Memorial Day

Today is the day that we, in the United States of America, commemorate those who have died in our nation’s service.  Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, who was the commander of a fraternal group comprised of men who had served in the Union Army, called the Grand Army of the Republic.  The day was first observed on May 30^th of that same year, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.  By 1890 Memorial Day was recognized as a holiday by all the northern states.  The south refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I.  At this time the holiday was changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

Because it seemed that the original meaning and traditions of Memorial Day had diminished over the years, the “National Moment of Remembrance” was passed, as signed by then President Bill Clinton, in December of 2000.  This resolution asks that all Americans at 3:00 pm local time “Voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps." (for more information on Memorial Day go to: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html)

Today as you see American Flags flying proudly around your city, I encourage you to take that moment of silent or prayerful recognition of those who have given their lives so that we can continue to live in a free society that is like no other country in the world.  It is a country that was established on Godly principles for a Godly purpose… and I am proud to call her my home!

As Christians, I would also encourage you to take some time to praise and thank The ONE who gave of His life that we might gain eternal freedom.  Colossians 2:13-15 sums up all that He did for us.  “You were once dead because of your failures and your uncircumcised corrupt nature.  But God made you alive with Christ when he forgave all our failures.  He did this by erasing the charges that were brought against us by the written laws God had established.  He took the charges away by nailing them to the cross.  He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them as he celebrated his victory in Christ.”  (Gods Word ©)

This is a victory worth celebrating everyday!  So today, as you remember the hero’s of our land, also commemorate THE hero of our faith Who “has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and for godliness.”  (2 Peter 1:3 Gods Word ©)  Stay tuned and keep asking yourself… “What (good things) am I expecting today?”