HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day–a common misunder-standing, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

HISTORY OF THE 4TH OF JULY & FIVE FACTS WORTH NOTING

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 4TH OF JULY

Taxation without representation!"  That was the battle cry of the 13 colonies in America that were forced to pay taxes to England's King George III with no representation in Parliament.  As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell any signs of rebellion, and repeated attempts by the colonists to resolve the crisis without war proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain.  The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston.  The document was crafted by Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer.  (Nevertheless, a total of 86 changes were made to his draft.)  The final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.

The following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed and, on July 6, The Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document.  The Declaration of Independence has since become our nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

 

On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music.  One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks.

Congress established Independence Day as a holiday in 1870, and in 1938 Congress reaffirmed it as a holiday, but with full pay for federal employees.  Today, communities across the nation mark this major midsummer holiday with parades, fireworks, picnics and the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" and marches by John Philip Sousa.

FIVE FACTS WORTH NOTING

1. It is America’s biggest non-religious holiday.

2. America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was July 4, 1776 that the members of the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.

3. In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4^th of July by ringing bells, firing guns, lighting candles and setting off firecrackers.

4. When the War of Independence ended in 1783, July 4^th became a holiday in some places – Boston being one of them.  Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day.

5. In 1941 Congress declared July 4^th a Federal Holiday.  Today it is celebrated throughout America in every State. 

Things God Doesn't Know

June 13, 2017

Greetings from the Adirondack Mountains in Lake George, NY!

I wasn’t sure which subject line to use.  How do you word, contrary to traditional thought, "God doesn’t know everything?”  I think the gentlest approach to this subject could be worded, “Things God Doesn’t Know.”  You ask, “What are they?”

The subject was provoked by a discussion at the ROTL Cabin in Cleverdale, NY, eight miles north of Lake George.  It started out as a discussion about the heart and God saying, “The heart is deceitful above all else, who can know it” (Jer17:9).  That led to the times in the Bible when God tested a man’s heart to see what was inside of it. 

It was my Bible reading just before traveling 306 miles to upstate NY.  I read where God left Hezekiah to find out what was in his heart (1Chron32:33).  Then I thought of when God said to Abraham, after He had asked him to sacrifice Isaac, “Now I know that you fear God … .”  Here is yet another example involving Abraham.  Just before God sends the angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He says to Abraham, “I will go down and see if what I have heard is as bad as I am told.”  Yes, you heard correctly.

So, this is how I imagine this.  Let’s say God sees everything that happens by watching 37 trillion channels.  One of them is Sodom and Gomorrah.  He chooses not to watch the S & G Channel because it is filth.  But his journalists (angels) keep reporting to Him that it’s debauchery.  God then decided to check it out.  The aftermath—He wipes it out, including all of the people with the exception of Lot and his two daughters.  Are you following my thinking?

Back to God knowing the heart.  After I read how God left Hezekiah exposing his pride, I cried out, “LORD, don’t leave me to myself.  I don’t trust my heart.  If you leave me I would come to ruin.  LORD, stay by my side.  Lead me not into temptation; deliver me from evil.  Fence in my heart.  You are all I have.”  (Now, I have been given much, but when it’s all said and done, He is my all and all.)

There's one more thing God doesn’t know—our sins.  When we receive Christ and embrace Him, His righteousness covers ALL of our sins—past, present and future (Col3:22).  Yes, He who knew no sin became sin in our behalf (2Cor5:21).  Scripture is clear God does not remember our sins (Heb8:12) for “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  Got it!  He doesn’t know our sins—they don’t exist. 

Okay, long enough!  Right? 

As for this past weekend, Word On The Street, our Thursday Youth group presented Angels and Demons Continues.  Powerful!  Our oldest grandson, AJ (age 11), entered the world of theater and drama for the first time. 

In Jesus,

PB

Loyalty is a man’s best friend. Josh 1:9 & Heb 13:5/JBS

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THE HISTORY OF VALENTINES DAY

Tuesday, February 14^th, is Valentines Day.  However, it is not always celebrated on February 14^th in other parts of the world and cultures.  In the Eastern Orthodox Church, St. Valentine is recognized on July 6.  In addition, the Eastern Orthodox Church observes the feast of Hieromartyr Valentine on July 30 (it has more than one Valentine).  For our purposes today we’ll stay with February 14^th.  

Have you ever wondered, or asked yourself, “How did we get this holiday?  What is the history of Valentine’s Day, and why do we celebrate it in America? 

Here is a brief history of Valentines Day and the man Valentine.  Why is Valentines Day expressed in the current celebration of yummy chocolates, lovely cards, and sparkling engagement rings?  What is the real story behind such a highly-retailed celebration?

Some say the day is named after a bishop named Valentine, who was stationed in the Roman Empire when Claudius II was the Emperor.

Claudius thought that unmarried men made better soldiers, so he decided to make it a law that young men could not marry.  Around 270 A.D., Valentine took pity on the ostracized soldiers who were not permitted to marry or see their sweethearts.

He became an advocate of these young lovers and began to perform secret marriages.  He was soon found out and jailed.  Emperor Claudius II attempted to convert Valentine to worship the Roman gods, but Valentine refused.  Instead, he tried to convert Claudius to Christianity. Unsuccessful, Valentine was sentenced to be executed on February 24, 270.

Another version of the history of Valentines Day tells that Valentine fell in love with his jailer’s daughter.  Just before his death, he sent her a note and signed it “from your Valentine.”

An aura of romance surrounded his demise and those who knew about it spread the tale.  Bishop Valentine became Saint Valentine with his fame extending to England and France.

After his death, Valentine became known a “Patron Saint” (special guardian or ‘sponsor’).  Some considered him the spiritual overseer of an annual festival in which young Romans would distribute cards of affection to those they wished to formally see.  This festival was held each February 14.  There are Valentine cards in museums worldwide that date back to 1415.

February has been the month to celebrate love ever since the Middle Ages.

POLITICAL CHILD'S PLAY

Whoever dreamed God would use Donald J. Trump to reveal the hearts of men. Truly "God's ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts—they are far above ours." Isaiah 55:8

The hatred is indescribable. What the media wants us to believe it is that the majority of America is protesting, revolting, and disagreeing with his executive orders.  This is not true!  In actuality it is less than a third of America who disagrees. All legitimate polls show that 66 percent, or more, agree with the President's executive orders (all within 10 days of being elected). 

Here's my take: I think it's because the media, newspapers, much of Hollywood, Democrats, and whoever else opposes President Trump cannot believe they lost.  It is so hypocritical!  The so-called 'tolerant' have revealed themselves as intolerant. Those who tell us we're to 'love' have revealed themselves as the haters. Those who call "the right" bigots have revealed themselves as 'bigots'.  The reason why it is just now being revealed is because they have gotten their way for decades, now they are not.  In my opinion and that of 90% of American's polled, they have revealed themselves as spoiled elitists who didn't get their way and now they are throwing a temper tantrum.

I heard a “democrat strategist” on NPR the other day say it will take "the left" 15 years to recuperate; the American people now believe that the Democratic party is the party of the elite and not that of the "common working man." 
Recall what God told Israel when they went into captivity: "Seek the peace and prosperity of this city ... for if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7  

By the way, I did not vote for Donald Trump nor did I cast my ballot for Hillary Clinton.  However, God establishes kings, thrones and kingdoms (Daniel 2:21 & 4:17).  Seriously, whoever dreamed Donald Trump would be God's choice? Pretty amazing isn't it?  Now, let's pray that God uses the next four years, or more, to put the God of the Bible and Christianity where it belongs in our culture.  

Pray for our President, his cabinet and our leaders—national, state and local, that they would govern in righteousness and walk in the fear of the LORD, and we would be ONE NATION UNDER GOD.