Today is Veteran’s Day. As you may know, Veteran’s Day was first called Armistice Day a year after the end of World War I. The war was declared over on eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. That is why we celebrate it on Nov. 11. It become a national holiday in 1938.
I don’t remember Veteran’s Day being celebrated much as I was growing up in the 50’s or even during the first years of my ministry here. Not much was said in school, the church, the new, or community. Maybe I was not paying attention?
On the other hand Nancy and I have commented on how it seems to be well celebrated today. The news this morning was full of stories and celebrations about veterans. I’ve spoken at several Veteran’s Day events in the past few years, placed flowers on graves, been honored as a veteran at school functions yearly, and received many phone calls and emails from family and friends all wanting to say “Thanks.” Sunday we thanked our veterans in church and asked them to stand. About 18 stood. The church immediately gave them a healthy round of applause.
I have two sons, Ezra and Elijah, who are veterans, a son-in-law, Gabriel Dee Roo, who was killed in action in Iraq, and of course myself. Those things alone make me more aware of the significance of this event.
We should be very thankful for those who have taken up arms to defend our country and others. Because of them, in God’s grace, we have the freedom to attend what church or schools we choose. We have the freedom of speech and many other thing too numerous to mention. Thanks be to God for His grace at work in our country.
WWI caused about 40,000,000 deaths and was said to be the war to end all wars. However, there have been many wars since. Among them was WWII which is listed now as the largest war in history with around 85,000,000 million total casualties or roughly twice what WWI had. This staggers my mind and reminds me of what the Scriptures tell us about wars continuing until Christ returns. Pray for our world and those in authority so that we might have freedom to proclaim the Gospel around the world. Pray for our leaders and military people. We salute you.
Matthew 24:4-14 “And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
1 Timothy 2:1 -4 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Scripture NASB 1995
Pastor Mark
USCG Active duty 1969-75
