May 25, 2003
HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US
Memorial always Fresh
Proverbs 10: 7 “The memory of the righteous is blessed; But the name of the wicked will rot.”
“Memorial Day is an official holiday in most states of the United States.
It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when for federal employees,, the date was changed to the last Monday in May. With the exception of Louisiana, all states observing Memorial Day adopted the change. It is also known as Decoration Day.
The custom of placing flowers on the graves of the war began on May 5, 1866, in Waterloo, NY, and Waterloo has been recognized by Congress as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
In 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, then president of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that May 30 would be a day to decorate with “flowers the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”
After World War I the day was set aside to honor the heroes of all American wars, and the custom was extended to pay homage to deceased relatives and friends, both military and civilian. The most solemn ceremony conducted on Memorial Day is the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns located in Arlington national Cemetery.
Some Southern states observe Confederate Memorial Day—
April 26 in Georgia, the last Monday in April in Alabama and Mississippi, and May 10 in South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina do not observe the general holiday, and in Virginia the last Monday in May is called Confederate Memorial Day.”
(From the Encyclopedia Americana, 1991 edition)
We observe Memorial Day because there were so many soldiers who died in defense of this country during the war. Let’ try to refresh our busy minds and think of the following statistics (# of recorded deaths):
Revolutionary War (1775-1763) 4,435
War of 1812 (1812-1815) 2,260
Mexican War (1846-1848) 13,283
Civil War (1861-1865) 364,511 Union
164,821 Confederate
Spa-Am War (Apr 25-Aug 12, ‘98) 2,446
World War I (1914-1918) 116,316
World War 2 (1939-45) 405,399
Korean War (1950-53) 54,246
Vietnamese War (1955-75) 56,121
Persian Gulf War (Aug 2’90-Mar 3’91) 148 in action plus
121 non.combatant.
2003 War. U.S , Britain & Iraq 132
More than 1 million died because of Wars, and the living Veterans are 19, 421.261.
---- Sprague Project
Praise the Lord! Today, less and less people are being killed because of modern technology.
But, since we are talking about Memorial, I also want to remember those babies who were killed due to abortion,
“Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 35,000,000
(35 MILLION) deaths.”
Editor: On November 15, an estimated 300,000 churches in 130 countries participated in the international Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. There is a growing awareness of the fact that as many as 300 million Christians worldwide suffer for their faith in one way or another.
--Signs of the Times
Millions are also being killed (brutally) because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
The statistics we just heard about the number of deaths that occurred from the Revolutionary war to date, the brutal killing of Christians in the persecuted churches around the globe and the abortion which is just around the corner is really heartbreaking.
Let’s try to remember these victims on this Memorial Day.
Our life is sacred and it’s a gift and blessing from God. We can never tell how & when will it end. But one thing is sure, if we have the right relationship with Jesus Christ, we consider any moment as a door step towards eternal life with Jesus Christ.
Memorial day is a time for reflection and analysis. We can learn a lot from the past and straighten the future.
All of us have 24 hours/day and 365 days/ year equally given to every people. But the big difference is how each one handle and manage it. Some are good stewards of the time given to them and some are not. They just let go of the days of their life without meaning.
We should not blame God if we live in misery and poverty while others are enjoying the abundance (in God’s perspective) that God has promised to those who are obedient to His words. Remember, we are special in God’s sight but the people embrace the opposite.
Our God is the Rock of our salvation, our Refuge and Shelter,
Our Redeemer. Our Comforter, our Deliverer, the Forgiver of our sins and wrongdoings.
So whatever happened in the past, we can always come to Jesus and learn from the mistakes of the past and value the future.
Apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Colosse, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died (old nature) and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3: 3,4
Before we are the boss in our own lives but when we surrendered our life to Jesus Christ, then He is now in command and controls everything for us.
James 4: 14, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life?
It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
My friends, our life is just temporary here on earth. And one thing is certain, people are destined to die. Death will surely come – When???
we don’t know. Death is true because millions died due to war & related events.
Some have died also because people tried to make themselves little gods to end baby’s lives and non- Christians brutally killing and tormenting Christians.
What we can do for now, is to remember those who have died and try to treasure the life that we have. This life is for us to enjoy in the presence of God and the Holy Spirit working in us.
People have different views and understanding about enjoying life.
To some, making good money to be able to buy luxury homes is a happy life. To some, travelling around the world is a happy life.
To some, just eating at McDonalds and drinking during happy hours and going to the beach is a happy life.
These things are just temporal, there is more to life that we need to discover in order to find the true meaning of joy.
Along the way, you will find the only Way, the Truth and the Life- that is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the true meaning of life.
This Memorial Day reminds once again that there is death and life is short. Let us therefore enjoy every bit of this life that we have with Jesus Christ.
Dear brothers and sisters, make up your mind. Enjoy life or just live in misery and hopelessness? Make your choice!
Amen.
