Vacation - Day 4

Today we started out early for a not the normal tourist event. We had the privilege of attending a full honors military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony was one of Honor and Respect all the way around. Air Force Lieutenant Coronel Carl Copemen died recently of from a heart attack after living a full life. He fought in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam as well as being one of the original members of the Test Pilot unit with Chuck Yeager. The Ceremony included a process ion through the cemetery by an Air Force Band, Brigade and a Caisson drawn by six white horses. It ended with a grave side service with taps and a 21 gun salute. This man chose to serve and did so with Honor and was remembered today with Honor. May we never forget.

We also visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and it was there that we witness the pride that one old man felt for his country. His finger out stretched as much as the arthritic knuckles would allow as he showed his companions the places and the battles he fought. The memories more vivid then his voice and yet the pride was there for all that he had done. May we never forget.

Our next stop was the Holocaust Museum. I have seen firsthand Auschwitz and Birkenau, but the images and impact of the slaughter of Jews during WWII are real and potent. May we never forget.

From there we rode the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument and looked out all four sides seeing the monuments and memorials that stand in remembrance and respect for the greatest democracy of the world. May we never forget.

New Anointing

21 Days of Focused Prayer – Day 10
Isaiah 10:27; 61:1-7; 1 John 2:20

Isaiah 61:1-7 (New Living Translation)
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.

5 Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.

6 You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches.
7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Jesus quoted part of this chapter when he announced himself as Messiah (Luke 4:16-20). The prophet promises that through him the oil of gladness will cleanse away the ashes of mourning when the devastated city of God is restored.

There are three kinds of anointing:
1. Ordinary anointing – after bathing; as a mark of respect [Luke 7:46], purification or burial.
2. Sacred anointing – both things and people such as kings, prophets and priest. To memorialize an event, to confirm a covenant, to set apart or to institute into office.
3. Medical anointing – for the sick and wounded [Is 1:6; Luke 10:34]

The words Messiah and Christ mean “the anointed one.” He came to set us free, cleanse and purify us of our sins, to set us apart, and to heal our wounds. It is time for us to step into a new anointing our Messiah.