Christian Living

PATRIOITISM A REFLECTION

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
01/21/22
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PROLOGUE

Do you happen to remember that famous quote from Wizard of Oz, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore? We must be over the rainbow!"  Can you parallel this quote to today’s America? Well, join the club of long-lost American patriotism!

Being older than dirt and twice as gritty, I completely agree. I find it hard to understand today’s America, compared to my early life. And we assuredly aren’t over any make-believe rainbow.    

So, are you an American who is concerned about the level of progressive programming, brainwashing and indoctrination we are currently seeing in our nation? I surely hope and pray so.  

Have you read your newspaper, tuned in the television news, listened to talk radio, surfed the internet, talked to your next-door neighbor, or even listened in the modern church service lately? If so, what’s happening to We the People? Where are they hiding out these days?  I now rest my case, with respect to today’s socialistic American culture.

Patriotism seems to be out to lunch. I prayerfully hope no one gets choked on such a fat-loaded propaganda diet.

And what about such patriotism references as America, the beautiful; America, the land of the free, the home of the brave; God bless America and In God we trust, just to name a few tried and true American idioms? Have they somehow been put to rest?

Let’s pause here and take a look at a brief description of patriotism.

Definition - Wikipedia

"Patriotism or national pride is the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to a homeland or country and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment to create a feeling of oneness among the people. This attachment can be a combination of many different feelings, language relating to one's own homeland, including ethnic, cultural, political or historical aspects. It encompasses a set of concepts closely related."

Now, let us consider the above-mentioned intro into the subject at hand as we move on to another modern-day parable. Within its narrative base comes the undeniable attraction of the big mall reflective pool, along with the preacher’s powerful sermon. Thus, the story title of “Patriotism, A  Reflection.”

Psalm 2:1-5  "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against His anointed, saying, "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

It was a nice relaxing fall day, with a breath of winter not far behind.  Mother Nature seemed in true form as expected for the season. Looking out, my lonely front porch glider appeared to be calling my name, as it gently moved keeping time with the soft fall breeze. Of course, being retired with nothing to do, I couldn’t turn down this invite.

I grabbed a big ice-cold sweet tea and a couple of the wife’s homemade butter cookies, and jumped on board.  Where are my sun glasses? Never mind, I feel them on top of my head. Isn’t retirement wonderful!

This make-believe serenity didn't last long, however. Was it my routine catnap that took me there? I found myself ensnared by another of my weirdly narrative dreams. I’ve been having them quite often of late. This one, as you will see, has taken the cake.

In a blink of an eye, I was there in the middle of a bustling metropolitan capitol. It was just as my history textbook had pictured it. There were all the expected tourist attractions; the domed capitol, the large statue in front of the court building, the stately monument reaching upwards, the mall surrounding its reflecting pool. And oh yes, there was a large, pillared mansion behind the guarding fence.

From afar off I could tell from all the commotion that something was taking place. The entire community was in an uproar of screaming and yelling. The echoes seemed to be coming from the distant reflecting pool.

What a surprise it was, giving me a personal attack of mixed emotions feeling enslaved versus freedom's call. It actually put my dream on temporary pause.  

Moving in closer, I saw government officials of all ages and placement tossing a number of documents into the reflecting pool. It was quite an array of official founding documents of all descriptions including the country's founding Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and many of the Federalist Papers. Why they were even throwing in Holy Bibles! A very disappointing pool reflection of patriotism.

Judging from all the bodyguards, one of them must have been the leader of the group. Taking advantage of the crowd, he decided to speak to his audience, and he stumbled and staggered over to the pool.  However, because of his stammering his words failed to make sense. In fact, this leader seemed to get the most enjoyment tossing in the country’s Constitution. Why, I haven’t a clue.

This historic make-believe serenity didn’t last long, however, due to the help of all the government bureaucrats. The reflecting pool had turned into a big heaping garbage dump. The once-pure crystal pool of water was now a big, polluted, political junkyard.

What an unusual surprise occasion that was! I was totally carried away by mixed emotions, good and bad, delight and despair, free and enslaved. I was so distracted by all the tumult that I failed to see a most unusual character walking up. Where did he come from, why is he here, I pondered?

Who is this strange looking character?  How did he know of my presence? On second thought, I’d know this distinguished gentleman anywhere. He was appropriately dressed for his day. His demeanor and dress had given him away.

His long brown coat with matching vest, dark trousers, neatly starched white shirt, long socks and leather, buckle-topped shoes was an indication of the times in which he lived. And the bifocal glasses perched on his nose were a dead giveaway as well.

The more I looked at him, the more confirmed my recognition of him became. He had to be one of the Founding Fathers of America, that well-known patriot who possessed many talents in leadership, philosophy, and inventions. But why this character was here in my dream and what his intentions might be were clearly beyond my understanding.

He promptly spoke to me as he approached, "You seem to be a bit bewildered."

“In fact, I surely am," I replied. Who are you, why all the commotion and disturbance within this dignified tourist attraction?  What’s happening here, and why is it happening?”

As if reading my reaction, my wonder was quickly forestalled by this man's approach to it all. Calm wasn’t the word for it.

Without saying a word, he grabbed my hand, and we were off to parts unknown. Suddenly we landed in the courtyard of an old rustic, historic church. I knew this church well, one established by our forefathers centuries ago. My college history textbook has suddenly truly come alive, pictures and all.

Walking in, we took our seat in the back, so as not to disturb anyone as the service continued to progress. That’s when, as if by divine action, my eyes were spiritually opened. The pastor was speaking from the pulpit.

What a strange sermon in today’s progressive socialistic mindset! His sermon was a careful mixture of Scripture and party-political faith-based founding documents. It must have been accepted, I gathered, from all the audience response. The normally highly reserved Deacon’s Amen bench even responded with their standing Amen ovation.    

My thoughts began to wander. 'This is so great, if only it were to happen in today’s progressive politically motivated world!'  I suddenly forgot all about the commotion back at the mall reflective pool.   

Unfortunately, it all had to come to an abrupt ending with the disappearance of my dream. I was back home; the scene taking up where it left off. The porch glider was still there, only settled down a bit by the ceasing of the wind. My snack was there, as well.  

“Dear, is that you snoring so out there?" my wife called.

“Yes, dear,” I replied.

Nonetheless, this dream had left a lasting impression on my old tired mind. I  just couldn’t shake the memory of that strange character, who had made it all possible in my dream. I just have to have an answer, so I went inside and grabbed up my history textbook.

Why there he is, in living color! I just knew it had to be him. Thank you, my kind Sir, for opening my eyes to reality. I always knew we could mix religion with politics. Not only does the Bible confirm this, but so do our founding providential-inspired documents. End of story, beginning of faith-based service. Amen!

EPILOGUE

We are indeed living in troublesome times. Being an older person, I’ve never seen anything the likes of America’s modern culture. This is a time when, in order to survive, we must remain true to our living Creator, God, family and country, in that order. 

According to Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland's delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a lady asked Dr. Benjamin Franklin at its conclusion, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?

Benjamin Franklin replied, "A republic...if you can keep it.“

We should not be blinded by today’s cultural upheavals, and not marginalize the impact these trends are having on faith-based living. We must also realize we are in a spiritual war of many unseen battles. As our enemies, the demonic hosts of Satan are always assembled for mortal combat. (Ephesians 6:12)

So, if you were to find yourself in a similar dream, how would you react to that environment? Go ahead, I’ll wait. In fact, I think you should answer, while it's still fresh in your mind. God Bless!

My parting prayer. Father God, I’m so unsettled within my spirit that my soul trembles within me. I know you are still our all-powerful, all-knowing Redeemer. I know You still place the just and unjust in authority according to Your perfect will. (Daniel 2:21) I know You reward good and punish evil (Genesis 12:3) with respect to Your people Israel. And  I know from personal ongoing experience, that You love and protect Your own. (Galatians 3:26) Thank You for Jesus (John 3:16) and Your Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26)  to lead me and guide me into all truth, (John 14:26) in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

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