My Country ‘tis of Thee...’

Religion

November 2, 2012

My Country ‘tis of Thee...’

By Father Jonathan Filkins, St. Barnabas Anglican The Picayune Item Picayune Item Fri Nov 02, 2012, 08:00 AM CDT

PICAYUNE — By the azure seas, near the golden fields of corn and wheat, the snowy crags of the mountaintops, from the dark swamps and piney woods of Mississippi, they shall come, engaged in a centuries old battle to proclaim liberty throughout the land. Their battle is fully enjoined, as this faction and that believe they have the exclusivity of divine providence and their will shall prevail over all others. They believe they have the weapons to take the day and cause the surrender of others to their beliefs and control.

No, this is not an armed confrontation, nor a war conducted on an earthly plain. It is being fought in the hyperbole of “spin doctors,” image-makers, pundits and professional advisors. It is being fought over kitchen tables, backyard picnics and office coolers. Yet, the Battle is steeped in the reality where the choices may ultimately cause the death of themselves, or others. It is steeped in the reality where their choices may cause the success, or failure, of their country and, perhaps, the world. Theirs is the sobering choice to be made: the choice to preserve liberty and freedom, or choose the darkness of oppression and domination.

In a few days, we Americans shall be joined in the Battle of the Ballot Box, of which there is no greater importance to our future and our country. It is we Citizens who are called to this assemblage, every four years, and to which we must answer.

Our first President, George Washington, at his Farewell Address in 1796, said, “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”

If these words, from a founding Father of our Nation, ring succinctly true to our ears today, then it is for us to honor the sacrifices of all those who have gone before us. We do so by voting for and selecting those who are impassioned with the service of sacrifice to the highest ideals of the Nation and her peoples. Today, we are mired within the “Great Recession,” with many suffering the ills of want. We seek assurances for the end of our condition and refreshment of our resolve. It is to others, and to another, for which we seek guidance and solace.

Consider the lowly quarter dollar, that “two-bit” coin, which often jingles in our pocket, or purse. In and of itself, it is a memorial and reminder for who we are and what we stand for. Much of the current design was completed in the Great Depression of the 1930’s, another time of great distress and genuine misery. At the top of the coin, in large letters, shouts the word LIBERTY! This word encapsulates all of our freedoms, for without it there would be abhorrent subjugation. In the center, there is a profile of George Washington, reminding us of the necessity of being guided by the sage wisdom of others and the sacrifices made for our Nation.

In tiny words, are the most important reminder of the source of all of our Nations’ greatness, prosperity, and future. For this coin, as all of our monetary currency states, “In God we trust.” We, as a Nation, proclaim it is with God upon whom we must rely. It is with God, we must find the strength to persevere, as we understand our role in this great gift we call the United States of America.

Go to the polls on Tuesday. Vote your conscience, as you carry a quarter coin in your hand to provide a reminder of the great duty about to be performed. Remember the words inscribed on it, for it is, “In God we trust.”

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Movies on Canal begins March 9
The Church at Picayune is hosting a free community event called “Movies on Canal”, on the second Saturday of each month, beginning Saturday March 9, 2012.
A family friendly movie will be projected onto the side of the building at 120 West Canal St in Picayune. Bring a lawn chair and the entire family and enjoy fun-jumps, pop-corn, food, and lots of entertainment at Movies On Canal.

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In the spring of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI stopped in Aquila, Italy, to pray at the shrine of St. Celestine V.
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February 22, 2013
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Not even his closest associates had advance word of the news, a bombshell that he dropped during a routine morning meeting of Vatican cardinals. With no clear favorites to succeed him, another surprise likely awaits when the cardinals elect Benedict’s successor next month.
“Without doubt this is a historic moment,” said Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, a protege and former theology student of Benedict’s who is considered a papal contender. “Right now, 1.2 billion Catholics the world over are holding their breath.”

February 12, 2013
It’s great to be involved with ‘Upwards’ basketball
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February 8, 2013
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January was a big month for me. It actually started in December and seeped over into February. I spent a few weeks helping to care for my father who was very ill, in fact near death from the combined effects of lung cancer, radiation of the brain, and chemotherapy. I officiated the funerals of a close family friend, my father, and my father’s sister.

February 8, 2013
An offering
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Through life, no matter where we are, we face times that leave us with just a handful of understanding and a trunk full of confusion. Circumstances leave us standing in the road, not sure which way to turn.
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February 1, 2013
Last call, ya’ll!
This is The final call for articles and photos for
this year’s Pearl River County Today “Progress” edition. all churches and religious organizations can email their articles and photos to…
picayuneitem@bellsouth.net.

January 25, 2013
Getting to know the enemy is vital
By Steve Ellison, Interim Pastor/First Baptist Horatio, Ark.

The past few weeks have been difficult for me. I saw enough tears to last me a lifetime (and shed a few of my own). My father has been very ill recently. I was not his primary care giver but I was heavily involved. I experienced things I never wanted to experience.

January 25, 2013
Why be included in Pearl River County Today edition?
What would you say to others about your church or regligious organization?

Do you want to increase participation in your activities, or services?
If you had a free venue you could use to present your information not only to local citizens but to visitors, would you use it?

January 18, 2013
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