Milan Church of Christ
Find us on Facebook or email us today!
  • Home
    • The Church of Christ
  • Bible Class
  • Preacher Corner
    • Dennis' Articles
    • Sermons
  • Missions/Works
  • Photo Gallery
  • Events Calendar
  • Useful Links

Memorial Day - A Few Facts 5.24.10

5/24/2010

Comments

 
MEMORIAL DAY - A FEW FACTS

In 1865, Henry Welles, a druggist in Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.

In the spring of 1866, he brought the subject up to General John B. Murray, the County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea, and a committee was quickly assembled to plan a special day devoted to honoring the dead. The townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were specifically made for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half-mast and draped with evergreen boughs and black (mourning) streamers.

On May 5, 1866, several civic groups joined a solemn procession to the three existing cemeteries in Waterloo, led by veterans marching to military music. Impressive services were conducted at each cemetery, including speeches by General Murray and a local minister. The ceremonies were repeated the following year.

The first official recognition of Memorial Day was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. On 5 May 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance, General Order No. 11 officially established "Decoration Day" (as it was then known). That year Waterloo joined other communities by conducting their memorial ceremonies on May 30.

Since May of 1866, America has set aside a solemn day of remembrance for her war dead.

In the years following the Civil War, the U.S. has suffered the loss of 651,008 military personnel in all wars (excluding the current war in Iraq/Afghanistan).

A WWII veteran recently remarked, "It is not merely about the dead… but those who were left behind… wives who lost husbands… sons and daughters who lost parents… It is about remembering the tremendous sacrifices paid by all!"

Tom Brokaw aptly described those who served in WWII (along with the families that supported them at home) as The Greatest Generation. Ian Drake dubbed them: The Men Who Saved the Western World.

It is estimated that of the 16.4 million Americans that served in World War II, only about 3.5 million are still living, the youngest being about 80 years of age. We are losing our remaining WWII veterans at a rate of nearly 1,500 per day.

I want (and need) to say to our sons, brothers, husbands, uncles, fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers (not to mention the thousands of brave women that have served our country in wartime) - THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING TO KEEP US FREE! May God bless YOU... and AMERICA!

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis
Comments

What REALLY Gets Our Attention? 5.17.10

5/17/2010

Comments

 
What REALLY Gets Our Attention?

Most of us have witnessed dramatic rescue scenes (like those below) play out on the evening news countless times.

Four helpless workers hang precariously from the edge of a skyscraper. Their scaffolding has collapsed from beneath them. Police, fire and rescue personnel have been summoned. Thousands of anxious spectators watch nervously from below. News helicopters and ground crews record every second of the unfolding drama. Multitudes are involved in trying to save these four lives! Thousands pray for their safe rescue.

Immediately following an apartment fire, dozens of critical burn and/or smoke inhalation victims are transported to the Trauma Unit of a nearby hospital. Skilled teams of burn specialists are quickly assembled. Meanwhile, dozens of family members and supportive friends assemble in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting word concerning loved ones. A prayer vigil takes place outside the hospital.

A four-year-old child is missing in the dense woods near an isolated campground. Swamps, bears, coyotes, snakes and other dangers abound. Police, National Guard personnel and hundreds of volunteers spend the entire night fervently searching for the child. The family eagerly awaits news, and requests the prayers of local churches. No one rests until the child is found.

Another coalmine explodes far below ground. More than a dozen miners are dead, and at least as many are yet unaccounted for. Hundreds of emergency, fire and rescue personnel have been summoned, along with millions of dollars worth of rescue equipment. News crews from around the nation set up camp at the site. Weeping family members assemble at a local church to pray, along with tens-of-thousands nationwide.

Scenes such as the aforementioned have repeatedly touched our hearts, and many of us have prayed for the welfare and safety of such victims. This is as it should be. However, another tragic drama unfolds nearly every day, but rarely gets our attention, let alone our prayers. The irony is that the potential consequences are much worse.

A neighbor is lost in sin. He knows little about God's word and has never obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is on a collision course for the fiery lake that burns forever. One of his neighbors is a Christian, perhaps YOU or ME. A church building may even be located just a few blocks away. Despite the fact that HIS VERY SOUL is at stake, no crowds are anxiously watching. No one is praying. No spiritual rescue personnel are knocking on his door. No search party is organized.

I commend Christians that pray for the victims of the real-life dramas that repeatedly unfold on TV. But what about the lost souls next door, across the street or down the road? Do we notice? Do we pray for them? Meanwhile, Jesus is shouting the great commission from heaven. Are we listening?

Jesus, Always Jesus!

Dennis
Comments

Too Busy? 5.11.10

5/11/2010

Comments

 
TOO BUSY?

Through the years I have heard countless excuses as to why Christians (including yours truly) are not more involved in church activities OR do not spend more time in the Word OR fail to attend more church services. In nearly 80% of cases, the excuse is the same - "I'M TOO BUSY!" Although this excuse is likely correct, does that mean that it is acceptable to God?

It has been suggested that Satan once called a worldwide convention of his demons. In his main address he said, "We cannot always prevent Christians from attending church, reading their Bibles, praying, or doing good works. But we might be able to LIMIT their participation in such activities and thus hinder their walk with their Lord.”

“HOW?” asked the demons.

“SIMPLY STEAL THEIR TIME”, came the reply. “KEEP THEM BUSY, BUSY, BUSY in the non-essentials of life or invent schemes to occupy their hours. Tempt them to spend, spend, spend and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade husbands to work 6 - 7 days a week (10 - 12 hours a day), and their wives to work as well in order to finance their empty lifestyles.

"And when they are not working, entice them to keep their TVs, DVD players and PCs going continually. Pound their minds with soap operas, game shows, news, weather and filth 24 hours a day. Fill their kitchen or coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Flood their mailboxes with junk, catalogues, sweepstakes and false hopes. Invade their driving moments with obscene music and revealing billboards.

"Even in their recreation, steer them away from the spiritual. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, and wicked movies.

“And if they find a few hours to meet for spiritual edification or Christian fellowship, involve them in controversy, gossip and small talk so that they leave with ill feelings, troubled consciences… or nothing at all."

“Just keep them BUSY, BUSY, BUSY with the trivial and the material! It will work; just wait and see!"

It was quite a convention. Immediately afterwards the eager demons went to work, encouraging Christians everywhere to be BUSY, BUSY, BUSY with inconsequential matters. Subsequently, Satan has achieved countless victories through this simply but effective strategy!

Although the “convention” mentioned above is obviously fictional, it does represent one of Satan’s most deadly tactics in distracting us from spiritual matters. May we heed the message:

B - Being

U - Under

S - Satan's

Y - Yoke

Are you TOO BUSY?

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Jesus, always Jesus!

Dennis
Comments

"A Mother's Job..." 5.3.10

5/3/2010

Comments

 
"A MOTHERS JOB..."

One Sunday morning, as I extended the "invitation" following a forceful sermon on the importance of personal evangelism, a distraught young mother responded. Through her tears, she told me how guilty and unworthy she felt as a Christian. She explained that rearing her children at home required most of her energy and time, thus she was unable to be as involved in church activities as she wanted. Moreover, strong sermons on Christian duty (such as the one I had just preached) made her feel particularly guilty.

It was then that I realized that I was guilty of overlooking the crucial role that mothers have at home. Although Jesus made it clear that His followers have the responsibility of sharing the gospel with the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), it never occurred to me that Christian mothers actually comply with that command when they teach their children about Jesus Christ. I dare say that some of the most effective soul winning likely occurs in Christian homes during the daily interactions that occur between mothers and their children.

I then informed this mother that she had nothing to feel guilty or inadequate about. She was already doing one of the most important jobs on earth - teaching her children about God and His precious Son, Jesus Christ. If anything, it was I that was guilty of overlooking the tremendous work that dedicated Christian mothers do at home daily!

I once read a story in which another preacher related a similar experience. Following a strong sermon on Christian duty, he was invited to have lunch with a young Christian family. Although the husband had a job that routinely required working overtime, he managed to be active in a few church programs. His wife, however, spent the majority of her time caring for their three young children, including an infant.

During the meal the wife asked the preacher if he was familiar with the following scripture, "But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike." (1 Samuel 30:24). She explained that King David had insisted that the "home guard" be rewarded equally with those who were occupied with fighting in the front lines. She went on to say that, although she was not very active in church activities and programs, she felt that her priority was to take care of her children and teach them about God and His divine Son, Jesus. "Perhaps my work is not as glorious as others, but I feel that I'm serving the Lord in an important way."

The only reply the preacher could utter was, "AMEN!"

Mothers - do not allow me or anyone else make you feel guilty for not doing more "in the church" when you are busy rearing your children to know the Lord! In many ways, YOURS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT "JOB" IN THE WORLD!

Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Comments

    Preacher's Corner

    Articles & insight provided by Dennis Swindle

    Archives

    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    August 2014
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly