Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!

I was reminded yesterday of this great quote by Thomas Paine, from the first in his series of "The Crisis" essays, and I find it's timeless wisdom encouraging and inspiring, especially when so many "summer soldiers and sunshine patriots" lose resolve (if they ever possesed it, even) in the war on terror:

"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

And as we celebrate our freedoms this day, and commemorate the sacrifices that others have made on our behalf, let us remember: "Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." This is a common army motto that you'll find on the homepage of The Mudville Gazzette, a first-rate milblog that is being run by the courageous wife of it's originator, while he heals from wounds he recently recieved while serving in Iraq. My prayers go out to Chuck and his loving wife.
I urge ya'll to pray for them as well.
I can't think of a better way to celbrate our liberty, than to lift those who protect it, up to the Lord in prayer.

Brad