I am so thankful to be a part of a congregation that supports its military personnel of our current military and those who have gone before us to pave the way for our freedom. I personally have never been a part of the military, but I am indebted to those who through the ages have stood and fought on my behalf that I may share in the freedoms this country has enjoyed for the past 233 years. As the World War II veterans were coming forward this past Sunday in our service, I was struck by the humility of these men. Although the military has changed over the past few decades we are just as indebted to those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and those who stand the lines today around the world to protect our freedoms. Our military men and women do not set the policy or choose the direction of the battle, but they stand the line and fight for the freedoms we so richly enjoy. My stomach turns when I think of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. This is the church that promotes its form of Christianity by protesting the funerals of the men and women who have died defending our rights. They protest saying, “this is God’s punishment for fighting.” Shame on the protesters who yell at the families of the deceased soldiers who fought and died that they may have the right to protest.

I do not believe that God wants wars to be fought between nations. I do not believe that God wants men and women to die in battle. But I do believe that a world left to humanity to decide its fate will walk on the rights of the weak and those unable to defend themselves. It has happened in the past and would likely happen again without those who are armed to defend the principles we believe in. Many of the military which stand in the gap today do not necessarily believe 100% in the cause for which they are fighting. This is another reason we are called to pray for and support those who are performing an honored duty on behalf of our nation. I invite you to pray each day for our men and women in uniform. They deserve the best we have to offer, for they are giving all they have to offer, their service and sometimes their lives.

Grace and peace,
Kirk Norman