Tag: soldiers

“Son, Remember”

Neal Pollard

Communities began days of remembrance shortly after the Civil War to commemorate their fallen soldiers. Some of the first commemorations are said to have been held by former slaves in South Carolina. However, Waterloo, New York, was named the official birthplace of Memorial Day because it hosted an annual, community-wide event where businesses closed and the graves of the fallen were decorated with flowers and flags (more here). To me, it is one of the nobler holidays as it expresses appreciation for those who sacrificed so much for our freedom and continued existence in this nation. 

God knows humanity needs remembrance. The rainbow was His first memorial for man (Gen. 9:12-17). In Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly exhorts Israel to remember the covenant and commands of the Law. Later generations were in trouble when they forgot and blessed when they remembered.

In the New Testament, there are a couple of words for “remember.” One, mnēmoneuō, “Denotes the action of keeping in mind or thinking of something or someone; it can also mean to mention something in the past or future” (Jones, Lexham Theological Wdbk, np).  The other, mimnēskomai, means to recall information from memory, think of and call attention to something, and give careful consideration to (BDAG, 652).

Walk through the New Testament and see all the circumstances where God wants us to remember. This is far from exhaustive, but God urges us to:

  • Remember an offended brother (Matt. 5:23)
  • Remember the words of Jesus (John 15:20; Acts 20:35)
  • Remember important spiritual influences in your life (Acts 20:31)
  • Remember Christ in the Supper (1 Cor. 11:24-25)
  • Remember the poor (Gal. 2:10)
  • Remember past spiritual defeats as motivation to serve (Eph. 2:11-12)
  • Remember the hurting (2 Tim. 1:4)
  • Remember past spiritual victories as motivation to keep serving (Heb. 10:32)
  • Remember the ill-treated for the cause of Christ (Heb. 13:3)
  • Remember the faith of your spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:7)
  • Remember the words of the prophets and apostles (2 Pet. 3:2; Jude 17)
  • Remember from where you are fallen (Rev. 2:5)

There are literally dozens of uses of these Greek words calling for us to remember. Age and disuse may rob us of remembering all the details of everything, but some things must be retained and reviewed for our own spiritual good. Abraham once told a rich, negligent man in torment, “Son, remember…” (Luke 16:25). For him it was too late, but for us it is not.

There are some things worth remembering. In fact, some things are essential. It is admirable and healthy to remember those who died fighting for our nation. What a price! In our daily, spiritual battle, memory is key to our ultimate survival! May God sharpen our minds to remember the things He values as most important to Him (and us)! 

Surviving The Jungle!

Neal Pollard

A Cessna 206 was carrying seven people between district airports in Columbia, South America. It crashed in the early morning hours of May 1st. The pilot, co-pilot, and a mother with her four children crashed in a thick jungle in the southern part of this country. Tragically, the adults died after the impact. However, the four children survived this crash. Their next challenge, though, was surviving in the wilds of the jungle with only their skills. The siblings were 13, 9, 4, and an 11-months old! 

On June 10, these kids were found alive! How did they do it? Their grandmother, who raised them, taught them how to fish, hunt, and find safe food in the wild. They knew which fruits and seeds were safe to eat in the rainforests and which were poisonous. Thanks to two rescue dogs, Tellius and Wilson, leading 150 soldiers, the children were found, dehydrated and full of mosquito bites, but very much alive!

How often do we speak figurative, saying, “It’s a jungle out there!” The idea in that expression is that of a threatening environment that is difficult to survive. This is not just true of adults, but it is especially challenging for society’s youngest members. Think of the obstacles and challenges faced by our youth right now, the messages and indoctrination so contrary to Scripture, the diversions and distractions pulling them away from faith. How can they survive this metaphorical jungle?

It’s the same way as those fortunate little ones in Columbia. First, survival skills must be taught in the home. This implies much time, effort, patience, and hands-on training. Second, those skills must be practiced. Third, survival must continue until rescue and relief comes. 

Do we have homes that equip our children to make it through the difficult spiritual terrain? This equipping centers around filling their hearts with God’s thoughts (Deut. 6:4-6). It centers around practical outlets to put that information into motion (Phil. 4:9). By the time they are out on their own, they should have the training they need to make it on their own (Prov. 22:6). We should teach them to “hold on” until rescue and relief comes (2 Thess. 1:6-7).

It’s hard to imagine something worse than a plane crash befalling our children or grandchildren, but there is! There’s a shipwreck of faith (1 Tim. 1:19), upset of faith (2 Tim. 2:18), going astray of faith (1 Tim. 6:21). That’s all synonymous for failure to survive that spiritual jungle! 

Let’s put in the necessary time to train, equip, and prepare our family to make it through this world spiritually alive!