We recently celebrated Memorial Day, a time to remember all those who
paid the ultimate price. We recognize that freedom isn't free and with
grateful hearts we say thank you to those who gave their all.
My husband's brother whose name was Kenny died in Vietnam at age 18.
We look forward to that day when we can thank Kenny and many others in
person, but for now we remember you with sad and thankful hearts.
"Before the colonists imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos
and Vietnam had already reached an agreement about who was Laotian and
who was Vietnamese. Those who ate short grain rice, built their houses
on stilts, and decorated their homes with Indian style serpents were
considered Laotians. Those who ate long grain rice, built their houses
on the ground, and decorated their homes with Chinese style dragons
were Vietnamese.
The kings taxed the people accordingly and had little use for
"boundaries" apart from this designation. The kings knew it was not
the exact location of a persons home that determined their culture or
loyalty. Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose values they
shared."
This is true with us today, isn't it? Regardless of our nationality or
culture we belong to one kingdom or the other. There is no In between.
We belong to God's kingdom as we live according to the values,
standards and commandments He has established.
When we pray the Lord's prayer, which says, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will
be done," we are asking God for His heavenly law of love to be
established in our lives in the here and now.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture, regardless of our address.
John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if
you love one another."
"It's good to be a Christian and know it, but it's better to be a
Christian and show it!"
