These Are The Times That Try Men's Souls

With tyranny becoming rampant in Washington, DC., December 23, 2009 is the perfect day to read this excerpt about the same day in our history from one of my favorite books, The American Patriot's Almanac. I hope it gives you renewed strength in these darker days.

Here goes:

"Thomas Paine wrote these famous words in his pamphlet The American Crisis, dated December 23, 1776, a time when Patriot forces stood on the verge of losing the Revolutionary War. Paine implored Americans to not give up the fight. George Washington ordered that the pamphlet be read aloud to his troops on Christmas Eve 1776 before they crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack at Trenton.

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered. Yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods, and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated. . .

Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it and to repulse it. . . I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

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Page 494, The American Patriot's Almanac by William J Bennett and John T. E. Cribb, c 2008, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. ISBN 978-1-49555-267-0.

You Can't Have It Both Ways, Joe

From guest blogger Mary Linehan:

The Fourth Commandment is, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy."

Holy, which may be a foreign word and concept for progressives, is defined in the Jewish faith as, “to sanctify, to separate from the world and to consecrate or dedicate to God” In the Oxford American Dictionary it is defined as, “sacred or devoted to the service of God." Joe Lieberman remembers his Sabbath that falls on every Saturday.

He was just praised for walking to the Capital on his Sabbath to take part in a Senate floor vote, but technically, he should not have done so since it is a secular act. No work is to be done on this day of rest. Yet, Lieberman felt compelled to cast the deciding vote on a bill that would push forward the progressive (neo-communist) agenda and cost the American people an additional 1.1 TRILLION dollars on wasteful spending.

One might be fooled into believing this gentle looking man is holy and righteous because he keeps the outward appearance of practicing his faith, but doing God work means that it is done each day on every level of life.

It means doing the right thing when pressured to do otherwise. It is being truthful to the principles that define one’s character and fulfilling the oath to uphold and defend the Constitution that was promised with a hand placed on the Bible. What was so revealing in this premeditated act of duplicity was his willingness to add insult to the injury by casting that vote with a mocking grin.

Lieberman cannot have it both ways. He cannot profess to support our nation under God while taking an active part in its demise. God may forgive him, but we the people will not!

Hairpinandarrow_Blog

Please also visit the original Hairpinandarrow_Blog.

Aldous Krugenkliegel: "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

The Prayer I May Use With My Family On Christmas Eve.

In searching for a prayer to use on Christmas Eve when the entire family is present, I came across this prayer which seems to fit the solemness of the state of our union in December, 2009. I could have looked for something about the baby Jesus specifically--and I still may. But right now this is my choice of dinner prayer because it will underscore the gravity of our current circumstances in the United States of America. I'm happy to share it with you. And to wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and Hanukkah.

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We come before God to pray for the missing and the dead, and for those who love them.... We ask almighty God to watch over our nation, and grant us patience and resolve in all that is to come. We pray that He will comfort and console those who now walk in sorrow. We thank Him for each life we now must mourn, and the promise of life to come.

As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, can separate us from God's love. May He bless the souls of the departed. May He comfort our own. And may He always guide our country. God bless America.

--George W. Bush (at the National Cathedral, September 14, 2001, after the September 11 terrorist attacks.)