Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

[Jesus said], "Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive
on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these
things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your
salvation is near!"
Luke 21:27-28 NLT

Reflection:

No fear of judgment

What images come to mind when you think of "end times
prophecies"?…Most people, if they were honest, would admit
that their view of the end times is a frightening one.…They
imagine an angry and vengeful God hovering high above it all,
bent on destruction and raining terror on all who have rejected
him.

Have we missed something? In many ways I think we have.
God didn't reveal these graphic images of the coming judgment
to express his wrath or even to frighten us into believing. He
revealed them to show us his wonderful grace and mercy in the
midst of our sin and unworthiness. The story isn't about pending
gloom and doom, but it's about a loving Father who will do
anything he can to help people escape the consequences of evil.

Bible prophecy isn't intended to frighten us, but it's to prove
beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is real and omnipotent and
active in our lives; to warn us of the very real danger lying ahead
for those who reject his love and mercy; and to encourage us to
accept his gracious and free offer of salvation through his Son,
Jesus.

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul tells us that God "wants
everyone to be saved and to understand the truth" (2:4).…Time
and again in Scripture we are told that God longs for his people to
be with him in heaven. The Bible is not a story of wrath and
judgment but of unconditional love and redemption. God longs to
be with us and wants desperately for us to accept his hand of
salvation. What we do is up to us.

Adapted from Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins
and Frank M. Martin, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for
January 3.

Here is something Every American should know.
Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out
and it's true: 
We in the   United States  have all heard the
haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that gives
us the lump in our throats and usually tears in
our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? 
If not, I think you will be interested to find out
about its humble beginnings. 
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the
 Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert
Elli was with his men near Harrison's Landing
in   Virginia  .  The Confederate Army was
on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans
of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. 
Not knowing if it was a   Union  or Confederate
soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and
bring the stricken man back for medical attention.
Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the
Captain reached the stricken soldier and began
pulling him toward his encampment.. 
When the Captain finally reached his own lines,
he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier,
but the soldier was dead. 
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught
his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim
light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his
own son. The boy had been studying music in
the South when the war broke out..  Without
telling his father, the boy enlisted in the
Confederate Army. 
The following morning, heartbroken, the father
asked permission of his superiors to give his
son a full military burial, despite his enemy
status. His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge
for his son at the funeral. 
The request was turned down since the soldier
was a Confederate. 
But, out of respect for the father, they did say
they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the
bugler to play a series of musical notes he
had found on a piece of paper in the pocket
of the dead youth's uniform. 
This wish was granted. 
The haunting melody, we now know as 'Taps'
used at military funerals was born. 
The words are:

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes 
From the hills. 
From the sky.
All is well.. 
Safely rest. 
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star.
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright. 
From afar. 
Drawing nigh. 
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise. 
For our days. 
Neath the sun 
Neath the stars. 
Neath the sky
As we go..
This we know. 
God is nigh

I too have felt the chills while listening to 'Taps'
but I have never seen all the words to the song until
now.  I didn't even know there was more than one verse . 
I also never knew the story behind the song and I
didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it
along. 
I now have an even deeper respect for the song than
I did before. 

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Memorial Day weekend can be a time of mixed feelings.
On the one hand, it’s the unofficial beginning of summer,
an auspicious time to look forward to months spent
outside with family and friends. On the other hand, for
those mourning the loss in war of a close relative or loved
one, there is a deep and personal sense of grief, mingled
with feelings of patriotism and profound pride for their
service.

We honor on Memorial Day. Around the country, those
who, in the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln's
Gettysburg Address, gave "the last full measure of their
devotion" for the country they loved – the men and women
who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces throughout
our country’s history, ordinary people who showed
extraordinary courage and sacrifice in times of crisis.

These sorts of public observances are valuable because
they instill in us a sense of gratitude for our soldiers. It is
so easy for us to forget that our lives are not wholly our own
– they are built upon a foundation of God's goodness and
grace, and the blood, toil, and sacrifice of others. Memorial
Day gives us the opportunity to remember that fact.

So, this weekend, let us indeed enjoy the company of family
and friends, and look forward to the pleasures of summer.
But let us do more as well. Let us take a moment to pray for
all those grieving and recovering in Oklahoma, asking God to
strengthen those working to heal and rebuild. Let us
remember the soldiers who died defending the freedoms we
all too often take for granted. Let us pray for the dear ones
they left behind, and for the safety of those men and women
who, even now, are standing at the front lines of the war on
terror in dangerous corners of the world. And let us pray for
the day when God will bless all of us with His most precious
gift of shalom, peace.

SHALOM

PEACE TO ALL