II Corinthians 1:8-11
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.


Psalms 90:1-6 & 12
Lord, you have been our dwelling place
          throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
           or you brought forth the whole world,
           from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn people back to dust,
           saying, "Return to dust, you mortals."
A thousand years in your sight
           are like a day that has just gone by,
           or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death-
           they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
           but by evening it is dry and withered.  


   Luke 12:16-21
And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
"This is how it will be with those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God."


REMEMBERING


Notes:


1. The patriotic side of Memorial Day.


What memories do you have of Memorial Day?




How have they spoken to you about your own mortality?




2. The faith side of Memorial Day.


When you remember your "Faith Story" what events or experiences stand out?

Consider: Your baptism, conversion, The Lord's Supper, times of repentance, near death experiences, places, etc.




Tell your Faith Story: To your children, or parents, or spouse, or best friend, etc.




Verbalizing what God has done (remembering) will help you confront your own mortality and may help the person who hears your story to confront their own mortality.

Note for parents: For your children to have spiritual roots they need to hear your Faith Story not once, but often.