Memorial Day 2022

Just a short note today to say that I hope you are able to enjoy this holiday weekend with loved ones. We are thankful for those who’ve given their life for our country, and I would encourage you to spend some time today thinking about those who have made such a sacrifice. Too many times we may focus on our rights before our responsibilities, and what is owed us rather than what we are blessed to be able to give to others. It’s a good day to consider how we approach these lives we’ve been given and the people around us.

Yesterday in the worship service I talked about the danger of pride. Isaiah 14 particularly focuses on the pride that comes too often to kings and leaders. They begin to think that their power is a result of what they have done rather than what God had given them to do. It reminds me of the Percy Bysshe Shelly poem, “Ozymandias.” It’s a poem about the ruins of an ancient statue. The last part of the poem says:

“And on the pedestal, these words appear:

My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

It’s a remind that those things in which we take pride in—the kingdoms we have built ourselves—will not stand. Only what we have done for God has the kind of lasting relevance.

Have a great weekend and I hope to see you next week!

God bless, Brian

Scripture readings for next Sunday Isaiah 17—What does this prophecy say will be the effect of desolation brought upon “Jacob”?

Deuteronomy 8—What does this passage teach us about remembering and forgetting God?

1 Corinthians 11:27-34—What does Paul say about discipline here?

Hebrews 4:4-13—Can you think of a specific example of how this teaching has played itself out in your own life?