Inviting
Each generation
Into God’s story
From bondage to freedom
Faithfulness
Overcoming
Daily trials
Recalling Bible’s truth
Pilgrimage with our Savior
Faithfulness
Surrounding
Life’s rhythm
Knowing and trusting
Word of our Lord
Faithfulness
Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life.
From Romans 6:6: “We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”
Nation’s outstretched hand
Shaping distant land
Trade benefits both
Bringing steady growth
Prosperity’s health
Welcoming new wealth
Benevolence molds
Filling now with cold
This mighty power
Seeing its plans sour
Citizens lack voice
Having little choice
Uproar fuels action
Bringing reaction
Hostile clouds amass
Reaching dark impasse
Big brother nation
Facing frustration
Rebels gather ‘round
Fading common ground
More Redcoats arrive
Gathering beehive
Independence shouts
Calling freedom out
Colonists stand firm
Battling to affirm
Mother country’s heart
Tearing self apart
British might stands down
Watching its meltdown
America stands
Molding freedom’s hands
Throughout history, many nations have attempted to mold and shape other lands into their own image. Terms such as imperialism, colonization, and nation building sometimes come to mind. It is worth noting that the British attempted to establish a foothold on the American continent starting in 1607. By the mid-1770s, their plans for a continuing American empire were crumbling. Few, if any other nations, have learned from this lesson in history . . . America included.
Born to serve freedom
America lives
Liberty’s fabric
Lasting spirit gives
Nation remembers
Forefather’s boldness
Valley Forge unites
Despite war’s coldness
New country now born
Republic takes shape
Independence sings
Brave sovereign’s landscape
Young democracy
Learns from stumbling steps
Imperfect Union
Overcomes missteps
Legacy passed down
Each generation
Diverse history
Building one nation
From the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union . . . .”
We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.
To live anywhere in the world today, and be against equality because of race of color is like living in Alaska and being against snow.
For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
Nelson Mandela overcame oppression and imprisonment to become President of South Africa (1994-1999). His unwavering opposition to the nation’s policy of apartheid led to much change in his beloved country.
In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” has been recited countless times in school classrooms, at the beginning of meetings, sporting events, and other instances. The original 29 words were inspired by the writings of Francis Bellamy (from 1892) and became official in 1923. In 1954, the words, “under God” were added. These 31 words mean much more than just a mere collection of words.
We the People, commit to stand
With loyalty across this land
Stars and Stripes shall forever fly
Old Glory standing proud and high
Solidarity, stand as One
United, never be undone
A more perfect Union shall spring
Shining democracy will ring
Tested, resilient, and upright
Faithful courage, nation’s birthright
Built upon God’s eternal love
Divine guidance comes from above
Inseparable and lasting
Forged by trial and fire’s casting
Covering this land of the free
Freedom from sea to shining sea
Conquers inequities with care
Truth and righteousness come to bear
I have posted this video before, but it is worth a second look. Here is American comedian, Red Skelton, sharing his interpretation of the words’ meaning in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
From Psalm 107:28-29: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out from their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven.”
Life meeting relentless turbulence
Perpetual, never ending storms
Shaken by overwhelming defeat
Sinking beneath unending harsh swarms
Downtrodden, now hungry and thirsty
Clinging to life, in darkness and gloom
Shackled by sin’s shame, harshest irons
God’s steadfast love delivers from doom
Crying out to our Father above
At final end of life’s fraying rope
Nowhere else to turn, escape darkens
Realizing now, God’s way restores hope
Cutting and freeing lives from bondage
Storm’s wrath consumed by transformation
Into valley of richest harvests
Redeeming lost souls from damnation
Fleeing life’s turmoil, rescued by God
Trusting Him leads to gladness and praise
Faith grows by yards instead of inches
Life’s turbulence quiets, hope ablaze
From American pastor and Christian teacher, Charles Stanley: “God knows we sometimes need to reach the end of our own resources before we will turn to Him.”
A constitution, as important as it is, will mean nothing unless the people are yearning for liberty and freedom.
Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.
In December, 1989, the Romanian Revolution ignited with passion which would no longer wait in silence. The rest of the Eastern Bloc countries under Soviet influence had already experienced peaceful change from communist dictatorships. Under Nicolae Ceausescu’s harsh leadership, Romania was the final holdout as the democratic wave of freedom blitzed across Eastern Europe. This poem shares some of this revolution’s story.
Ruthless, authoritarian rule controls the cards
Harsh, brutal regime crushes dissenting voices
Quietness hides the remaining, burning embers
Daily life conceals wounds, offering few choices
Citizens endure lack of even the basic needs
Challenging days, facing endless heartbreak
Darkest days of winter, hunger and little heat
Voices stifled, experiencing numbing heartache
Freedom routed, plummeting to rock bottom
System of repression forcefully controls lives
Defiant opposition, beaten down to nothing
Dictator’s untruths cover up with empty lies
Scattering of small voices continues to speak out
Smoldering protests fueled with hungry passion
Government crackdowns to silence any dissent
Voices growing bolder, backed with compassion
Massive protests ignite courage in a distant city
“Timisoara” becomes a rallying cry for liberation
Unexpectedly, dark and evil house of cards folds
Season of change witnesses rebirth of a nation
Big Sky Buckeye 