Lest We Forget~ Remembrance Day

As we come together in the UK and other bodies of nations making rememberance today at 11.11.11. of those who died fighting to keep our lands free from fear and tyrany there is a story told of the reason of the red poppy where so much blood was spilt on the field and the years which followed the baren field became a beauty and wonder to behold.
The history is :
Up to 10 million soldiers were killed in the First World War. It's not known how many civilians died as well, but the estimate is 1.4 million. In 1919 the traumatised survivors of the fighting began to find their way home.
Everyone who fought in Belgium and northern France had noticed the extraordinary persistence and profusion of an apparently fragile flower: the cornfield poppy, which splashed its blood-red blooms over the fields every summer. It blooms there to this day.
There is also The wearing of a white poppy on Armistice Day became a focus for the peace movement, and the Peace Pledge Union took it up in 1936 as 'a definite pledge to peace that war must not happen again'. In 1938 'Alternative Remembrance' events began: a pacifist religious service was held in London's Regent's Park, followed by a march to Westminster and the laying of a wreath of white poppies at the Cenotaph. 85,000 white poppies, by then an acknowledged symbol of peace, were sold that year. Many people wore them alone, others wore a red poppy as well.
So many even up to today are willing to lay down their lives for their fellow man, that we may live protected from evil in our day and age, centuries of wars men and women have made these sacrifice........
But we have a Saviour Christ Jesus the son of God with everlasting healing and restoration and a promise when death becomes, of eternal life.

When I see the red poppy I meditate on the blood of Christ Jesus which purifies and covers all that is sinful in the sight of holy God,.......... if we will but accept his gift of forgiveness, whether we think our sin is great or small in our lives all is as black as the baren earth of that poppy field before the blood was shed.
When I look to the Armistice of the white poppy I think of the robes of white given us of righteousness he offers, which we are able to wear as the blood washed redeemed.
The peace in Him which pass all understanding which we long for so much in our war torn lands.

At this time we take in rememberance of the souls which gave their lives that we may at present time feel somewhat secure in our lands, giving thanks for their sacrifices .............
May we lift our hearts and draw close to Jesus give thanks to God for the ultimate sacrifice which brings eternal hope and peace, a future never ending.

Have you by peradventure come across this message today?
And do not know the Saviour Christ Jesus who shed his blood at calvary on that cruel cross,...
for ALL mankind, that we may enjoy the priviledge of everlasting peace
of eternal life in heaven (paradise) then you can pray right now use this prayer or in your own words, not by means of some magic phrases but in a heart rendering truth.

Prayer
"I realise I have done wrong things and you as God know them all, I confess to you right now,
I am in need of your forgiveness,
I thank you that you were willing to die for me I accept your free gift of forgiveness and pardon.
I ask you to please come into my life and be Lord in my life,
to guide me in all my ways to help me be the person you had predestined for me to be.
I thank you that you hear the humblest of prayers and answer. I put my trust in you now.
In Jesus name
Amen."

If you have prayed this prayer and need any help please do not hesitate to post up in the group to meet with you in the chat room where we will gladly come with you to pray and talk with you.

Remembrance Day in Britain
November is the time of the year when we wear a red poppy in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for us during wars.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.
At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare.

What is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day is on 11 November. It is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. At one time the day was known as Armistice Day and was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.
Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, which is usually the Sunday nearest to 11 November. Special services are held at war memorials and churches all over Britain. A national ceremony takes place at the cenotaph in Whitehall, London.


'The Last Post'
The Last Post is traditionally played to introduce
the minute's silence
in commemoration ceremonies.
It is usually ' played on a bugle.
In military life, 'The Last Post'marks the end of the day and the final farewell.
Listen to the last post
"They Shall not grow old"
A poem called 'For the Fallen' is often read aloud during the ceremony; the most famous stanza of which reads:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Fourth stanza of 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943)


Poppy Day
Remembrance Day is also known as Poppy Day, because it is traditional to wear an artificial poppy. They are sold by the Royal British Legion, a charity dedicated to helping war veterans.
Photo of a Chelsea Pensioner (British ex-servicemen who fought in World War II) selling poppies in London.


Two minute silence
The First Two Minute Silence in London (11th November 1919) as reported in the Manchester Guardian, 12th November 1919.
'The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect.
The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition.
Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all.'

article from http://woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Remembrance.html

Being in many parts of the World and yet although in different time zones
would wish to honour through this Sunday and through out until 11.11. in rememberance of those who gave their lives
so we may be free from tyrany and continue to this day feel safer in our nation

A Veteran's Voice
below on Godtube below
You may have to double click to view the video.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4fd3b794edbd0581fe6f
Rememberance of those who are fighting for your freedom TODAY

Elaine.