The War of the Ages Still Rages

 Today we Honour the observance of Memorial Day. We remember our soldiers who have “given” their lives for our Freedom. We Pray for those who are valiantly serving today. For nearly 150 years, Americans have gathered in late spring to honor the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in service for our Freedom. What began with dozens of informal commemorations of those killed in the Civil War has grown to become one of the nation’s most solemn and hallowed holidays. While the first commemorative Memorial Day events weren’t held in the United States until the late 19th century, the practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans held annual days of remembrance for their soldiers who had fallen in battle. One of the first known public tributes to war dead was in 431 B.C. It wasn’t until America’s entry into World War I that the tradition was expanded to include those killed in all wars, and Memorial Day was not officially recognized nationwide until the 1970s, with America deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War. rituals still on the books: Standard Tradition: The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. The hot spots of conflict today continue… Middle East, North Korea, and let’s not forget our beloved Israel, the Yon Kippur war – 6 day war. At last count it is said: 1.17 million men and women have died to create and maintain the freedoms outlined in our Constitution.  Mankind has always searched for Peace! There is only One Peace that passes all understanding … “The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The war for Peace rages. It is not only a war of the world, it is a war of Spiritual depth. Wars raged throughout the Old Testament, God against evil; the works of satan the defector of Heaven. satan is rampant, but God is more powerful than the works of darkness. While humanity is unsettled, and the war rages within the breast of mankind, God stands with open arms to give His Peace, sending Jesus to eradicate sin and the evil works of demonic oppression. Embrace the Word of the Lord for it comforts and dispels our fears. Ps. 55:16 “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me:” 2 Pet.1:2 Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Peace and Love Always, Pastor