“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me…With God as our father…”Vince Gill singing away…
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” I Corinthians 13:4-7
During the midst of much conflict and sorrow throughout God’s world our hearts and minds remain hopeful when we know where to place our thinking and doing. As we approach the wedding season and this scripture is read, sung, printed and quoted, how do we live it among our fellowmen?
“Memorial Day is a national holiday where Americans pause to honor those who sacrificed life and limb to ensure our nation’s security and freedom. It is a day that commemorates the sobering truth that liberty and security is won with blood and treasure. This Memorial Day America’s air will be thick with patriotic knowledge that beneath the earth rest the bones and ashes of many a mother’s child whose sacrifices bear testimony to valiant soldiers lost too young to a cause far greater than life.” Jeannie DeAngelis
Vice President and Dr. Biden will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May, 31. This we call, Memorial Day. Where will you be?
May we pause and remember that since the beginning of 2009 three hundred American soldiers have died for our nation and more than a dozen were murdered by terrorists on American soil. This only speaks of the most recent sons and daughters, husbands and wives, as well as mothers and fathers. And, with the warnings yet ahead of us in Afghanistan, Operation Hamkari Baraye Kandahar, we know not the numbers to be added.
Where and how will we lay a wreath of faith, hope and love as Vice-President Biden walks slowly toward a tomb and lays a wreath upon these words…. “Beneath this stone rests a soldier of Washington’s army who died to give you liberty.”
And, the greatest of these is love! “Let this be the moment now…with every step we take…to take each moment… with peace eternally… let their be peace on earth…and let it begin with us.”
thedailylily.com 
“and let it begin with us” Sara, what a profound statement! I can’t say that I have let it begin with me. Father, forgive me for not loving like You have taught us to.
‘Where will you be’ is a penetrating question in light of the military sacrifices we read above. Where will I be when thousands of our troops and other support personnel will be thousands of miles away facing this dangerous operation in Afghanistan and in need of our earnest prayers? This is one place where faith, hope and love can form a circle or wreath of prayer.
Debi, how does faith, hope and love form a circle or wreath of prayer? Sounds good but how does it work?
As I read the comments on this blog the song from the Lion King came to mind…an although it is titled THE CIRCLE OF LIFE it seems appropos to the conversation above.
(chorus) to CIRCLE OF LIFE
It’s the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
[FS:] It’s The Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
The lyrics have a familiar ring, a Biblical sentiment. The circle of LIFE is originally, “dust thou art and to dust thou shall return.” BUT JESUS has come and through His sacrificial love has given us an opportunity to enter into HIS CIRCLE of LIFE thru HIS CIRCLE OF LOVE.
Jesus said that no greater love has any man than that he lay down his life for a friend. That’s what our brave service men and women have done. “All gave some, some gave all” (Purple Heart) Some have returned limbless, broken, blind, mangled, dejected, depressed for they put their lives on the line for the American people.
Where will I be on Memorial Day? In an attitude of practical gratitude, thanking GOD for America and thanking God for our service people .
‘how does faith, hope and love form a circle or wreath of prayer? ‘
I was thinking that we may not lay a physical wreath on a soldiers grave but we can form one through prayer. We can show love by making time and putting forth effort to pray for the families of those that have suffered loss and for those soldiers (and families of) that are facing current danger and battles. We have to add faith and pray in hope that the Lord extends His protection and help.
Thank you to all that serve our Nation in The United States armed forces We are a nation, community and family and we stand and applaud all of you for your services. May God Bless America.
On April 29th under Tag THANK YOU, you will find a link to YOUTUBE that gives the heartfelt sentiment of little children thanking our brave men & women of the armed forces and their civilian affiliates for their sacrifice to keep us safe here in America. Please listen if you haven’t heard them;
May there be hope and honor among the troops wherever they may be. May our veteran’s hearts overflow with joy from the praise and honor given to them in honor and respect for service to our nation.
Many thanks and much appreciation to all of our military and their families this Memorial Day. May God bless you and keep you in His care.
I pray for the families of all Veterans and the Veterans that have served our nation that honor with toppings of love, faith, hope, mercy and grace will ring as the freedom bell in ears and hearts across this great land of America. May your hearts be warmed by the love poured out today and each day as we stand and honor you with service to our nation in whatever capacity we serve.
May God be praised in all we do and say as we each go our way today.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/29/real-team-harms-way/
If you need an incentive to pray and stay focused maybe you would like to share in this video and article.
Thank you for sharing the video and article of those who are truly focused and committed.