Thursday, November 11, 2021

Today is November 11.  It is day 315 of 2021.  We have 50 days left in this year.  But, more importantly, today is Veterans Day.  It is an occasion where we can say thank you to the many Americans who have served our nation in heroic and courageous ways.  Like many other churches, we have a number of members who have worn our nation’s uniform to defend our freedom to worship, speak, read the Bible and follow Christ as we believe He is leading us.  The late Colin Powell once said to the Archbishop of Canterbury, “Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.”  Americans have valiantly and historically answered the call to serve and continued to remember that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. 
            Today’s word is a big thank you to our veterans at First Baptist.  Thank you for your service, sacrifices and devotion to ideals that are both sacred and true.  Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  While you may not have been among the many who died to defend our nation, you were willing to offer your life for values far greater than we can adequately put into words.  Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all American military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who have died while in military service to our nation.  So, with much humility and admiration we say thank you.  Thank you to those who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, Grenada, Panama and to those who served during times of national peace.  May God richly bless you and may God bless our nation!