Remember

 

Memorial Day has special personal significance for me as I remember my grandmother, “Baba,” who went home to be with the Lord on this holiday when I was fourteen years old. She loved her family sacrificially, enduring many hardships as a young wife, leaving her home and country to begin a new life with her husband, to raise my mother and then me. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman in her generosity, industriousness, and character, and I cherish the Godly legacy she left me as a model of faith (Hebrews 11), charity (1 Corinthians 13), prayer, and service.

Tangible reminders of Baba highlight my life, from photographs on the foyer table and in albums, to tea towels she hand embroidered in the Ukraine, to a print of the Lord’s Supper that adorned her bedroom wall, and even to my medical school diploma, representing the education she helped finance through her thrift and keen business sense.

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, we remember our fallen troops who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, and we thank them for their faithful service. By giving their lives, they showed the self-sacrificing love epitomized by Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life to save His friends (John 15:13).

Jesus paid it all to bring peace between sinful man and holy God (Colossians 1:20). He became sin for us even though He was pure (2 Corinthians 5:21), holy and sinless (Hebrews 7:26), the perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He rose again from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is the Son of God and God Himself, so that all who trust Him as Lord and Savior have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Remembrances of God’s love, faithfulness and provision also abound in the lives of His children. First and foremost, we have His recorded Word (2 Timothy 3:16), His love letter to us explaining where we came from, His instructions for how to live a fulfilled life pleasing to Him (Proverbs, Psalms), and His plans for our future (Jeremiah 29:11). Throughout the Bible we learn of tangible reminders of His goodness.

The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments inscribed in stone (Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9), a golden pot of manna that God provided to feed His children in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded with almond blossoms (Hebrews 9:4). Men of God built altars and used Ebenezer stones (Joshua 4:7-24; 1 Samuel 7:12) to remember, honor and praise God for His deliverance.

If we look at our own lives, there too are numerous emblems of God’s blessings. Our spouse and children are answers to prayer for loved ones to fill our daily lives with love, joy, purpose and meaning (Psalm 127:4; Genesis 25:21; Proverbs 18:22; 19:24). Our dwelling, possessions, clothing and food represent God’s fulfilled promise to provide for our daily lives (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:25). Treasured mementos, photographs and letters remind us of the legacy left by our loved ones, and how God enabled us to achieve the goals and dreams He planted in our heart (Ephesians 2:10).

Notes written in our Bible, in a prayer journal, or in our hearts prove God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 36:5; 89:1-2)) over and over as He answers prayer in the best possible way, with His perfect timing, working all things together for our ultimate good, for the good of others, and for His glory (Romans 8:28). May we remember the name of the Lord our God, His works and wonders (Psalm 20:7; 77:11), and His Word (John 12:16; 16:4).

As we visit the graves of fallen heroes on Memorial Day and beyond, decorating them with flags and flowers, we remember their service and sacrifice. May we also never forget God’s mercy, grace, and goodness (Hebrews 4:16), from the cross of Jesus Christ, Who died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), throughout our Christian walk, and His recorded promise to bring us home at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to live with Him and our loved ones in Him throughout eternity!

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Remember

Memorial Day has special personal significance for me as I remember my grandmother, “Baba,” who went home to be with the Lord on this holiday when I was fourteen years old. She loved her family sacrificially, enduring many hardships as a young wife, leaving her home and country to begin a new life with her husband, to raise my mother and then me. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman in her generosity, industriousness, and character, and I cherish the Godly legacy she left me as a model of faith (Hebrews 11), charity (1 Corinthians 13), prayer, and service.

Tangible reminders of Baba highlight my life, from photographs on the foyer table and in albums, to tea towels she hand embroidered in the Ukraine, to a print of the Lord’s Supper that adorned her bedroom wall, and even to my medical school diploma, representing the education she helped finance through her thrift and keen business sense.

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, we remember our fallen troops who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, and we thank them for their faithful service. By giving their lives, they showed the self-sacrificing love epitomized by Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life to save His friends (John 15:13).

Jesus paid it all to bring peace between sinful man and holy God (Colossians 1:20). He became sin for us even though He was pure (2 Corinthians 5:21), holy and sinless (Hebrews 7:26), the perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He rose again from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is the Son of God and God Himself, so that all who trust Him as Lord and Savior have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Remembrances of God’s love, faithfulness and provision also abound in the lives of His children. First and foremost, we have His recorded Word (2 Timothy 3:16), His love letter to us explaining where we came from, His instructions for how to live a fulfilled life pleasing to Him (Proverbs, Psalms), and His plans for our future (Jeremiah 29:11). Throughout the Bible we learn of tangible reminders of His goodness.

The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments inscribed in stone (Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9), a golden pot of manna that God provided to feed His children in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded with almond blossoms (Hebrews 9:4). Men of God built altars and used Ebenezer stones (Joshua 4:7-24; 1 Samuel 7:12) to remember, honor and praise God for His deliverance.

If we look at our own lives, there too are numerous emblems of God’s blessings. Our spouse and children are answers to prayer for loved ones to fill our daily lives with love, joy, purpose and meaning (Psalm 127:4; Genesis 25:21; Proverbs 18:22; 19:24). Our dwelling, possessions, clothing and food represent God’s fulfilled promise to provide for our daily lives (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:25). Treasured mementos, photographs and letters remind us of the legacy left by our loved ones, and how God enabled us to achieve the goals and dreams He planted in our heart (Ephesians 2:10).

Notes written in our Bible, in a prayer journal, or in our hearts prove God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 36:5; 89:1-2)) over and over as He answers prayer in the best possible way, with His perfect timing, working all things together for our ultimate good, for the good of others, and for His glory (Romans 8:28). May we remember the name of the Lord our God, His works and wonders (Psalm 20:7; 77:11), and His Word (John 12:16; 16:4).

As we visit the graves of fallen heroes on Memorial Day and beyond, decorating them with flags and flowers, we remember their service and sacrifice. May we also never forget God’s mercy, grace, and goodness (Hebrews 4:16), from the cross of Jesus Christ, Who died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), throughout our Christian walk, and His recorded promise to bring us home at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to live with Him and our loved ones in Him throughout eternity!

© 2018 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

 

His Love For Me

 

Photo by Patty Colmer 2007

Soon the world will celebrate Valentine’s Day, with sweethearts offering roses, candy, jewelry, lingerie, or other gifts to the one they love. Children give anonymous cards to their school crush; adults may write beautiful poetry or flowery prose expressing their affection; and some proclaim their love boldly in the newspaper or even on the scoreboard of a sports stadium!

Many couples enjoy romantic evenings or getaways on February 14, and it is understandably a very popular date for marriage proposals or weddings. At our Rhapsody Ballroom one year, two couples got married on Valentine’s weekend!

The traditions underlying the holiday are unclear. Although it is named after St. Valentine, it may be because he helped soldiers (who were supposed to remain single under the rule of Emperor Claudius) get married in secret, resulting in his being put to death. Others say that while in prison, he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter who visited him and wrote her a love letter signed “From Your Valentine.”

Others claim that Valentine’s Day dates back to a pagan Roman holiday on February 14, the Feast of Lupercalia, honoring the Roman goddess Juno who was the goddess of women and of marriage.

Regardless of its origins, any reason to tell and show our spouse or betrothed that we love them is a good reason (Ephesians 5:25-32; Proverbs 31:26-28; Song of Solomon). But whether married or single, all can enjoy the blessings of the greatest love of all. And no, I don’t mean learning to love yourself, as proclaimed in the Whitney Houston song!

Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for His friends (John 15:13). Jesus Christ, Son of God, did that for us when He willingly left the joys of Heaven to wrap Himself in human flesh (John 1:1-14). He was born as a humble babe, lived the life of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8), and died an agonizing death on the cross, to be the perfect sacrifice to reconcile sinful man with Holy God (2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20).

Even more amazing, His love was so great that He did this not when we were His friends, but when we were still His enemies (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21), rebelling against Him because we were still children of the devil (John 8:44). But the greatest love story of all time does not end there, for He proved His divinity by rising from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Now all who trust in His death, burial and resurrection as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6) have the greatest gift of all – the gift of eternal life in Heaven with Him and with our loved ones who have trusted Him (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57). That gift is so beyond priceless that it defies description! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Even better, that gift begins at the moment we are born again (John 3:3-8), with abundant life in the here and now (John 10:10), joy in our Lord (Psalm 35:9; Isaiah 51:11; 61:3), and peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Like the suitor whose love is pure, chaste, and sometimes unrequited, God loved us long before we ever knew or loved Him (1 John 4:19). He loved us from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and predetermined then that those who would trust Him would be saved and become children of God, ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:16-17), and part of His Church, the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32).

God even wrote the best, most complete, and perfect love letter – His Word. In the Bible He expresses not only His great joy in us (Zephaniah 3:17), love for us (John 3:16), and plans for our future together with Him (Jeremiah 29:11), but He also packs it full of description about His character, faithfulness, holiness, and power. He even gives us a wealth of practical wisdom (e.g., Proverbs), much as a Captain away at battle would write to his wife at home, guiding her at a distance.

Whether we know Him or not, all good and perfect gifts come from Him (James 1:17) – the wondrous planet on which we live (Genesis 1); the air, water and food that sustain us; the sunlight and rain (Matthew 5:45). And for those of us who are part of His bride, the spiritual blessing we experience of His mercy, grace, comfort and guidance (Lamentations 3:22; Psalm 119:105; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1:3-4) by far surpass any Valentine’s gift any human could provide.

Sometimes we hear His whispered words of love in a passing breeze, a bird song, the heartbreaking beauty of a sunrise or a violet lifting her face to the morning light. Far more valiant than a heroic knight of old, He has freed us from the shackles of sin (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18) and rescued us from the depths of despair and death (Psalm 30:3). He has clothed us in His garments of salvation and robe of righteousness, as a bride adorns herself with the jewels given by her Beloved (Isaiah 61:10).

Flowers fade almost as quickly as chocolates are eaten (at least in my house)! Over the decades, Valentines and love letters crumble and turn to dust, jewelry tarnishes, and trinkets may break, get lost, or be stolen (Matthew 6:19).

But God’s Word and His love last forever (Matthew 24:35). He is faithful, true, and cannot lie (1 Corinthians 1:9; Revelation 3:14; 22:6; Titus 1:2). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); we can call on Him 24/7 knowing that He will hear and answer (Hebrews 4:16); and one day He will return to bring us forever to Himself! (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

I wrote song lyrics, “His Love For Me,” and my husband and I choreographed to them for our dance ministry, attempting to portray how His love is unfailing. I pray it will bless you, and that not only on Valentine’s Day but on every day of the year, may we remember His love for us, which truly is the greatest love of all!

© 2016 Laurie Collett

 

 

Remember

Memorial Day has special personal significance for me as I remember my grandmother, “Baba,” who went home to be with the Lord on this holiday when I was fourteen years old. She loved her family sacrificially, enduring many hardships as a young wife, leaving her home and country to begin a new life with her husband, to raise my mother and then me. She was a true Proverbs 31 woman in her generosity, industriousness, and character, and I cherish the Godly legacy she left me as a model of faith (Hebrews 11), charity (1 Corinthians 13), prayer, and service.

Tangible reminders of Baba highlight my life, from photographs on the foyer table and in albums, to tea towels she hand embroidered in the Ukraine, to a print of the Lord’s Supper that adorned her bedroom wall, and even to my medical school diploma, representing the education she helped finance through her thrift and keen business sense.

As we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, we remember our fallen troops who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, and we thank them for their faithful service. By giving their lives, they showed the self-sacrificing love epitomized by Jesus Christ, Who laid down His life to save His friends (John 15:13).

Jesus paid it all to bring peace between sinful man and holy God (Colossians 1:20). He became sin for us even though He was pure (2 Corinthians 5:21), holy and sinless (Hebrews 7:26), the perfect Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He rose again from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is the Son of God and God Himself, so that all who trust Him as Lord and Savior have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Remembrances of God’s love, faithfulness and provision also abound in the lives of His children. First and foremost, we have His recorded Word (2 Timothy 3:16), His love letter to us explaining where we came from, His instructions for how to live a fulfilled life pleasing to Him (Proverbs, Psalms), and His plans for our future (Jeremiah 29:11). Throughout the Bible we learn of tangible reminders of His goodness.

The Ark of the Covenant contained the Ten Commandments inscribed in stone (Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9), a golden pot of manna that God provided to feed His children in the wilderness, and Aaron’s rod that miraculously budded with almond blossoms (Hebrews 9:4). Men of God built altars and used Ebenezer stones (Joshua 4:7-24; 1 Samuel 7:12) to remember, honor and praise God for His deliverance.

If we look at our own lives, there too are numerous emblems of God’s blessings. Our spouse and children are answers to prayer for loved ones to fill our daily lives with love, joy, purpose and meaning (Psalm 127:4; Genesis 25:21; Proverbs 18:22; 19:24). Our dwelling, possessions, clothing and food represent God’s fulfilled promise to provide for our daily lives (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:25). Treasured mementos, photographs and letters remind us of the legacy left by our loved ones, and how God enabled us to achieve the goals and dreams He planted in our heart (Ephesians 2:10).

Notes written in our Bible, in a prayer journal, or in our hearts prove God’s faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23; Psalm 36:5; 89:1-2)) over and over as He answers prayer in the best possible way, with His perfect timing, working all things together for our ultimate good, for the good of others, and for His glory (Romans 8:28). May we remember the name of the Lord our God, His works and wonders (Psalm 20:7; 77:11), and His Word (John 12:16; 16:4).

As we visit the graves of fallen heroes on Memorial Day and beyond, decorating them with flags and flowers, we remember their service and sacrifice. May we also never forget God’s mercy, grace, and goodness (Hebrews 4:16), from the cross of Jesus Christ, Who died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), throughout our Christian walk, and His recorded promise to bring us home at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to live with Him and our loved ones in Him throughout eternity!

© 2018 Laurie Collett