The Lost Art of Patriotism

Why We Need to Consider What We are Not Teaching..

Last Sunday, I stood with Linda a scout grandma, and BSA 201 troop secretary as we watched our troop place 300 flags at the cemetery. We were both in awe as the boys, most 11 and 12 place them at graves of soldiers. These boys were reverent, and trying hard to be like the "big boys" in the troop. I suddenly realised that I had never really spoken to my own son about flag care, and the way Americans value Old Glory.. I knew this when I saw my son set his flags aside to place one in a marker that was a bit off center. He was trying to set it straight and needed both hands. While I am a believer in being a world wide citizen, I also believe in being respectful of soldiers that give their lives for freedom in the USA. I have my freedom because of them, the gift they have given me has enabled me to establish an education, and a home. I know that patriotism is a double edged sword. If it is used to oppress people, or harm the rights we so firmly believe in, then I won't support it. Adolph Hitler used that kind of "Blind Patriotism" to nearly extinguish a nation of innocent people. Patriotism that welcomes home soldiers who fight for others safety, independence and freedom, I welcome..... Patriotism that asks us to believe in the "American Dream".. having choices in education, home ownership, and capitalism, freedom of religion (not just Christianity).. that I believe in... I realize that many of our kids have NO IDEA what this means... or why it even matters...

When I was young, it seemed that an American solider was given much more respect. People would shake hands with them, give a seat up, or smile with gratitude. Parades had a slew of soldiers from many eras. Flags flew at almost every business. Now it is viewed as fanatical to have too many stars and stripes  decorations. Sharing  too much about the war is a hush-hush thing for the men and women who come home. Many soldiers are treated as second class citizens after they come home (see my PT SD blog from April, and soldier testimonies there in).The care that our military receives after war is often poor, unregulated and many soldiers have a hard time getting jobs. Giving honor to our military should not take death, or a disfiguring wound (mental or physical) for them to have the honor they deserve. The service they give should be recognized, simply because they have done for us by serving.  When the chips are all laid out we all talk about this kind of stuff, but no one really does anything about it. I personally have no massive solution, but I am putting this out there to try to invoke attention to some one who might be able to fix this. For my own family I am trying to at least let my kids know why soldiers are important, and what it means to be an American, and a citizen in the world. I have friends in many nations who crave the freedom we have here.  I can't mail gifts to friends in some nations becasue thier mail gets opened, and they get taxed to receive it. Others I cannot visit because being a woman puts me in immediate danger. I have the right to dress and speak as I please. I can be openly critical of the the goverment if they anger me. I can elect officials if I so choose. This is not so for many of my counter parts in the world wide community....

 In coming to care about life, we need to look at the way we value freedom. We also need to think about what we are teaching our kids about respect and value for American soldiers, and America. It is easy to preach our beliefs about freedom, but we also have to teach our kids about the cost of how we obtained it. They need to know that the respect we give to others who serve us should be shown with gratitude, and reverence. Patriotism should never be blind or without meaning, it should be given out of knowledge of what someone has done for us. It should not be reserved for a particular branch of the armed forces. I know people from all faiths, races, and branches, that serve America in uniform. They have all sacrificed equally. With equal regard we should give them our thanks..







Phillip's Wisdom, Why You are Making a Diffrence

"The Office of Angel"

Today in a country funeral home, I heard a declaration that astounded me. My friend Phillip, who was delivering a message of strength, at his mother's funeral, spoke of her calling to the office of angel. While he was speaking in celestial terms, I realised that there was tremendous earthly power of the statement he made.

We live in a world that tends to be centered on comparisons. Neighbor Joe has a bigger truck, I have a bigger fence. Neighbor Jill bakes cookies for the bake sale, I'll bake a 3 tiered chocolate dream cake complete with mousse and chocolate shavings. I have to, so my cake will make more money. More is important! Right? Actually our comparisons tear away at our generoisty. It reminds us of what we want to do, rather than what we can do.

My best friend and I today were discussing Angelic generosity, after Phillip's message. The power to give when there is need as response to God's love that we were given first. All too often we obsess about how much to give. rather than use the idea that giving with gladness is what matters. I suddenly realised that we are all called to the office of Angel. The office of caring for one another though money, time and talent. The office of Angel gives time that is not restrained, fills needs that are life giving, and that builds the kingdom.

In this sense of giving money I am trying to convey, is not in tithing of percentages. I am not talking about faith promises or duties we do.While those things are essential, I am talking about those moments where there is a need and we fill it.  In my own life I have been one to put in a lot of time working for the Lord. Money has been scarce, often. People have given me and my family blessings beyond words. I have often clung to the hem of Jesus' robe to feed my family, pay my bills, and keep a home. God has given all of that plus more... someone has paid my way to travel for the church, attend camps, buy food. The list is very long.. It should be known that someone who gives $5.00 out of love, has shared equally, as someone who writes a check for $1,000,000.00. The numbers do not make something more or less Angelic, but rather the heart of the one who gives..

 The time and the money parts have equal value. My church has helped my family put in a roof, and cover serious emergencies. As time has gone by, we have been able to somewhat stabilize and give regularly, but also give spontaneously back to others along with regular giving. It is a wonderful feeling, but I still depend on the generosity of others for much.. It is an "ebb and flow"...

For the sense of  time, I speak about time that is freely given. This time doesn't always mean we are working on something significant, or even physically moving. It is time often spent listening. I have a friend Sandy, that calls me from my congregation. She calls and goes over carefully what things I share with her as concerns. She also asks about our joys. She genuinely cares. I admit I and very selfish with my time at times. I have to get things done, and I have not learned to give an "intentional listening ear" at times as I am fairly bursting with energy. But then again, it can be time spent being a doer. It can be time spent cooking, cleaning, an aiding those in need. It is a different thing for each who desires to offer what they can.. My friend I spoke of earlier, and his wife have been Angelic ministers many times over. It gives them joy to help as often as they can. They also roll up thier sleeves and get busy when the need is present. These blessings are equal in worth.

Everyone has the power to serve in Angelic ministry. It is the power that we are granted as servants, because we believe in Jesus Christ. It is the power of the Holy Spirit our Comforter that guides us in this giving. That power though, doesn't know selfish comparisons. I doesn't know giving out of guilt or self gain. That power only knows blessing. So as we come to care about our giving. As we come to care about our time, I pray that you answer the call to the office of Angel..  that you might discover the power of blessings gladly shared.