Freedom-Fighters Forum

By Bob Welsh

Note: Bob Welsh is an author & inspirational speaker. Drawing from a lifetime of experiences that include a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy and 29 years as an Ohio State Trooper, Bob has mesmerized listeners around campfires, in churches, schools and auditoriums with inspirational stories of fact, fiction and humor set to verse. Bob’s stories deliver messages that will put a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye, a chuckle in your belly or a profound thought in your mind.
www.bobwelsh.com

My Christmas Eve
By Bob Welsh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxjZB5S_g7s&feature=youtu.be

The hour’s late, should go to bed
Near midnight I believe
But memories keep me wide awake
This snowy Christmas Eve.

Yes, memories of my kids moved on
Each has their separate life
Now the holidays have changed
Since angels took my wife.

The toys, the food, the Christmas cheer,
My wife would bear the load
Because I would work most holidays
State Trooper on the road.

Just sitting in my easy chair
So many years retired
I reminisce of times gone by
And all that’s transpired. (more…)

SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS

American Christian Life United (ACLU) Choir
Vocal by Carrie Rinderer

We should learn to sing it , loud & clear !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWrrvQ_3-40&feature=colike

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:2]

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from C sar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Jud a, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. [Luke 2:1 - 20]

By Chuck Venhuizen
January 2005

Semantic infiltration (SI) is a phenomenon of language that occurs when certain people deliberately replace one word or phrase deemed offensive with another term that better frames and strengthens their point of view. With the help of the Courts, Media, Academia and even the Church they successfully circulate, popularize and legitimize SI jargon to establish their frequently anti-Christian agenda.

An early modern example of SI comes from the Cold War era, when the Soviet Union deployed terms like “wars of national liberation“, their real purpose being “global conquest“. Since then the use of SI has proliferated, especially in the moral sphere. Designer terms like “sexual diversity training” have been fashioned to obscure a hidden agenda. Like a Trojan horse, these code-like words release moral presuppositions and values into the minds of people who use them that are contrary to the Judeo-Christian ethic.

Some examples of SI are quite obvious, such as replacing “Christmas lights” with “holiday lights”, or “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays”. Other examples (more…)

William J. Dell
Amore Dei, Familiae, Patriae ducit !

I have hanging on the office wall here at the Freedom-Fighters Forum a lithograph entitled “The Prince of Peace.” If you are unfamiliar with it, it depicts the Savior of the World, the height of the building, standing in mid-air, knocking on the United Nations building in New York. [Rev 3:20] Wouldn’t it be nice if they would let Him in not only to the building but to their hearts so that there might be “on earth peace, good will toward men” this Christmas season and always.

At this time of year it would be well if each of us remembers that the first gift of Christmas was a child. The Prophet Isaiah, 700 years prior to his birth said concerning this gift, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]

The Apostle John, in his Gospel, told us why this gift was given when he recorded the Savior telling Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” [John 3:16,17]

So love came down at Christmas, heralded by angels, witnessed by shepherds and visited by Wise Men [Luke 2; Matt 2]. But still 2000 years later the message of the angels seems like an impossible dream. Much of the time we, as Christians, mimic the words of Longfellow’s civil war Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

But his carol does not end there. Today, as we are a nation at war, let us not forget the message of hope that follows the message of despair. In these trying times of internal and external strife let us go on, hear and have faith in the words:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!

Lastly, I would hope this Christmas season that we, as Christians, would be looking and praying for the Second Advent. When the Lord God Omnipotent will reign. When the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and He shall reign forever and ever, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and as tiny Tim said,
“God bless us every one !”

William J. Dell
Amore Dei, Familiae, Patriae ducit !

In America today there is a debate going on as to whether we are a Christian nation or not. During the period of 1774 through 1787, two groups of “wise men” came together and through the aid of the Divine Providence they built a government, a Republic, destined to be the hope of the world. A nation that became a beacon of freedom to all who desired to live free or die.

The First Continental Congress met in 1774 to address the Colonies’ grievances with the English Crown and Parliament. The Second Continental Congress met after the battles of Lexington and Concord and issued the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, ending all efforts of reconciliation with England. This document was signed by 56 “wise men.” Because of the ineffectualness of the Articles of Confederation, another convention was called in 1787 to revise the Articles. This convention, which began in May at Philadelphia, ended with the signing by 55 “wise men” of a proposed new Constitution on September 17, 1787. With New Hampshire’s affirmative vote for ratification June 21, 1788, the United States became a Constitutional Republic. The remaining four States ratified by May 29, 1790 with Rhode Island being the last. Our Bill of Rights, the first 10 Amendments, were ratified December 15, 1791.

When we speak of the core group of men known as the Founding Fathers, our “wise men,” we are usually referring to (more…)

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near ,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know.
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door (more…)

By William J. Dell – 23 December 2009

I have just finished a journey from Colorado Springs to my home. A journey of four days and 1500 plus miles beginning on December 19th. As I punched the dial of my car radio for Christmas Music, I found by my unscientific poll that only 3% of the music was Christ centered. The rest was centered on the secular aspects of the Christmas holiday. Have we forgotten that “Jesus is the reason for the season?” How can we expect to have Christian families and a Christian nation when we have forgotten Christ?

Have we destroyed the sacredness of Christmas and Easter in favor of commercialism and political correctness? Are Santa and the Easter Bunny more important than the Savior of the World? Why is it that we can acknowledge other religions holidays by name but for the Christian’s we have to say Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas? If in fact our nation is more than 85% Christian, why are others so intolerant of the simple greeting – Merry Christmas – and the joy it is intended to send?

Are we Christians in name only? Have we become a nation of closet Christians? Do we believe we are Christians simply because we believe in the Bible and its teachings? If so, I would remind you the Bible says, “the devils also believe and tremble.” [James 2:19b] Do we believe we are Christians by virtue of our birth and our Judeo-Christian heritage or are we Christian by virtue of our accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior by being “born again” and the inherent consequences and responsibilities of that acceptance?

The Scriptures teach us that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is personal. It cannot be inherited from our parents or grandparents. They, or someone else, may guide us to Christ but each person must exercise his or her own faith in God and through use of their own God-given moral agency accept or reject Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Each of us must be “born again” as Jesus taught Nicodemus in the third chapter of John’s Gospel. To bring this point home, Jesus further taught his disciples in the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel – There is no other way. [John 14:6]

Does God require more than passive Christianity? If so how do we witness without offending or alienating those to whom we witness? Is it possible for us as Christians to have the passion for Christianity that Muslims have for Islam without the violence of the Jihadist of radical Islam? Is it possible for us as “Christians” to apply Paul’s counsel to Timothy to ourselves:

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. [2 Tim 1:5-14]

Are we willing to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort as the Master did? Are we willing to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that we may be in, even until death, that we may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection? Or are we ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Is example enough? I do not believe so. I believe that we should constantly pray for opportunities to witness for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and let the Holy Spirit present us with those opportunities. Then when presented with the opportunity, we should boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ without being overbearing. For we should always remember, it is important that we do not destroy the God-given agency of man. The choice to become a Christian and to live with the incumbent consequences and responsibilities must always remain a personal choice for that is the will of our Father in Heaven.

“And so as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!”
and have a very Merry Christmas.

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday.’
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanza
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day,
and that is keeping Christmas.

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people
and to remember what other people have done for you?

To ignore what the world owes you,
and think what you owe the world?

To admit that the only good reason for your existence
is not what you are going to get out of life,
but what you are going to give to life?

Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?

To remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old?

To stop asking how much your friends like you,
and ask yourself whether you love them enough?

To try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want,
without waiting for them to tell you?

To make a grave for your ugly thoughts
and a garden for your kindly feelings,
with the gate open?

Are you willing to do these things even for a day?

Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world –
stronger than hate, stronger than death –
and that the blessed Life which began in Bethlehem
nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas.

Henry Van Dyke

To love people, to be indispensable somewhere,
that is the purpose of life. That is the secret of happiness.

J. Edgar Park

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.