heaven I’ll have two fathers waiting for me, and I’ll be a girl again…a princess in their eyes. Can you remember an age that you most enjoyed? Do you have pictures or keepsakes that take you back there? What can you do to store a memory of today for you to remember in the future? “Light tomorrow with today.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning Lord, thank You for imprinting moments in my mind, for triggering those memories at just the right time, and for the joy, inspiration, and comfort they bring. Amen “Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.” Job 32:7 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16 What are your thoughts? Libby
Note: Amy Lee Grant (1960- ), an American singer, songwriter, musician, author and media personality, known for crossing-over from contemporary Christian music onto mainstream pop music charts; she’s sold more than 30 million albums, won six Grammys and 22 Gospel Music Dove Awards; she’s most recognized for having the first Christian Platinum album, and in 2006 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Note: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861), an English poet first published in her early teens, most remembered for her poem How Do I Love Thee, her work made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate of Great Briton in 1850; her work influenced British and American poets including Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson, as well as Robert Browning who became her husband. She also campaigned for the abolition of slavery and child labor legislation. “How I struggle to get what I want…what I really want is to be at peace with myself. No person, possession or acclaim can do that for me.” Anonymous
I didn’t sleep well. I had stomach problems. We continually argued. And I ignored the lack of support for the decision to marry him from family and friends. Instead I prayed continually for the relationship to work while problems continue to mount up. I figured good relationships took work, so I prayed that all the heartache would pay…eventually. Bottom line, I was 39 and I wanted to be married. Finally, after telling him the wedding was off, I slept like a baby for eight hours straight. That’s something I hadn’t done for nearly six months, while playing what I called “tug-of-war with God” instead of sleeping. After months of healing I was able to say, “Thank God for unanswered prayers.” Have you prayed long and hard for something? Are you grieving for long-lost dreams that you prayed for but haven’t worked out? What can you do today to see with God’s perspective and turn regret into gratitude? Thank You for not giving up on me as I marched head-strong into what I wanted and ignored Your will for my life for so many months. Amen “Better is the end of a thing than it’s beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 What are your thoughts? Libby
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WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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