*“My Country Tis of Thee, sweet land of Liberty”
*“My Native Country Thee”
We recently traveled across several northwest states as we have done numerous times in the past few years. One doesn’t have to travel far across any part of our wonderful United States to be aware of the bounteous earth in all of its varieties and terrain. From the desert beauty of the southwest and through the mid states and into the northern states what grandeur awaits our eyes and our hearts. As we traveled I reflected upon the verdant farms and small and large settlements along the way. I thought of the labor of the farmers and other workers as they have labored to build and to plant and to care for the land and its animals and other things that sustain our lives and provides for our general welfare. I also ref-lected on the industry and efforts of so many to provide roads and hospitals and schools and retail and other businesses and industries to sustain our capitalistic economy. We are a blessed nation and many wonderful productive people still live here. Some of our large corporations have moved out of country to make even larger profits. They have forsaken America for more money. Many businesses have remained here and have paid family wages and have made lesser of a profit, but by staying, they have made and continue to make America great. The innovation and energy of the American people will long sustain them as they continue to give their best efforts in their work and service. May we all do our part to keep us free!
*“Our Father’s God to Thee” Author of Liberty;”
*To Thee We Sing”
*“Protect us by thy Might, Great God our King”
*Text: Samuel F. Smith, 1808-1895
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Liberty
Liberty*: right to choose: the freedom to think or act without being constrained by necessity or force.
The colonists in the early 1770’s were quickly loosing their liberty. The ‘crown’ had initiated laws and taxes that were burdensome to these new free spirited Americans. After no redress of their grievances was found, the leaders of this promised land adopted the “Declaration of Independence”. War was declared and a rag tag group of undisciplined and unprepared men and women took on the greatest army and navy in the world. George Washington led this army. He felt that the ‘Hand of Providence’ would see them through. Suffering and defeat occurred at almost every hand. How could liberty be won?
Every American should study and come to know how this country won its independence.
It matters not what religion or culture you are a part of, you can know that a Supreme Being had a hand in the outcome of this world changing event.
While we ‘bask’ in the ‘liberty’ where in we are made free may we never forget the ultimate sacrifices of those who helped fulfill the destiny of this great nation, “Under God”!
The colonists in the early 1770’s were quickly loosing their liberty. The ‘crown’ had initiated laws and taxes that were burdensome to these new free spirited Americans. After no redress of their grievances was found, the leaders of this promised land adopted the “Declaration of Independence”. War was declared and a rag tag group of undisciplined and unprepared men and women took on the greatest army and navy in the world. George Washington led this army. He felt that the ‘Hand of Providence’ would see them through. Suffering and defeat occurred at almost every hand. How could liberty be won?
Every American should study and come to know how this country won its independence.
It matters not what religion or culture you are a part of, you can know that a Supreme Being had a hand in the outcome of this world changing event.
While we ‘bask’ in the ‘liberty’ where in we are made free may we never forget the ultimate sacrifices of those who helped fulfill the destiny of this great nation, “Under God”!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Expectations
A person’s expectations of life and happenings therein is worthy of thought. From our birth we develop expectations that fuel the things we seek. Like food and comfort, etc.
We learn almost by intuition that if we cry we get attention. We are picked up, fed or comforted in some way to quiet us and bring us back to a state of peace and serenity. As we age our expectations increase. Realistic expectations are good for us. They are coupled with thought and action of those that are directly affected by the achievement of the expectation. For example when as a child we will expect to be able to either do or to acquire something that we feel would be a benefit to our life. If that is consistent with our age and our capability and the welfare level of our family or responsible adult, we may be able to obtain the desired outcome. Expectations and the fulfillment of them can either be a boon or a disappointment.
Oft times our expectations can be fueled by the self centered aspirations one can either develop through peer pressure or selfishness or other lustful or carnal desires. There are times when expectations far exceed the actual needs of those involved. For instance a teenager who receives his new driver’s license may feel that now it would be justified to also be able to have a new red Corvette. The expectation far exceeds the justification for such an outcome. I believe each of us who lives will eventually learn to manage our expectations. We will surely have been disappointed a number of times as we have made expectations either for ourselves or others that were unrealistic. Also factored into all of this is the agency of those who we may expect to provide or do something. The bottom line is that the sooner we are taught to use sound reasoning regarding our lives and the things we will accomplish or attain in our lives we will find our lives much happier and life more rewarding. Many of life’s expectations are a given. The sun will come up, it will be at times cold, warm, hot, etc. We will experience sickness and death. We will also experience happiness and joy. Many other expectations will only be wrought by the effort you and those affecting your desired expectation will put forth. Also all these things are looked upon by a Loving God who will with great wisdom and love and knowledge of what is best for us provide the needed thing. To be content with life’s expectations and see them fulfilled is a wonderful thing!
We learn almost by intuition that if we cry we get attention. We are picked up, fed or comforted in some way to quiet us and bring us back to a state of peace and serenity. As we age our expectations increase. Realistic expectations are good for us. They are coupled with thought and action of those that are directly affected by the achievement of the expectation. For example when as a child we will expect to be able to either do or to acquire something that we feel would be a benefit to our life. If that is consistent with our age and our capability and the welfare level of our family or responsible adult, we may be able to obtain the desired outcome. Expectations and the fulfillment of them can either be a boon or a disappointment.
Oft times our expectations can be fueled by the self centered aspirations one can either develop through peer pressure or selfishness or other lustful or carnal desires. There are times when expectations far exceed the actual needs of those involved. For instance a teenager who receives his new driver’s license may feel that now it would be justified to also be able to have a new red Corvette. The expectation far exceeds the justification for such an outcome. I believe each of us who lives will eventually learn to manage our expectations. We will surely have been disappointed a number of times as we have made expectations either for ourselves or others that were unrealistic. Also factored into all of this is the agency of those who we may expect to provide or do something. The bottom line is that the sooner we are taught to use sound reasoning regarding our lives and the things we will accomplish or attain in our lives we will find our lives much happier and life more rewarding. Many of life’s expectations are a given. The sun will come up, it will be at times cold, warm, hot, etc. We will experience sickness and death. We will also experience happiness and joy. Many other expectations will only be wrought by the effort you and those affecting your desired expectation will put forth. Also all these things are looked upon by a Loving God who will with great wisdom and love and knowledge of what is best for us provide the needed thing. To be content with life’s expectations and see them fulfilled is a wonderful thing!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
A blessed nation
When I attended High School we studied about the Roman Empire. It was the ruling authority on most all the earth at one time. We have heard the term “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. The other day as I was parking the car after having driven through the drive through at a local fast food place. I thought to myself ‘the Romans didn’t have it this good’. Since that time I have pondered on the many advantages that we have especially here in America that the Romans in all of their splendor and greatness did not enjoy. I’m sure that they enjoyed many pleasures and had the ‘fat’ of the land. But they certainly did not have all the advantages that we enjoy today. Even the poor are able to enjoy a good portion of ease and providence. Can you imagine traveling by carriage over dusty and broken roads? Think of the wonderful roads and freeways that we enjoy. Think of our automobiles, with all their comforts (radio, cd/video players, air conditioning, heated seats, etc) We can travel in 30 minutes what would have taken them at least a day. Home heating must have been a chore as well as laundry and providing meals. We have access to electricity and gas as well as supermarkets that provide a convenience and array of options that you cannot even imagine. If one got sick in Roman times one of the remedies was blood letting. We certainly have come a long way from those days. We have health care for every malady both real and imagined. Food and nourishment for every type of situation and allergy. We enjoy immunizations that protect us from disease and plague. We don’t have to think too hard to realize that we have many bounteous blessings and opportunities. I don’t assume that too many of us would want to return and live in those conditions and times. Somewhere it is written that ‘where much is given, much is expected’. We certainly are a giving nation. The nations of the earth have been significantly blessed by the generosity of our nation, and our kind people. Yes, most of us enjoy a life richer and far better than our predecessors, which cause our hearts to rejoice and be humble. And yet there are some of those about us who are less fortunate. May we be looking after their welfare and helping where we can to ease their burdens and provide the nurture that they so need. For it is written “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…………”
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