Small Town Memorial Day - Sewickley, Pa.
We slept late this morning (finally!!), and heard the sounds
of the Memorial Day parade as we
were eating breakfast. One of the simple
pleasures of small town living is parades like this. Having been here for some 10 years, now, it
seems like we know every tenth person who walks by or stands watching.
There are friends with us on the corners,
friends in the vets who walk by, friends among the kids in the scout troops,
friends among the politicians riding in the cars. All of this hardly ever happens in the big
cities, where anonymity reigns. But in
the small towns, everyone still knows everyone else. In moments like Memorial Day, one family’s
sacrifice is carried by all. Another
family’s pride is shared by all. I have
come to love the parades and what they stand for.
Today, of course, we stand to honor and remember those who
served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy. We have new eyes for all this since 9/11, and
since our second son went into the Air Force two years ago. We have a fresh clarity about how deeply the roots of America tap into our Judeo-Christian heritage. God has raised this country up for his own soveriegn purposes, among them human dignity, religious liberty, equality of opportunity and responsibility before God. The legacy and destiny of America in the history of humankind will rise or fall upon our faithfullness to those purposes.
It was at President Reagan's funeral that I first heard
the words of "Mansions of the Lord". You can hear them as background to slides of his funeral here. It is worth listening to today; his funeral captured the dignity and thanks due all who have laid down their lives for our country. They have been on my iPod
ever since; they are words of tribute to those who served in generations past and to those who serve today, a salute from the
heart from those of us who live in the liberty they secure.
To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord
No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord
Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord
Geoff,
Great to hear about your class at Fuller. I have a
D. Min. from Fuller in church growth. Let me know what you learn in Willard's class. The spiritual disciplines are needed so much for us pastors. Hope to hear from you soon.
Cletus Hull
Posted by: Cletus Hull | June 08, 2005 at 04:54 PM
Great photo of Suzonne, Nancy and Jack! There's no place like home!
Posted by: Becca | May 31, 2005 at 07:01 PM
Memorial Day -- Thanks for your words to "The Mansions of the Lord" and your musings. Lynn S.
Posted by: Lynn Smith | May 30, 2005 at 02:36 PM
Memorial Day -- Thanks for your words to "The Mansions of the Lord" and your musings. Lynn S.
Sewickley Memorial Day Parade -- bands, fire trucks, bagpipes, kids, dogs, more dogs, veterans waving, ex-cop bikers, flags, red-white-blue clothes, umbrellas, Agh. County Mounted Police, soldiers in hummers, fire trucks, more bands, scouts, private school dancers & walkers & fire truck, politicians, antique cars, more bagpipes = everyone having a calm, nice day between the raindrops
Posted by: Lynn Smith | May 30, 2005 at 02:34 PM
Thanks for the note, Cletus. I am buried in reading right now, preparing for a two week course at Fuller starting next Monday on spiritual disciplines under Dallas Willard. I will be out of touch during that time, as they don't want us online every day (it is a working course in the disciplines - imagine that!), but will be available after that and glad for a conversation with you.
Blessings,
Geoff
Posted by: Geoff Chapman | May 30, 2005 at 01:46 PM
Geoff,
Hello! I am a graduate of Trinity (1989). I heard you speak at the celebration for Bishop Duncan a few months. I am a pastor in a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Lower Burrell PA. I recently talked with one of your staff members Laura Theis and she mentioned your sabbatical work. I have read and studied a lot of the books and interests you mention on your blog page. I would love to correspond with you about sermons, ideas, leadership, etc. If you would be interested please let me know. I have been to St. Stephen's onmany occasions. God bless you as you serve the Lord Jesus.
Cletus Hull
Posted by: Cletus Hull | May 30, 2005 at 01:14 PM