Archive for the 'America' Category
75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor: A Reminder of the Priority of the National Security of America
On Wednesday, December 7, the United States commemorates the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack on our forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the Imperial Japanese Navy. That attack killed 2,403 Americans and wounded 1,178 others — and was the direct cause of our nation entering into World War II. It was, according to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “a date which will live in infamy.”
This past June, I presided over the Southern Baptist Convention as President. In this setting in St. Louis, I wanted to highlight the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor reminds us of the priority our own nation’s security.
In this moment of deep reflection about Pearl Harbor, I was humbled to be able to introduce and bring honor to Mr. Bill McAnany, a native of Wood River, Illinois. He is one of an estimated 2,000 remaining Pearl Harbor veterans who witnessed firsthand the attacks on December 7, 1941.
Bill joined the Navy in 1938 and, after basic training, received advanced training as a hospital corpsman. He was assigned aboard the USS Solace, a 400-bed hospital ship that arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on October 27, 1941, where it would remain until the fateful events that unfolded on December 7, 1941.
On that historic morning in Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, Bill and some of his friends were enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning. Then, the first wave of attacks upon Pearl Harbor began. They quickly worked their way to Ford Island, which was hit in the attacks, and turned the camp dispensary into a hospital. For the next two days, they provided emergency medical care to the injured and dying until they were finally relieved of their duties and able to return to their ship.
The attack on Pearl Harbor changed Bill’s view on life forever. After seeing countless critically wounded troops fighting for their breath just to stay alive, he learned the value of a human life. To quote Bill from an interview, “You quickly realize that life is a gift not meant to be wasted.” On this December 7, Bill and his wife Linda will be in Pearl Harbor together to remember that day of infamy, but also to celebrate Bill’s 95th birthday and their 45th anniversary together.
Pearl Harbor is a constant reminder that our freedom, purchased by the blood of American patriots, should never be taken for granted. May we forever be grateful to God for our citizenship in a land where the sunlight of liberty shines from shore to shore. May we forever give thanks to those who laid down their lives for freedom’s cause. And, may we always remember and honor those who fought, died, and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. We owe a priceless debt to the men and women who gave their full measure of devotion to duty on December 7th, 1941 as well as throughout all wars. May the passing of time never dim the glory of their deeds and the legacy they left behind.
We must never forget the tragedy that occurred in our nation 75 years ago this Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Since that moment, America has never been the same. It still serves as a reminder of the priority of America’s national security. But even more importantly, as we reflect upon and remember this tragedy, we also need to look to the future with great hope, knowing that the sacrifices at Pearl Harbor are largely responsible for keeping America the greatest country in the world.
For all the families who have lost their loved ones in the line of great duty to defend our nation, we pray for God’s peace to be upon you in your deep loss. For all of those who have served our nation, thank you. For anyone serving our nation today in our own land or across the world, our hearts are overwhelmed and blessed with gratefulness for your sacrifice for the protection of our nation.
I love America.
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
The Most Powerful Action the Church Can Take in This Critical Hour
The church is fighting to find a way to make a difference. Methodologies are tested endlessly. Strategies are adjusted continually. Even theologies are compromised periodically. Each is nothing more than a frail attempt to make some kind of difference.
Yet, at our fingertips is the hope to make a difference. Stirred by the words of Acts 12:5, God has placed upon me what I believe is the most powerful action the church can take. What does Acts 12:5 say?
“So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.”
Peter was just hours away from execution under the leadership of King Herod. While he was in prison, the church was praying. The Bible says the church was praying earnestly to God on Peter’s behalf. Which means that with great fervency and intensity, they were stretched out before God, crying out to Him to save the life of Peter!
The Most Powerful Action the Church Can Take is Prayer
I ask you to say these words out loud as you read them: The most powerful action the church can take is prayer! Under the same conditions Peter faced, if they existed in our time, some modern churches would:
- Appoint a study committee to discover the needed actions
- Call a business conference to see what possible solutions may exist
- Contact an attorney to take some kind of legal action
What would your church do? I am convinced that the two most powerful words in Acts 12 are the words, “but prayer.”
Bondage is Everywhere
Peter was in the literal bondage of prison. Yet, people all over our nation and world are living in bondage. Sadly, many of our churches only attempt new methodologies, new strategies, or even adjust their theologies in a futile attempt to help people overcome their problems.
Why Don’t We Pray?
When the most powerful action the church can take is prayer, why don’t we pray? What is it about us that we will try almost anything other than prayer? When we pray, we are depending on God! When we choose not to pray, we are depending on ourselves! God, help the church to become the praying people You intended us to be.
When We Pray, God Does Miracles!
Yes, I write it again and ask you to say it out loud: When we pray, God does miracles! In Acts 12, this is exactly what happened. God freed Peter from prison miraculously, all in response to the prayers of God’s people. God took this ordinary man named Peter, and made him the recipient of an extraordinary work of God because the church prayed.
This Week, I Want To Challenge You
This week, I want to challenge you to take these four actions:
1. Pray for miracles: God is able to do anything, anywhere, at any time, with and for anyone; therefore, pray for miracles!
2. Expect miracles: Because our God is sovereign and in complete control of all things and He desires us to pray to Him about all things, expect miracles when you pray. Refuse to settle, expect God to move, and to answer prayer.
3. Trust God’s sovereign will: Yes, He is in complete control of all things; therefore, when you pray, God moves your heart to receive whatever He so chooses to do in response to your prayers. The ways of God are often explainable; therefore, the sovereign will of God has to be trusted.
4. Church, rise up and pray: The greatest action a church can take is prayer!
Believe it! Do it! I want our people to know that when their lives are falling apart, our church is praying. When the world is uncertain, our church is praying. When families are struggling, our church is praying. When hope is seemingly dissipating, our church is praying. Therefore, rise up and pray!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.