Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-11 (NIV)
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.
7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
I LIE NOT IN FLANDERS FIELDS
I lie not in Flanders Field,
Where the bright red poppies grow;
I lie in the fathomless deeps,
Where Davy Jones his locker keeps.
But those who lie in Flanders Field, and I,
Rest in peace, watched by His caring eyes.
I lie not in Flanders Field,
Where armies perished in churned -up earth;
I spun and tumbled from airless heights,
Oblivion ended my perilous flights.
But those who lie in Flanders Field, and I,
Rest in peace, watched by His loving eye.
I lie not in Flanders Field,
Under the ranks of pristine stones;
I lie entombed in the jungle mire,
Swept off the trail by deadly fire.
But those who lie in Flanders Field, and I,
Rest in peace, watched by His gracious eye.
I lie not in Flanders Field,
Where the dead lie row upon row;
I lie in a far, forgotten corner,
Ne’er remembered – ne’er a mourner.
But those who lie in Flanders Field, and I,
Rest in peace, watched by His kindly eye.
They lie not in Flanders Field,
Where the oh -so -young lay;
The old, the infirm, watching the coasts,
Guarding the home, they died at their posts.
But those who lie in Flanders Field, and they,
Abide in His care, we humbly pray.
~ Sydney Wilson Clay