Giving My Best

Deuteronomy 17:1 "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination to the LORD your God."

My God doesn't want rotten service. He wants the best. He gives the best, why should He expect anything less in return? As a matter of fact, anything less than the best is an abomination.

Consider that - an abomination. The society around me has watered down words like abomination. Oh, that's bad. No, that's fearful. If something is an abomination to you, you refuse it. You go above and beyond to make sure it never gets in your sight. You take the long way around to keep from being near it. You burn it. You stomp it under foot and grind it to powder. Yes, sloppy service on my part is an abomination to God.

I've not always been good at giving my best. When I'm sick, when I'm tired, when I'm bored - those are times when I have a tendency to give less than the best. Thankfully, God has pointed this out to me and is helping me get better. I'll never be able to give the best under my own strength because I don't have the best to give when it's of myself. My heart is deceitful. It will lie like a sneaky snake. It is only through the shed blood and resurrection of the only begotten Son of God that I can be found worthy.

I am so thankful that my God is gracious and full of compassion. He has inclined His ear unto me. Yes, my God is merciful. He preserves the simple - that's me. He brought me low and He helps me. (Psalm 111:4b, Psalm 116:2a, 5b, 6)

(Father God, thank you for examining my heart and trying my reins. I have been found lacking, LORD and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Please forgive me and help me to correct my service. Be my strong tower, my help and my shield. I trust You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

What about Memorial Day?

Jeptha Wilson Frunk was my great-uncle, the oldest brother of my grandmother.  He never married, nor had any children.  He served in the US Army during World War II and died in action July 3, 1944, in France.  He is the closest relative that I have lost to combat.  Yet, each time I see my own son’s name, I am reminded of the sacrifice that Jeptha made.  You see, he carries Jeptha’s middle name as a constant memorial.

I am considered a part of Generation X.  We are so comfortable with technology- using it, always having it.  I even drafted my notes for this on my cell phone.  But, technology has removed the personal touch of war.  I am a US Navy veteran that served stateside support during the Gulf War, a conflict marked by the use of technology.  Casualties of this war for us were few.  Of the 575,000 troops and support sent, there were 148 combat deaths.  So, in general, my generation doesn’t have a clue about Memorial Day.  We have redefined this day to meet our own selfish desires.  Sadly, Memorial Day has become the beginning of the summer pleasure seeking season.

I challenge those of you that fall in Generation X and beyond, to not let the true meaning of Memorial Day get lost.  Today, with your children and parents, search your family tree.  Find out who didn’t make it home from conflict.  Post their photo on your wall.  Celebrate their life. Talk of their sacrifice.  Add them to your Facebook or My Space page.  Twitter about them.  Share with any who will listen that the honor with which these service members gave all, is an honor to God.  As we are instructed in Psalm 78:4, do not hide this from the children.  Show this to the generations to come.  Show the wonderful works that the Lord has done.  

(Father God, thank you for this country in which I live.  Thank you for the service members that honor you by giving their life for the liberty we possess.  Please bless their sacrifice.  In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.)