MEMORIAL DAY 2017

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

 For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are 

not a terror to good works, but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? 

Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise 

of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee

 for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: for his is

 the minister of God, a revenger to execute 

wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore 

ye must needs by subject, not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay 

ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, 

attending continually upon this very thing. 

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to

 whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom: 

fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.  

Romans 13:1-7 

MEMORIAL DAY 2017

     Authentic Christianity is such that those claiming Authentic Christian Faith do all that the Bible says to do, no matter if it is against the culture of this world. This day, Memorial Day, a memorial for the veterans of our Armed Forces, dead, maimed, and currently on active duty. Why should this day be so important? Why should we set aside time to remember  our veterans? How does the opening Scripture apply to Authentic Christians? Here is why!

     The United States, before it became a Uniting of States, before 1776 A.D. people came to this land to find a new start, to find a way to worship God without the interference by Government: but they are not anarchist, nor antinomian, against law, whether it be Christian moral law or law that would govern this new land. In fact: the Constitution was developed and this is the law of the United States, it is that which we are governed. The preamble to our Constitution September 17, 1787 states: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, unsure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Section 8: Powers Granted to Congress: 11-16: 11. " To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water; 12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term that two years; 13. to provide and maintain a navy; 14. to make rules for the government and regulations of the land and naval forces. 15. to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; 16. To provide for organizing, armin, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress."

     The Constitution and the forming of the United States consists of the greatest ever of a document that ruled a nation, and by this formed a nation whereby people would have freedom, and even if that meant, and it did, to defend this nation militarily. Men and women have joined in defense of this nation by becoming a person of the Navy, the Army, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the National Guard, the Coast Guard, all to defend this nation. Men and women from the Revolutionary War against England, to the Civil War, to the war of 1812, the First World War, and the Second World War, to the Korean War, and the Viet Nam war, and now war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and others have fought and are fighting to keep you and I safe from the harm others would bring to you and I if we do not defend ourselves from their invasion. 

    Men and women have died, have injuries that are life-long, disabilities, and have, and in some cases today suffer from their time in service to our nation. WE MUST NOT FORGET THEM AND WE MUST TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THEM AND THIS IS WHAT THIS DAY MEANS, THIS DAY OF MEMORIAL TO ALL THE VETERANS, PAST, PRESENT. This is not a day for special sales, time just to have fun, to have barbecues, to not take time to remember. Yes, we can have barbecues, we can go to the lake, to do things, but not at the expense of denigrating this day. BUT THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO A LARGE EXTENT! 

    How has this come about so that this day is just a time for parties, to do things that do not bring honor to our Veterans? First: Schools no longer say the pledge of allegiance. Is this not what we should be doing? Teaching our children what it means to be a citizen of the United States? Yes! We have universities, teachers, professors that teach against this government. Should not this be stopped? Yes! Our children have become indifferent to what it means to be a citizens of the United States. Yes, there are many good children who are taking the time, no matter if it be harmful to them for they do this because they have come to the place whereby this nation, our freedom must be protected and they are willing to protect. 

    Authentic Christians: Paul gives us under inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we are to give honor to those who are our leaders, both in the Church, and in our government. Cultural Christians do just the opposite, they follow this culture that disapproves of our government, who follow after this culture making this day to be a day off, a sort of vacation, but give little time to what this day means. Do not be like them, for they have God to answer for He ordained governments and as long as their governing is not against the law of God, we are to obey them, and if they are in need of change to change it so that they are following the laws of God. Authentic Christians have dual citizenship, one is the citizenship of heaven, the other as a citizen of this nation. We have a responsibility and today, this day of Memorial is a good time to begin to exercise this responsibility. 

Let the people praise thee, O God;

    let the people praise thee, O let

the nations be glad and sing for joy;

     for Thou shalt judge the people 

righteously, and govern the nations

     upon the earth.

                    Psalm 67:3-4

Set time aside and give thanks to our Veterans

Richard L. Crumb