Whether you are listening to this on 11/11 or many days after, I strive to give thanks everyday for our freedoms and veterans and others that sacrifice for our freedoms. We have veterans in this FriDude mix and beyond like Milk Man, Peter or Young Buck Matt or the other Matt aka Tattoo Matt or aka Mouthy Matt in El Paso, TX.
For the listeners in the U.S. and those outside, here is some food for thought. If you listen to some, you would guess that the United States is the worst country in the world. So what do we do here? We stick to our theme as a bunch of flawed dudes pursuing truth and perspective.
First, I don't want war for anybody. Veterans, you know better than most the pains of war. Sincerely from the heart. If you study the Bible, war happens. Whether you want it or not, flawed people will create flawed situations. Jesus says love is greatest of all. That we should love God and our neighbors. If we all did that, there wouldn't be war. Unfortunately, we don't all follow Jesus and his words. So we have wars. The brave fight for our freedoms. Humankind since the beginning wants to be their own Gods and tell everyone else what to do, say and not do and not say. That's a perpetual problem.
So for the United States, here is what I give thanks for. We have freedom of religion. We have freedom of speech. We have freedom to protest. We have freedom to vote. We have the freedom to change our minds and hearts. And who defends those freedoms? Our veterans, our active duty and most of our politicians. For those that defend our freedoms, I give profound, heartfelt thanks.
For those that want to control speech and other freedoms. Look out. That is a slippery slope. Big tech take some notes. Contrast point. Do you have freedom of speech in China? Iran? Russia? North Korea? Hong Kong used to have it. I know those are extreme examples. Freedom to protest? How about voting? Could Barack Obama or someone of African descent be elected as the leader in any of those countries? Kamala Harris? Where is Ilhan Omar more powerful? Where has she risen to power? In the United States or Somalia?
Veterans that have helped preserve our freedoms. Thank you. Active duty that believes in above freedoms...thank you. Democrats, Republicans, Independents that believe in those freedoms. Thank you!
God almighty, for as many reject you, we embrace you. We are flawed. All of us. Thank you for promises like Romans 8:1 that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesuse. Thank you for the freedoms to choose. One cannot force one to love. It is a choice and that is part of your test.
As for the United States, sure, absolutely there is room for improvement. 300+ million flawed people living here. For those that think the U.S. is the worst, well this something to ponder. Study other counties. Study their leadership structure and how diverse they are. Study their freedoms. Understand the Truth and then give thanks for what is worthy.
Listener, if you agree with above, would you be so kind and share this with a veteran you love? The suicide rate amongst our veterans is way too high. Encourage someone. Give thanks. Encourage and build someone up. 1 Thes 5:11.
