The Red Poppy Is A Symbol Long Associated With Veteran's Day and Memorial Day

On Veteran’s Day, let us all pause to honor our service men and women, and to recall the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in defense of freedom and liberty.This year, our thoughts especially turn to those who were killed at Ft. Hood, and their families.

The following prayers are from the A Book of Offices (1914) of the PECUSA.Perhaps they can be useful in devotions on this day.

For the Armed Forces

O most powerful and glorious Lord God, the Lord of hosts, that rulest and commandest all things; Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to bless the officers and men of our armed forces. Grant that in the midst of the dangers and temptations which beset them, they may fight manfully against the world, the flesh, and the devil; and resisting all evil by the mighty power of Thy Spirit, may acquire true courage in the hour of danger and in the day of battle. Prosper them in the maintenance of our country’s honor; keep them safe from enemies spiritual and temporal; that they may glorify Thee upon the earth, until they are called to rest in the triumph of Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

During Times of War

Almighty, God, who art everywhere present, we commend to Thy fatherly care our soldiers and sailors absent from their homes on the service of their country. Protect them from all evil; give them courage and obedience in danger, and mercy in victory. Prosper their arms to the establishment of justice, peace, and truth among all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, we pray Thee to have mercy upon all who are this day wounded and suffering. Let Thy grace be their comfort, though kindred and friends be far away. Raise them to health again, if it be Thy good pleasure; but chiefly give them such patience and faith in Thee, that they, being delivered from the assaults of their spiritual enemies, may rest in peace and rise to partake of Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Book Fair Draws Authors, Readers

This is the story in our local town paper about the book fair at our Public Library Book Fair.

Trevin Wax, at Kingdom People has blogged some excerpts of Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck’s book Why We Love the Church–their observations of the “church is lame” crowd are interesting and worth noting:

The Ironies of the “Church is Lame” Crowd.

This internet radio station features several excellent programs and offers thoughtful sermons that exalt Christ. Most of the speakers are from outside my tradition, but I have always found it to be edifying and encouraging, even if I disagree with some of the points they make. Be that as it may, this is truly a Christian radio channel that knows the difference between Law and Gospel!

The Parson Raking Leaves (credit: Lovely Wife)

I have to say it–I don’t like Halloween. I have my reasons, and in my mind, they are good ones. Maybe part of the reason I’m grumpy about Halloween is that I cut my finger carving up a pumpkin this evening. No…that’s not my problem!

It is too gory, too dark, and has far too much emphasis on the seamy, squeamish, and seedy side of life for my tastes.

The aspects about it that make Halloween fun for kids is another matter–and I think good, clean, childlike enjoyment of a fall event where lots of sugar is involved is all fine and well. Our two little ones went “trick or treating” and had a very good time–one was dressed up as a train engineer and one was a ladybug. A few weeks back, we had our fall festival at church. What a fun time! But it has more of a harvest celebration character about it–there is no mention of Halloween and no hint of gory stuff.

I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade–I know lots of folks enjoy Halloween–Americans spend billions of dollars on it. Yes, “b”–as in buh-buh-BILLIONS. That’s not good, not in days and times like ours.

Our church uses our town’s trick or treat date as a major outreach, and we give out candy and treats, Bibles and flyers about our youth and children’s programs on the appointed day. We had 82 children come to our church–these days, getting 82 people to come to your church door on a weeknight is quite a thing to note, so I’m not going to say we need to pretend Halloween doesn’t exist. The church staff and volunteers gave out 82 Bibles to those who came, so I think that is a fantastic thing.

Our approach is to give out the Truth–the Word of God, and let the Holy Spirit do His work of convicting, convincing, and converting through that Holy Word. It is true, there’s a candy bar with it, but the Bible is still there, and the witness is still being made.

I just don’t like the darker parts of the day and wish it wasn’t so popular. I’m afraid its popularity says something about this culture that is just not good.

You know, Halloween is a linguistic alteration of All Hallow’s Eve, which is the night before the Christian day of All Saints, November 1.

For millions of us around the world, October 31  is REFORMATION DAY, the day Martin Luther nailed up the 95 theses, pointing out the medieval errors that had obscured the Gospel of Christ that the forthcoming Protestant Reformation would seek to address.

All Saints Day, November 1, according to most church historians, was an attempt on the behalf of earlier Christians to be “salt and light” in the midst of pagans who held their own fall events. At the appointed day, the pagans wore masks and carried on all sorts of mayhem thinking that evil spirits would leave them alone because they (the people wearing them) were just other evil spirits.These observances were tied to legends about evil spirits roaming the earth to do them harm at certain times in the year.

Instead of focusing on fear of death and its unpleasantness, Christians told the stories of believers who had lived faithful lives, and had finished their earthly course on November 1. November 1 became a time to remember that the Christian men and women who had passed away before those still living were not actually dead at all–but were with the Lord!

Christians are to look to the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, every day of the year, and especially these days when the world is turning its back to the Truth.

We are right to remember the saints (both ancient and more recently departed) who have gone on to be with the Lord. We should remember their faithfulness and charity–I don’t believe the Bible teaches that we should pray for them, or to them. What’s more, we ought to focus on the Lord they served, and keep our focus squarely on Christ on days that the world does its best (or worst) to ignore the light and truth that He has brought into the world.

Jesus died on the cross–and was raised the third day. Because of that, death no more has its sting. Death is a conquered foe.

A good article about Christian viewpoints on this day is found at Christianity Today. Another good resource providing evangelical perspectives on this day and worship ideas for the Sunday closest to All Saints is here, at CRI/Voice Institute.

So, have a good All Saints’ Day on November 1!

Collect for All Saints, Book of Common Prayer, 1662

ALMIGHTY God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord; Grant us grace so to follow thy blessed Saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeakable joys, which thou hast prepared for them that unfeignedly love thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading Appointed for All Saints Day, 1662 Book of Common Prayer, Matthew 5:1-12

JESUS, seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.