MEMORIAL DAY |
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Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
May 27, 2011
In one sense this is one of the saddest days of the year. For those that have lost a son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister, neighbor or friend this day echoes the pain for one that has fallen to war. The sting is great and I do not diminish it one bit. On the other hand, we are so grateful that we live in a country of great freedom and prosperity.
Most Memorial days we think of those that have served in the armed forces and we do think of them and the families but, this year I would like to think of another group that has laid down their lives for a high cause. I am talking about missionaries. There are men and women and families that have lost their lives to share the Word of God (read the catastrophic numbers below). I would ask that you think of those, too, this weekend. We are allowed to have an open forum in this country but in some countries to speak the name of Jesus out loud would mean death. To do what I am allowed to, would put me in prison or worse.
Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Pray for the Persecuted church. Pray for the families of those who have lost loved ones that preach the good news. Be thankful that we live in freedom. Remember the soldiers that have died for this nation, for you and me and our families.
See you at a track soon and have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd
Foot notes:
One of the reasons that Armistice Day and then Veterans Day were originally recognized is because of the number of soldiers' lives that the first two World Wars claimed. Over 1 million Americans have died fighting in the following wars:
Revolutionary War - 25,324 dead.
Civil War - 498,332 dead.
World War I - 116,708 dead.
World War II - 407,316 dead.
Korean War - 54,246 dead.
Vietnam War - 58,655 dead
In those 218 years between the beginning of the Revolutionary War and the end of the Vietnam War, 1,160,581 Americans were killed in war. That number continues to climb on a daily basis.
In the past twelve months, 173,000 Christians were killed for being Christians. That number exceeds the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam and Korean Wars combined. In fact, it is almost triple the number of Americans killed in either of those wars individually. In the past year, more Christians were killed for their faith than Americans were killed than in the First World War. In the past two and a half years, more Christians were killed for their faith than Americans were killed in World War II.
In 218 years of United States history, 1,160,581 Americans were killed in war. In the past seven years, 1,165,500 Christians were killed for their faith. In the next seven years, another 1,340,500 Christians will be killed for their faith. During the course of this writing/reading, almost 20 Christians will be killed solely for their faith.