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Jots from Pastor Jon
A MEMORIAL THAT REALLY MATTERS
This weekend we will honor those who have given their lives in defense of the freedoms that we all enjoy. When we look upon their sacrifice and their willingness to give their all so that our nation, and the world, could experience the ability to be free, we are so very thankful for each one who served in any of our armed forces. We owe such a great debt to those who died so that you and I can be here and enjoy freedom. The sacrifices of these soldiers, and those who are still fighting today, should never be forgotten.
From the battlefields of Bunker Hill, Yorktown and many others of the American Revolution; from the battlefield down in Chalmette, LA, and the Battle of New Orleans from the War of 1812 with Britain; from the Halls of Montezuma representing the Mexican War: from the field of Gettysburg, Shiloh and countless others of the Civil War; from that little place down in Cuba, call San Juan Hill of the Spanish American War; from the trenches of Verdun and Belleau Wood of WWI; from the beaches of Normandy, the city of Bastogne, the field of Europe, and the jungles of the islands of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and so many more of WWII; from the battlefields at Inchon and the Frozen Chozen Reservoir of Korea; from the Base Camp of An Khe and Hamburger Hill, to the Mekong Delta of Vietnam; from the smaller battles of Granada, Panama, and numerous military insurgencies; from the sand dunes of Kuwait and Iraq of Desert Storm; from Kosovo, Somalia, Iran, Saudi Arabia; from the mountains of Afghanistan, American have paid, and will continue to pay, the price for your freedom and safety. It is only fitting that we should take time to remember the fallen heroes of our democracy. It is only fitting that we take time to bow our heads and thank God for those who loved America enough to give their lives and their fortunes in her defense. Fighting for our nation is a great and necessary thing but I want to draw your attention to an instance in the Word of God where there was another memorial.
This memorial wasn't for fighting in battle even though it was involving a soldier. Perhaps I should say that it wasn't for fighting in an earthly battle, but it was definitely for fighting Spiritual Warfare.
I want you to see what God honors most and what we can do that will rise as a memorial before God. It is great to be remembered of men and given a place of honor for the things we have done for humanity, but it is of even greater importance to be remembered by God for what we have done for Him! What are you doing for God, that when God considers it, brings a found memory to his heart, and a smile to His face?
Love
Pastor Jon
Words of Faith
Dear Church Family
How wonderful it is to be a part of the family of God. He has called us together to worship Him, to love one another, to share the "Good News" of His forgiveness, mercy, and love and to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our dear Lord invites each one of us to draw closer to Him through prayer. Our Heavenly Father's heart is open wide, and we are welcome to come in. The key to this heart of God is prayer. How blessed we are that God receives us just as we are and accepts our prayers just as they are.
Prayer is an ongoing and growing love relationship with God. Each one of us at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church has the privilege to have this intimate relationship with our Lord.
Don't you marvel at the wonder of being able to commune with the King of the universe, the King of kings, and Lord of lords? Yet, He is our Shepherd, tenderly leading us step by step through life. God knows and listens to our heart as well as our words.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
God Bless you and my Love
Faith
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