Veterans Day

Today, the day I write this blog, is November 11 and it is Veteran's Day in the U.S.A.  I always think of my father on this day since he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II.  My father joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1938 when he was 18 years old, just out of high school.  He was a ground mechanic assigned to London, England and was there during the Battle of Britain in 1940.  My Dad never talked much about the war, as was the habit of many in that generation, but what little he said was filled with praise and admiration for the many skilled Allied pilots who flew their bombing raids over Nazi Germany.  Dad saw many of these bombers shot up with gaping holes, but still flying as they returned to England from their bombing raids.  Like many vets who were lucky enough to return home when the war ended in 1945, he married Mahdeen I. Reissing of Midland, Texas (my mother) and, well, the rest is family history.  My Dad died of an unexpected heart attack in 1973 when I was only 15 years of age.  While I treasure the memories of my time with him and how he taught me to play golf, I always give thanks, for his service to his country every Nov. 11 on Veterans Day.  I know my Dad always gave thanks every Nov 11, and he never forgot those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, those who were not lucky enough to make it back home.

Today, I write this blog as both a Christian who has been blessed by veterans of faith with whom I share a world wide community; and as a U.S. citizen who has been blessed by veterans of this country with whom I share a life long heritage of freedom in government.  Let me encourage you, as both Christians and citizens who are living in the United States, to give thanks today, and throughout this month of November.  First, give thanks to God for allowing you to live in a country that protects your religious right to worship God according to the dictates of your own conscience.  Second, give thanks to a veteran, who put life on the line every day to protect these freedoms we now enjoy without question.  Many are the conflicts our veterans have fought in, from World Wars to Korea to Vietnam, to the Middle East and Afghanistan and most likely other places of military service that you and I are not even aware of: and of course, many are the soldiers now living and now serving who put their life on the line, even today, to protect these same freedoms.  We owe them our gratitude as well.  Always remember . .  . it's never too late to give thanks. 

Thank you God.  Thank you Veterans.

Dennis

Living in the 8th Chapter

When I was in seminary years ago, a professor of mine once asked us, "Are you living in the 8th chapter today?"  We were studying Paul's letter to the Romans and just recently finished a study of the 8th chapter of Romans when he asked that question.  What did he mean by asking the question?  Paul opens the 8th chapter of Romans saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death."  The point of these opening words in Romans 8:1-2 is that we no longer have to live lives that are driven by our sin-filled human natures.  We can now live a life that is powered by the wind of God's Spirit and love.  We can choose to walk with God, not walk away from God.  To live in the 8th chapter of Romans is to live a life that walks with God, a life that is powered by the winds of God's Spirit and love.

It also means, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28, that God can work all things - both good and bad - into his greater purpose, and we will see this greater purpose played out in our lives if we are willing to love him and walk with him according to his purpose.  What this means is that we have to let God lead.  We don't walk with God telling him where we want to go in life.  We walk with God, letting God show us where to walk next.  Every fork in the road is a decision that needs to be led by God.

Such a walk can be lonely at times. While it is easy to visualize the Lord walking with us, leading us along the way, the truth about any journey with God is that there are times when God's presence feels far away.  There are times when we wonder where God is, or even why God has abandoned us.  It can cause us to ask, "Does God really care - does God love us still?"  Paul answers, Romans 8:38-39, that God still loves us, and always will.  In fact, Paul tells us that there is nothing in all creation that can ever make God stop loving us.  Hence, we walk by faith in confidence that God will provide the necessary direction when we need it along the journey.  We claim the promise that God loves us still.

All of us are on a journey going somewhere in life.  Some are looking for the next happy hour along the way, while others are trying to find a life that has meaning - one that makes a difference.  For the Christian is who walking with God, one question to ask is - Are you living in the 8th chapter as you walk with God?  There is no condemnation for those who walk with God.  He can use everything we do - both good and bad - and weave it into a journey that takes us where we need to be - if we are willing to love him and are willing to be called according to His purpose.  And when the road gets lonely - and it will at times - we can claim his promise and know by faith that He will always love us.

Life can be good, when you're living in the 8th chapter.

Blessings,

Dennis