Tag: integrity

A Day to Remember, Our Christian Walk

Patriotism in America, Part Two

Happy 4th of July! I’m happy to see you back.

I don’t normally write a two-part post. I don’t usually post about anything too controversial. Discussing politics and getting fired up is not the purpose of this site. I want all to feel welcome here. But I also have a belief system, and at certain times, it is appropriate for me to state that.

Yes, I do believe you can have patriotism for your country and disagree with the principles it was founded on. But why would you want to? Personally, if I’m going to fight for something and be willing to die for it, I want to believe in it and support it. It’s very difficult to give your life for something you hate.

And here is where we come to the fork in the road. Those that believe that this country was founded on Biblical principles, and those that do not.

I have just finished reading the Declaration of Independence, and it would be a great activity for any American to do, especially on the 4th of July. The people that do not believe in the Biblical principles this country was built on, will of course try to change the history. And because we have freedom in American, those people can put up a fuss.

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World. (I have copied this from the link below, so I did not edit or correct.)

Here is a link if you would like to read the entire Declaration of Independence: https://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/read-the-declaration/

I believe that our founding fathers, for the most part wanted the best for our new nation. They wanted to be free, they wanted to be happy and they wanted the same for their family and friends. I believe they understood that they were created by God, and that they followed the Bible. Yes, there were some different views taken on it, just as there is today. Just as there always will be until we are face-to-face with our Creator and we understand. We are human, and we fail. But I believe the founding fathers set this country up under God’s direction and guidance. I think that for many, many years, this was a priority in most people’s lives. And even if they didn’t accept Christ as their Savior, they knew He was there and they had respect for Him.

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case in America today. People do what is right in their own eyes, and don’t care too much about what the Bible says about anything. And if they believe God is there, and the Bible is true, they certainly don’t use it as a guidebook for their lives. They would rather float along doing what they think is best. And that is why America is in trouble. Again, we are human, many times lacking wisdom, and to just float along with no guidance causes lots of trouble. Observe any child that is allowed to do whatever they think is best for them. It is not a good situation. God knew that, and gave children parents to instruct them, and guide them, to give them principles to live on for the rest of their lives.

If you have ever read the Bible, and the Old Testament in particular, you know what has happened to nations that turned their backs on God, and decided to do what was right in their own eyes. There are cycles repeated over and over of a king coming in that applied God’s principles, and that nation being blessed. Then a corrupt king would come in, bringing idols and doing what he thought was best rather than following God. That nation fell. Historically, much of this can be documented in areas other than the Bible. In the New Testament, Paul warned the people over and over through his letters to keep seeking God and His guidance.

Is America seeking God and His guidance? Are you pursuing that in your own life? I admit, I get caught up in my own life, and start doing things my own way. And then the trouble begins.

Patriotism in The United States of America should be vigorously supported by Americans because we believe in our Nation, and what we were founded on. We should be willing to give our lives for that. And if you don’t believe that, at the very least, you should have respect for those that do.

Patriotism is at an all-time low. And that is not from statistics that I’ve looked up. That is my personal observance. From children that do not know how to recite The Pledge of Allegiance, to people that do not know what to do when the flag of our country is before them. Americans that think Memorial Day and Independence Day are just great summer holidays. I’m not saying you can’t celebrate, and I wholeheartedly think you should. Go to a parade, have a picnic, take your boat out, and then watch the fireworks.

But always remember, and teach your children why those days are set aside. Hang your flag proudly, thank those that are serving or have served in our armed forces. Respect your leaders. You don’t have to like them, you don’t have to agree, but you should respect them and their position.

And remember those that have died for us, so we can celebrate today. And always remember Who started it all! Have a fantastic 4th of July, in whatever way you decide to celebrate it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSOAnjQzgs

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Our Christian Walk

Working For a Living

Working for a living. Just about all of us have to do it. I was very fortunate to be able to stay at home with our five children for 20+ years…but that meant that my husband was gone…working for a living.

Some people are able to work at a job or profession that they love. But a very high percentage have to just work, and that makes life not so pleasant at times. So what can you do to still live your life and enjoy it, in spite of having to be gone for several hours out of every day?

You can be the answer.

Yes,  most of the time, you can control your environment and make it as pleasant or as miserable as you want. And I really do think this applies to many circumstances in life. And as a disclaimer, I’m not talking about abusive relationships here. There are times in your personal life and your work place it is just best to leave the situation, but that is for another post.

I’m digging out of the muddle of being at work for the past week or so. Doing double shifts, covering for others, as have many at my place of employment. It seems to be the same everywhere and it is becoming very discouraging. People don’t want to work, they want a paycheck. So here is a quick run-down of what it means to have a job.

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Work when you are scheduled to work. If you have a job, know what your schedule is and be there, every time.

Report for work on time. Not five, ten, etc. minutes late. Plan your day to be there, where you are supposed to be, where you are being paid to be.

Do your work. All of it, everyday and in a timely manner. Don’t take the easy road, wasting time, leaving stuff for others to finish. Find out how something is supposed to be done, and do it, the correct way, every time.

Put the phone away. You are being paid to work, not talk or text. Have some integrity and do what you are being paid for.

Be considerate of others. This is the big one. If you are considerate of others, then you will follow all of the above. People matter, and when you follow the guidelines I’ve given, you show that others matter to you. When you don’t follow them, you show that you care for no one other than yourself.

For me, this post is a ‘duh’ moment. What I’ve said is not difficult to follow and just common courtesy. It was something that people always did when they had a job. You weren’t entitled to be paid without working for it. And you were thankful to be paid and you wanted to be a good employee. The people that didn’t care were few and far between. Now they are the majority, and it makes it very hard on the rest of the people that still do care, and want to do a good job.

You can be the answer.

Strive to be the employee and the co-worker that others really appreciate, and want to be around. You change your working environment for the better. You be the answer to the problems, not another problem.

Yes, most of us are going to have to work for a living. But you can make  a difference in how those hours are spent, and you can make them count for good. You can be a benefit to those around you.

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