Our own unique National Holiday

…One Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.
-Pledge of Allegiance

…And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
-Declaration of Independence

Don’t know about you, but I have been engaged in and enjoying reading American History the past few months. Learning about how our Nation was built, who built it, how it got started and why, and how we beat terrific odds to just become a separate and free country. The distinguished gentleman from Virginia and his other, genius, brave, creative and determined comrades. The brave common folk, farmers, writers, mercantilists, clergy, even Native Americans (they were called Indians back then!) who fought, worked, and strategized to bring it about.

I believe in the ordination of this country by a Supreme Creator God, but even if you don’t, you have to admit that the land we call USA, inhabited by a mix of people most of whom came from somewhere else, and were and still are attracted by what it has to offer, is a special place like no other.
 
I used to wonder why we don’t have as much commitment to our faith as in some other countries. I learned that we used to. That’s how many of the original 13 colonies got started, and most of the people coming over here were very strong in their own faith. I used to think that we screwed the Indians out of their land, giving them a penned in wasteland and government “help” to justify ourselves. I learned that many of the Indians were paid or traded for what we got, and that some of the Indians were just as mischievous, deceitful, and violent as some of the white man were. I also learned that they had a different view of land use and ownership, and their ideas and ours collided, and so there was a series of events that played out that melded that into what we have now.

I learned about the bravery, sacrifice, determination, creativity, and suffering of men and women, black and white, who fought in the battles to gain our independence, most of which we lost, or served in other ways. I learned about how they didn’t have clothes and shoes; supplied their own arms. How most of the Founding Fathers had slaves, but were contradicted by it, and worked to get that changed. That some of the Founding Fathers were black. How Valley Forge was more like Death Valley for several years. How if we hadn’t run out of ammo in the very beginning at Bunker Hill, we might have won the war right off the bat.

That some blacks and women did vote in the colonial period, as well as the early days of the republic. How the media of the day laid out the case for the colonists’ grievances, and when it was apparent that the mother country wasn’t interested, laid out the case for independence and revolution. How preachers would speak of the Christian Bible, and how it’s God was a part of the making of this land, and then would shed their robe and don the uniform and fight alongside everyone else. How the role of Congress was supposed to be played by common citizens, from multiple backgrounds, who would sacrifice a term of their life to serve their country. Emphasis on sacrifice. It was expected that they would not gain financially from the service, and would go back to their previous trade afterwards, and a new set of folks would step in. How the senators were originally elected by the state legislatures, to represent their interests in Washington.

I could go on, but there are parades to watch, burgers and chicken to grill, drinks to ice down, and fireworks to watch (although business won’t be so good for them this year). Suffice it to say, we live in a great nation. Even with all our troubles, there are people who hike, float, ride and fly their way in here to what they know can be a better life for themselves. They leave behind family and heritage for an opportunity, but not a guarantee, to live free, be their own boss (even if they work for someone else), and die with dignity, passing on to their kin a legacy matched nowhere in the world.

We have our troubles, and we are divided, but not as much or so much as we are led to believe. Some of it is self-inflicted. We are in a free country, and able to live as such, practicing our trade and our faith; as long as we don’t interfere with our neighbor’s ability to do the same. Those outsiders who hate us don’t have what we have. The human spirit is meant to be free, even though we are imperfect, because we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights.

I am overwhelmed by the thought of this at times, and eternally grateful to those who made it possible.

As we gather to celebrate a Monday off, let’s remember what it is about. Other countries have a day of independence. But only the United States of America celebrates Independence Day on July 4th.  And that day reminds us of why we have what we do today, warts and all. Enjoy your freedom, and live it out proudly.

Happy Independence Day!!!

our heros

Today is Memorial Day, 2011. At the beginning of this month, our men in uniform completed a long mission to find and bring justice to one of the most hated and wanted men ever to live. As usual, it was executed with exact precision, total effectiveness, and without regard for personal safety. Courage, commitment and skill(sorry for breaking up the alliteration!) can be found in all these men. We won't ever know who they are, and they are likely cool with that. There are hundreds of thousands of other men and women who are their comrades. Most won't go on a high-profile mission. Some won't come home. Some don't even get exposed to the "normal" dangers we think of for the military.
I personally know about 3-4 people in the military, and a few more through parents and friends. These people are tough, driven, and a fight doesn't scare them. I often wonder what the military would have done with me if the draft were still around when it was my time. My dad worked an office job in the Army, stationed for awhile in Germany. They need support staff too. I probably would have ended up in something like that.
My step-dad still talks of his experiences in the Army, both state-side and in various places in WWII. I have been fortunate to watch in person the arrival of a fallen local serviceman. It was an emotional and hearwarming experience to see all the people there at the Sugar Land Airport, lining the highway. Dozens of Patriot Guard motorcycles welcoming  Garret Gamble back home.
One of my wife's uncles was also a WWII  veteran. He had plenty of stories to tell as well, and a few pieces of memorabilia, if you know what I mean, from his duty there. He died last year.
I think we forget what Memorial Day means. It's not hard, with all the marketing that goes on. Some of us are maybe just looking for a day off. Our lives are busy and fast, and we just need slow it down a little, to remember that this is a day to remember those who have served our country in its uniforms. Whether on the battlefield, or as support. Fighting for our own freedom, and frankly, that of others too. Some died in their service, others after a long fruitful life. So if you know of somebody like my dad, Robert Sr, or Uncle Marvin, or Sugar Land's Lance Corporal Garrett Gamble, think of them, what they did, and what we have to show for it today, Memorial Day 2011. Pray for those in service now, and their families here at home. They are why the Stars and Stripes are flying high and proud.

short and sweet for today

Japan needs our help and prayers. We (USA) are always ready, willing and able to help. There is a reason for that, and we must protect it. We are a blessed people, and those who live by that value must protect it, use it, and respond. What I mean by that is that the Lord God has anointed us, we are His people, and we are here to do His work. Some of that is "religious," and some of that is "dirt under the fingernails." We have the resources to help others in their time of need. Think if we were like the Soviet Union, Germany, Britain, or any of the other "empires" of the world. Limp, ineffective, disorganized, unresponsive. The world community will respond to this, but it will be under the leadership and direction of the USA. Not because we are better, but because we are Connected. Think about it..............................

Sometimes ya never know

Ran into a neighbor at the gas pumps today. We chatted for a few minutes about the usual stuff. Details aren't necessarily important, but she related something to me that we had done for them over the course of several Christmases years ago when their kids were little. She said her grown daughter still remembered that, and acted on it this year. We were just being neighborly. We like them. It was fun. It was no strain to do that with them those years. I was amazed to hear that the daughter remembered that, and that she acted on it, this many years later. We're talking about single digit number of years ago, not decades or anything, just so ya know.
As I drove off on my way to the store, I thought, wow. We did that, and then she did this, and it keeps going. I'm not bragging here, just relating a story that came back around. Epiphany was this week. History tells us that the Wise Men didn't exactly show up the night after Jesus was born. The Magi showed up several months later. This tells me that the Christmas Spirit should last awhile after the lights and tree come down, the cookies and pie are all gone, and the presents have found a permanent place in the house. Just the simplest gesture, with really no specific intentions other than some Christmas cheer, has acquired a life of its own. I have a sense that stuff like that happens all over, but in a day and time when things are so tight and stressed, and people seem to be so busy, and especially after what happened today, its reassuring to hear something good once in awhile. Peace on Earth!

Things I've learned this year

In no particular order...

• people are good
• despite what I just said, we are all bad, and do bad stuff. That's why Jesus was born last week.
• Good music makes me feel good, even when its bad news. It stirs me up, makes me think, helps me to get off of what I am hung up about, even for only 3:48. Ya gotta put up with some bad music to find the good stuff, but its worth it.
• things might be as bad as they seem, but you can always make lemonade. if you look, you can usually find someone who is worse off.
• My 90+ year old step-father said don't sweat the small stuff. It's not worth it. Works for him. Maybe I should do better at that. (I think I should point out that that doesn't mean sweat the big stuff. that's a whole 'nother matter)
• My kids keep me young. I get a kick out of being with them and doing stuff with them, even when the pace is nuts, things don't go right, they are complaining or don't listen, and I am missing other stuff - like golf.
• I enjoy kids. They are our future. It's mine and your job to help them along so that they turn into the leaders and faithful people that the earth will need at another point in time. Someone else's dad or mom can be a great influence on a kid you know, even just by being there. Some will latch on. I know  that to be true.
• My kids are like me, but they aren't me. don't try to make them that way. Remember how you got where you are. You screwed up plenty on the way to not being perfect!
• Lots of these things are for me more than for you. But take any of it you like. Most of it isn't mine in the first place! I will attribute where I can.
• The Founding Fathers were very wise, and were willing to be guided by Almighty God. We should follow more in their footsteps.
• The pace is easier to handle if you don't let the pace get to you. BREATH...
• easier said than done!?!?!?!?!?!?!
• I am blessed. Even in troubled times and situations, I know that God is above, below, in front, behind. Wherever I need. Just like the cloud and pillar of fire. Because of my choice to believe in Him and accept His grace, I have a special dispensation that He allows. He may not fix everything, especially the way I  think it should be, but He is protecting anyway.
• I am finding that alot more people think the way I do, generally, than don't. That means most of us have alot in common. Knowing that should  give us some hope, and kick us in the backside to stand up and say something. whatever that means at the time. All it takes for bad men to succeed is for good men to do nothing. --- Edmund Burke (paraphrased)
• see, told you I would attribute. done it twice already...
• some time with my God, both alone and with others (corporately, as some say. but that seems out of place) and in His Word, is good for me for the rest of the week.
• Use your gifts. they are there to help you fulfill your purpose. Probably to help someone else out in some good way.
• It's ok to have alot of fun while being a Christian. God doesn't care if you are goofy sometimes. I think He likes it frankly. I know He has a sense of humor. He made me for cryin' out loud. (I almost said "for Pete's sake," but I thought I would spare Pete the attention...) I learned a new "goofy" from my kids.
• The Feast/Occasion of Epiphany is God's way of reminding us that the Christmas Season ends, but the Christmas Spirit should keep going.

Peace on earth.
I'm curious what you have to say about any of this. Ya can't offend me, so speak the truth...

Its a New Year - 2011

2010 was a weird year. Trying in some ways, good in others. more exaggerated than in the past.This is my attempt to make some sense of it, especially going forward. Depends on how 2011 turns out. Jury is still out, but I am keeping my head up anyway.  Read it and pass it on. I'm not gonna be PC here, cuz that doesn't do any good. And I am biased, just like everybody else. I point it out as I see it. Hence the name. I don't claim to be right all the time, or that mine is the only viewpoint. However, truth is truth and fact is fact. Let's just deal with it and get along. Pass it on as you like, follow or just observe. Sometimes I think we don't see or realize what is going on right in front of us. We're too busy, uninformed, sometimes misled, or just aren't paying attention. Maybe we can all figure this out together.

Happy New Year!