Never Fear

It seems that the word of the year for 2020 is FEAR.

There has been so many scary things in this world this year - COVID, riots, murder hornets. What next?!

But our Lord is the antidote to fear. Throughout the Bible, He comforts us.

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa. 43:10)

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Jn. 16:33)

It is easy to let fear win and lose hope when we place our hope on the things of this world. Everything and everyone in this world will ultimately fail. Not so with Christ. When we place our hope on Him, nothing can prevail against our ultimate salvation, our victory, though Christ, over death itself. So there is no need to fear. We are in His good hands.

Happy Birthday USA

On this day 244 years ago, the delegates of the 2nd Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formalizing our political separation from Great Britain and the establishment of the United States of America.

More importantly, this declaration set forth a lofty principle of natural rights.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

This statement resonates in the heart of all paladins. We commit ourselves to this principle and seek to uphold it.

We acknowledge that our country has not always lived up to this ideal. This saddens us greatly. Yet we remember the many times that this country and especially its young, brave men have stood up for the principles of freedom and democracy. From the green at Lexington to the hills of Gettysburg, the beaches of Normandy, and the sands of the Middle East, Americans have fought and bled and died for liberty. For this, we thank God for the United States of America, and heartily celebrate her founding.

So in the years to come, let us do as Abraham Lincoln recommended and solemnly resolve

that 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.

Amen