Some Indeed Gave All

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13

Today we in the United States observe Memorial Day, a day set aside to pay respects and tribute to those brave men and women who paid the ultimate price on the battlefields worldwide in order that we can enjoy the freedoms we have here today. Never get to the point you take this freedom for granted or it could be lost. Some of it is trickling away today and we need to be alert and vigilant so the sacrifice these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines paid was not in vain. 

Our nation has been one blessed by God because we have followed His word. The blessings could easily be removed when we start snubbing God and His words and law. Modern man may think they are just fine without a hope of Heaven but in the end every person will give account to Jesus. 

On this Memorial Day while you are at the lake, cooking out, or whatever you are doing, stop for a moment and give thanks for those who serve today and ask God to watch over them and guide them. Pray for tyranny to be eradicated from this great land before freedom is unrecognizable. If you live near a National Cemetery why not go visit it and pay your respects. 

PRAYER: I am ever so grateful to have the freedom I enjoy in the USA. Lord help us not be lazy about protecting that freedom. Protect us oh Lord from terrorism within our own land and be with those who currently are on active duty and protect them. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

 Memorial Day is here! This is a day we observe here in the United States to remember those who died while serving their country.

This is just not a day for sales at the mall,cookouts, and a day at the beach but it has a solemn meaning we should never forget. Anyone who has had the honor and privilege of visiting the most well known military cemetery on American soil, Arlington National Cemetery, outside Washington, DC can attest to the solemn atmosphere of this day. As a child back in Ohio I remember a parade being held where it ended in the local cemetery. Today's non stop 24/7 world leaves little time to do anything much less take time to honor the war dead who fought and died so you could go to the local pool, the mall, or out for a hike. There seemingly appears to be no respect for a day normally set aside just to observe this day,not to have it ignored.

Many today think this day is for honoring all people who have died. While thy is noble, the true reason for this special day is to pay tribute to those in service to this country have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was first observed in 1868 and the actual day is May 30th but when our government went to three day holiday weekends back in 1971 they lumped this sacred holiday right in there with all others. I would like to see it return to the 30th and not be changed just for Americans to go out and shop or have the day off work or a long weekend to take a vacation. Then maybe it would have meaning again. If you are a parent or a grandparent who remembers what it used to be like try to instill this in your children or grandchildren.

Everyone reading this needs to stop for a moment, go see if you can locate your American flag or buy one if you do not own one, and go outside and put it on display. We enjoy the freedoms we have in The United States because of the brave me and women who gave their lives so we might live. I saw a bumper sticker recently that said "Marines Die So You Don't Have To". That is true. Army, Navy,Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard and National Guard are out there to serve and defend.

So today stop what you are doing and think about what we enjoy here in America because these brave heroes paid for it with their lives.

John 15:13(NIV) says 'Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.'

PRAYER: Forgive me Lord for not taking time to give this sacred holiday any thought. Today we remember those brave heroes who lie in graves across this land and overseas, often forgotten and we say thanks. We pray for the families left behind. We also pray for those currently serving in our Armed Forces that you will protect them. We pray for our government to show respect to them and not use them for political tools. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for a patriotic song.

http://youtu.be/U_5aoptI5j0

MEMORIAL DAY: A TIME FOR HONOR

 Do you know the saying '"If you love your freedom, thank a Vet?!"  Today in the United States we observe Memorial Day although the official date of Memorial Day is May 30 and modern calendars celebrate it on the final Monday of the month. This is an excellent time for parents with small children to teach them to respect and honor those service members who have paid the ultimate price. We do not enjoy the freedoms we have by accident. Wars were fought and lives were lost in order to keep this land secure. Each of us who enjoys these privileges needs to pause today to reflect on this holiday and it's true meaning.

 Honor seems to be disappearing from our society, which is sad. So we celebrate this day now as yet another 3 day weekend. Malls have sales and swimming pools open. When I was growing up this day was a day held in high regard.My high school band marched to the local cemetery and paid tribute to our fallen military heroes who died in combat. Many use it for honoring all deceased but the real purpose was for honoring those who gave their lives for this country in battle.
How do we celebrate today? Swimming, barbecues, a day at the beach, skiing at the lake, a baseball game, sales at the mall, buying a new car, or The Indy 500? Which of those activities has any thing to do with honoring those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who gave their lives?

If you get a chance go visit your local cemetery or a veterans memorial, if your town has one. Think about what this day means. So many of us in America seem to live in a complacent 'bubble' of sorts where we do not even realize our very freedoms are being threatened even by our own government. Our war dead did not give their lives so we could come under bondage and tyranny at the hands of our own elected leaders.  It says in God's word "It was for freedom that Christ set us free." (Galatians 5:1).

The Bible says "Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13). No one knows this better than a fighting man on the battlefields. So take today and give God thanks for this marvelous nation and for those brave men and women who paid for this freedom with their very lives.

PRAYER: Father this day I thank you for living in America the land of the free and home of the brave. I thank you that this nation was founded one nation under God. Father our freedoms are precious and they are God given. Help no mere man try to lord over us and trample on we citizens and try to put us in bondage and take away our liberty. We are truly blessed indeed. For this young free nation we give you the praise and the glory. In Jesus Name. Amen.