One Obedient Response

Psalm 119:34(MSG)
Give me insight so I can do what You tell me--
my whole life one long, obedient response.

They came in slowly.  As the sun shown bright across the sparkling clean floor, they trickled in one by one.  Some were walking easily without assistance, while others steadied themselves on the cold silver metal that rolled carefully in front of them.  There were also those who rode in on their scooters, navigating smoothly between tables and chairs to find their spot in the crowd.  Entering last were the more frail among them.  The victims of time and previous injury who now found themselves prisoners to the chairs with moving wheels.  Their escorts propelled them into the gaps and spaces that were left, so they could enjoy, if only for these few brief moments, a distraction from their daily routine. 

I stood quietly in the back watching the scene unfold.  After the room was filled to near capacity, in they walked.  In stark contrast to the previous entrants, they each walked with a quick and light step dressed in brilliant white collared shirts and smiles big enough to light up an entire stadium.  They unpacked their gear and quickly set up there props.  There was a confidence on each of their faces that was visible even from my vantage point quite a distance away. 

The band began to play the National Anthem.  One by one I watched these veterans stand.  Some of them were up within the first few notes, while others took nearly the entire song to rise, but those who were even remotely able to do it, stood and placed their hand over their heart.  It took my breath away to realize that these men had made a decision many years ago to serve their God and country with such allegiance that they would die for it and for one another if necessary.  The very sacrifices of these men were what had allowed me the freedom to travel to this place today and watch my son perform with his school's choir. 

Unable to stand, this gentleman tipped his hat.

I swallowed hard as I could feel the lump welling up within my throat.  I glanced over at my own father who had made the trip with me.  He, being a veteran of two wars himself, stood tall as the song continued.  I wondered how much my Dad had to give up throughout his lifetime to serve his country.  Each of these men gave an obedient response to a call.

Someone recently told me that we can learn a lot from history.  They said that history repeats itself and we are wise when we look back and gain insight from what has happened in the past, so that we don't repeat those mistakes in the future.  We have so much we can learn from these beautiful people that have a few more years of experience than we do.

I was honored and privileged to visit this Veteran's Home today.  As I left, I recognized that the building contains precious lives that have already spent most of their time in obedient service to their country and fellow men.  What a great legacy of love they will leave for us.

God,
Thank you for the gift of allowing me to visit the Veteran's Home today.  Continue to keep Your watchful eye  upon each person who lives there.  Grant each of us insight into Your plan for our life and pour out Your Spirit on us so that we can obediently respond to You our whole life!
In Christ's Name,
Amen

Cheap God Imitations

Psalm 139:20(MSG)
All the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations.

I don't believe in coincidences, so it is really phenomenal to me that this verse should "pop up" right now....after my little summer break.....during my regular Bible reading in Jeremiah where he is talking about the way the Israelites are chasing other "gods".  Add to this timing the fact that a dear friend of mine in my Life Group at church has orchestrated a summer Bible study titled:  NOGs...standing for "No Other Gods".  Accidental timing?  I think not!

God is not in the accident business.  I believe that He cares about me so much that He really would line all this up to bring home a wonderful message that He wants for me to hear and learn from.  Kind of sounds a little selfish I know...but I draw that conclusion after reading the beginning of Psalm 139 where David describes a God just like this.  He says in verse 139:5: "You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me."  If He is laying His hand upon me, then most assuredly He is lining up some good words to teach me!  

So...about today's verse...it says right before in 139:19 for people like this to "get out!!"   There is no room or place for belittling God...yet, it is so rampant in our society today...sadly.  What is even more intriguing to me, however, is the part about choosing other god-imitations.  I'm thinking that a little pondering about who I'm serving is probably in my future.  Just a little reality check and housekeeping to be sure that who I say I serve....is actually who is getting the majority of my time and focus.

Praying tonight for an exciting summer journey through the "NOGs" Bible study.  (No Other Gods: Confronting our modern day idols by Kelly Minter).  You can purchase this study on line or at your local Christian book store if you want to check it out!

God's Hand

Proverbs 3:27 (MSG)
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;  your hand is God's hand for that person.


Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes in history.