It’s the end of the week, and there is a light dusting of snow but the roads are clear. The weather report is for frigid temperatures and high winds. It’s a good day to stay indoors and either read a book or watch Ken Burns’s production, “The American Revolution.”
Unlike his other historical productions, there are no contemporary photographs, the camera not being invented until the late 1830s. Burns used a combination of 18th century paintings, reenactment footage, animated maps showing battles, and drone shots over areas to enhance our modern eyes to the terrain soldiers had to cover.
It also shows how divided we were as a people at that time and how we became a nation. Viewpoints from many historians enhance our understanding of the terrible costs and difficulties as well as the courage of the men and women, black, Native American, and white endured. We have to ask ourselves whether we would have such courage today to protect the freedoms so dearly won.
Prayer for the Day
The sun comes creeping over the horizon and we welcome it,
Was it this cold, dear God, when you first brought the universe into being?
We shiver, struggling to find the warmth of your love around us,
But you, O Lord, can bring our care for your world into fruition.
Thaw the ice we have built up around ourselves and hat our hearts
So we envelope the earth with the passion of your creation.
In the name of the One who walked on the earth,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarcy, that in America the law is King. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.
Thomas Paine, patriot (1737-1809)
It is natural for the People to be soured by Oppression...when their Exertations for the Preservation of their Rights are construed into Treason and Rebellion.
Dr. Joseph Warren, Boston patriot, killed in battle (1741-1775)
I will walk at liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your decrees before kings
And shall not be put to shame.
I find my delight in your commandments,
Because I love them.
Psalm 119: 45-47