Another Blessing of Memorial Day

We think of Memorial Day and thank God for the men and women who gave their lives for freedom.  So often we think of our own freedom, and give thanks that we can worship God freely, pray how we want, read what we want, speak our minds, write what we believe, and play with our families in peace.  And, of course, these are all things the fallen soldiers of our armed services have died for over the last 200-plus years.

Yet, I believe that the fallen soldiers of our country's history have paid the ultimate sacrifice for more than just those things, for more than just temporal enjoyment or earthly freedom.  I firmly believe their complete and irrevocable sacrifice has an eternal impact.  More than granting our own citizens freedom, their sacrifice has made it possible for millions upon millions of people to yearn for life in America and then come to America. And with their coming, those people, who may never have heard the good news otherwise, have learned the good news:  Eternal life with Christ Jesus.  All of this has been made possible because of the great price paid by our fallen men and women of the armed services.

All the wars, all the men and women lost...

The Revolutionary War

The War of 1812

The Mexican-American War

The Civil War

The Spanish-American War

World War I

World War II

The Korean War

The Vietnam War

The Gulf War

The War on Terror... 

and many other wars and conflicts

By God's grace, the sacrificed lives of those men and women have, if nothing else, made a way to bring lost souls to the hope, power, truth, love, and peace of Jesus Christ.  Their sacrifice has not been in vain.  May we continue to make their sacrifice count.  

George W. Rembrandt

The big news in the always busy political art arena is that George W. Bush's sister recently had her e-mail account hacked.  Okay, that wasn't news.  But in her account were e-mails from George, which happened to include images of paintings he created.

The New York Times had an interesting little piece on the First Painter.  I found it to be a somewhat honest and fair critique of his art (not his politics) -- as fair as can be expected from the Grey Lady when discussing the former president.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

"The two paintings could be said to depict the introverted self-absorption for which Mr. Bush is known. Perhaps, he is trying to cleanse himself in a more metaphorical way, seeking a kind of redemption from his less fortuitous decisions as president.

 At the same time, whatever is going on psychologically, the paintings suggest a man, a painter at ease with his body. He gets some credit for directing his gaze at himself, rather than at the more conventional female nude that is many amateur painters’ first choice."

Self-absorption?  Cleanse himself?  Or perhaps he was trying to show that he has nothing to hide.  At any rate, I wouldn't be surprised if many on the other side of the former president politically, now find him a whole lot more intriguing and -- dare I say? -- likable.

Roe v. Wade: 40th Anniversary

In light of Sanctity of Life Sunday coming up this January 20 and then the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade  on January 22, here is a good, short video with words from our President.



We must do something for those of us who are weak and defenseless.  A life is a life.  Be it 24 weeks old or 1 year old or 2 days old.  The same life is in all three stages.  Pray for our President and Congress.  Pray for the unborn.  I am confident, and prayerful, that we will see the end of legalized abortion in America in our lifetime.