MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS - THE END (?) OF A WAR, PACKERS, IT'S NOT ABOUT TEBOW, AND SIX MORE DAYS

The war in Iraq ended early on Sunday morning as the last batch of approximately 25 American military tricks and tractor trailers carrying Bradley fighting vehicles and armored cars carrying 500 US troops crossed the border into Kuwait. Quoting the report by Reuters:

"The war launched in March 2003 with missiles striking Baghdad to oust President Saddam Hussein closes with a fragile democracy still facing insurgents, sectarian tensions and the challenge of defining its place in an Arab region in turmoil. As U.S. soldiers pulled out, Iraq's delicate power-sharing deal for Sunni and Kurdish factions was already under pressure. The Shi'ite-led government asked parliament to fire the Sunni deputy prime minister, and security sources said the Sunni vice president faced an arrest warrant."

Now the post-war analysis begins as historians and politicians try to assess the success and/or failure of this war.  The fact that the war in Afghanistan continues with Americans continuing in harm's way will temper any assessment. And no one should forget that the war on terrorism has not been won. Neither the Bush or Obama administrations dare make such a claim. Nearly 4,500 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives in this fearsome conflict.

America continues to be the one nation willing to expend its own lives in the defense of freedom for persons around the world.  It is an admirable reputation which once again confirms the will and the worth of a democracy.  As much as people wish to castigate or critique America, we are the one nation that can be depended upon.

We should not forget that it has been at a price.  And now that this war is over (?) it is essential that we care for the men and women of the American military and their families--and help them deal with the even deeper price they have paid than anyone.  That will be the true test of the character of Mr. Obama and the person who will hold the office in January 2013.

The Packers finally lost yesterday to the Kansas City Chiefs.  A season of perfection will elude them, but at this point I am looking for them to hoist that Super Bowl trophy at season's end.  The Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow did not defeat Tom Brady and the Patriots.  I suspect Tim will be as gracious and as faith-filled in defeat as he was in victory,  Hopefully his detractors won't make over this either.  In the end, it's not about Tebow, it's about the Broncos (and it's not about Tebow, it's about Jesus Christ.)

And remember - just six more days until Christmas!  It will mean a lot more if He has been resident in your heart throughout this year.