Memorial Day 2015

        The stirring sounds of music from the PBS annual Memorial Day Concert both lifts the spirit and challenges the heart.  We acknowledge those who serve our country in the armed forces,  those who died, those who are were wounded and are disabled and still healing, as well as those now in active service. What an example of dedication.  What a reminder to pray for each man and woman and their families.  What a reminder to pray for our leaders.  

Mother: A Remembrance of Her Encouragement

        Here comes that annual celebration of Mother’s Day.  What a nice reminder on the calendar to pause from our busy days and remember Mom.  She loved us! 

        What an example she set:  cleanliness: washing the clothes, the dishes, the never-ending housework, sweeping the porch, wearing your Sunday dress and then taking it off & putting on your every-day clothes when you got back home. 

        What words she said to teach us:  sit up straight, don’t slouch at the table.  Tell the truth.    Eat what you took on your plate.  No making faces at that new boy at Sunday School.  

        What encouragement she gave us:  smile as much as you can,  let little old ladies ahead of you,  your report card is better this time,  you ran your best in the race and next time you might win.

Understanding Mothers

Mothers come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and ages.  Maybe we are one, but at least we all have one. Understanding mothers is something we all should make a sincere effort to do. 

Mothers are different;  how?  why?  

A mother’s eyes sees something that needs to be done, so she gets up and does it, or she tells you to do it.

A mother’s heart sees something unfair, and she says —or feels like saying, “Cut that out.  Where are your manners!”

A mother’s memory sees her chubby babies, laughing and cooing, and she feels like scooping up the nearest baby and hugging the tiny stranger, right there in WalMart. 

A mother reads the newspaper and feels like saying, “What would your mother say!  Straighten up, or else!”

Remember and Forget

Some things are SO important we are told to “Remember!”  Some things we are to forget. 

Here is a list of some of the important points. There are many other Scriptures on this subject. Look up additional verses under these key words, remember and forget.  

1. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”   Exodus 20:8 NKJV
2. “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations; ask your father…” Deuteronomy 32:7 NKJV
3. “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the LORD do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”  Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT
4. “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.”  1 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV
5. “I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NKJV
6. “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth.”  Ecclesiastes 12:1 NKJV
7. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:” Psalm 103:2 NKJV 
8. “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day.” Lamentations 3:21-23 NLT
9. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”  1Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
10. “Take a firm stand against him (the Devil), and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”   1 Peter 5:9 NLT
11. “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!”  1 Peter 3:17 NLT
12. “Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19 NLT
13. “In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.’” 1 Corinthians 11:25 NLT 
14. “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Hebrews 13:16 NLT
15.  “. . . remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35. KJV

What does God remember?  What does He promise to forget?  

We do not have to wonder what the answers are.