I know the content of my heart. I am a good soldier. I go where I am ordered. That kind of loyalty, at least, is noble and vital for the preservation of freedom.”
–MSgt. Roy P. Benavidez
———————————
Sorry, Miles Forrest is busy with marshaling and I need to get out my traditional Veterans Day poem.
In Flanders Fields
–John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
* * * * * * * * * *
For some reason we need to be constantly reminded of the sacrifice of those who served to keep this country free. There are those who bombast America for its faults, but there has never been a country that has done so much for the world in regard to freedom and sending out the gospel. Today, remember those who put on the uniform, took up the weapons to fight the foes that sought to destroy this country. Maybe also put it in a spiritual sense and see how much Satan has tried to destroy this country because of its dedication to missions work. Good thought to ponder.
Two thoughts for today, and I’ll be brief. First of all, those words in the last stanza hit home. We, all veterans, have done our time, did our duty, and passed the torch on to protect freedom. Is this generation prepared to handle the responsibility and the obligation of taking the torch and holding it high? Is it too much for them? I recall the words in Judges 3:1-2 where God said that the people of that generation needed to learn war as they had no experience in battle. But the question I have is, will they fight, take the torch, or just give in to the enemy? Woe to us if that happens. Woe to this country if faith is broken with the veterans of the past.
A second thought–those in the military used to be called “serviceman” or “servicewomen.” Get that–service! Veterans have provided an important and dire service to this country. Whether in combat or support roles there was a call, a need to be met. Time, effort, sweat, tears, and blood were needed to fulfill the need of the hour. Yes, it was truly service. Now ponder this: in the Bible service is the term that comes closest to the idea we have of worship. Service, not hip-hopping. Service, not prosperity. Service, not comfort. Service, not idleness. Service to the point of giving their lives.
I think it is appropriate that Veterans Day begins the holiday season. Take time to be thankful for their time, effort, and sacrifice. This is a time of the year that we are brought to the idea of Thanksgiving and giving itself; the veteran gave.
“…I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice–the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?”
–Romans 12:1 (NLT)———————————
Sorry, Miles Forrest is busy with marshaling and I need to get out my traditional Veterans Day poem.
In Flanders Fields
–John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
* * * * * * * * * *
For some reason we need to be constantly reminded of the sacrifice of those who served to keep this country free. There are those who bombast America for its faults, but there has never been a country that has done so much for the world in regard to freedom and sending out the gospel. Today, remember those who put on the uniform, took up the weapons to fight the foes that sought to destroy this country. Maybe also put it in a spiritual sense and see how much Satan has tried to destroy this country because of its dedication to missions work. Good thought to ponder.
Two thoughts for today, and I’ll be brief. First of all, those words in the last stanza hit home. We, all veterans, have done our time, did our duty, and passed the torch on to protect freedom. Is this generation prepared to handle the responsibility and the obligation of taking the torch and holding it high? Is it too much for them? I recall the words in Judges 3:1-2 where God said that the people of that generation needed to learn war as they had no experience in battle. But the question I have is, will they fight, take the torch, or just give in to the enemy? Woe to us if that happens. Woe to this country if faith is broken with the veterans of the past.
A second thought–those in the military used to be called “serviceman” or “servicewomen.” Get that–service! Veterans have provided an important and dire service to this country. Whether in combat or support roles there was a call, a need to be met. Time, effort, sweat, tears, and blood were needed to fulfill the need of the hour. Yes, it was truly service. Now ponder this: in the Bible service is the term that comes closest to the idea we have of worship. Service, not hip-hopping. Service, not prosperity. Service, not comfort. Service, not idleness. Service to the point of giving their lives.
I think it is appropriate that Veterans Day begins the holiday season. Take time to be thankful for their time, effort, and sacrifice. This is a time of the year that we are brought to the idea of Thanksgiving and giving itself; the veteran gave.