Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay...

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog:

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay...: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends". John 15:13 As I write this blog on this M...

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends". John 15:13

As I write this blog on this Memorial Day 2013, I was praying for inspiration and the following thoughts came to mind in reference to the word forgotten. As I looked for pictures of my dad's ship that he served on in Korea, I was amazed at the number of pictures I found online. As I looked for ideas and inspiration for a Memorial Day benediction I came upon a benediction that was written by a Priest, yet it was accidentally left out of the observance it was written for.  Ships made by man, never forgotten but prayers not included in ceremonies. 

As history moves on and this world keeps turning, have we forgotten some of those that have given the last full act of devotion for our freedom? Have we replaced these memories with memories of days off from work, that are filled with BBQ memories? 
As a society do we walk past the homeless veteran who is living on the street, or the aged and lonely veteran that sits alone tormented by vivid images of past battles that will not clear their thoughts? 

The finest example that we can think of this Memorial Day is the saving act that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did on that cross. He laid down his life as to save ours from hell and damnation. This Memorial Day 2013 is a day to embrace and remember those that laid down their lives for our freedom. 

The Greatest generation grows smaller everyday and soon will be only part of our memory, our job is to never forget and to learn from them while they are still physically with us. Likewise, embrace our veterans and never let them feel forgotten. If we can have a Memorial Day without forgetting the days meal, rest assured we can have a Memorial Day that includes paying homage and respect.

Lest We Forget
Pastor Tim