Remember Them All, Every Single One!

“You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must.” II Thessalonians 1:3 Msg
Paul begins the second letter of Thessalonians by saying that he must thank God over and over again for them because of the way they were growing in their faith, because of the way they were serving and following God. I have been thinking about this as I think about this Memorial weekend coming up. I have been thinking we should have the same urgency as Americans in being thankful for the people that have served us that Paul had for those who were diligently serving God. For Paul it was a must and it should also for us. This should be something that we do regular basis not once a year. But since it is Memorial Weekend we really should focus on it even more. So I have spent time this week just thanking God for my country and the freedom I have and all the people that gave me that freedom. I read in the Washington Post that President Obama has decided to skip memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery and instead has decided to go back to Chicago for the weekend to uphold a promise he made while campaigned. Here is what the Washington Post said, “With the long Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, President Obama is finally addressing one of the great broken promises of his administration: his early pledge to return home to Chicago every six weeks or so.” Ok that is so nice. I am glad that he decided out of all weekends this is the one that he needed to go and vacation in Chicago to fulfill a campaign promise. I mean it is only Memorial Day weekend when we honor those who have gave, gave their lives for us to have the freedom we have. And I guess it is only Arlington National Cemetery that he is skipping out on. Quite possibly the most hallowed and sacred piece of realestate in the country. After all He is only the Commander in Chief. The leader of our armed forces who commands their respect. For some reason that just rubs me the wrong way. Maybe he is just doing what most everyone else will do this weekend, just relax and have a reason for a getaway. I will admit that I am also guilty of visiting some people that are camping this weekend, I am planning in taking the kids to a park and having a BBQ. But as I do I will spend time remembering and praying for those who have served and died for the freedom that I have. I don’t know about you but I have had the honor of knowing a man that served our great country that commands my respect. I have the honor and privilege of knowing someone that literally laid his life on the line for me and my freedom, even though I was not even thought of yet, and for that I am forever grateful. He is my Dad. His name is Douglas M Noonkester I. He is a Marine. He was in the United States Marine Corps from May 1966 to May 1968. He served and put his life on the line in Viet Nam from Aug.1967 to May 1968. The Last unit he served in was 5th Force Service Regiment near Da Nang. And he is proud to admit that he “Was in country during Tet offensive .OOOO RAH! ! SEMPER FI .” I asked my dad about his time in the Marines a couple of days ago and after he told me about his serving he wrote’, “Thanks son. A lot of folks (mostly dems and libs) don't appreciate Viet Nam vets. But that's ok. We know we served with Honor, Courage and Commitment. Always faithful to God, country and corps. If the corps puts God first that tells me something. To bad our country doesn't anymore.” Pops and all the rest of you that served and protected, THANK YOU.” Maybe my dad is why right now as I write this I do so with tears in my eyes, maybe he is why on Sunday when I take time to honor and thank God for all those who have served I will have to do my best to keep it together, because I realize but will never know what he did in serving this country and how it profoundly it impacted his life. Listen as you enjoy this weekend doing whatever you like to do on this weekend, remember it was because a military man or woman served in ways that unless you did, you can never begin to understand, to give and preserve the great freedom that we have. So if you see any of them follow Paul’s example with the Thessalonians thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it's a must.

Don't give Up! Psalm 17:15

Last weekend I learned a lesson on determination. Our middle daughter, Ariana, was bugging my wife and I all week about trying to learn to ride her bike without training wheels during the weekend. Finally Saturday rolled around and we ate our normal big family breakfast and I was trying to let the biscuits and gravy digest when it started. It went something like this. “Hey dad, I really want to learn to ride my bike without training wheels.” “Yes I know and we will, OK just give dad some time this morning to relax.” “OK daddy” About three minutes later she comes back in from outside. “Hey dad I really think I can learn to ride my bike without training wheels today.” “Yes I think you can also sweetie and we will try in a little. O.K” “OK” She was gone for about five minutes this time and she came back and then I knew if I was to keep my sanity I should just go teach her how to ride her bike with no training wheels. So that is what I did. My wife went before me with her to begin to practice while I was trying to take care of my son and we met her up at a parking lot near our house. When I got there my wife told me that she stinks at this job and that I was the man for the job. So off we went and our first attempt did not go very well. Lets just say that dad was not nearly as determined as daughter was and well I guess I could have just gave up then. I thought what is so hard, just balance and peddle and go. Thankfully I didn’t give up and became just as determined as Ariana was. So we practiced for about 45 minutes or so and we had some success, she had moments where she would be riding away with dad running at her side. I thought it was a great start but Ariana thought it was a complete failure and she left the parking lot crying and frustrated. How many times do we let a little opposition or frustration or failure stop us from being determined to do something? Ariana’s perceived failure did not stop her from becoming even more determined. She told Lesleigh very matter of factly on Sunday I am going outside and I am learning to ride my bike. Lesleigh just encouraged her and nothing came from it. Then on Monday night she comes in the house and told Lesleigh I can ride my bike come and see. Lesleigh goes out and she comes in and says to me you need to go outside and look at your daughter she is riding her bike. So out I went and sure enough she was determined to learn to ride her bike and sure enough there she was up and down the street riding her bike with no training wheels. I learned a great lesson from her, a simple lesson but still a great one: don’t give up. Determination in life is an important life skill that we need to learn, but not just any kind of determination we need to learn to be determined to do what is right, determined to do what God has called us to do as born again believers in Jesus Christ. We need to not give up when we sin and when we fail and when we do what we are not suppose to but we need to stay determined to finish our lives strong. The reality is it is a lot easier to give up than to stay determined. But if we are going to live and love and serve and do all the things that really matter in life than we must make this commitment to doing what God wants us to do and that takes a lot of determination. Giving up becomes habit forming just as much as being determined does. I am not sure what you are thinking about giving up on maybe it is a marriage, maybe a job, maybe a person, maybe on yourself, maybe on a hope, maybe on a purpose that God has called you to do whatever it is know that giving up is the easy choice but staying determined is the hard choice. Also remember when we live our lives determined to do what is right we have something far greater than this world and its fleeting pleasure to look forward to. Remember, “But because I have done what is right, I will see you. When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face.” Psalm 17:15. God promises us far great things waiting for us in Heaven than here on Earth, so don’t give up and keep on giving, serving, loving and worshiping our great God. One day it will all be worth it!