A Memorial Day Menory

            Memorial Day, which we will celebrate Monday, is a day of remembrance for those who have died, particularly, those who died in battle or during the wars fought by this nation.   It began after the Civil War, was expanded to include all the wars and eventually to include all who have gone before us.  For many it is “Decoration Day” in cemeteries. 

            For me as a child, Memorial Day had nothing to do with remembering the dead, decorating cemeteries or patriotic celebrations.  It traditionally marked the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation.  But in particular, it was the day the public swimming pool in Ensley opened.  To us city dwelling kids who seldom left our neighborhoods, that pool was an oasis we visited as often as we had the admission price, walking the four blocks to the pool with bare feet on hot asphalt or cement.  Try that, walking barefooted on a hot asphalt street or cement sidewalk.  We would walk on grass patches beside the road or sidewalk when possible.  We  often stayed at the pool all afternoon.

            As an adult, Memorial Day has become more and more a day of remembrance, as more and more persons of importance to me have gone on to heaven.  In a sermon on Mother's Day, I  referenced Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and mother of Timothy.  Paul says he “calls to remembrance” the unfeigned faith of these two ladies which they passed on to Timothy.  (2 Timothy 1:5)

            We don’t know if either of these ladies was deceased at the time of Paul’s writing, but they represent those in each of our lives who have had great influence or who have blessed us in special ways.  I offer a prayer of thanksgiving for these special people who have touched my life, not only on Memorial Day, but at other times when I “call them to remembrance.” 

            And the best thing is we have a promise that we will see them again!

Grace and peace.

MOTHER

            This past Sunday we celebrated mothers, most of whom deserve honor and praise.  But as we do we need to realize there are many different kinds of mothers.  Some of them are unworthy and others are downright evil.

            Make Way Partners ( www.makewaypartners.org), an organization which fights human trafficking, has been publicizing and seeking to bring world attention to the plight of Deimante Kedyte of Lithuania, a seven year old girl whose mother, when she was only five years old, began selling her to high ranking Lithuanian government pedophiles who sexually abused her.  Deimante is now in the home of her aunt who is protecting her after her father, who sought to rescue her, disappeared mysteriously.  The court system, backed by high ranking officials and lawyers hired by the traffickers, has given custody of the child back to her mother, which would open the door for further abuse.  Petitions and emails to the Lithuanian government and the US State Department have appealed for a reversal of the court order.  Her aunt’s home is surrounded by local citizens to protest any effort to seize her by force, which the court has threatened.  Her mother, of course, wants to receive the huge amounts of money her daughter generated.

            It is difficult for me to imagine a mother so evil, but I know this is not the only mother in the world who takes evil advantage of her children, or simply neglects them. 

            I pray for children around the world, that they may have mothers or guardians who will love them and seek their best.  And I thank God for mothers who exemplify Godly character and who love their children, always desire the best for them.  May they have the honor and praise they deserve.

            And I pray that those of us who can will step in to help a child who needs to be loved and protected, whether they are an orphan in Africa, an abused child in Europe or a needy child in the U.S.

Grace and peace.

HIRING PRIESTS

            Unemployment in Alabama is around 8% or almost one in every ten is looking for a job.  If you think this is bad, consider Spain, were current unemployment is 24%, or one in every four is looking.

            The Roman Catholic Church is seeking to take advantage of the situation to recruit priests.  Television ads describe the advantages of the priesthood, i.e. a guaranteed job for life, security, opportunity to help others, etc.  The results aren’t too encouraging.  A radio commentator stated that many in the population are not religious and that young men are reluctant to sign a pledge of celibacy.

            The recruiting effort is ill advised anyway.  The priesthood, or ministry, is not a “job.”  It has been said that being a pastor is the worst job in the world, but the greatest calling in the world.  Anyone who counts ministry as a job will not do a very good job.  The ministry is a God called endeavor.  Many testify that they ran from it until God chased them down and compelled them in their call.  Regrettably, many were “mommy called” or “daddy called” or went into ministry for various other reasons than a genuine call from God.

            It wasn’t necessary for God to pursue or subdue me.  At age 17 I became aware that God was calling me to ministry.  Although.considering a degree and career in broadcasting, I knew in my heart that I would not be happy in that or any other pursuit.  I committed to the call in my senior year of High School and have never doubted it.  Only once, during a spell of clinical depression, did I consider changing the arena of ministry from the pastorate to another form.  Once the depression lifted, I was convinced anew that I was where I was supposed to be.  I’ve served several radically different churches, each with its own challenges.  But the journey has been one of great happiness and reward.  I supposedly “retired” fourteen years ago, but the call his not been cancelled.  That’s why I have served four more churches as interim pastor and two as regular pastor, currently serving as senior pastor of Central Park Baptist Church in Birmingham.

            Seeking to serve in ministry without a deep seated and genuine call from God, most often results in unhappiness and in many who leave the ministry. Sometimes in your prayer time, thank God for all the men and women who have a genuine call into ministry.  May their tribe increase!

            .

Grace and peace.

WE ARE NEVER READY

            I lost another friend Saturday a week ago.  Mac was in Gulf Shores playing golf with a group of other men.  He fell over on the golf course with a heart attack and could not be revived.  He was only 64 years old and seemingly in good health with no heart problems whatsoever.

            Mac and his wife, Trudy, are members of the Sunday School Class I taught before I became the pastor at Central Park Baptist Church.  Liz now teaches that class.  Mac would always contribute in class.  He was a business leader and a leader in the church.  Thinking back, I would say that I never saw Mac without a smile.  That was the kind of person he was.  Life for Mac was good.  It is a shame it was cut short by a heart attack.

            All who knew him and his family were shocked.  We are never ready for death, someone else’s or our own.  We all hope to live a long, long time.  But that will not be the case for everyone.  Even for those blessed with a long life, it is too short. And death comes unexpectedly.  In his letter James warns us, “you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  (James 4:14)

            It behooves us, therefore, to be ready for our own death and hope those we know are ready.  Mac was a believer.  I have no doubt of that.  Therefore I know that all is well with him.  And because I believe that Christ died for my sins and was resurrected to give me everlasting life, I know that all will be well with me when my time comes.

            How about you?

Grace and peace.