What does standing up for Freedom look like in this New Year?

Dearest Friends,

 

I pray that you had a restful Christ Mass. I determined not to be perturbed, for one day at least. One day, that I did not allow myself to incessantly ponder the growing threat and the darkening day before us. One day to rest in the love of God made manifest by His only Begotten Son, Jesus. It was beautiful.

 

This past week I had counseled my sister, (my sister the graduate from VCU, Magna Cum Laude in International studies, working at J. Crew for $10 an hr and thankful for a job!) to hold fast to her boldness to proclaim “Merry Christmas” to every customer who walked in the door, in spite of the disapproval and warnings from co-workers. I encouraged her to stand her ground in this battle for truth and righteousness. “Let em’ fire you! What is that compared to where we are headed by letting those who hate God and Country have their way!?”

 

It seems so small, so insignificant, “Merry Christmas”; but it is the culmination of all of these small battles where we have surrendered the high moral ground, that have brought us to the brink of the grave danger that we face today.

 

Please, please, take 10 minutes and read this article: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/18294

December 23, 1776

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 their country; but he that stands by 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: it is 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. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

 

Thomas Paine

 

We must not fail.

Catherine