"The Pledge of Allegiance"

I was emailed the following story a few days ago given by Senator John McCain during a speech. I felt compelled to share it with you since it addresses "The Pledge of Allegiance."  My prayer is that it will inspire you as it did me. “As you may know, I spent five and one half years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. In the early years of our imprisonment, the NVA kept us in solitary confinement two or three to a cell. In 1971 the NVA moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40 men to a room. This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change and was a direct result of the efforts of millions of Americans on behalf of a few hundred POW's 10,000 miles from home. One of the men who moved into my room was a young man named Mike Christian. Mike came from a small town near Selma, Alabama. He didn't wear a pair of shoes until he was 13 years old. At 17, he enlisted in the US Navy. He later earned a commission by going to Officer Training School. Then he became a Naval Flight Officer and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen and deep appreciation of the opportunities this country and our military provide for people who want to work and want to succeed. As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves, and other items of clothing. Mike got himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he created an American flag and sewed it on the inside of his shirt. Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's shirt on the wall of the cell and say the Pledge of Allegiance. I know the Pledge of Allegiance may not seem the most important part of our day now, but I can assure you that in that stark cell it was indeed the most important and meaningful event. One day the Vietnamese searched our cell, as they did periodically, and discovered Mike's shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it. That evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, and for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours. Then, they opened the door of the cell and threw him in. We cleaned him up as well as we could. The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept. Four naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room. As I said, we tried to clean up Mike as well as we could. After the excitement died down, I looked in the corner of the room, and sitting there beneath that dim light bulb with a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian. He was sitting there with his eyes almost shut from the beating he had received, making another American flag. He was not making the flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how important it was to us to be able to Pledge our allegiance to our flag and country. So the next time you say the Pledge of Allegiance, you must never forget the sacrifice and courage that thousands of Americans have made to build our nation and promote freedom around the world. You must remember our duty, our honor, and our country. "I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

God’s Master-Plan

Craig Brian Larson, in his book “750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers” states, “In 1937 Walt Disney released the first full-length animated movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Producing an animated movie was a gargantuan task. Disney artists drew over one million pictures. Each picture flashed onto the screen for a mere one-twenty-fourth of a second. As we watch the movie run at regular speed, it seems so simple. We have no idea all that goes into it. Our lives are like that movie. God puts infinite thought, skill, and careful attention into every detail. Yet as our lives run at “regular speed,” we have no idea how much God’s providence fills every single second.” How true this is! So often we feel as if God is totally disengaged in the developments that surround our lives. Yet, the Psalmist reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” When you consider those words grammatically you find that they imply meticulous care.  Nothing goes into the fabric of our being without superimposed inspection. However, there are seasons when we feel as if God has forgotten to put on his eyeglasses having no clue what is coming against us.  But, reality proves just the opposite; every part and partial of our assembly is being monitored under the microscope of His loving, tender care. Human observation would leave us to believe that some parts of our DNA would have been better left out. God believed otherwise and chose not to assemble us with just a plan but a master-plan. That being said we must be careful to view our lives as He does. When the projector starts and the film is rolling we’re not just watching a low-budget, under-rated movie. Rather we are seeing God’s Academy Award winner. Although, we are common actors and actresses, our lives display the Creator’s best because He always works with a master-plan.       

Making Impressions

When you think about it making an impression is such an easy thing to do—you place your hand around a glass, touch wet paint, say the wrong thing, or dress the wrong way.  Immediately your actions make an imprint. I witnessed this truth in rare form last week.  It came during one of our annual Camp Meeting services in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The worship leader for the service was Eddie James. If you are familiar with this artist you know he is greatly anointed and animated when singing. While he was in the middle of leading us to the throne room in praise, I happened to notice a young African American child in front of me.  He looked to be about two years old.  In hand was a pen which served as his microphone.  He was rocking and having the time of his life. It was evident Eddie had made an impression and this young man was imitating his every move. Needless to say I was impressed that he was so impressed. The sight brought to reality once again the fact that impressions are easily made. That being said I think there are three things that must be considered. First, they can be good or bad. Secondly, we can make them and be totally unaware that we are doing so; Eddie had no clue this young boy was watching his every move. Third, impressions are left upon everyone but especially children. Their immature wills are fickle with little ability to discern right from wrong.  A serious reflection upon these thoughts should lead us to consider our ways, making sure we are living lives that merit imitation. Because whether we like to admit it or not people of all ages are watching, which means you and I are making impressions!  

It’s a Privilege

This week we celebrated Father's Day. What a privilege God has given to humanity; we can have a Father as well as be one. However, with the blessing comes great responsibility--a task that some take lightly. First of all men are to be priests and leaders. This means that we do not expect others to fulfill our role authoritatively.  Bill Cosby in one of his jovial comments once remarked "I'm not the boss of my house. I don't know how I lost it, I don't know when I lost it, I don't really think I ever had it. But I've seen the boss's job ... and I don't want it!" While jokingly stated, this response defines the attitude of so many dads. Voddie T. Baucham Jr. commented "It has been said that as goes the family, so goes the world. It can also be said that as goes the father, so goes the family." This is especially true as it relates to leadership; when father's fail in this area the family finds itself struggling for meaning and direction in life. Thus, someone or something else steps in, fills the vacancy and normally without positive results. Secondly, fathers are to be role models. Clarence Budington in speaking about his own father stated, "He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." Children are always in the observation mode; meaning they do not have to be coached to follow the path we trod it's an automatic response. That's why it's so important to allow God to order our steps, then the steps of our children will follow suit. Thirdly, fathers are to be providers financially but even more so emotionally. What does emotional support look like? Jim Valvano explains it with his statement, "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me." Sigmund Freud gave input by suggesting "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." Harmon Killebrew insinuated it meant playtime. "My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You’re tearing up the grass." "We’re not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We’re raising boys." Others would describe emotional support as being a hug, a kiss, a kind word, or a supportive smile. All of these are important to the mental DNA of our children. While working at fatherhood just remember it does not require perfection just performance. Reed Markham may have said it best. "Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow." So dads get out there and do it again--fatherhood is not a problem but a privilege.

The Boss

The boss was concerned that his employees weren’t giving him enough respect, so he tried and old fashioned method of persuasion: He brought in a sign that said “I’m the Boss” and taped it to his door. After lunch, he noticed someone had taped another note under his. “Your wife called. She wants her sign back!”  While this is a comical story it speaks of the plight of our modern day society.  When you look at politics it can leave you asking, “Who really is in charge? Is it the president, the congress, the senate, or the American people?”  The same can be said when observing the family. Often we see a great discrepancy as it relates to control. Children act as if they are the parent and vice versa. Sometimes we witness the same scenario in the religious spectrum. Is the pastor, elder board, or the parishioner in control? However, when we take a closer look at the world and the kingdom, the same does not hold true.  God is clearly declared “The Boss.” He defines Himself through the penmanship of Isaiah in these terms: “I am the first, and I am the last and beside me there is no God. I am the Lord and there is none else, there is no God beside me. Peter described God as the Chief Shepard. John in the book of Revelation described Him as the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” For centuries man has tested God’s control only to realize it was a big mistake. Pharaoh, Herod, Nero, and Hitler flexed their muscles only to find out that God is boss. The Philistines, Amalekites, Syrians as well as other nations commissioned their forces and found out God is boss. I must admit there are times when it appears the world is out of control and the Devil has taken charge of every facet of its operation. However, a thorough reading of Scripture reveals the opposite.  When Isaiah was in question, he writes, “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” When John was unsure he was caught up in the spirit taken to heaven and reveals what he saw. “I looked and behold there was a throne set in heaven and one sat on the throne.” The one positioned on the throne was clearly in charge of everything transpiring on earth. Nothing happening was beyond God’s control.  That being said, when it feels as if your life and the lives of those around you is out of control be assured that nothing could be farther from the truth. Be at peace; God has never surrendered or vacated His throne. He remains in charge which means He is the ultimate boss!   

Getting Our Attention

A few years ago, a young successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12-cylinder Jaguar which was only 2 months old. He was watching carefully for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed the spot no child darted out, but a brick flew out and - WHUMP! – It smashed into the Jag’s shiny side door. SCREECH! He slammed on his brakes and his gears ground into reverse, tires spinning the Jaguar back to the place where the brick had been thrown. He jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted, “Who are you? And what the heck are you doing?” Building up a head of steam, he went on. “That’s my new Jag, and the brick you threw is going to cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?” “Please, mister, please…I’m sorry! I didn’t know what else to do! I threw the brick because no one would stop.” Tears were dripping down the boy’s chin as he pointed around the parked car. “It’s my brother, mister,” he said. “He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can’t lift him up.” Sobbing, the boy pled, “Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He’s hurt and he’s too heavy for me.’ Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair, took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything else was okay. He then walked with them to make sure that the younger brother was able to get them back home all right. It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE – a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix that side door. He kept the dent to remind himself not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick to gain his attention.  There are times when God has to do the same. Bricks in the form of trials, tribulations, sicknesses and temptations come from the dark to stop us in our tracks. However, when this happens we realize the dents and scrapes in life only serve to make us better people. It is through these experiences that we begin to see, hear, and understand what God really wants to do through our lives. So let me end by asking, “Is God having a hard time getting your attention?”    

He Remembered

I heard the story recently about a guy named John who had a serious memory problem. One day he ran into a friend he had not seen in a long time. He greeted him and said, “Bill, do you remember what a bad memory I had?” Bill answered, “Yes, I certainly do.” “Well, it’s not bad any more. I went to a seminar that taught us how to remember things. It was great, and now I have a wonderful memory.” Bill answered, “That’s great! What was the name of the seminar?” “Well,” John said, “wait a minute, my wife went with me. I’ll ask her.” He turned and saw his wife nearby. Then he turned back to Bill and said, “What’s the name of that flower with a long stem, thorns and a red bloom?” “Do you mean a rose?” Bill answered. “Yeah, thanks,” John said. “Hey, Rose, what’s the name of that seminar we attended?” All of us have problems remembering on occasions.  We forget people’s names, phone numbers, and special events just to name a few. However there are some things we cannot forget. Memorial Day is one of those. This is a time when we should focus upon the men and women who died fighting to maintain our nation’s freedom.  But it’s also a day when we should reflect upon those who lost their lives fighting for our faith. They refused to abandon their convictions. Hebrews chapter eleven mentions multitudes that fall into this category. They would not surrender to denial and because of that they were tortured, crucified, beheaded, and beaten to death. However, the ultimate person to remember is the one who fought for our future. When we were full of sin and without hope, Jesus died that we might become the righteousness of God. That’s one of the most important reasons we participate in Holy Communion.  Jesus said “take the bread and drink the cup and as often as you do, you are doing it in remembrance of me.”  But as hard as it is to admit, sometimes we forget. It’s not that we block him out of our memory altogether, we just don’t keep him as a priority in our lives.  This causes me to ask, “Can we forget the one who did not forget us?” A serious reading of the scripture reveals that Jesus as the supreme sacrifice remembered us in everything.  He knew we needed forgiveness--He remembered.  He knew we needed peace—He remembered. He knew we needed comfort—He remembered. He knew we were human—He remembered. He knew we needed healing—He remembered. He knew we needed hope—He remembered. He knew we needed encouragement—He remembered. He knew we needed provision—He remembered. He knew we needed deliverance—He remembered. He knew we needed power—He remembered. He knew we needed a home—He remembered. Yes, He remembered us in all things. That being said let us be sure to take the time, especially during this Memorial week to remember Him.