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It has been 162 years, or eight scores and one year, since Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, where he wondered whether “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” and “that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”

Since the Civil War, this nation has honored many more who died fighting for freedom and gave their last full measure of devotion.

The question before us today remains the same:

Do we highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain?

And that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth?

The grass might seem greener in some idealized perfection.

However, our forefathers understood that perfection does not exist. The best we, the people as mere mortals, can do is to strive for a more perfect union. As stated in the Preamble to the Constitution:

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We the People of the United States, to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Though our system of governance is far from perfect, this government of the people, by the people, for the people has achieved unparalleled prosperity, tranquility, liberty, and freedoms the world has never seen before.

We are the embodiment of the American Dream that the world has long strived to match.

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Shall we instead become followers of some failed model of governance, one that is ever-shrinking in economic and substantive standing?

And abandon the birth of freedom our forebears fought and died to secure—the Blessings of Liberty, which include Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?

Why not defend, honor, and be thankful for what our forefathers and the honored dead through these scores have fought in their last measure of devotion to secure?

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Treat others with the same kindness and fairness you would like to receive.*

 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” commanded Jesus Christ from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31).

This command is known as the Golden Rule and it exists in two primary forms:* 

Positive Form (Directive): "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This encourages active kindness and good deeds.

Negative Form (Prohibitive): "What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others." This form emphasizes refraining from causing harm. 

Jesus's teaching emphasizes the positive, active form, encouraging believers to actively seek the good of others, not just avoid doing harm.*

Warning:

What happens when we fail to obey Jesus Christ's commandments, especially to love thy neighbor in fellowship (Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31)?

 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). 

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).   

Jesus makes a direct link between love for Him and obedience to His commands. Failure to obey, in this context, demonstrates a lack of genuine love and commitment.* 

 "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:11).

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*Sourced from Google AI search of “Do unto others so too unto you.”

 

We are stronger together.

"In union there is strength and united we stand." - Aesop

Today, we honor the voices of victims and recognize their pain and suffering.

Today, we took a step towards justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially children trafficked by monsters.  

Today, we bravely demonstrated to the world our resolve to protect our children and every individual from sexual abuse and harm.

Let's pave the way for a better and safer world where children can learn, grow, and play safely without the threat of harm, especially sexual abuse and exploitation.  

And let's continue to fight the good fight for the benefit of our children, humanity, especially future generations.  

Thank you.

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Soldiers of Christ, Rise

“Soldiers of Christ, arise,

and put on your armor.

Be strong in the strength that God supplies

through His eternal Son.

Be strong in the Lord of hosts

and in His mighty power,

who in the strength of Jesus trusts

is more than a conqueror.

Stand then in His great might,

with all His strength infused,

and take, to help you in the fight,

The armor of God.

From strength to strength go on,

wrestle and fight and pray;

tread down all the powers of darkness

and win the well-fought day.

Leave no unguarded place,

no weakness of the soul;

take every virtue, every grace,

and strengthen the whole.

That, having done all,

and all your conflicts past,

You may overcome through Christ alone

And stand complete at last.”*

Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle against unholy spiritual forces of evil. And against these unholy forces, we must follow the Lord's will and defend the innocent, especially children.

Key aspects of being a "soldier of Christ':

**Spiritual battle:**

The main idea is a non-physical war against spiritual forces of evil, requiring spiritual weapons and strength, as emphasized in this Facebook post and sermon summary.

**Discipline and training:**

Just as soldiers train, Christians are encouraged to train through prayer, studying scripture, and living in obedience and dedication to God's will.

**Mission-mindedness and obedience:**

A good soldier is loyal, active, and willing to endure hardship in pursuit of their mission, according to the Africa Freedom Mission.

**Willingness to suffer:**

This includes a readiness to face suffering and, in extreme cases, to lay down one's life for one's faith.

**Obligations:**

Being a soldier of Christ involves fulfilling duties to both God (such as keeping vows) and others (such as being honest and reconciling with them).

For Christians, it is our duty and honor to defend against unholy dangers, keep peace, and protect from harm. Christians must stand against evil.

**Ephesians 6:11**

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*Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #367

**Google AI search for Soldiers of Christ.

 

"For everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." 

                                         - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Life turns on a dime upon the razor's edge of time.  

Where inherent truths will come to light, regardless of the darkness of night.

Seasons will come and go, swallowed into the eon of Christmas past where memories are laid to rest.  

There, in the distance, the future meets the Lord's will out, balanced upon the clear scales of virtue, infinite in its grace, peace, and love.  

Here, we are sorted, our scores counted, to a place where we belong, heaven or hell, where today is yet to tell.

While there is time, repent-  

Send a message of hope to your future self and give the gift of salvation for every child.

 

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