Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"We Will Never Forget!" (or have we?)

Bumper stickers, signs and banners, hats, shirts, etc... all bearing the phrase, "We Will Never Forget!" The most horrific event in my lifetime occured 10 years ago on September 11, 2001.  I remember watching with horror and disbelief as the tragedy unfolded on the television. Watching that unbelievable cloud of dust and debris rolling down the streets of New York City like a tsunami engulfing everything in it's path; people emerging from the dust cloud looking like zombies.  Who could do such a thing?   I remember thinking about the freedom that we all share but take for granted in this country.  I thought about my then 6 year old daughter and 11 year old son.  Were they safe in their classrooms at school?  Should I go get them and bring them home?  What or who was the terrorists' next target? Those poor people!  What about their families?  How do these people get past something this devestating? As I relived that day with the rest of the nation, it was as horrifying as the first time I watched.  

Now a decade has past.  My children are 16 and 21.  We have lived through another 10 years, and some  have passed away during these last 10 years.  Life for most of us has moved on, but those who lost their lives that day missed the past 10 years with their families;  watching their children grow up, graduations, marriages, births, Mother's Days, Father's Days, Christmases, vacations, etc... And for those who were left, what should be joyful occasions, are bittersweet because someone is missing.

My church family remembered the 9/11 tenth anniversary through a musical called "Shelter" based on the 46th Psalm.  My family remembered through images on TV and conversation.  The country remembered through memorials and special services, TV interviews with survivors, and interviews with family members of survivors.  For me, the entire weekend was heavy and very somber.  In what way did you remember?

Horrific acts are remembered, reviewed, revisited, and retold throughout history such as World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, The Korean War, Vietnam, The Hollocaust, The Oklahoma bombing, Columbine, etc.  But there is another horrific story that still needs to be retold today and everyday...the story of the cross.  It was a horrific death for anyone, but especially for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He chose to leave heaven, to give His life, and die on a cross for you and me;  to take on the wrath of God Almighty, His Father, to take the punishment for our sins, yours and mine.  He bore the horrible scourgings, beatings, being spat upon, being humiliated, and the crown of thorns placed on his head, and excruciating pain. While His blood flowed, He was nailed to a cruel cross, and hung to die a slow death for all to see.  This was the most incredible event ever in the history of mankind.  He chose death so we could live life through Him and with the power of the Holy Spirit.  His life was the only one that could satisfy the wrath of God for the sins of the world once and for all.  Jesus tells us to remember Him every time we receive the Lord's Supper.  That's how church families remember together.  But how do we remember, review, revisit, and retell the greatest story ever told in front of the world, and tell those who may have never heard the story of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, redemption and healing?  Simple!  Live out what Christ died for.  Live out what you have received from Him. Live a life of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing, each and everyday!  Our lives should be a "His-story" book!

Dear Jesus,
Help me to never forget the lives that were lost in 9/11, their families, the first responders, soldiers who have given their lives, and the soldiers still fighting for freedom today.  Help me to never forget that I live in the greatest nation in the world built on Your truths.  But even more, help me to never forget what You did for me on the cross.  My desire is to live the greatest story ever told every day of my life.  I want to bring You glory because of what You have given to me.  Thank You, Lord.  I am forever grateful and I will never forget!  In Jesus' name, the name above all names, I pray, AMEN.

My Pleasure,
Melanie

Thursday, September 1, 2011

My Best Friend!

Godly Character.  Prayer Warrior.  Spiritual Leader. Wise.  Protector.  Loving Husband.  Great Dad.  My Best Friend.  Just a few words that describe the one who won my heart over 30 years ago on a... "blind date". 
                                                                                

Two weeks before our blind date, I had poured my heart out to God and surrendered the choosing of my husband.  I hadn't done a very good job with the dating scene, although I had dated some really wonderful guys, I had not allowed God to choose my dates for me.  So, one night in my bed, on my knees and through tears, I surrendered this very important issue to the Lord and asked Him to bring into my life the one He wanted me to marry.  In less that 2 weeks, my girl friend was making plans for Rick and I to meet on a blind date.  At age 17, I knew that God had answered my prayer.  The next 5 years would prove to be some of the most crucial in our life together.  They were the most incredible years of dating, of growing in love with my future husband, growing more in love with Jesus Christ through discipleship, spiritual growth, and the deep planting of spritual healthy roots; all of which have grounded us to this day.



Who is this man that God answered my prayer with over 30 years ago?  

Rick, my sweetheart!  The one who brings much love, joy, and leadership into my life and our family.  He brings security and a feeling of safety.  He is my earthly rock!  (And he's handsome too!)Rick is one of the most godly men I've ever known, next to my dad.  Rick is a true reflection of Jesus Christ to everyone with whom he comes in contact.  He doesn't separate his spiritual life from his every day life.  (In reality, you can't!)  What you see is what you get... a kind, compassionate gentleman who puts Jesus Christ above all in his life, family, and relationships.  He is the epitomy of a godly husband, father, friend, and leader. He pours himself into others through serving and discipling. He's a true prayer warrior for me, our children, and others.  It really encourages me to know he prays for me daily.

Why was he chosen for me? 
God had only one thing on His mind when He chose Rick for me.  His Glory!  God knew we could bring Him more glory together than apart.  Just like all marriages, we have our challenges, struggles, and differences, but how we respond to each other through the good and the bad is how we point others to or away from Christ.  Leading people to Christ is how we bring God glory.  We are all on display as we proclaim Jesus as Lord.  People are watching.  People are observing.  People are analyzing and scrutinizing.  Our marriage is a portrait of Jesus Christ and the unity (the oneness) of  the Trinity.  Our relationship should model the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Have we perfected that image in 26 years of marriage? No, not yet.  And it won't be perfect until we see Jesus face to face. But, hopefully, we have become more like Him during these years of loving, learning, and growing together.  With each precious year that we are allowed to love each other, our prayer is that we are displaying to our children, and the world, a beautiful portrait of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

How is this possible? 
Only with the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in and living through us, and with a husband who takes his role of the spiritual leader in our home seriously.  Rick has always taken his role very seriously and therefore, helps me to fulfill my role.  My responsibility as his wife is to pray for him and with him, to love him, and to help provide an atmosphere in our home that is warm, encouraging and comfortable.  An atmosphere in which he loves to come home to and doesn't want to leave. Living out God's design of a Christian marriage is hard work, but so worth the effort.  My husband's relationship with Jesus affects his relationship with me and vice versa.  Maintaining a healthy realtionship with our Lord individually, spills over into our relationship together.  I praise God today and everyday for a wonderful godly husband who loves me like Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for her.  It's an honor to be his wife!

"For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  Nevertheless, let each of one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."  Ephesians 5:31-33 NKJV 

Rick,  I love you with all my heart!  I respect you and I love being your wife, the mother of our children, and your best friend!  (Sorry Kenny!)  :)

My Pleasure,
Melanie