The following is a manuscript from a sermon I preached on August 12th at the Nevada County Fair (Grass Valley, CA)

Love is a theme resonating with humans in all aspects of their lives. It’s an intrinsic need to be loved. Countless songs have, and continue to declare that, “love is the answer.” From the Beatles to Bob Marley to Justin Beiber, the consensus is love. It’s what we need, it’s what we want, it’s what will change this broken world. But if everyone has concluded that love is the answer, why is there is so much hate in the world? If the vast majority of the world that claims to be religious calls God (or their gods) love, why aren’t people loving? The answer is surprisingly simple: They don’t love—and they don’t really even know what love is. From the Bible we know that God is love (I John 4:8, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” We take great consolation in this. And we know the greatest act of love was God the Father sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for sinners like you and me. Everyone claims to know what love is, but qualifying precisely what defines it reveals the truth. Taking love as defined in Romans 12:9 and measuring it to what is seen in the world exposes truly loveless people. Love is the answer. But the ability to love in a groundbreaking, transformational, real way is only possible through the only true loving person who ever lived: Jesus Christ.

Prayer

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”—Rom 12:9 (ESV)

In Charles Dickens’ classic, A Tale of Two Cities, Sydney Carton is an accomplished but dissolute lawyer during the late 18th century. He is sloppy, coarse, and a drunkard. His physical appearance, however, resembles Charles Darnay, a cultured, noble French aristocrat whom he defends in court. Carton confesses his love to Lucie, acknowledging his own inadequacies and unworthiness. Lucie has affection and sympathy for Carton but she loves Darnay. As the story proceeds, Darnay returns to France while the reign of terror is in full-swing. He is apprehended by the French authorities after they discover his aristocratic identity. He is eventually condemned to die by the guillotine. Carton, in a courageous act of sacrificial love for Lucie, acts as a substitution—having Darnay drugged in his dungeon and smuggled to safety in England. Carton desired Lucie’s ultimate happiness and knew saving Charles Darnay—even at the cost of his own life–was the only possible way.

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Growing up in a Southern Baptist church, it was often noted that Baptists were known for their love of food. This curious observation was usually told by a man who clearly had little concern for calorie counting or monitoring trans-fat. The audience would then give a hearty laugh of approval and proceed to indulge in a variety of dishes whose primary ingredients were sugar, mayonnaise and saturated fat.

As a kid, I found it peculiar that Baptists were boasting of sumptuous feasts while I was being grilled in school on the importance of food groups and the evils of fried chicken. But these differing philosophies created no crisis of faith. It was obvious who was on the right side of the fence.

I saw church members with substantial health problems and ailments invariably linked to a poor diet. The issues ranged from hypertension to hyperactivity. Thankfully, I was spared by a mom who adhered to healthy eating and made sure the family practiced the same.

Among many Christians and particularly ministers, a healthy lifestyle is a low priority. The reasons for this are the same as most Americans: a busy schedule, traveling, inconvenience etc. But the reason anything in life gets neglected is simply because it isn’t a priority. And it isn’t a priority because it’s not considered important. The evidence shows that a healthy diet and exercise is hardly relevant.

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This manuscript is the commencement speech given by Sierra High School’s (Manteca, CA) 2005 Salutatorian….who also happens to be my amazing, talented sister, Michelle.  

If you’re sitting in these stands tonight, chances are you’ve received one of these lovely graduation announcements in the mail recently. About 8 months ago, when were given a chance to place orders for these beauties, Herff Jones & Company distributed a full-color catalogue to seniors. Inside were glamour shots of 100% Egyptian linen envelopes and embossed name cards with a classy touch of gold foil. There were even packs of translucent wax paper stuff that tucks inside the card to make those absolutely perfection invitations, the kind that, by the time you open the second envelope, you’re drooling. And to top it all off, the people of Herff Jones write, across the top of the catalogue, “Graduation: The Most Important Day of Your Life.”

Okay, maybe it was a marketing ploy. It obviously worked if I’m still quoting it. But it really got me thinking, is graduation the most important day of our lives? Sure, we’ve accomplished so much. To sit here tonight, to wear that mortarboard and that robe, means that you’ve had to accrue 275 credits. You had to pass algebra and dozens of other courses. You had to tangle with the monster known as the Senior Project, and then stand in front of four teachers to meet doomsday of Senior Boards with no defense but trembling hands and a shaking voice. Some didn’t win the battle. Some are numbered as casualties in the war against senioritis and uncleared Saturday school, and others were cut down in their prime by library fines or English term papers. But you’re here, a survivor, and I applaud you.

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A veteran, church member and friend shared his testimony this Sunday of how God saved him during battle in the Vietnam War. Now in his 70′s, he just recently revealed this story. Recalling the events is still difficult and emotionally draining. “Donald” was gracious enough to give me permission to post his story but asked me to omit his real name. 

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to remember the sacrifices service members have made in giving their lives for defense of our nation. It’s a time we love to hear inspiring accounts of bravery and self-sacrifice—the kind that increases our gratitude for what we have in America.

It’s also a time we see the mighty hand of God acting in battle to save men from death. In warfare, where destruction surrounds and survival is tenuous, a soldier knows there are times when the only explanation is simply that God saved them. God intervened and God sustained.

Donald was an army infantryman in Vietnam in 1965. From the beginning he was engaged in intense combat, a pattern that continued throughout his tour. Donald saw death daily. Many Vietcong were killed…..and so were his buddies. The intensity and violence of war prompted him to take a position as forward observer to do reconnaissance. Although still dangerous, Donald didn’t have to witness the same relentless killing. “I couldn’t take it anymore—seeing these young men killed every day,” he said.

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