Memorial Day and the Fallen

     Memorial Day is a time for remembering the people who died while serving in our country's armed forces. 

     I do not know the validity of the following, but I found these interesting, historical statistics on the internet: 

Fatalities from U.S. Wars and Conflicts

American Revolution (1775-1783)	4,435
War of 1812 (1812-1815)	2,260
Mexican War (1846-1848)	13,283
Civil War (1861-1865)	620,000
Spanish-American War (1898-1902)	385
World War I (1917-1918)	116,516
World War II (1941-1945)	405,399
Korean War (1950-1953)	36,574
Vietnam War (1964-1975)	58,220
Gulf War (1990-1991)	383
Afghanistan War (2001-present)	2,381
Iraq War (2003-2012)	4,500



"Let Us Never Forget"
Freedom Reigns ....

      As we join together to remember the fallen war heroes and to pray for their families, let us not forget to remember another who offered His life up for everyone's salvation.   Jesus fought the battle of the Cross and won.  Let us also not forget those who have fallen for the sake of Christianity and those who continue to put their lives in danger by taking upon themselves His call for the Great Commission, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

12 Days On The Countdown to Thanksgiving

     With 12 days remaining until Thanksgiving, I have found yet another praise to give and in which to be thankful.   First of all, I am thankful for the disciples who traveled with Jesus.  They laid the path for the teaching of God's Word among the nations when Jesus gave what is called the Great Commission in Matthew 18:19-20,  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
     We have several church families who are taking up this call, at home and abroad.  We have pastors worldwide who are taking up the call of God to spread the Word.  I am so thankful to missionaries all over the world.
     I pray blessings upon a family who has led our church in song for many years.  They have just recently sold their new home and furnishings to "go and teach the nations."  During this call they have had  set-backs with two different health issues, but they have remained faithful to the call.  We have another young married couple, from our church, with two young children who are doing mission work out of the states.  There are others in our church who travel to foreign lands to witness.   I know God is blessing this work and for that I am grateful.  I give praise to God, and lift up prayers for protection, good health, and the success of their ministry as they win souls to Christ.