The Pilgrim Path---John 15: 13, 14

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.

GREATER LOVE…

Many souls went off to serve our nation in the military and they never returned. They gave their lives in defense of freedom. We honor their memory on Memorial Day. I often think of my uncle Red (his real name was Frederick). He was on a bridge that was hit by heavy artillery in WWII. Most of his friends were killed. He survived but was a shell of the man he had been. He had endured multiple surgeries---but carried shrapnel in his head and upper torso. He usually lived in old boarding houses (sharing rooms with downtrodden men). As I grew up, my memories of him, were of a man that did a lot of walking: Moving along with a big folded over grocery sack. He would come by our home and take a bath---drink coffee and watch the news. Seems he was always walking. Maybe trying to “walk” past the comrades he had lost. Maybe trying to move on--- by the hampered and broken life he came back home with--after the War. He could not do much---but he could walk. We ask a whole lot of people in the military---especially folk in combat situations. Only the LORD really knows all they contend with (the stresses and strains---and scars). Pray for those families who have a loved one serving. Ask the LORD’S special mercy--- for those who gave a family member for our Republic. Freedom is not free. Freedom is costly…

The Captain of our Salvation, the LORD Jesus Christ---came directly into the battlefield of this sin-cursed world. He did not hesitate. He gave himself for his own: the just for the unjust---that we might be reconciled to God and possess eternal life. What a Savior is Jesus,

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10: 11

Help us Holy Spirit, use our freedoms well for Jesus Christ---and the advancement of His Kingdom!

From David Clarkson: In eternity past Christ saw all our faults, and not one after another, but all together. This adds great wonder to the love of Christ. He saw every perverse look, every unkind gesture, every rebellious motion, every disingenuous act. Every heart was visible from eternity. Here is the wonder of Christ’s love: it is fixed upon man, the worst of creatures. Consider his resolution, and wonder: I will give eternal life to those who have dishonored me…

Currently Deployed by the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains and Military Personnel (they could use your prayers):

---Daniel Yoon to Latvia and Romania

---Daniel Chung---from Japan to Korea

---Matt Schilling to Japan

---Andrew Barshinger to Kuwait

---Stephen Kim to Korea

---Bo Waldo to Afghanistan (transition coming)

---Jameson Abidoye to Iraq

---Andy Pyrch to Afghanistan (transition coming)

A MEMORIAL DAY PRAYER FROM THE REV. PETER MARSHALL:

Save us, our Father, from either indifference or unseemly revelry in this solemn hour, lest we mock those who lie in the quite places they have liberated from the scourge, and their comrades in whose eyes are the shadowed memories of the horrors they saw. Let us rather gird ourselves to finish the work they began, that God’s peace may yet come to all out troubled world.

For the liberation of so many from the cruel hand of the oppressor, we give Thee thanks. As we were willing to make sacrifices in war, so may we be willing to make sacrifices to ensure a just and lasting peace. For those who are still in bondage, we ask a speedy liberation.

Make us aware of the responsibility that rests upon us to create peace in our own hearts, in our homes, in every association with our fellows. Teach us that righteousness alone exalteth a nation. Lead us; inspire us. Make us Thy people to walk in Thy way, that this land may become in a new and deeper way, God’s own country. In the name of the God of our Father’s, who is still our God, we pray. Amen.

HYMN

The guilt is ours, but grace is yours,

O turn us not away;

But hear us from your lofty throne,

And help us when we pray.

With one consent we meekly bow

Beneath your chastening hand,

And pour forth confession meet,

Mourn with our mourning land.

With pitying eye behold our need,

As thus we lift our prayer;

Correct us with your judgments, LORD,

Then let your mercy spare.

John H. Gurney, 1838 / Mod.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason