The readings for Remembrance Sunday this year are 

Job 19:23-27a and Luke 20:27-38.  Both readings centre on the idea of resurrection.  For Job the idea that this is not the end is a pillar of strength - something that gets him through a period of tremendous suffering and pain.  In the context of Remembrance I cannot help but wonder what the ideas and hopes are that carried (and carry) members of the armed forces through hellish situations - Family?  Friends? Faith?  Duty? Honour? Country?

Which leads me to the question - what are the hopes and ideas that I use to direct my life?  If it's a question you've not asked yourself, it's one worth spending time other - what is the truth that underpins who you are, and how you live?  That motivates you and drives you?

And that is an everyday question - not just a foxhole question - in the Luke reading the story develops around a very everyday topic - marriage.  And in the life of Jesus we see that he sticks with his beliefs, and informs his actions by his beliefs, in all encounters - both the easy, and the hard, the joyful and the painful.  In him we see what it means to be a human being who has found his identity, his truth, who knows his roots, and his foundation, and surrenders his life to it - to be a human being fulfilled.

My core belief?  "God is love".  Or, possibly, to play with the punctuation:  "God is - love!", which then becomes a statement of faith, and an invitation to live it out.

Pause for prayer: Spare a thought and prayer this week for those serving - you may find this prayer useful:

"Almighty God, stretch forth your mighty arm to strengthen and protect the armed forces: grant that meeting danger with courage and all occasions with discipline and loyalty, they may truly serve the cause of justice and peace; to the honour of your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen."