As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

When it just doesn't fit anywhere else.
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Biblical Anabaptist
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As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by Biblical Anabaptist »

I saw this on Facebook. It was a challenge to me. Am I as dedicated to my risen, living Savior as these men are to a dead unknown man? I confess I must hang my head in shame.

I was especially impressed that to accept this "honor" is a lifetime commitment.
On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was, How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns? ------ All three missed it ---

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his
walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the
highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin
hisreturn walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb.
After his march across the path, he executes an about face
and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard:
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.
They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn.
The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.
There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform.
Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.
The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV.
All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.
They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can
be afforded to a serviceperson.
The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.
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Hats Off
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Re: As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by Hats Off »

Wow! No, and we can only thank God that that kind of perfection is not expected of us. All He expects of us is our best but He also has made provision for when we stumble.
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Ambassador
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Re: As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by Ambassador »

Yes, I agree, Praise the Lord that He does not require perfection and does extend Grace. However, if these men can do this without the Grace of God, it is not perfection. I absolutely believe that if God and walking in His ways are as important to us as guarding the tomb is to them, we will be an amazing light to the world. We can be that perfect and more by Gods grace. Will it look different? Yes. I know Satan is real and powerful, but God is more powerful to give Grace to live above sin. DO NOT explain away and make excuses about the power to live a holy life.
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Sudsy
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Re: As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by Sudsy »

I'm going to think out loud a bit here as I, too, am hanging my head in shame. I fail so miserably to be a good representative of The Kingdom. I have and continue to lose so many battles in my mind and spiritual forces and get very discouraged. I get to a point where I don't ask God for His power anymore as I get to thinking that why should God just keep giving me more grace when I will just resist Him somehow operating in me. Scripture says He is at work in us both to will and to do what He desires but I don't believe He ever forces us. I have to admit my love for God is pretty sad when I think of how I express it in how I treat Him.

As this thread shows, there are those who do amazing things to be qualified for a specific goal in life and what they will do under their own power. However, according to the scriptures, our belief in Christ gets us into an on-going battle with our fleshly nature and spiritual forces which war against us making Jesus as Lord. Perhaps I'm turning the other cheek in the spirit realm and my fleshly nature, worldly influences and satan are not being treated as the enemy that must be fought.

I know what scripture says about putting on the full armour of God, however, what do you think is first required if my will is not strong enough to do what the scripture says ? What if my will is not strong enough to pray or read the bible ? Not saying I have reached that state but what would you advise someone who believes that scripture says it will take the grace of God in me to cause me to do His will as my will is too weak ? Does anyone here have this struggle and if so, have you found answers ?
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Pursuing a Kingdom life in the Spirit
Biblical Anabaptist
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Re: As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by Biblical Anabaptist »

I need to face this as a man and confess I posted this without doing any research. Some (much) of the "information" contained in the post is not factual. "If it is on the internet (and especially facebook) it must be true." :oops: :oops:
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temporal1
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Re: As Christians, Are we this dedicated?

Post by temporal1 »

Biblical Anabaptist wrote:I need to face this as a man and confess I posted this without doing any research. Some (much) of the "information" contained in the post is not factual. "If it is on the internet (and especially facebook) it must be true." :oops: :oops:
in the least, it's interesting to think about and discuss. :D
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Most or all of this drama, humiliation, wasted taxpayer money could be spared -
with even modest attempt at presenting balanced facts from the start.


”We’re all just walking each other home.”
UNKNOWN
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