Dear Friends,
For many, Memorial Day weekend signals the start of the summer season. Retailers advertise huge sales, back-yard cooks clean off their grills, and many of us pull out our bathing suit to make sure it still fits. But before we head off to the sales, throw hot dogs on the grill, or try to wiggle into that swim suit, we should first pause to consider the true meaning of this holiday.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for United States military of all generations who, as Abraham Lincoln intoned at Gettysburg, “gave the last full measure of devotion…” Formerly known as Decoration Day, the commemoration originated after the United States Civil War to honor soldiers from both sides who died in that war. In the 20th century, Memorial Day was extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military services.
As we reflect on the many who have died in defense of our freedoms, we are reminded of Jesus words: in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” |
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This weekend, we also celebrate Pentecost (the fiftieth day). Pentecost is the Greek name given for the Feast of Weeks, a major Jewish feast celebrating God’s giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. In the Christian calendar, Pentecost is a feast celebrating the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the twelve Apostles. |
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2: 2-4)
Wouldn’t it have been marvelous to be with the Apostles on that day? Jerusalem was filled with visitors from all over the Roman Empire. Jews and proselytes had come to the city in celebration of the Festival of Weeks. Imagine their astonishment when the Apostles came stumbling out of the upper room praising God with words that each listener heard in his native tongue. As the Apostles spoke their native Galilean, through the power of the Holy Spirit, their words were translated into twenty or thirty different languages or dialects.
Joy filled the air and the celebration became so exuberant that some in the crowd accused the Apostles of being drunk. Peter addressed the crowd, “…These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...” (Acts 2:15-16)
At Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Church and remember Jesus’s words to his Apostles, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).” Lord, give us power to be your witnesses. Amen.
Verse for the week: Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Blessings, Your friends in Christ
This website offers an excellent overview of United States military history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war
| Total American Deaths by War | ||||
| Conflict | Deaths | |||
| American Civil War | 750,000 | |||
| World War II | 405,399 | |||
| World War I | 116,516 | |||
| Vietnam | 58,151 | |||
| Korean War | 36,516 | |||
| American Revolutionary War | 25,000 | |||
| War of 1812 | 15,000 | |||
| Mexican American War | 13,283 | |||
| War on terror* present | 6,717 | |||
| Philippine–American War | 4,196 | |||
We thank them all for their sacrifice.
Because He Loves Us Press 