Tag Archive - Freedom

Standing for What’s Right

May 24, 2011 in General with 0 Comments

Flags that were placed on gravesites at Fort L...

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Martin Niemoeller, a World War I hero in Germany, was imprisoned for  eight years by Hitler. He spent time in prisons and concentration camps, including Dachau. Hitler realized if Niemoeller could be persuaded to join his cause then much of his opposition would collapse, so he sent a former friend of Niemoeller’s to visit him, a friend who supported the Nazis.
Seeing Niemoeller in his cell, the onetime friend said, “Martin, Martin! Why are you here?”
Niemoeller replied, “My friend! Why are you not here?”
As we approach Memorial Day, let us remember those who stood for what was right.  Let us remember those who were willing to undergo hardship and suffering and even death, so that right would triumph over wrong and evil.  Let us remember those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we might enjoy the freedom we have.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”  We must remember that everything we enjoy in this life was provided by someone’s blood.
Many shed their blood so that we might live in this great country and enjoy the freedom it provides.  Many have died to keep that freedom strong.  We must remember that though our freedom is ours to enjoy, it was purchased at a great cost.  It was purchased by the blood of the patriots who envisioned something far greater than themselves.

Let us also remember that our freedom as God’s people was purchased by the blood of Christ.  The freedom from our sin and shame was bought with great sacrifice and with much suffering.
So, whether it is the freedom of our great country or the freedom of souls, let us give thanks for those who sacrificed their all.

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In His Place

March 22, 2011 in Daily Faith with 0 Comments

. Maximilian Kilbe

In February 1941, Father Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest, was arrested by the Gestapo for harboring Jews and sent to Auschwitz. Kolbe was assigned to Barracks 14 where he continued to minister to his fellow prisoners.

One night a man escaped from Barracks 14. The next morning there was tension as the ranks of phantom-thin prisoners lined up for roll call in the square. Afterwards, Commandant Fritsch ordered the dismissal of all but Barracks 14, who were forced to stand still in the hot sun all day long. By evening the commandant would make a lesson out of the fate of this miserable barracks. “The fugitive has not been found. Ten of you will die for him in the starvation bunker!” he screamed.

As the ten were chosen, a cry rang out from one of the men chosen, “My poor children! My wife! What will they do?”

Suddenly there was commotion in the ranks. A prisoner had broken out of ranks and volunteered to take this crying man’s place. It was Father Kolbe. The frail priest spoke softly, even calmly, saying, “I would like to die in place of one of the men you condemned.” The commandant ordered it done, and the ten were marched to Barracks 11 where they would spend the last of their days.

Franciszek Gajowniczek was the prisoner whose life was spared. He survived Auschwitz and for 53 years—until his death at age 95—he joyously told everyone about the man who had died in his place.

As we go through this time of Lent, we must remind ourselves that we were once under a death sentence. Yet, one came forward and offered to take our place. Jesus Christ died in your place. He gave Himself on the cross so that you could go free.

Franciszek Gajowniczek joyfully told everyone about the man who died for him. Could we do any less.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8, NIV84)

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Alive

April 4, 2010 in Videos with 0 Comments

Opening the Door

December 5, 2009 in General with 0 Comments

prison_cell_locking_door

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
Isaiah 61:1 (NLT)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who resisted the Nazi leadership during World War II. He was arrested and imprisoned by Hitler who ordered Bonhoeffer’s execution on April 9, 1945, shortly before the end of the war. During his imprisonment, he wrote letters to his fiancee and family. In a letter to his fiancee, Maria von Wedemeyer, dated November 21, 1943, he writes of one lesson learned from life in prison.:
“A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, does various unessential things, and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside is not a bad picture of Advent.”2

We are prisoners as well. We are imprisoned in cells not made by concrete walls and steel bars. We are held captive by the nature and power of sin. And like all prison cells, there is no handle on the inside. No efforts, no matter how sincere or ingenious, can open the lock. Just like Bonhoeffer’s cell, it has to be opened from the outside.
That is what God did. He sent Jesus to do for us what we were incapable of doing for ourselves. He sent His Son to unlock the prison door, to fling it open and free us for new and abundant life.

Advent is the rattling of keys. It is the turning of the lock’s tumblers. It is the hope of freedom. It is the promise of the fresh wind of the Spirit rushing into our cells and making all things new.
This Advent, listen. What you think might only be the jingling of bells is really the Key of life turning the lock to set you free.

Prayer:
Holy Father,
Our prison cells can be stifling. Robbing us of hope and joy. Come and fling open the doors once again. Free us this Advent season to worship you and live for You all year long.
In the liberating name of Jesus, Amen