Someone loves the snow during our Oklahoma winters!

Monday, May 26, 2025

Memorial Day... EVERYDAY of the year!

I have found myself watching a lot of the local news this weekend due to the seemingly never-ending line of severe weather that, like clockwork, appear in the late evening and continue through the early morning hours every day... including today... and continuing on into tomorrow! 

So, while I have kept up with the excellent weather coverage, I have also learned about all the special events that have been happening around the area as Oklahoman’s go all out in their honorable celebration of Memorial Day and in particular, of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

As I was out walking the dog this morning under the gray skies that seemed to have finally drained their reserves of water after raining steadily all night (Tulsa broke their all-time record yesterday with the most rain in a single day, measuring out at almost 5 inches... the former record was under 2 inches!), I got to thinking about all the ceremonies that were being held in cemeteries around the state. 

Volunteers had put out hundreds of flags to mark the graves of fallen soldiers and one military cemetery had also put out an interesting display of army boots and flowers along with the flags.  Oklahoma really knows how to honor the military!

As I discussed this with the dog... he can be very intuitive, you know... I suddenly saw a parallel to a scripture that I was sleepily (not having slept much this weekend with all the storms) studying earlier this morning from Hebrews 4:15-16.  Where, after talking about how Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but didn’t sin,” (God’s Word ©) the author of the book of Hebrews continued teaching saying,

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need.” (KJV) 

Well, the revelation that seemingly hit me with the same force of the 60 mph winds that knocked down numerous big trees along the golf course during Saturday morning’s storm was that, as Christians, we honor and celebrate the life of the Eternal One who gave up His life for the freedom of mankind in every nation across the globe.

But... the difference being... Jesus, the living Son of God, conquered death and then walked out of the tomb where His body was placed... and now... we don’t go to a cemetery to place wreaths or flags at His empty grave... but can go “boldly unto the throne of GRACE” to receive, as the Remedy Translation says,

“God’s GRACE without fear, but confidently, realizing that He longs to dispense all the resources of heaven to heal us so that we may receive mercy, GRACE, and every benefit to give us victory in our time of need.” 

So yes... It is very important for us to set apart a special day each year when we can remember and honor those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the wonderful country we live in, but as Christians, it is also very important that we walk on a daily basis in the freedoms that Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the throne of God provided for us... and go boldly to His throne... which is the very seat of the power and authority of God’s GRACE, as well as the place where He longs to fellowship with us and in doing so, allow us to receive His mercy, His GRACE and every benefit to enable our victory in our times of need.

So instead of just going to a cemetery to remember important people in our past, we can also go... on a daily basis... to fellowship with the living Son of God, to bring fresh joy, peace, wisdom and strength to our lives... and be empowered to live the life that Jesus has provided for us!  WOW!  Isn’t God Good!

Enjoy the rest of your special 3-day weekend, honor the heroes of our country and go with a bold assurance to the throne of God’s GRACE where He is waiting to spend special times with you... each and every day!

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