One of the most emotionally moving experiences of my life was touring Omaha Beach and other locations related to the Normandy landing in World War II. Two particular moments left a life-changing impact on my understanding of the mentality and quality of American military leaders and soldiers.
‘Cause, not conquest’
The first was reading a plaque describing the Rangers who ascended and assaulted Pointe du Hoc, called by allied commanders one of the most dangerous missions of the war. They were led by Lt. Col. James E. Rudder, who later became the president of Texas A&M University.
The quality of leaders who set aside their careers to serve their country was astounding and humbling. It reminded me to challenge our best and brightest to serve in the military and other forms of public service.
The second was reading an inscription on the wall of the Normandy Visitor Center, a quote from an early speech by Gen. Mark Clark. He said, “If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for conquest, it could be found in these cemeteries. Here was our only conquest: All we asked … was enough … soil in which to bury our gallant dead.”
Our armed forces fought to liberate, not conquer. They fought to ensure freedom, not establish control.
Reading those words brought Jesus’ words to mind, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
In the case of our military heroes, they were willing to die for the freedom of strangers, not friends.
What a sacrifice!
These selfless acts — and countless others in wars fought over more than two centuries — are commemorated this week with Veterans Day.
Sadly, except in military communities, this day will pass with only token consideration by most of us. We can do better.
On a personal basis, reach out to veterans in your family and community and show your appreciation to them.
Use your influence to demand better service for veterans by our government. Many veterans are waiting too long for medical care, particularly mental health care, from a system ill equipped to meet their needs.
We have a moral obligation to care first for those who have guaranteed freedom for all of us and assured the strength of a nation that can offer such social programs.
Veterans, thank you for your service. Thank you for making our freedom possible. May God bless you with peace, satisfaction and a sense of pride in the work you have done for the greater good of us all.
By Jeff Iorg
President, Gateway Seminary
A Veterans Day prayer
Almighty God,
You are our Creator and Sustainer.
You are our Light and our Fortress.
You are our Wisdom and our Strength.
Today we seek to honor Your sons and daughters who have served or who are serving our country. We are reminded that because of their service, we can live in safety.
We ask that You abundantly bless those who have previously served. May their service time be rewarded. May they gain earthly and heavenly blessings from their unselfish love of country.
Lord, we stop now and remember those who are currently serving. We ask that You provide them with Your protection, Your strength and Your peace. We ask that You would abundantly provide for all their needs.
We ask that You would enable them to overcome every personal and professional obstacle. We ask that You would protect their families from hurt and harm.
May each of our veterans feel honored not just today, but every day.
Beth McLendon
inspirational-prayers.com/prayer-for-veterans-day.html
It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated as a treaty was signed ending what was to be “the war to end all wars” — World War I.
Cyndy Salzmann
crosswalk.com
What is a veteran? (The word) veteran is synonymous with sacrifice. … On Veterans Day, we honor those who have served … for their sacrifices.
Putting veteran into a Christian context, we are all veterans for Christ. We are all Christian warriors. …
(Someone once said,) “A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life.”
A Christian veteran is someone who has done the same — written the same blank check for an amount up to and including their life … knowing God is the underwriter.
Bob Wittenberg
deerflat.org
Church on the sidewalk
All along the street, heroin addicts were huddled in groups against the wall.
This particular community was new to me, and I was questioning how I could possibly reach the hurting people of the South Bronx.
I decided to try something simple to help meet their physical needs — hot coffee.
I drove to a local donut shop, bought their biggest box of coffee and carried my “box of Joe” toward the nearest group of weary people.
I recognized one man as the security guard for a small store on the block. “There’s my pastor!” he shouted as I walked down the block. This greeting was strange for two reasons: I never told him I was a pastor, and he had strongly confirmed that his entire family was proudly Muslim.
A woman, Rosa, walked up and soon became the host of the street. She gathered men and women who probably wouldn’t give me the time of day. Quickly, stragglers formed circles, laughing and introducing themselves. Then the topic turned to God.
Rosa began boldly proclaiming the goodness of God and her belief in Jesus Christ, declaring it right there on the streets. As others listened and sipped their coffee, Rosa said she knew she needed to find a church.
“Well,” I asked, “why can’t church be right here on the sidewalk?”
The group grinned, and some started nodding their heads. I wasn’t being flippant — at that moment, we had some very broken people proclaiming Christ’s forgiveness loudly on the street and other seekers listening.
Each person there found joy in the fact that we were all reaching out far beyond our own backgrounds. It felt like the kingdom of God.
By Taylor Field
Send Relief missionary, New York City
Pastors, a simple word of advice. Follow up on snail mail, email, texts and phone calls. You don’t want to be perceived as unreachable, uncaring or undependable. I know life happens, and most people will understand those times. But don’t let it be a habit. Your task revolves around people and communication. Be responsible with what God has given you to do.
Michael Smith
Harrisburg, North Carolina
“We believe all life is sacred and we are charged, as His children, to protect life,” Blake Kersey, pastor of FBC Decatur, on the church’s involvement in foster care ministry. “As a church, we are more than just anti-abortion — we are truly pro-life. This means caring for lives beyond the womb and supporting families in difficult situations.”
The whole framework of Scripture rests upon two realities: incarnation and resurrection.
Through incarnation, God brings Himself close to man. Through resurrection, man is brought close to God.
Pastor Timothy Andrew Brown
FBC Starkville, Mississippi
“My players got to walk where Jesus walked. … They got to see where He performed His miracles up near the sea of Galilee,” said Bruce Pearl, head coach of the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team, on the team’s trip to Israel this past summer. “They will never be able to open up their Bible again the same way because it just comes to life.”
The words we have chosen to use to describe God are both perfectly accurate and, at the same time, not enough to wholly depict who God is.
Hannah Muñoz
“Our God is an awesome God”
The-scroll.com
“In these crazy days pastors seem to need encouragement more than ever before,” said Robert Mullins, president of the 2022 Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference and pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Elmore.
“Preparation (for teaching) can be viewed as an act of love and a form of worship.”
Robert Pazmiño
Christian educator
From the Twitterverse
@jasonkeithallen
“Seek not to grow in knowledge chiefly for the sake of applause and to enable you to dispute with others; but seek it for the benefit of your souls.” —Jonathan Edwards
@DL_Staples
Is God’s word a joy to you? Is it a delight to your heart? “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).
@DanielDickard
Adherence to the Christian ethic of sexuality will be a defining mark of faithfulness over the next decade. Many in the early church wouldn’t bow a knee to Caesar & the Roman imperial cult. We may be 2000 years removed from Caesar, but the spirit of Rome with her demands is still alive.
@bellevuepastor
Wake up.
Read your Bible (out loud to stay focused).
Pray fervently.
Enter your day filled with the Holy Spirit.
Be ready to tell people about Jesus.
@PaulTripp
Don’t ever try to win a debate between you and God’s word.
@shane_pruitt78
The church isn’t a building to be maintained, it’s a people to be mobilized.
@mhenslee
Pastor … whether you have 10, 100, 1000, more, or less, we all have the same job description … Preach the Word.
No matter the crowd or context, give ’em Jesus. Preach, call for a response and know God is working, even if you can’t see it.
@FitHog
Had the joy the other day of helping a man in hospice care trust Jesus. Friends and family have prayed for him for decades. God answers prayer. And Jesus still saves sinners at the 11th hour and 59th minute. Amazing grace!!
@richardaross
Never give up on a teenager. Across 50 years of ministry, I’ve seen scores of troubled ones become solid Kingdom leaders. No matter their present circumstance, keep loving them and lifting their eyes to Jesus.
@bridgeswisdom
Has it yet gripped you that when God looks at you today, He sees you clothed in the perfect, sinless obedience of His Son?
Share with others: