Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
5 27 2024
10 yrs ago, I was writing this prose to commemorate Memorial Day and the passing of a dear friend.
I was confident that because Christ came back from the grave. So shall we…. So shall every son and daughter who fell in war defending our freedom. I saw a group of 76 men who were flown to the Great War Memorial in Washington this week Most were in their 70’s and were part of Vietnam and some age 100 were in World War II. Many talked about the closure they received. Some spoke about being greeted in the airport coming home from Vietnam, plummeted by rotten fruit and gross curse words as their thank you for obeying our country’s call. It was heart-wrenching to hear them speak. Gary Stone was one who had the honor of the trip that I graduated high school with. I have included the link. It was very moving. If you have time.
Memorial Day is not just about remembering those who gave their lives in service of our Freedom but to remember and fight for the principles they fought to protect. The recent war in Ukraine and Israel are stark reminders of the harsh realities of war, and the enduring cost of freedom. Their sacrifices bring to memory the criticalness of standing resolute against aggression and supporting other countries striving for peace and freedom. It also speaks loudly of the cost of complacency. The past wars taught us that unchecked aggression and countries looking to enlarge their territories and or exterminate other races cannot be tolerated. That is what America has always stood for. But I fear the honor and respect for those ideals in America are fading. Memorial Day is a time to remember that the fight for these principles is not over, even if our younger generation is too self-absorbed to see that we must continue to fight for freedom and justice or it will one day be stripped and stolen from us too.
Lights for Eternity
This IS the HOPE of Christianity of which he was a true son. This is a promise from God Himself.
“THE LIGHT “
What is this moment of passing? This thing called death. Is it the final healing? Is that the way it is?
Just another part of the journey? Each life was about purpose and the great passions each uniquely carried. Purposes may vary but the message of God’s love is the same.
Some may understand more deeply and some lights may shine more brightly.
The roads were all different,
but never that one life was more important than another.
When our time comes, do we get to rise up and fill the skies as another light?
Some believe, we are called to join each of those stars who have gone before us,
spending eternity with those we have loved so much.
Think of it, each galaxy forever growing in its beauty and brilliance.
Each life represented in that place God prepared for each of them.
Uniquely and wonderfully made.
Can it be so, that when we pass, our lives become a light for eternity?
That the brilliance of our hearts and lives would fill the heavens with the light of our lives and the brilliance of Gods hope that has always been our calling…to come back to him?
Perhaps these are the voices shouting out in the darkness in Mark 1 2-3
Saying “Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.”
The very darkness we often run from becomes the backdrop of a million billion stars, each with a throne and a crown, each with a room prepared by the Lord of Host.
The Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end.
But there is one certainty in it all. In us all. The light of the Holy Spirit within His beloved. Luke 3:22
A calling to all, to worship the light of His majesty.
To spend eternity and beyond with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
A life glorious….. for His Glory.
Jesus.
Lauren Daigle – Noel
