MedicSN6 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) By: Chaplain Bill Wolfe / Llano County Sheriff's Department - Jul 02 2008 Hello, and welcome back to the Chaplain?s Corner. I think I?ve probably mentioned that I don?t like preaching the same sermon twice and as always, I?ve kicked around a few ideas trying to find the right fit for this month. As I sat down to start writing I reviewed a number of prior Chaplain?s Corners, and this one about freedom just seemed to jump out at me. So maybe there?s something here worth saying again. (Of course to those of you who weren?t reading my column seven years ago, it will all be new.) Freedom? just a medium-sized word, seven letters in all, but it conveys such a wide variety of meanings. Three words are usually coupled with freedom: of, to, and from. Wow! How many tangents can I spin off from there? There are two other concepts and words that also attach to freedom: cost and responsibility. Those who fought for their freedom from England and to establish our government understood that cost. Those who?ve fought wars on foreign soil understood that cost and accepted their responsibility to future generations to preserve our freedoms at all costs. Interesting thing about freedom?there is always someone wanting to take it away from you. As I sit here pondering, I realize that this taking away of freedom started way back in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were perhaps the most free individuals that have ever lived. At least initially. No 8-5. No IRS. No traffic jams. Then up pops Satan and he finds a way to take away their freedom. This month we celebrate the formation of our county and the Declaration of Independence: the start of a political freedom that has carried us to this day. Back in May we celebrated Memorial Day and honored the memories of those who fought and died in Europe and the Pacific to keep that freedom for us. They fought because there was an enemy that sought to take freedom from those that had it. They fought and many died. Freedom does not come cheap and is to be prized all the more because the high price was paid. We are still at war with the enemies of freedom. The price is still being paid. Men and women of the US military are still stepping up and shouldering the responsibility of preserving our freedom. Yes, there have been some foul-ups, but contrary to popular political sentiment in Washington, our forces are honorable men and women and are fighting over there so we don?t die over here. It?s a shame that in 2008 they are falling victims to political correctness just like they did in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The men and women in law enforcement also have stepped up and are shouldering responsibility for maintaining our freedoms at the street level. And I honor you for that. Among other things, you are preserving our freedom from the fear of criminals and the freedom to have peace in our piece of the ?American Dream,? however small that piece might be. Changing focus a bit, it?s sad that in the country that was founded on freedom, some of those freedoms are being given up and others are being taken from us. The US Constitution guarantees the ?freedom of the press.? That was intended to keep the media free from control by the federal government. However, nowadays the mainstream media has seen fit to take over and to both control and limit our political choices. That?s not the way it was meant to be. The US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. There is a segment of our society that is trying to twist that to be freedom from the Christian ?religion.? Other religious beliefs are given the protection of political correctness, but the Christian ?religion? is to be eliminated, contained or controlled as much as possible. I put religion in quotes here because Christianity is (or should be) more than just a set of religious beliefs or creeds. Christianity is about having a personal relationship with a living, personal God who desires to be involved in our everyday lives. I know this has been an odd rambling coming from the Chaplain, but let me sum it up by saying that ?political correctness? is not freedom, it?s just conforming to someone else?s biased ideas; and it is not that for which the men and women of this great country have fought and died. This 4th of July and the months following, contemplate the freedoms we enjoy and the price that was paid, and take pride in being an American. I?ll catch you again next time. Until then: Blessings to you and yours. -Chaplain Bill Wolfe Edited July 3, 2008 by Medic~SPARTA~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THS_Tritonb Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Very nice. Thank you and I hope all here in SPARTA have a nice and safe happy 4th of the July weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 That's a very nice thought, but I'm not sure what your celebrating Surely you'd be much better of if you were still a British colony. You'd have more expensive petrol, a smaller army/navy/airforce and dumb politicians (oh wait, you have those already ). Seriosuly tho, any one for Tea?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 That's a very nice thought, but I'm not sure what your celebrating Surely you'd be much better of if you were still a British colony. You'd have more expensive petrol, a smaller army/navy/airforce and dumb politicians (oh wait, you have those already ). Seriosuly tho, any one for Tea?????? I wouldn't mind having a bunch of tea on the 4th with my British buddies. You guys have to go fishing for it though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicSN6 Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 I wouldn't mind having a bunch of tea on the 4th with my British buddies. You guys have to go fishing for it though HAHA LOL. Nice one Durka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I wouldn't mind having a bunch of tea on the 4th with my British buddies. You guys have to go fishing for it though Touche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custard~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 He he bring up the tea thing every year never fails to make me chuckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 He he bring up the tea thing every year never fails to make me chuckle. lol, what do you expect? That's all I got! But anyways, I've thought about it, and I know that we wouldn't be the great nation we are today without Britian. And we realize that and even today we are the closest of allies. I also applaud the genius who designed the Union Jack. It is impossible to fly it upside down, something I saw an American doing to his flag this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samurai~SPARTA~ Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I also applaud the genius who designed the Union Jack. It is impossible to fly it upside down, something I saw an American doing to his flag this morning. Actually, the Jack isn't symmetrical. Flying it upside down is supposed to signify distress.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicSN6 Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Durka, get your pistol and go take "his" flag from him. What a douche bag. Oh yeah, record it and post it on Youtube so I can see it. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halli~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Oh and This Also ! ! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xross Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 You know, some say that the wearing of any nation's flag as an article of clothing is not kosher, but I believe that it most defenately is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krambo Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Happy 4th July american friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forrester~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Happy 4th guys, have a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeno~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 May we all have a peaceful 4th of July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zathrus~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Happy 4th all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedicSN6 Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 HAPPY Birthday USA!!!!!! Happy 4th Spartans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durka-Durka~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 History of Independence Day http://www.history.com/media.do Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. ~Adlai Stevenson A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle. ~George William Curtis This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis From every mountain side Let Freedom ring.~Samuel F. Smith, "America" Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis Territory is but the body of a nation. The people who inhabit its hills and valleys are its soul, its spirit, its life. ~James Garfield I believe in America because we have great dreams - and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true. ~Wendell L. Wilkie Let Freedom Ring Today. Happy Independence Day All! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halli~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 First I would like to thank the Duke Of Cumberland (the Butcher) for running my family out of Scotland and settling in the Carolina's. Second I would Like to thank the French for thier Fleet of ships as it was just in time. Third to all those before and now whom stand up for and sometimes die for this wonderful country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoScream~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 You forgot the British ! whom without, America would have no Independence day 'on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.' Your welcome Old Glory Happy Independence from U.s to You http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:British-passport.jpg What do the Red & White stripes mean ? in the USA flag Answer http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_the_stri..._flag_represent Happy Holiday, American Brothers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halli~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Thanks Viii that last clip was nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoScream~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 4th July somewhere in space....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoScream~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 Somewhere ...... 4th of July for SPARTAN GIRLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adder360~SPARTA~ Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 have fun now guys be carefully and be safe if youre using any fire works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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