Resources

Remember – Jon Bloom

Message for Memorial Day - Billy Graham

Remembering Timothy Keller – Pastor, Author, Theologian, Evangelist, Tim Keller died last week. As we observe Memorial Day we must deal with the issue of death. These words from Tony Reinke a senior teacher under John Piper’s Desiring God ministry are helpful as we think theologically about death.

Freedom is Not Free – a sermon by Adrian Rodgers

Quotes

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them." J. F. Kennedy

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Winston Churchill

“…And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice." Ronald Reagan

"Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." Harry Truman

"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave." Joseph Drake

"Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops, and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well." Jennifer Granholm

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." Franklin Roosevelt

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. —John 15:13

“It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired….But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.” —President Ronald Reagan

A Memorial Day Prayer

Almighty God, Heavenly Father, Prince of Peace, Righteous One, Creator of All, Giver of every good thing, Sovereign with a Holy Plan, Providential with a perfect plan, Redeemer, Savior, even friend and lover. We praise you today above all for who you are. Worthy alone of our praise. Gracious to us in our imperfections. Merciful to us in our willful sin. We thank you that your Spirit empowers us to choose, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Fill us with your Spirit today that we might exercise the fruit of the Spirit in the bond of love for one another and that on this Memorial Day, the world might see this fruit in our lives, be attracted to this fruit in our lives and seek to find the source of this fruit. And then Father, may we be found faithful in giving witness to the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us be the first to remember the Army soldier, the Navy Sailor, The Air Force airman, the Marine, the Guardsman who gave their life for our freedom. Let us lead the way in living a life that shows appreciation for their sacrifice. Let us show the way in grace with those who slander us, with mercy to those who persecute us, with sacrifice to those who are self-centered and with a clear and compelling telling of our story of what Jesus did for us on the cross. May we never forget that even our enemies were created in your image and must be loved by us if we are to truly love you. And may we never forget that like them we too fall short of your glory and need Jesus and His Gospel every bit as much as we think they need it. Finally Father, help us see the selflessness of those who died for us and live as selfless in our daily lives as they did in their final act of service. For it is the name of Jesus, who died for all that we pray, trust and hope. Amen. - Bob Jolly