Dear Fellow Children of God,
Have you ever heard of Perry Harris? I had never heard of him until this past
Thursday either. I read about Harris on
the internet after arriving early Houston Junior Middle School as I was waiting
to present an award at the 8th grade Promotion ceremony.
Perry Harris was 14 year old boy, about the same age as
some of the 8th grade graduates to whom I spoke. Harris was disabled in some way (we don’t
know how), and serving in the union army during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln received a telegram from
Perry’s Father, Colonel Thomas Harris, asking for his son to be released from
service. Lincoln responded on the
telegram with a handwritten note. “Let
this boy be discharged. A. Lincoln.” All this has come to light because this note
went on sale this week.
What a poignant story about a father’s love for his son,
and the mercy and wisdom of a President!
How appropriate that we read about this account the week before the Memorial
Day holiday.
First of all, I hope this story can remind us all of the
sacrifices that service people and their families make to serve the rest of
us. On this Memorial Day Weekend we
remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. But, it is not just the service people who sacrifice. Their families also sacrifice in time away
from each other, and in many other ways.
Perhaps you recently heard me read in worship the note we received from
Peter Isackson. Peter is a member of St.
John and serving on his 4th deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan. He is missing his family and they are missing
him. We are the beneficiaries of the
sacrifice of Peter and his family.
Thanks to all who serve and sacrifice so we can experience freedom!!! (Peter’s note is posted on the military
bulletin board in the narthex.)
Please pray for Peter and for all our service people who
serve us. God answers prayers. I personally pray for Peter and other service
people that God would protect them in body and in spirit.
But, this story about Perry Harris also tells me about
the love of a father for his son.
Imagine a Colonel in the army requesting that his son be
discharged. It makes perfect sense to
me. But, in some ways this had to go
against the very life of a career military man.
Yet, Colonel Harris’ love for his son, Perry, caused a telegram to be
sent that ended up in the hands of the president.
Now, think of the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, yet
God sent Jesus to sacrifice for us. We know
that God the Father loves His Son, Jesus, with a divine godly love. That love is beyond our understanding. So, how much must God love us if He sent His
only Son to die for us??? Colonel Harris
asked for his son’s discharge. God loves
us so much He sent His son to die and
rise for us!
When we know we are loved in this way by our heavenly
Father, it makes us love Him in return and helps us to want to serve Him with
all our lives.
By the way, Perry Harris was discharged from the army.
That discharge took place on April 15, 1865, which just happens to be
the day that John Wilkes Booth shot and killed President Lincoln.
Lord God, our Heavenly Father, we pray for all those in
the military and for their families. We
especially pray for those in places of danger.
We pray your loving protection on them in body and spirit. And, Heavenly Father, help us to know the
depth of your love for us, that you sent your only Son to die for us. Bless us that we might live in your love now
and eternally. Amen.
A Child of God, Thankful for the Sacrifices which bless
me,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Here is an article about the note which is
being sold.
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ABOUT ‘THOUGHTS FROM THE PASTOR’ - I am
sending these e-mail messages, hopefully weekly, to all St. John members and
friends whose e-mails I have. (I am always adding new names of friends
and members – in case you are just receiving this e-mail for the first time.)
However, if you don’t want to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I’ll
gladly leave your name off my list for this message. . . Or, if you know
someone who would like to receive one of these e-mails, please send me their
e-mail address.
****
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