Archive for May 27th, 2008

What a wonderful holiday weekend it was, as we celebrated the achievements of soldiers past and present who have fought and dedicated their lives for the country and more importantly for US as citizens of this great nation. As I was driving into work today, I heard a great thought on the soldier:

“It’s the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press;
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech;
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate;
It is the soldier who salutes the flag; who serves beneath the flag; and whose coffin is draped by the flag.”

Again, thank you to all who have served and are serving for our freedoms and give us the ability to have “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”

As is tradition, Memorial Day is a day that we as Americans like to get together, cookout, and fellowship with each other. Well I am not one to buck “tradition” (insert you own laughter here) so that is exactly what we did. We had several families over from church and we cooked out, let the kids ride bikes, and just had a great time laughing and yelling “car”. However, one of the highlights besides the “washers” tournament that went on was the fun that we had once things just went crazy and water started being “distributed” on unsuspecting individuals. I myself was a victim of this useless violence as I was run-by cooler-ed by one of my fellow pastors. I received a World-Series Coach sample of ice, water, I think a little bit of coke. However, what it really did was to provide a drive to find a way to retaliate and avenge this wrongdoing. For the rest of the evening nothing could have prevented me from avenging this action. I then watched the rest of the group, and it became contagious, before long it not only was water but food as well.

This morning during my devotion, the Lord asked me, would I have pursued a person all night long to share or witness with them with the same diligence. Would the rest of the group began to do the same and start knocking on doors and sharing throughout the neighborhood? I unfortunately would have to answer truthfully no, I would have made an attempt but I would not have “chased” him spiritually with the zeal that I chased my fellow brother after being doused with ice water. I was ashamed, humbled, and embarrassed before the Lord this morning. I was disappointed in myself and my actions or rather lack thereof.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3 that we should always be striving for Christ and the things of Christ; and that we should be striving to share the same knowledge with those who do not know.

Philippians 3:12-16 (The Message)
  12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. 
 15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

Memorial Day Cook-Out Points to remember:

• We should strive to diligently share and witness to all of those around us that need the Lord. In addition, we should pursue them without ceasing.
• Always keep one eye on the assistant pastor; be assured something is cooking in his brain!
• And don’t let Dan eat the BBQ!

Remember to stay in the word and share your faith!

God Bless ~ Tyler