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Memorial Day Banner

  In This Issue

  • Can remembering help you believe?
  • President Lincoln remembers soldiers who gave their lives.
  • President Bush's words on remembering and praying for peace on Memorial Day.
  • What can kids learn from Michael W. Smith and Franklin and Billy Graham?

Things to pray for

  1. This is a really big week for President Bush because he is meeting with leaders of several countries. Pray for these meetings asking God to help the President with His widsom. Ask God to guide him and all the leaders of the world so they will honor Him and do His will. Here are the meetings on President Bush's schedule:
  • May 20, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen
  • May 23, Afghan President Hamid Karzai
  • May 25, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia
  • May 26, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
  1. Pray for peace in our world—in Iraq and all the other places where there is hurt and unrest, including Darfur, Sudan and Uzbekistan. President Bush has reminded us to pray for peace this Memorial Day—that's always a good thing to do, but especially this week as there are people who are living with danger and unrest.
  1. Saturday, May 21 is Armed Forces Day—a special holiday created just to show our appreciation for every person who has served our nation in the Armed Forces (military service). Pray that every person who bravely serves America through the military will know the appreciation of the nation. Pray for their families—especially their kids—as they have had to get along without their mom or dad or other family member. Ask God to protect all the great people serving the country in this way, that they will do their jobs well and experience the peace and love of God wherever they are.

Leaders to pray for

Director of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms—
Carl Truscott
Photo courtesy of the White House.

We know we are often telling you about different people and agencies in our government that work very hard to keep you and all Americans safe—and here's another one! The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms enforces all the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol and tobacco diversion, firearms and guns, explosives and arson. ATF is a division of the Department of Justice, and its leader is Carl Truscott. Since they are in the Department of Justice, he and his team answer to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

ATF works very hard to stop all kinds of violent crimes in our country! They have done a great job bringing down the violent crime rate in recent years. They work with local law enforcement and fire fighting agencies to prevent and solve crimes. Like many other government agencies we've learned about, ATF works both to prevent crimes as well as investigating those that have already occurred. They want everyone to avoid gang activity and they have one of the biggest crime labs in the country. They are especially good at helping local fire departments figure out how and where a fire started so that the same danger can be prevented in the future.

Did you ever wonder when and how this bureau began? It has a long history. In fact, ATF started in 1789 when the first Congress created a tax on alcohol. They needed someone to make sure that all the appropriate taxes were paid, so they created ATF.


This photo shows Truman, the bomb-sniffing dog hard at work with his handler, a staff member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Image courtesy of ATF.
Another neat part of ATF is their use of bomb-sniffing dogs. They train many animals and handlers to detect explosives and chemicals that could start fires. These animals are a very important part of the team, and are used at large events as well as investigations. ATF dogs work at special places such as airports, museums, schools, and even the Olympics and the White House.

Mr. Carl Truscott is the Director of ATF and leads a team of more than 5,200 staff members. He came to ATF after a career with the Secret Service, and was previously in charge of the Presidential Protection detail. Mr. Truscott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. He is a native of Marlton, New Jersey. He and his wife Patricia have one daughter. Along with so many other people who work to keep America and Americans safe, it's great to pray for him and his team—for their protection, for wisdom and for God to keep them aware of potential threats and dangers.


Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy—
John Walters
Photo courtesy of the White House.

Have you ever heard of the Office of National Drug Control Policy? It is a great team that fights illegal drugs and drug addiction in our country. Their efforts are especially aimed at kids, but they work to help us all understand how really, really bad drugs can be, for everyone, and they work to keep kids involved in all kinds of good things so they won't turn to drugs.

In his job as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Mr. John Walters has a lot of responsibility. He is often called the President's "Drug Czar" because he fights the battle against drugs and drug dealers on behalf of our country. With his team, Mr. Walters works to greatly reduce the use, import, production and selling of drugs in America. One of the neatest ways Mr. Walters has helped kids resist drugs is with the "Anti-Drug" campaign which points out all kinds of things that kids can do that fill their lives with good things so they don't feel so tempted to take drugs—everything from sports to pets to math to art. ONDCP also encourages kids and parents to talk about everything so they can keep their relationship strong. We think the ONDCP should add one more item to their list of anti-drugs—PRAYER! As you pray for John Walters and the ONDCP, remember to ask God to give them great wisdom, to help them in their daily work and pray that God will work to defeat all the forms of evil that make people turn to drugs.

Bible Verses of the week

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for He speaks peace to His people, His faithful ones.
—Psalm 85:8

We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.
—Proverbs 10:7

IT'S MEMORIAL DAY--WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Memorial Day is a really neat holiday, because it is a time that our country has especially set aside to do two really important things--to remember and to pray.

REMEMBER!

Every sunset is a gift from God, reminding us that He is the source of all beauty! Isn't it great when you get to share a sunset with someone you love? When you remember those special moments it strengthens your faith in God. Photo courtesy of Stanford University.

Have you ever thought about what a wonderful and awesome thing memory is? Memory is really a terrific blessing from God! Maybe you remember a time that you and your friend giggled until you couldn't get your breath. Or perhaps you have a special memory of a beautiful sunset that you enjoyed with your family, or a time when you knew that God was very, very near to you--at camp or in church or alone in your room. With God's wonderful gift of memory, you can relive those fantastic moments in your mind, just by remembering!

In the same way, God allows us the gift of memory so we can stay close to Him by recalling the many ways He has worked in our lives. We remember His goodness and His faithfulness and the many ways He has given us just exactly what we needed, even if we forgot to ask for it.

This illustration shows what it might have looked like when the Children of Israel worked as slaves in Egypt. It was very hard work and the conditions were very bad—and kept getting worse. Yet, after they had escaped, they quickly forgot the kindness of God in sending the plagues, forcing Pharoah to let them go. No wonder God reminds us to "Remember and believe!"

Remembering strengthens our belief, just as it did for the Children of Israel when they were in the wilderness. They were tempted to doubt and to think that God had forgotten them. He had not forgotten them--in fact He was leading them to a new and better life. They nearly missed out on the wonderful Promised Land that God had made for them, because they forgot--they forgot to remember! They forgot how horrible their slavery was. They forgot how hard it was to make bricks without straw. They forgot how sad it was to live in a land that was not their own and that did not honor God. So when you feel tempted to think that God isn't working in your life or answering your prayers, just remember! Remember all the really great blessings God has given you--and believe!

SCRIPTURE CHECK 1

Can you think of a Bible verse that talks about the importance of remembering? Hover here to read.

In the same way that God wants us to remember the great things He has done for us, our president wants us to remember those who have sacrificed and given their lives for our freedom. That's what MEMORIAL DAY is all about! It's a special time when we remember the dedication and service of the members of our military. We stop to thank God and to thank them for the way they gave themselves so that we could continue to enjoy our freedom. By remembering, we get a bigger appreciation of the blessing of freedom.

PRAY

Memorial Day is also about prayer! That's right! It's a day set aside to pray for peace. President Bush has called us to pray for peace in the world and for the safety of our troops. Many of you have already been doing that for quite some time now. So you can keep on praying, and remind your friends and family to pray.

SCRIPTURE CHECK 2

Do you know a Bible verse that talks about the importance of praying for the people who lead our nation? Hover here to read a great one:

PRESIDENT BUSH'S WORDS ON MEMORIAL DAY

Photo courtesy of the White House.

"The tradition of Memorial Day reinforces our Nation's resolve to never forget those who gave their last full measure for America. As we engage in the war against terrorism, we also pray for peace. When America emerged from the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln called on all Americans to 'cherish a just and lasting peace.' In these extraordinary times, our Nation has once again been challenged, and Lincoln's words remain our guiding prayer."
--George W. Bush

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S WORDS ON PEACE

Photo of President Lincoln courtesy of the National Archives.

Abraham Lincoln was president through some of the most difficult years of our nation. Our country was being torn apart by war and many good Americans were giving their lives in the fight. One especially rough battle took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On November 19, 1863, a large group of people gathered to dedicate the battlefield and to remember the sacrifices of those who fought there. President Lincoln addressed the crowd with words of gratitude and appreciation for their sacrifices. His speech there was very short. But his words were very sweet. Many say it is one of the finest speeches ever given. In his speech he called on God to help our nation find peace.

The Gettysburg Address is appropriate for Memorial Day because we are so appreciative of the many troops who have risked their safety in Iraq to protect our freedom here at home.

Read President Lincoln's words and see if you don't agree.

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate--we can not consecrate--we can not hallow--this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

WEEKLY QUIZ

QUESTION 1

Read the last paragraph of President Lincoln's speech. Which of the following do you think best expresses the thoughts he is trying to convey?

  1. It is a silly waste of time to dedicate a battlefield.
  2. Someone has already consecrated this battlefield, so we have no need to be here today.
  3. We come here to dedicate this place, but there are others--those who sacrificed their lives--who have already dedicated it, and we are here to honor them.

QUESTION 2

True or False:
Mr. Lincoln says that the very best way to bring good out of this very sad loss of life is to see to it that America truly comes together to make a nation where all people are equal and have equal freedoms.

  1. True
  2. False

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF THE BATTLEFIELD AT GETTYSBURG.

A PRAYER FOR OUR MILITARY TROOPS

Photo courtesy of the United States Air Force.

Thank You, Lord, for the men and women of our Armed Forces. Protect them as they protect us. Defend them as they defend us. Encourage and strengthen them in spirit, soul and body in the execution of their duties. Enable them to curtail hostile actions before they start. Give our leaders wisdom and insight in all decisions. Thank you, Lord, for providing America with the best trained, equipped and led military force in the world. Fill them with Your saving grace and the gospel of peace that they may be shining witnesses of Your love. Amen.

PPT SAYS A BIG THANK YOU TO MICHAEL W. SMITH

Do you know who Michael W. Smith is? He is a dad to five kids and a loving husband to his wife. He has a house and a dog and the normal things that lots of dads have.

But he is also a much loved Christian recording artist who really encourages people to worship God and to pray. He travels all over North America and to many foreign countries with his awesome music and message about worship and prayer.

Michael, or "Smitty" as many people call him has done a lot to help The Presidential Prayer Team since it first began. He reminds his audiences about the importance of prayer and he has served as a member of the PPT Honorary Committee from the very beginning.

Smitty said that he is among the millions who believe that prayer is indeed changing our nation. He also said that he is confident that the president appreciates our prayers on his behalf. Smitty and President Bush have become friends, and he is often invited to the White House or other places to spend special time with Mr. and Mrs. Bush. We think it is a wonderful thing that a godly man like Michael W. Smith is a friend of the president. We know that Smitty is an encouragement to the president and that the two men build each other up in spiritual things when they are together.

A WORD TO PPT KIDS

Maybe you are a kid who wants to have a career in music or the movies or some other kind of job that would make you "famous." And maybe you think that Michael W. Smith is just about the coolest guy in the world. We want to remind you about two really important things when it comes to fame and fortune and being very popular with millions of people:

Thing Number One:

If you use your fame and leadership to honor God,
God will honor you.

 

Thing Number Two:

People of the highest character are attracted to others who also have the highest character.
 
 

Both Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Franklin Graham are often in the public eye. Like Michael W. Smith, they have chosen to keep their character strong and pure--that way they can honor God!
Photo courtesy of demossnewspond.com.

You can see both of these ideas working in many ways, if you look around you. But let's look at Michael W. Smith as an example. Because Smitty has kept God at the center of his work and has honored Him with the opportunities he has been given, God has truly blessed Smitty with many, many chances to shine for Him around the world.

There were probably lots of moments when Smitty could have decided to compromise his values or aim just a little bit off the mark of what would really please God and honor Him. But he has kept his godly character, and because of that, he has made friends with others who stand for God in the public eye--people like President Bush and Rev. Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham.

Now we are not suggesting that you set your sights on being "famous" just so you can make friends with really important people. We're just reminding you to keep God and His values at the very center of everything you do. And if God brings attention your way, whether it comes through success in sports or music or academics or something else, just be sure to acknowledge God--to keep the attention on Him and how wonderful He is rather than yourself. That way you can't go wrong!

SCRIPTURE CHECK 3

There are lots of places in our Bible where we are encouraged to honor God no matter what.
Hover here to read two really great verses that will remind you to honor God above all else.

Bonus Question!

Who is speaking in these two Bible verses?

  1. Samuel
  2. The Apostle Paul
  3. Jesus

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