Dying For A Cause By Robert Soto (Posted on an email from WORDS FROM THE CREATOR)

Dying For A Cause
By Robert Soto
Posted on an email from WORDS FROM THE CREATOR

Note: Robert is of Indian heritage and often writes about his Native History

November 11, 2009

Daniel 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

Today our family will do what we have been doing for a long time. We will meet at the Veteran's Memorial and be part of the Veteran's Day Memorial Service. I have had the privilege of writing about ten songs for our veterans. Songs that will help future generations learn of the sacrifice men and women have been making for the sake of the people. This month I was asked to write a song that will be sung tomorrow in honor of the 34 young men from our area who have given their lives in this present war. Young men who will never see their dreams come true. Young men who will never see their children grow up. Young men who had plans to succeed but will never see their hopes and visions of life come true. Today we, our family and some of the Indian community will come together with over a thousand people and remember their sacrifice so that we could remain a free nation.

When I write a song, it brings up a lot of emotion in me. My heart hurts for those who have lost loved ones. When I sing that song, not a word will be spoken as hundreds will stand in honor of thirty four young men who will never again breathe a breath in the land they went to protect. There were three young men in the Bible who remind me of the sacrifice these thirty-four, as well as the millions before them, have made. Daniel wrote, "They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." They would rather sacrifice their lives than serve someone else. My song will share of their sacrifice.

THEY DIED FOR THAT WHICH WAS GOOD

ha´ for
goki´yaa´ their country
naana´goni´sa´a´ they travel across
'a´shi and
daats' iistsa´a´ they died
ha' for
hooyi´ ' i´ that which was good
danahii-ni´ our land

Take the time today to thank a veteran for your freedom. Take the time today to pray for those across the ocean to come back safe.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church