The Meaning of True Liberty
is not a settled question
The issues of rights and freedoms -
that define our culture
have been debated down through the centuries
with varying answers.
The issues of freedom of
religion
speech
privacy
property
and many others
are not easy issues with easy answers.
In large they are spiritual issues -
and they require spiritual answers -
from a growing consciousness of man's relationship to God,
and man's relationship to the rest of God's creation -
in what we call JUSTICE.
Many people are sensitive about THEIR rights -
but not so much about Humanity's rights -
or Nature's rights -
or God's rights.
Patriotism is often twisted -
from the love of what is good about our country -
to the hatred of others.
This is the disease of prejudice -
whether it is regarding
the love of one's country -
the love of one's race -
the love of one's religion.
Through science man has come to understand more of Nature -
Through religion man needs to come to understand more of God.
Through humanity man needs to come to understand more of Man.
How much we have learned through science in the last century.
How little we have learned through religion in the last century.
It is not because there hasn't been more to learn.
The reality explained by science -
is but a tiny part of the total reality
that is God's Reality.
But on this day -
we stand in commemoration of the bounties of liberty
that have been bestowed upon this nation
by a Divine Providence -
and defended in that Great War (WW1}
which was fought to end all wars.
And defended again
in what the Russians called The Great Patriotic War (WW2)
but the battles have never ceased -
since the July 28th, 1914
which some have seen as the beginning of
that Great Hundred Year War -
called Armageddon
in the Book of Revelation.
Described by Jesus as:
Matthew 24:21
... great tribulation,
such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,
no, nor ever shall be.
Mark 13:19
... affliction,
such as was not from the beginning of the creation
which God created unto this time,
neither shall be
.
And the Prophet Daniel:
Daniel 12:1
... a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation
even to that same time:
And Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that day is great,
so that none is like it:
it is even the time of Jacob's trouble,
As today,
we stand on the eve of that
Last Great Battle of Armageddon -
watching the massive and darkening forces gather about us -
we must wonder what role we are to play
in these Cosmic Events
that the deaths of thousands -
nay tens, hundreds of thousands -
and indeed hundreds of millions of souls -
have preceded us.
These great patriotic observations
such as Independence Day and
Remembrance Day -
are not actually about death -
but rather about the birth
of great ideas and attitudes -
towards mankind's true liberty
and its relationship to God.
How little have many of
the American souls of the past
in their great sufferings at
Valley Forge -
from Bull Run to Appomattox -
in the trenches of Europe -
and on the hills of Iwo Jima -
ever continuing until this day -
in the Korean War (my war)-
Vietnam -
The Gulf Wars -
and mountains of Afghanistan -
grasped the great drama
of which they are a part.
How little do most people about us
grasp that - as horrible as have been
the trials and tribulations
for millions in the past -
that they shall all pale in that
Most Terrible Calamity -
that shall fall upon humanity
(as indicated in scriptures above)
in that Last Great Battle of Armageddon.
All to what end?
To the end that humanity may find
true liberty and purpose in life -
in a society that is in service to God and humanity.
The society that we have developed -
the principles of liberty that we have comprehended -
the purpose that we have espoused
in the phrase "pursuit of happiness" -
are but mere shadows of that heavenly kingdom on earth -
towards which humanity unknowingly and uncomprehendingly strives.
Still, we look at the sacrifices -
endured by those who have been at the focal points -
of these battles.
Little did many understand
the issues between
democracy vs. monarchy -
between slave and free -
between fascism and democracy -
between imperialism and globalism -
for which they died -
on one side of the other.
On whichever side they fought -
they listened to the patriotic speeches -
thrilled to martial musical movements -
looked with love upon the colors of their flag -
and felt throb in their hearts allegiance to their country.
Young men -
often very young men -
with no great overview of history -
and a very few years beyond childhood -
drilled with the emotional words of their cause
marched as today in the cadence of our camps -
"Trained to kill - and kill we will".
"Trained to kill - and kill we will".
"Trained to kill - and kill we will".
They kill their own soul.
The Great Commander said:
"Thou shalt not kill" -
and The Son said:
"Love thine enemies" -
(Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, 6:35)
but choose ye - whom you will follow.
I Support Our Troops
And I Mourn the Fallen.
Today there are repeated rotations to the killing fields -
searing sand, suffering and sadness -
savaging the very sustenance of the psyche of the soul -
so that more die in suicide than from any other source.
Oh, I stand with the fallen.
I have spoken to them as they have died.
I have folded the flag -
and stood at attention to honor them.
I have seen the tears in the eyes of parents -
and have listened to the final tones of Taps -
with the mournful reply of the bugle from the distance.
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I Support Our Troops
And I Stand with the Living.
Today I stand with the living -
who often little understand the sacrifice of the soul -
that they have made.
PTSD or similar phrases -
tell us little of the sadness of these souls.
Amputated limbs -
and physical disabilities are more readily seen -
than that which causes great amounts of
drug abuse
alcoholism
family dissolution
serious under-employment
total unemployment for a third of those
who do return and are discharged
and - suicide.
Not just individual psyches -
but the total American psyche
suffers in these wars.
Ordered assassinations without trial
(even of American citizens)
Unlimited detention and redentions to secret prisons -
collateral killing of children -
by nameless drones from the sky -
torture and other cruelties -
restriction of free movement -
the confiscation of property without due process -
the list just goes on and on.
America's Spiritual Sickness
Our burden today is not
the flowers of Flanders Field -
but the product of the poppy plants from Afghanistan -
courageously guarded by American soldiers -
and then distributed to our youth in America.
Purpose, Pride and Patriotism -
are becoming scarce commodities
among the youth of America.
Especially the black youth.
Racism remains a challenging issue -
for the American people.
Because of it -
the streets will flow with blood -
as the weapons rain from the air
upon the American cities
in the Great Final Battle of Armageddon
in Divine retribution for the total immorality
evident and rampant in every form of its entertainment -
and the prejudice that pours from its pores against the poor of its population
and those of differing creeds.
But I have not come to decry
the current sad state of affairs -
(for those who think it sad)
but rather to espouse those values -
towards which we all must strive.
I stand in awe of any who have
consciously and conscientiously
laid down their life for these values-
for as Jesus said:
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.
and certainly it is far better to die for others
as did the Grand Exemplar -
than to kill others -
yet I must caution all today -
that even greater sacrifices are going to be demanded
of the present living
than were performed by those in the centuries past.
Reasons for Pride
As Americans we can be duly proud
of many accomplishments of our country.
It is has been the primary agency
in bringing to the world the electronic and computer age.
Air travel, sea presence in aircraft carriers,
the planting of the flag on the moon -
all testify to its technological pioneering -
as does the productivity of its factories -
and the spread of its technology to the rest of the world.
As important as may be those accomplishments
the American ideal is most notable
in the integrity of its bureaucracy
(quite noted in comparison by any who travel abroad)
the generosity of its charitable institutions -
usually the first at any world disaster -
and unmatched in the contributions that it has made -
time and time again.
No other nation has matched in number or quality -
the missionaries and humanitarians that America has sent abroad
to spread literacy in schools -
health in hospitals -
care in orphanages -
and social values and spiritual teachings in churches.
There is no question but that God has blessed this nation.
Its people are definitely a chosen people.
But chosen not only for blessings but responsibilities.
Again in the words of Jesus:
Luke 12:48
...For unto whomsoever much is given,
of him shall be much required:
The True Patriot
The True Patriot wishes for his child to be strong -
not just to his personal gain -
but as a citizen in the community.
The True Patriot wishes for his state to be strong -
not just the economy for those who reside therein -
but as a supporter of his country.
The True Patriot wants his country to be strong -
in both economic and spiritual values -
so that it will contribute to the world / God's creation -
in the manner that our Heavenly Father wishes of all His children.
The True Patriot knows that he has requirements
of loyalty and responsibility to
his family
his community
his state
his country
his world -
and the whole of God's creation.
The True Patriot leads his family, community, nation -
into the service of the whole of humanity -
and growth in the Ideals of God.
These ideals have seen their greatest expression
and fulfillment
in this blessed country -
and from here the light must spread to the world
that all peoples in the world
are supposed to love
their families
their community
their state
their country
their world -
and the whole of God's creation.
In the effusive panorama of Epic oratory
offered down through the epochs
to proclaim the power of patriotism -
my few feeble words put forth here
will be of little note and soon forgotten.
Nevertheless, I urge True Patriotism upon my grandchildren -
(Proud American citizens all)
that they be dedicated to these spiritual values -
not just for themselves -
not just for their family and friends -
nor even for just their neighbors and nation -
but rather for all of humanity -
and the whole of creation as our Lord intended.
Peace and love,
Bruce
DawnSayer@webpal.org
SAFE Ark Two Newsletter
July 4th, 2012
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