Archives For gratitude

4 simple ways to observe Memorial Day

May 27, 2012 — 7 Comments

Courtesy of Peter Liu Photography

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.

In spite of its seemingly self-explanatory name, this holiday is frequently confused with Veterans Day. While it is completely appropriate to honor all who have served or who are currently serving in our armed forces, Memorial Day is special in that it is set aside to remember the thousands of men and women who have died fighting for our freedom. The history of the holiday dates back to the Civil War, when women and children from both the North and the South decorated the graves of fallen soldiers and commemorated the loss of life.

Though not sanctioned as an official federal holiday until 1967, Memorial Day has evolved into a day that marks the beginning of summer. As such, the purpose of the holiday has unfortunately been overshadowed by backyard barbecues and family get-aways.

President Ronald Reagan once said,

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

This Memorial Day I encourage you to set aside some time to truly reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that has been made by more than a million men and women. Here are four ideas to point you in the right direction:

1. Pray for the families of fallen soldiers. These families have also suffered great loss, and such loss merits an acknowledgement. You might even make a phone call or write a note of gratitude to one such family.

2. Watch a YouTube video about Memorial Day. There are a number of well-done videos, slideshows, and short documentaries that are easily searchable on the web.

3. Attend a parade or special commemoration service. There is usually at least one such event planned in almost every community.

4. Fly the American flag. It seems like such a simple thing, but I’m always moved by the many American flags that show up in various places on Memorial Day weekend.

Whatever we do, we must never forget the sacrifice of our brave men and women.

IT’S YOUR TURN!
How will you observe Memorial Day?

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The art of thanksgiving

November 23, 2011 — 1 Comment

It hardly seems possible that the holidays could be here already. After all, didn’t I just get all those boxes of Christmas decorations back in the attic? Well, maybe not, but in my estimation this has been an incredibly fast year.

While there are still several weeks left in this calendar year, one thing is certain: This has been a year of dramatic changes. From political uprisings and civil unrest to record-setting weather patterns, 2011 will leave an indelible mark on this world. With all the negative news coming at us ’round the clock, it’s sometimes hard to focus on the good things.

America has long been the ‘land of plenty’ — or, you might say, the ‘land of excess.’ You have to wonder what the early settlers to Plymouth Rock would have to say about the way we live. After all, those folks — who, according to H. U. Westermayer, constructed seven times as many graves as huts — still saw fit to set aside a time to give thanks to God. These Puritans were arguably the most impoverished Americans ever, yet they acknowledged God as the source of their blessings. They understood the art of thanksgiving.

In this time of persistent protests and rowdy upheaval, there’s a lot of talk about ‘the  99-percent.’ I contend that pretty much all of us constitute the one-percent . . . at least figuratively speaking. Consider this:

Americans are some of the wealthiest people in the world, with a very high GDP per capita. Americans are top in the world for most material possessions. The number of televisions, vehicles, and other such products per person are considerably higher than in any other country. For instance, the United States has some 754 televisions for every thousand people. No other country is even above 700, with Japan being closest at 680/1000. [Source: economicexpert.com]

While Americans don’t necessarily blow every country out of the water, particularly when you consider the long hours so many of us work, we as a people are undeniably blessed. Even with higher-than-usual levels of unemployment, continued home foreclosures, and rising costs of living, for all intents and purposes Americans are indeed blessed. One thing is generally true about tougher times: We are forced to evaluate priorities, strengthen relationships, and develop character — and hopefully a much deeper appreciation for God.

This Thanksgiving, consider yourself blessed if any or all of the following statements are true for you: Continue Reading…

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