Memorial Day

John 3: 16 & 17 (NLT)"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it."

Memorial Day has traditionally been a day of remembering the many heroes who lost their lives during wars in which the United States has been involved. This year, we remember the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, and we pause to pray for those currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other posts worldwide.

Here's a comprehensive collection of articles from Christianity Today International's magazines.

Origin of Memorial Day

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.Pray for Our Troops

• 6 Ways to Encourage Military Families Practical tips for reaching out.

• 'Ma'am, We Regret to Inform You' There's no easy way to tell military families that their loved ones will not be coming home.By Chaplain Norris Burkes

• Prayers in the Desert When my Army unit came under attack in Iraq, I felt the reality of God's protection.By Courtney Birdsey as told to Julie E. Luekenga

• Baptized in Babylon An American soldier's spiritual journey in Iraq.By Charles Seelaus

• Prayers Over Baghdad The e-mail diary of an American soldier.By Captain Jeffrey Donnithorne

• Homeland Prayers As the war in Iraq heats up, churches and ministries are bolstering their efforts to serve the soldiers and their families.By Ken Walker

Remembering 9/11

• A Mother Remembers 9/11 She lost her son on that tragic day, but Peggy Beamer still believes God is in control. By Greg Asimakoupoulos

• Escape from Tower Two When the plane exploded below his office, all he could do was pray. By Ken Walker

Christianity & The Civil War

The untold story. See our three excerpts:
• The Puzzling Faith of Abraham LincolnWhere was God in this brutal national war? An unbaptized non-churchgoer came up with a profound answer.

• Revivals in the Camp At first, most Civil War soldiers cared little for religion. But as the bloody war dragged on, hundreds of thousands converted to Christianity.

• Fighters of Faith These Christian generals helped wage the Civil War, and their faith affected how they did it.

Taken from Christianity Today

Please continue to pray for the many men and women who are fighting everyday, allowing us to keep our freedom.