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 INTRODUCTION
I recently visited San Antonio Texas to attend the National Fatherhood Summit. This was an inspiring time but there is something else in San Antonio that had a tremendous impact on me; The Alamo!
San Antonio and the Alamo played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. In December 1835, Texians (American settlers) and Tejanos (Mexican Texans) attacked Mexican troops quartered in the city. After five days of house-to-house fighting, they forced the Mexicans to surrender. The victorious volunteers then occupied the Alamo. On February 23, 1836, they prepared to defend this former Spanish mission together and held out for 13 days against General Santa Anna's army.
THE TRAVIS LETTER FROM THE ALAMO
As I stood in front of the Alamo and read a plaque with a copy of Alamo commander William Travis’ letter pleading for assistance, I was moved by his total commitment, to death if needs be, for the cause of liberty. He wrote:
“Commandancy of the Alamo February 24, 1836.
To the people of Texas & all Americans in the world.
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots,
I am besieged, by a thousand or more Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken – I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls - I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER OR RETREAT.
Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch… If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his honor and that of his country - VICTORY OR DEATH.
William Barret Travis, Lt. Col.”
Legend holds that with the possibility of additional help fading, Colonel Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man willing to stay and fight to step over — all except one did.
As the defenders saw it, the Alamo was the key to the defense of Texas, and they were ready to give their lives rather than surrender their position to General Santa Anna. Among the Alamo's garrison were Jim Bowie, renowned knife fighter, and David Crockett, famed frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee.
REMEMBER THE ALAMO
The final assault came before daybreak on the morning of March 6, 1836, as columns of Mexican soldiers emerged from the predawn darkness and headed for the Alamo's walls. The desperate struggle continued until the defenders were overwhelmed. By sunrise, the battle had ended. Travis was one of the first to fall, he died defending the north wall. Bowie was killed in his bed, where he lay sick with pneumonia. Crocket’s body was found in a small fort in the west side.
These men possessed an unwavering courage to stand and fight against tyranny in an ageless struggle for freedom. They decided to stand and die for their beliefs. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. ALL GAVE SOME – BUT SOME GAVE ALL!
THE CULTURAL ALAMO
At this point in history, America now stands at the crossroads. There are forces at work that want a completely secularized culture that does not even recognize God. When the Circuit Court of Appeals recently decided to omit the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, it was just another shot fired in the war that continues for America’s soul. In a nation that was born with a clear recognition for "the Creator" we are now reduced to eliminating any words referring to Him solely because one person said they were offended.
Mathew Staver, president of Liberty Counsel said: "Most people are offended every year when they make their checks out to the Internal Revenue Service, but that does not give them a constitutional right to sue to abolish the IRS." He added, "The federal court spit in the face of our veterans who shed their blood for the freedom we enjoy. If the Pledge is unconstitutional, then our currency is also called into question. Such a thought is intolerable." Georgia Republican Rep. Bob Barr said: "I… call on these liberal judges to stop accepting their taxpayer paychecks as they are no doubt offended by the words 'In God We Trust' on all U.S. currency." The Washington Times said; “…It seems some people are trying to remake this great nation, 'under God,' into an America in their own image." America is in a cultural war and the line has been drawn!
THE SPIRITUAL ALAMO
The Church has become a spiritual Alamo, under siege and in danger of being overwhelmed by the godless forces in the secular media and entertainment industry who largely shape the popular culture of today, a role that the church used to fulfill.
Just like Travis’ plea for help, God is calling men and women of courage everywhere to cross the line and be prepared to lay their lives down for the cause of Christ and Truth! The future of America depends on our response. Rise up, freedom fighters of the Cross and take back that which was stolen... VICTORY OR DEATH!
“…there are two priorities every serious Christian should recognize. We need to return to the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ; and we desperately need divine intervention or our nation will perish.” - Francis Frangipane
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