REVved - 4th of July 2008

As I hung my huge American flag off the deck this morning, I got a little lump in my throat.  I am an unabashed patriot and feel blessed to have been born in America. 

Sure, we have our problems.  Yes, I’ve seen decades of moral decay in my 58 years.  It’s not too difficult to identify things about the U.S. that concern and disappoint me (like California judges passing the gay marriage law recently…).  But despite the obvious challenges we have, I still believe that being an American citizen is a tremendous privilege.  One that I don’t take lightly.  On this Independence Day 2008, I declare my gratitude for this great nation.  I also thank the Lord for men and women who have been willing to fight to guarantee the freedoms I enjoy every day.

This makes me want to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner!” (Unlike the woman who was invited to do so at the Denver State of the City gathering led by Mayor Hickenlooper this week – she chose instead to sing a song referred to as the “black national anthem,” to the tune of the National Anthem.  She is defiant and said she would do it again.  Apparently, she doesn’t “feel like an American.”) Click on this link if you want to read more.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_9758376

I hope this is a day we can all set aside what we think is wrong with America in order to celebrate what we know is right!

Comments

[DWA]

The Star Spangled Banner has four verses - we are most familiar with the first. Here is the fourth verse, most likely my favorite:

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

[Alisa]

Bill,
I will join you in declaring my love for my country, warts and all, because there is no place on this earth that I would rather live. May God continue to bless us and lead all of us to callon His name so that our land will be saved.