On this 244th birthday of our nation and anniversary of the beginning of the great American experiment, I have few words, but a heart filled with emotion.  I prefer others to speak.  First is Ben Sira, a Jewish scribe from Jerusalem in the second century before Christ.  Next, a self-educated, rail splitting country lawyer, also a President, Abraham Lincoln, at the end of the war to defeat slavery.  Finally, Simon Peter, an apostle of Christ, writing about the year of his crucifixion for the crime of following Jesus.

Ben Sira:

Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that beget us.  The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning.  Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies.  Leaders of the people, by these counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions.  Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing.  Rich men furnished with ability living peaceably in their habitations.  All these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.  There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.  And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.  But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. 

(Ben Sira, 45:1-10)

Abraham Lincoln:

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are on. 

(Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address)

Apostle Simon Peter

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.  Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing.  It is for this that you were called — that you might inherit a blessing.  For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it.”

(Apostle Simon Peter, 1 Peter 3:8-11)

A Fellow Traveler,
Tim