When my brothers and I are together we laugh a lot.  Stories of our happy childhood are told, revised, clarified and rehearsed.  Somebody will say, “Do you guys remember the time…?”  There are stories about frogs, bleeding, fishing, hunting, Itza Ball, girls, farming, tree fort building, cigars etc.  While I have many happy memories, I also have a few memories of some things I did that I wish I hadn’t done.  I know the Lord doesn’t remind me because He has forgotten them but I remember them and I think the enemy helps me!  Thankfully the Lord has something He does want me to remember—that He loved me before the foundation of the world.  That Jesus Christ volunteered to take the penalty for my sin.  That faith in His finished work results in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  That I have the “smile of God in Christ.”  Knowing how well our memory works on bad things and how easy it is for us to forget the good things, Jesus gave us a Memorial “in remembrance of Him.”  We’ll be having Communion this coming Sunday and our theme will be “Remember This!”  I’m sure some of you will be away remembering and celebrating our nation’s independence.  Enjoy!  While you are remembering our great freedoms as a nation, remember the greater freedom that is ours in Christ, our Redeemer and King!