lessons learned

  The past holds reassurance for the future. That is why understanding history is so important. Lessons learned, handed down generation to generation. When that chain is broken or lost, ultimately confusion will result. It's an old saying you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been. It has been nine generations since we were successful in obtaining independence from Great Britain. Nine generations of freedom from oppression by a tyrannical King. King George the third was the one our Declaration was addressed to. For us a declaration of freedom, to him a declaration of insurrection. Had he remembered his history he would have been aware. In 1215 something similar had transpired, it was called the Magna Carta. In his defense it had been about 18 generations prior but concerned the same thing. The Magna Carta, as we were taught in school is also known as, The great charter of Freedom. Yes, it was about freedom from oppression. It concerned church rights, illegal imprisonment, obtaining swift justice and taxes paid to the king. Well, don't all those things sound familiar? Yeah, same thing today. Ironically it was Pope Innocent the third that annulled the Magna Carta. That happened just a few months after the signing. But still, the point had been made. 

 I am concerned that history is being rewritten and the lessons lost. Fundamental lessons from history. Lessons like freedom is never granted, rather it is seized by those strong enough to hold onto it. Is that insurrection? Certainly to those wielding the power it would be. But when the populace reacts in defense of freedom earned that should serve as a warning to those in the seat in power. The Magna Carta was that message to the King John. And that message was crafted primarily through Christian thought and practices. Yes those fundamentals are contained within Christian doctrine. Due process of law being least among them. No man could be punished without first having had due process of law, in a timely fashion. Innocent until proven guilty, just as Christian doctrine teaches that forgiveness and salvation is at hand but you do have to appear before the judge. In Christianity the word of God is the law! It's a fundamental lesson to be taught to each generation, it is the foundation of America! 

 There are those today attempting to rewrite that narrative. The reasons are simple enough to understand, power and money. By consolidating power in government, government can control the populace. When government begins to make demands upon the governed resistance is inevitable. Under the guise of, we know best, government begins to limit freedom. It's for the common good. Generally that is the big lie, the big ruse. Generally it is to benefit the government, not the governed. More taxes, fees, permits and permissions. If you can eliminate or negate Christian principles altogether the flood gates are open. Fear is the ultimate restraint. That is true whether it is fear of government, or fear of eternal damnation. It is the threat of punishment! Fear is a reality even when fear is not justified! Fear is perhaps the ultimate reality. And there are only two responses to fear, fight or flight. It is far easier to just run away. Far easier to justify surrender than to fight. Far easier to dismiss possibilities than to embrace them. 

 The lesson is plan enough. Freedom is never granted, it is always seized. It is held by those strong enough to accept responsibility for that acquisition. Freedom is to be cared for, embraced and protected. Freedom isn't the ability to do what you want, but rather the obligation to do what is right. Freedom is the exercise of restraint.