Days to Pray for in November

By Barbara Latta

Cheing Jie was a young mother, pastor’s wife and kindergarten director when she was

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 6.

arrested in 2014 for “illegal business operations” due to her use of religious curriculum in the school where she worked in China. After being released two years later, she was reunited with her young sons whom she had not seen during her imprisonment, even though she had been allowed visits from her husband. Despite the hardships of prison, Cheing Jie said she was able to minister to the other women incarcerated with her and the letters she received from those who support ministries who help persecuted Christians kept her strong. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 6. This story is only one among many to show how important it is for us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith.

Salute to Veterans

by Barbara Latta

Today we honor those who have served our nation in the armed forces. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard we thank you for all the sacrifices made to keep our country safe and free.

I am proud to have a military legacy in my family. My husband, Ken, our two sons, Kenny and Jonathan; my father, Lloyd Watson, my grandfather, William Watson, and numerous uncles all served in various branches of the armed forces.

Take this opportunity to recognize a veteran who is close to you.

In Appreciation To Our Vets

by Barbara Latta

For most of us, daily routines are exercised with little thought of the process it takes to complete them. Putting on shoes, brushing our teeth, finding our car keys are all on the multi-item list of things we do without being conscious of our actions.

But what if it took so much effort to bend over and tie your shoes that you couldn’t even do it? Or comb your hair, pick up a book, or feed yourself? Then those tasks become major obstacles to ordinary life. 

Every day hundreds of our veterans wake up to world different from the one they knew before they went to war. No matter which war they fought in a heavy price was paid to preserve or win freedom, not only for those in other countries, but also to keep the freedom we have at home from being taken away. Because atrocities do not stop at borders.

The extreme injuries and sufferings of some our veterans is compounded by the recent Veteran’s Administration scandal. To have all these medical needs, and then have the door slammed shut by the very government that sent you in harm’s way on any aid you require, is an even worse tragedy.

We still have the best country in the world. It’s up to us, the ordinary citizens, to make sure our veterans receive the respect and honor they deserve. Without the heroic efforts of those willing to fight and die, from the Revolutionary War to present, we would not have a free America. We can’t undo their injuries and heartbreak, but we can appreciate them.

There are many agencies that support and provide healing to returning vets. We can help our heroes by supporting these groups, showing our appreciation whenever we meet someone who has served, and continue to encourage our elected officials to provide resources for our military. Cutting defense spending only reduces the resources they will have, and reduces the numbers in the military available to fight while the enemy continues to grow in numbers.

These are the citizens in our country that deserve the highest respect, the best medical care, and the continued thanks of us all.Thank you to all who have worn a uniform and served honorably in our United States military.

Feel free to share your appreciation for our veterans in the comments section.