Remembrance
In the society in which we live, there are few times when we pause - much less stop.
But we stop today.
No mail. No banks.
Federal employees and many others have the day off from work. Someone must think it's important we remember. It's Veterans day.
Originally, it was put into place to remember the day the guns fell silent in France in the year 1918. But years later that was amended to include veterans of all wars. The date's been changed a couple of times, but we've finally settled on the original date used. So we stop and remember all the brave young men and women that have served.
I suspect many of those who served never got the thank you they deserve. America can be fickle in our praise. We are apt to follow the sound of the guns, awarding heroes wreaths to those who met the enemy in combat, and much less to those who never had to go to battle. My friend who retired from the Air Force recently flew hundreds of hours in defense of our nation. But he never fired in war. He was ready. His life was on the line.
For that I say, "Thank you."
All of you who served.
All of you who pledged "to support and defend the constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic." Thank you.
All of you who left home and family to provide protection for my home and my family while we enjoyed the freedom and security your vigilance gave.
Thank you.
It is true that
"...the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." John 15:13
While thousands lost their lives in the service of our country, millions offered their lives, willing to do whatever it took to keep America safe. That willingness can't be bought. But it does have a price.
And today, a grateful America stops to remember.
Grace!
David
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Semper Fidelis
Today marks the 229th birthday of the Marine Corps. Even as I type this, "America's 911" is engaged in fierce fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. Millions of men and women have served their country as Marines in its history, with valor and with distinction. In many of the most famous battles the world associates with Marines though, they were outnumbered and outgunned - yet they triumphed.
How?
It begins with a simple Latin phrase that every Marine boot learns. "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful.
Everyone understands what "always" means, but the depths of "faithful" are less frequently explored. At it's root there are words associated like "steadfast", "fidelity", "loyal". But it can also mean "closeness to the original", or "a faithful translation of the original."
Think about it with me. For 229 years, men and women have pushed themselves through demanding training, forced themselves into harm's way, bled and died always seeking to remain faithful to the Corps - to the original vision of what being a Marine means. Their fidelity to that vision, and their dogged perseverance in teaching it to successive generations has given us a group of people whose faithfulness extends past their active service into their entire lives. "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
We can learn from that folks.
Our original was Jesus Christ. He patterned for us a way of life - of relating to God and to men and women so different and yet so right that people have been giving Him their lives for over 2000 years. His followers have faced matyrdom, mutilation, and every torture known.
From His death on a cross to now though, His disciples rise each morning with a renewed committment to make a difference that day for Him. Their goal - to be always faithful to the One who gave them new lives, and to pass His teachings to the next generations.
They sometimes fail. But He never does.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalms 136:1 (NLT)
God is always faithful.
He was faithful yesterday; He's faithful today. What He's promised, He will do. May His unfailing love find you today.
Semper Fidelis, and God bless the Marine Corps.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
Today marks the 229th birthday of the Marine Corps. Even as I type this, "America's 911" is engaged in fierce fighting in Fallujah, Iraq. Millions of men and women have served their country as Marines in its history, with valor and with distinction. In many of the most famous battles the world associates with Marines though, they were outnumbered and outgunned - yet they triumphed.
How?
It begins with a simple Latin phrase that every Marine boot learns. "Semper Fidelis" - always faithful.
Everyone understands what "always" means, but the depths of "faithful" are less frequently explored. At it's root there are words associated like "steadfast", "fidelity", "loyal". But it can also mean "closeness to the original", or "a faithful translation of the original."
Think about it with me. For 229 years, men and women have pushed themselves through demanding training, forced themselves into harm's way, bled and died always seeking to remain faithful to the Corps - to the original vision of what being a Marine means. Their fidelity to that vision, and their dogged perseverance in teaching it to successive generations has given us a group of people whose faithfulness extends past their active service into their entire lives. "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
We can learn from that folks.
Our original was Jesus Christ. He patterned for us a way of life - of relating to God and to men and women so different and yet so right that people have been giving Him their lives for over 2000 years. His followers have faced matyrdom, mutilation, and every torture known.
From His death on a cross to now though, His disciples rise each morning with a renewed committment to make a difference that day for Him. Their goal - to be always faithful to the One who gave them new lives, and to pass His teachings to the next generations.
They sometimes fail. But He never does.
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalms 136:1 (NLT)
God is always faithful.
He was faithful yesterday; He's faithful today. What He's promised, He will do. May His unfailing love find you today.
Semper Fidelis, and God bless the Marine Corps.
Grace!
David Wilson
This devotional is written by David Wilson, pastor of New Hope Baptist church in Valparaiso, FL. If you find you have received this via a forward and would like to receive it regularly, or find you no longer wish to receive it, drop me an email at dwilsonfl@earthlink.net and I'll make the change to the list. If you'd like to know more about New Hope, visit our website at www.newhopevalp.org . May God bless you.
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