SELECTIVE REMEMBRANCES

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

There are historical, religious, educational and personal events that should be remembered. The saying that is somewhat hackneyed but demonstrably forgotten is: “They who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it.” Taking a liberty with that expression, it could be stated: “Those who forget (that which should be remembered) are doomed.” That seems to be the plight of too many people and political enterprises today. When we observe current events throughout the world, the older generation can remember the consequences of an appeasement approach in negotiation with despotic leaders and governments. However, those making decisions and treaties today are either ignorant of the past consequences or selective in what they are choosing to remember. 

A lasting impression from my boyhood are events on December 7, 1941. I had little understanding of what “a day that shall live in infamy” meant. I do remember military trucks parked in strategic places and men lined up to enlist in the military. I do remember the curfews that were imposed upon the citizenry and the sudden imposition of rationing. I do remember the mandatory blackouts and air raid preparations. I remember the patriotism as people were made conscious of the needs for the war effort and items that might have been discarded were now useful and were to be taken to designated places where they could be collected. As school children, we were encouraged to bring money to buy savings bond stamps that would soon become a US Savings bond. Ration Books - stamps and tokens - were allotted to each family member. Lines would be formed when word was spread that a store had sugar, coffee, lard, etc. 

Today, September 11th, is the fourteenth anniversary of the deliberate and merciless destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City as suicide Islamic Terrorists took control of passenger planes and flew them into the buildings. The remembrance of people leaping from the upper stories of the buildings are indelibly etched in one’s mind. It also led to two prolonged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars failed to gain democracy in those countries. The one sad remembrance are the numbers of wounded warriors who have been physically and psychologically impacted for the remainder of their natural lives. 

One of the profound mysteries within the culture and the once foundational Christian principles and moral values is the departure from them within the society and culture today. We have a leadership that fuels racial division and distrust. We have the growing disrespect of and outright assassination of police officers. There is the increase of crime, shooting and looting where the civil elected officials seemingly condone it. We are gradually departing from that which matters most - Biblical Christian faith and practice. A friend posted the following quote on Facebook: “It is grace at the beginning, and grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our death beds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

We are seeing more and more people absenting themselves from worship services. Some of them, as well as those who continue to attend are expressive of distrust, angst and anger. They need to remember Romans 14:14-17, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” A prayerful reading and implementation of Psalm 37:1-7 would also be beneficial as it is remembered and practiced. Consider these things with me.