Some of the most beautiful moments in life are memories. I’ve built some recently. My grandchildren, my children, my wife and I built them together. Regardless of what days ahead bring, they will remain incorruptible treasures. They are beautiful when created. They are beautiful when recalled. They are not just my memories. They belong to each of us a little differently. The times, the events, the gentle touches of God’s Holy love intertwine to produce a memory tapestry. Each of us holds a slightly different replica of the same memory. It is treasured by each one. Each retold perspective enhances the mountains of luxurious memories we share. We are rich beyond measure.
There is a cost to obtain this treasure. Time is only given once. It cannot be replaced extended or stopped. Choosing to use it for these beautiful memories means it can never be used again for any other purpose. It is precious. The distances traveled, the finances costs, the setting aside of other purposes and needs, all contribute to the great value of memories. Pictures or paintings freeze a moment in time and when reviewed we are flooded with a treasure house of joy as the mind connects memories over time and distance.
Erasing the memories is not possible. There are far too many who testify to the unblemished beauty and joy of the moments. It is a truth which is and cannot be otherwise. Destroying the joy and impact of them however is possible. When any would focus on what was missed, what could have been possible instead of what was, we diminish the treasure. If even one would feel they are the central point of the event, they might feel slighted. There in that moment of selfish demand upon memory, a challenge is leveled against truth.
The truth which is the complete impact of all the circumstances and people involved can be twisted from the beauty it is unto a selfish perversion. Reminding ourselves of the beauty and joy which God our Creator has allowed us to receive reinforces our determination to make it happen again if at all possible within our abilities. This time of year I’m reminded of another beautiful joyful event. The declaration was of an oppressed and weary people who would choose death over tyranny, freedom over the enslavement of ungodly wickedness. It was made in a July meeting some two hundred forty or so years ago. Rather than continue to submit to life devoid of the freedom of conscience, mothers and daughters and sons and fathers came together to create beautiful memories. The costs involved were greater than traveling vast distances or spending huge monetary sums. Sorrow and pain combined with passion and courage to paint memories of victory and joy which have been celebrated every year since their success was assured by the hand of Almighty God.
I know these memories as part of my own because their faithful sons and daughters have painted colorful palates of remembrance. The great price paid, the certainty of their purpose, their determination to see it through to the end resulted in treasure beyond imagination. When the flag is flown, saluted and respected, their sacrifices are honored. We pause within busy lives to openly and unashamedly celebrate the freedoms they earned by creating memories within our own lives. But, there are those who would pervert the truth and beauty of the memories. It is for one reason alone that they do this. They selfishly assert themselves as God and demand that they receive gain above others regardless of the cost to others.
Their incessant devouring and destruction of true memories is purposed at denying the only true God and our Lord Jesus Christ. When they can openly deny the greatness of our heritage and cause lies to be seen as truth it is then that they believe they can deny the creator who established it for His own glory and praise.
When men can declare that the events of human history place within them a state that proclaims peace and liberty it is certain a great price has been paid to obtain that precious wealth. Tyranny, evil and the rejecting of the Holy Lord Jesus Christ can only occur when good is silent. Edmund Burke is reported to have said that the only thing required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. He lived during the time of our declaration and the resulting beauty of this nation under the hand and rule of God. Now, in our day, the lie of evil is the handle of the twisted blade which would kill our liberty and disembowel the freedoms he so prolifically wrote of. The memories of our children, grandchildren and their heirs are hesitantly waiting to be written upon the lives of those who will stand in the path of the onslaught against truth. The liar says we know not God. Therefore the wicked say any perversion of pleasure or pretense of right is acceptable.
Our forefathers chose to pull the trigger. Thousands of brave men and women chose as Patrick Henry who declared “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” Before today is the same choice. In one rebellious act of unconscionable cowardly spite, evil people in America began to twist the truth of God. It was one act.
It was followed by another and another and another. Each succeeding betrayal became easier than the previous. Each time found fewer protestors and an increasing army of complacent jelly fish minded minions laying aside objection for compliance. Restoration is costly. It is far less expensive to maintain the thing valued than to replace the corrupted pieces. However once the proper maintenance of Godliness is deserted; only restoration or complete and utter destruction are possible.
If we will not restore the righteousness of the former memories, we will establish and entrench the horrible tyranny of godless wickedness. Our sons and daughters for untold generations will deny the Christ of God and believe the lies we refuse to deny with our lives. Then whose will the precious memories be? The treasures we gave our riches and abilities to obtain will become moth eaten and corrupted by rust.
Therefore I declare today that the government of the minds of men in this and every evil intended godlessness on this planet to be in violation of the word and promises of Almighty God Jehovah. He alone is the creator and maintainer of all that is and all that lives. He alone is God. I swear Him all my allegiance and devotion. I reject the law and control of any who deny Him, His Word or His ways. I do so at peril of death in this life and assurance of life eternal in the next.
To my children, my heirs and all who would look upon my choices, I pray these memories will be the battle cry, the central pivot, the sledge hammer from which your future freedom comes to love and worship freely before the only true God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.