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Title: The Patriot Post - Alexander's Essay 12-20-2012 Post by: nChrist on December 20, 2012, 03:03:37 PM ________________________________________ The Patriot Post - Alexander's Essay 12-20-2012 From The Federalist Patriot Free Email Subscription (http://link.patriotpost.us/?136-160-160-217154-660) ________________________________________ Always Faithful -- and Grateful! Thank God for Patriot Brothers and Sisters By Mark Alexander December 20, 2012 Semper Fortis Vigilate Paratus Fidelis -- et Gratus Thank God for Patriot Brothers and Sisters "In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent Measure should be taken to ward off the impending Judgments. ... All confidence must be withheld from the Means we use; and reposed only on that GOD who rules in the Armies of Heaven, and without whose Blessing the best human Counsels are but Foolishness -- and all created Power Vanity." --John Hancock (1775) In the winter season, our East Tennessee mountaintop is sometimes shrouded in clouds that settle in for days, and that fog can persist for a week or more. The absence of sun and blue sky, or crisp and clear nights under bright stars, can take its toll on the spirit. However, my spirit is lifted high when I recall with certainty that above the fog and clouds, all the heavenly bodies shine bright. Eventually the weather will break and light will avail itself again. I reminded my children that bleak winter weather obscuring the sunlight is an apt metaphor for the trials in our life, which can obscure the Son light. Life itself can, at times, seem shrouded in fog and darkness. That is especially true if, like me, you bear a lifelong burden to support and defend our heritage of Liberty, which is now being assailed from many sectors. But our Creator, who irrevocably endowed us with Liberty, is always there, even if temporarily obscured by the fog of conflict. I hold close these words from George Washington written early in the first American Revolution: "We should never despair, our Situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new Exertions and proportion our Efforts to the exigency of the times." These are difficult times for Patriots -- as in times past. We face daunting challenges from enemies foreign and domestic. Occasionally I forget that this burden I bear on behalf of Liberty is also borne by tens of millions of fellow Patriots. Let us pause to remember who we are -- and the countrymen who stand with us. We are American Patriots1, defenders of First Principles2 and Rule of Law3. We are Sons and Daughters of Liberty4 -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and public servants standing in harm's way at home and around the world, who are loyal, first and foremost, to our revered oath to "support and defend5" our authentic Constitution, not the so-called "living constitution6" espoused by cadres of "useful idiots7" on the Left. We are grassroots leaders and local, state and national officeholders who, likewise, honor our sacred oath. We are mothers, fathers and other family members nurturing the next generation of young Patriots. We are farmers, craftsmen, tradesmen and industrial producers. We are small business owners, service providers and professionals in medicine and law. We are employees and employers. We are in ministry at home and missionaries abroad. We are students and professors at colleges and universities, often standing alone for what is good and right. We are Patriot sons and daughters from all walks of life, heirs to the blessings of Liberty bequeathed to us at great personal cost by our Patriot forebears, confirmed in the opinion that it is our duty to God and Country to extend that blessing to our posterity, and avowed upon our sacred honor to that end. We are vigilant, strong, prepared and faithful. We are not defined by race, creed, ethnicity, religion, wealth, education, geography or political affiliation, but by our devotion to our Creator, and the Liberty He has entrusted to us, one and all. In the Spirit of Christmas, and every day of the year, it is my fervent prayer that we, individually and as a nation, turn to the Light of our Creator for wisdom and peace. In keeping with this blessed Christmas season, I invite you to visit our Patriot Christmas page8, which provides some insight on the history and current context for the celebration of Christmas. And in this last of the 2012 columns from this humble Patriot, you note that before attaching my signature to any essay, letter or e-mail, I close with a few words in Latin9 -- words that summarize my life's mission: Pro Deo et Constitutione -- Libertas aut Mors Semper Fortis Vigilate Paratus et Fidelis To these I must add "et Gratus" -- and Grateful. I am eternally grateful to God for all His provisions, and that includes YOU, our Patriot countrymen. Have a Merry Christmas and may God light shine bright upon you, your family and our great nation in the coming year! (Please pray for our Armed Forces standing in harm's way around the world, and for their families -- especially families of those fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who granted their lives in defense of American liberty.) Links http://patriotpost.us/alexander/9612 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/3255 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/3467 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/13270 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/3192 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/2970 http://patriotpost.us/alexander/2959 http://patriotpost.us/pages/290 http://patriotpost.us/pages/111 |