Remind Me Again?
Practically every day
I have to remind our children to turn off the lights or brush their teeth or
pick up after themselves. Really? Again? Yes. And we are the same too.
I’ve heard it said, "People often need reminders more than they need instruction". Scripture tells us time and time again to "remember" what the Lord has done and we have numerous examples of places dedicated after God came through on a promise or provided in a time of hardship. I imagine them like pictures on a wall or a birthday calendar on my phone. They are reminders to be thankful, to celebrate.
My favorite account of the Israelites making a memorial is found in Joshua 4. I enjoy it for the sheer brilliance of God's request. As the Israelites were crossing the river Jordan on dry land, just as they had crossed the Red Sea, one representative from each of the twelve tribes had to pick up a stone from the middle of the river and carry them over.
What I know about any stones under a current of water is that they are smooth like glass. The twelve stones carried over would have been no different and would have certainly stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of the harsh terrain. Can you imagine the sight? Twelve highly polished river stones randomly sitting in a neat pattern, seemingly out of nowhere?
And that is exactly where scripture takes us, "in the future when our descendants ask their fathers 'what do these stones mean?' tell them,". God intended the future generations to be told and encouraged. He knew days would come when they would feel far from Him and they would need reminders. He knew you and I would one day need these accounts to remember the God of yesterday is the same God of today. He knew our children would need to see us remembering and celebrating because he is the God of the future too. He is the God of our children.
I’ve heard it said, "People often need reminders more than they need instruction". Scripture tells us time and time again to "remember" what the Lord has done and we have numerous examples of places dedicated after God came through on a promise or provided in a time of hardship. I imagine them like pictures on a wall or a birthday calendar on my phone. They are reminders to be thankful, to celebrate.
My favorite account of the Israelites making a memorial is found in Joshua 4. I enjoy it for the sheer brilliance of God's request. As the Israelites were crossing the river Jordan on dry land, just as they had crossed the Red Sea, one representative from each of the twelve tribes had to pick up a stone from the middle of the river and carry them over.
What I know about any stones under a current of water is that they are smooth like glass. The twelve stones carried over would have been no different and would have certainly stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of the harsh terrain. Can you imagine the sight? Twelve highly polished river stones randomly sitting in a neat pattern, seemingly out of nowhere?
And that is exactly where scripture takes us, "in the future when our descendants ask their fathers 'what do these stones mean?' tell them,". God intended the future generations to be told and encouraged. He knew days would come when they would feel far from Him and they would need reminders. He knew you and I would one day need these accounts to remember the God of yesterday is the same God of today. He knew our children would need to see us remembering and celebrating because he is the God of the future too. He is the God of our children.
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Tuesday, November 19, 2013
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Memorials—Rocks, Blogs and a Dash of Incense
As
Sara so very well shared yesterday, Israel had altars of rocks, monuments
to remind them of what the Lord had done for them.
That got me wondering. What altars,
what monuments, do I have that tell the story of God’s love or what He has
done?
I
look around my house. I can’t see anything
that really acts as a memorial to Jesus.
I guess
I could build an altar in my house. Hang
a cross, mount a few pictures of Jesus, light some candles, waft
a little incense… Okay, I’m creeping myself out just a bit.
Then
it hits me. The purpose of an altar, of
a memorial of any kind, is to communicate something important, something worth
remembering. The lives given in service
to our country are worth remembering. God’s faithfulness to His people, Israel, is
important, not only to them but to all of mankind. Memorials help ensure that those events are
not forgotten.
Which
events in my life are worth memorializing?
Which are less so? How do I
decide?
The
beauty of living in this day, in this age, is that I don’t have to choose. All I have to do is write them down. No chiseling statues out of stone. I can document here, at Daily Fast Fuel, or
the other places I write.
Even
if my memories are not published for the world to see, simply journaling them can
be enough. Why? Because we have a tendency to forget--details,
dates, entire chains of events. By
writing them down we can revisit the memories in crystal clear detail. The remembering is important, as is giving thanks. Just as on Memorial Day we reflect and remember
in gratitude, so God also loves when we remember and express our thankfulness
to Him, be it in front of many or just Him and you.
No incense required.
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
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Memorial Stones
My inspiration was Joshua 4. Israel had finally been given the a-okay to enter the promise land, but unfortunately would have to hoof it across the Jordan to make that happen. God, of course, pulls out the red carpet and splits the waters yet again, but this times He leaves the Israelites with some interesting instructions. Grab 12 stones from the middle of the river and stack them up on the other side as a memorial to Me.
Why? So when the children ask about the stones the elders will tell them about God and all that He has done. God wanted His story passed on,
Remembering can be a powerful tool. It can refresh, re-calibrate, and reset our course. As we remember so many this week who have given such great sacrifices for our country, may it also remind our hearts, like Joshua's memorial stones - to remember who our God is, and what He has done, paying the ultimate the price for freedom.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
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Memorial Decoration
Just about everyone in my family has one wall inside their
home decorated nearly top to bottom with family photos. This unique interior design speaks a testimony
of the lives and legacies of generations of loved ones. We choose special
photos for this wall such that we would be reminded of who we are and from
where we’ve come. Every day we are blessed to walk by the images of those who
have loved and sacrificed for us. We decorate our homes with a pictorial memorial.
Did you know you can decorate your life in much the same
way? My grandfather does.
This past Sunday, I had the privilege of spending the day
with my grandfather. He is a World War II veteran. He was a paratrooper and
fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On rare occasions he has given us details of
his time in Europe fighting for his country. When he does, he always talks of
the sacrifices of others who made it possible for him to be here today. I don’t
know their names, but there are brave men who lost their lives fighting
alongside my grandfather. He came home. They didn’t. My dear grandfather has
often pondered and been left speechless when he considers how it is that he
managed to survive. His life is an incomprehensible gift.
Anyone who has spent any time around my grandfather can see
that his life is a living memorial which honors the sacrifices of those men.
His life is decorated with actions, choices, commitments, passions and pursuits
which are a testimony to the lives and legacies of those who sacrificed all.
More than that, my grandfather’s life is a testimony to the
life and legacy of the One who gave all so that he could enjoy life
everlasting. It is an incomprehensible gift…for him, for me, for you, for all
of us.
Have you ever felt speechless when you consider the
incomprehensible gift of your life? When people observe you each day… whose
memory do your actions, choices, commitments, passions and pursuits testify to?
How is your life decorated? Is it covered top to bottom with images of the
legacy of the Lord?
“Greater love has no
one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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The Memorial Ahead
As I considered all of that this year, I began to wonder about my own story. What will be said of me when I'm gone? How will friends and family remember me? Will my legacy be noteworthy? Will my contributions in this life be memorable?
Heavy questions, I know, but I invite you to ask them of yourself and see where it leads. May we find ourselves worthy of a noble memorial once we leave this Earth. May we find ourselves living a memorial-worthy life while we're here.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 1 Timothy 4:7
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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Memorial Monday
And then comes Monday. Barging through our delightful Sunday stupor like an unwelcome house-guest - not that we don't wanna be hospitable, but seriously - we were not expecting you, and now we've been knocked off our gait from our delightfully placid Sunday saunter.
Did we not see Monday coming?
As I ponder Memorial Day and the mind-boggling sacrifices that men and women have made on behalf of myself, a stranger, I am impressed by their commitment to be "on guard" at all times for our country. We could learn a ton from this discipline.
Sunday may be for resting, but Monday will always be right on its heels, and thus, keeping one's spirit "on guard" so that Monday doesn't completely derail all the good we experienced on Sunday, is a good tip. It's the delicate dance of continuing to be "on guard" even when "off duty". Not a paranoid "on guard", certain of evil lurking around every corner, but more of an acute awareness of God's certain presence in the world around us. It's a call to be ever-watchful. Ever-present. Ever-aware. Ever-involved.
As a believer, we can truly never be "off-duty".
Even on that intrusive Monday morning.
God reigns today just as he did yesterday, and He's calling you to attention.
As boldly as you stood worshiping and proclaiming His name yesterday, do so today.
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Memorial Day
This weekend we Americans will be celebrating Memorial Day,
the day we remember those who died fighting for our freedoms. There are
thousands and thousands who have given the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to
secure a better life for the rest of us. We are grateful for such a priceless
gift.
This week the Daily Fast Fuel Kitchen Crew will be
reflecting on what it means to appreciate such a sacrifice. What does it mean
to recognize the memory of someone who has given so much for you? What does it
mean to live in remembrance of One who has given all?
Grab a cup of coffee and join us in the conversation this
week in our little online devotional diner. See you there!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
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