I haven’t done a Photo Hunt in ages. I got super busy a few Saturdays in a row, and then just fell out of the habit — sometimes I’d look at the categories but couldn’t seem to come up with anything interesting.
But I have a few photos from a Veteran’s Day parade a few years ago plus a few in connection with my father-in-law.
Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. ~John A. Logan
Happy Independence Day! I’ve always loved this quote from John Adams’ letter of July 3, 1776, in which he wrote to his wife Abigail what his thoughts were about celebrating Independence Day, with his original spellings:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
No guns or pomp or illumination here today — Jim is grilling hamburgers later on and we’ll have Grandma over and maybe get into a rousing game of Scrabble. 🙂 Often we’ll flip back and forth through whatever TV channels have a patriotic concert going on. I hate that we can’t have fireworks in our city limits–we used to get a few specialty ones like little tanks that shot off sparks while it rolled down the street and such. In past years we’ve made it out to some of the bigger displays in the areas, but somehow we didn’t this year. I don’t really like the heavy traffic, but I do enjoy the fireworks. We did go to an Army band concert last night in a downtown park.
I chuckled at how they described their concerts as “missions.” I guess in the military everything is a mission. It was a great night for it — clear and not too hot. There was a nice breeze after the sun started going down. We got a kick out of watching one older man with a walker really getting into the music — standing up much of the time, clapping or moving his hands in time to the music. It was the first time we had been to an event at this park, and we enjoyed it.
It’s been a whirlwind week. I had the ladies’ ministry newsletter/booklet due this week, and Jesse headed for camp on Monday for the week and Jim was out of town the first part of the week, so I thought it would be a great time of quiet to dig into it. But somehow Monday and Tuesday ended up being consumed with errands and other tasks. I was praying the Lord would give me a really good day working on it Wednesday, and He did. It’s really neat how I was writing something that had been on my mind for several weeks, and then this week in my reading from a devotional book and Bible study book, there were sections on the very topic I was writing about that contributed to my thinking and rounded out that section (thank you, Lord!). Thursday was pretty much taken up with Grandma’s birthday, and then the Lord gave me another good day to finish it up Friday. I was really hoping that would be the case and I wouldn’t have to work on it today — I wanted to be able to do family stuff today.
I didn’t get to the computer last night to “play” until evening yesterday, so I figured it was probably too late for the Friday Fave Five. I caught up with some of your blogs then, but it will probably take me a day or two to catch up with everyone.
There’s more “news” but this post is way long already, so I’ll leave you with a few scenes from Grandma’s birthday.
Jesse was at camp and Jason was working during this and the band concert, but Jesse got home today and Jason gets off early tonight, so we’ll all be here for dinner.
Concentrating hard on the Scrabble board. We have to tone it down a bit because she fusses with us over words that don’t make sense to her, like xi and xu. But sometimes when you can play a high-point letter in a way that makes two words at one time using a double or triple space, it’s just too good to pass up. 😀
I had a hard time deciding what to post for Father’s Day! I had some things I’d posted in past years that I really liked, and I know I have readers now that I didn’t have then, but there were so many I couldn’t decide which to post. So…I am going to post a new one from my files and put links back to some of the old ones if anyone has the time or interest to look back at them. Of course, I won’t be offended if you don’t — they’re just there for you to enjoy if you like.
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who follow in Your way, And who, with glad and trusting hearts, exalt You ev’ry day.
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who show, by word and deed, Commitment to Your will and plan, and Your commandments heed.
Our thanks, O God, for fathers who meet You oft in prayer, And who, for all life’s toil and care, find strength and wisdom there.
How blessed are the children who in their fathers see The tender Father-love of God, and find their way to Thee.
Author unknown
I’m wishing a Happy Father’s Day to my husband and step-father and thinking of my father, who passed on a few years ago. Happy Father’s Day to any dads reading as well!
And, finally, I didn’t post this one, but I think I received it in an e-mail a while back, and Rob at ivman posted a job decription for dads that is both funny and poignant.
Someone mentioned yesterday that Sunday was Flag Day, and one of my sons said jokingly, “So, we’re worshiping the flag?’ No, not worshiping, but revering, respecting.
The closest thing I can liken it to is a wedding ring. What it symbolizes is more important than the symbol, but the symbol holds a special place in the hearts of its owner, too.
It’s sad to me that the flag is not more highly regarded than it is by and large these days. Maybe we’re too far removed from the days of waiting, hoping, praying through the night to see if “the flag was still there.” I think we take our freedoms too much for granted.
I posted this last year, but it is a good reminder.
I Am Old Glory
I Am Old Glory: For more than ten score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans.
Born amid the first flames of America’s fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions.
Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.
They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.
They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men.
So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.
Originally written by Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC.
I love this poem as well:
Off with your hat as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have it say;
You’re man enough for a tear in your eye
That you will never wipe away.
You’re man enough for a thrill that goes
To your very finger-tips–
Ay! the lump just then in your throat that rose
Spoke more than your parted lips.
Lift up the boy on your shoulder high,
And show him the faded shred;
Those stripes would be red as the sunset sky
If death could have dyed them red.
Off with your hat as the flag goes by!
Uncover the youngster’s head;
Teach him to hold it holy and high
For the sake of its sacred dead.
I receive e-mails from the Good Clean Fun list by Tom Ellsworth, and on some holidays, particularly patriotic ones, he includes a serious note. This past week he included the history of Memorial Day, which I thought was interesting and would like to share with you:
I want to be serious for a moment and talk about the holiday which will be celebrated here in the United States on Monday.
Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors those men and women who lost their lives serving their country. What we celebrate as Memorial Day today, began at the end of the Civil War. Family members of the many soldiers slain in battle would visit the grave sites of their fallen relatives or friends and decorate the graves with flowers.
On May 5, 1868, General John Logan proclaimed this day a holiday through his General Order No. 11. The day was entitled Decoration Day and was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern states celebrated this day every year, but the southern states celebrated a day similar to this on a different day until sometime after World War I.
In 1882, the name Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on the last Monday of May every year. Over the years it has come to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.
I am truly grateful for the freedoms which we enjoy today. Too often, we take these gifts for granted, little realizing the sacrifice which was involved in ensuring that these freedoms continue to be a part of all of our lives. Be honest, how many of us think of Memorial Day as just another chance for a three-day weekend? A chance to go the lakes or beaches or mountains? A trip to Disneyland or Six Flags or some other amusement park?
If you are here in the United States, please remember to display the flag, not just for the day but for the whole weekend. Let’s not forget the real reason for having this holiday. The quote below says it all. Please take the time to read it.
Take care everyone.
Tom
(HM2, USN 65-69)
He also has a really neat story after this history, which you can read here.
“It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for their county, for us.
All we can do is remember.”
— Ronald Wilson Reagan
Remarks at Veteran’s Day ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia,
November 11, 1985
We don’t really have big plans for the day. It’s a rainy, drizzly day, and Jim grilled outside the two previous weekends. We had company over the weekend who left this morning. I think we’re just laying low, enjoying the day off, eating leftovers, and being thankful for those who made it possible to do so in peace.
I’m thinking about Mother’s Day a week late since we postponed most of our celebration due to all the busyness last week.
I was saddened recently to read Albert Mohler’s thoughts that “Mother’s Day is a bad idea.” I agree with some of his points: it’s wrong to passively neglect or actively dishonor one’s mother and then try to assuage guilt with a card and flowers on Mother’s Day. And I do agree some sentiments are over the top: sometimes when buying cards I have wondered if they were made for real people at all. Sentimentality, though, is often in the eye of the beholder. What might seem “gushy” and over the top to some might seem just right to another. And, yes, most holidays have become too commercial, but that doesn’t mean we need to do away with them completely. There are multitudes of options between going all out and not celebrating at all.
I consider Mother’s and Father’s Day and many holidays in the same way I think of Thanksgiving: we’re supposed to be thankful all the time, but there is something special about that one day and taking special care and thought into pondering just how much we have to be thankful for and the One to Whom we owe our gratitude. So with a day dedicated to parents: it’s one of the ten commandments to honor our parents, and Mother’s and Father’s Day is just one way to do so. It’s not that we save up our honor all year for this day: we honor them all the time, but this special day we focus on them, their love to us, and all they have done for us, and let them know we love and appreciate them.
I did not always honor her as I should have. I wrote more about learning to do so at the end of this post. A couple of years ago I wrote Things I love about my mom. I won’t repost it, but I did enjoy reading over it again. I only wish she were still here for me to honor, but I do honor her memory.
Today I wanted to share a couple of poems I’ve seen around the Internet.
I said a Mother’s Day prayer for you to thank the Lord above for blessing me with a lifetime of your tenderhearted love.
I thanked God for the caring you’ve shown me through the years, for the closeness we’ve enjoyed in time of laughter and of tears.
And so, I thank you from the heart for all you’ve done for me and I bless the Lord for giving me the best mother there could be!
~Author Unknown~
Often this day can be painful to those who aren’t mothers and want to be. I saw this prayer at Quill’s Cottage and thought it beautifully encompassed many different types of mothers.
A Mother’s Day Prayer
God our Creator, I pray:
For new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for those who are tired, stressed, or depressed;
for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
for those whose children have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities;
for those who have children that they do not want;
for those who raise children on their own;
for those who have lost a child;
for those who care for the children of others;
for those whose children have left home;
and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,
and that they may lead their children to know and to do what is good,
living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.
Amen
~ Author Unknown
Here’s some other previously published Mother-related thoughts:
Saturday we drove over to Jason’s college to attend the Living Gallery that he was a part of this year. A famous painting is depicted on stage, and the “living” part of the living gallery are the people who are positioned into place as some of the characters in a painting. Musical numbers are performed while the paintings are on stage, and in between the painting and music there is a play going on. This year the crucifixion and Easter story were depicted through the eyes of Joseph of Arimethea, “an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus” in order to bury it in his own tomb. (Mark 15:43.) He had been “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38), and the play depicted the struggle he probably underwent from being a secret disciple to making this bold request, which would have then branded him as a follower or at least a sympathizer.
Everything was so well done. The music was beautiful and touching. The story realistically portrayed not only Joseph’s struggle, but the effect of the events of the crucifixion on everyone from Pilate and his wife to the disciples. Then the confusion, disbelief, and finally understanding joy of His own when they learned He was alive! When the program ended with the Hallelujah chorus, though I am not a hand-waver in worship by nature, even I felt like raising my arms or at least placing my hand over my heart. I smiled as a little child somewhere near us was humming along — I wanted to sing along myself! And I did, in my heart.
The painting Jason was in was Ecce Homo (meaning “Behold the Man“) by Antonio Ciseri.
This is just the painting: I don’t have any pictures of the performance with the live people in place — understandably we weren’t allowed to take pictures during the performance. It would have distracted from the music and program. Jason portrayed the guy at the far left with his hand on his hip.
But up close he looked more like a zombie:
Striking his pose:
For some of the paintings, like Da Vinci’s Last Supper and Rembrandt’s The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (one of my all-time favorites), at first they had the live people moving a bit, then the lights flashed off, then when they came back on the people were all “frozen” in place like the painting. For most of the paintings they also did different things with the lighting that brought out different aspects of it. The live people gave it 3-D effect. I found it ironic that my child who was the least “still” of my three had to stand still for this production. I don’t know how any of them held their poses for so long, but Jason said each scene was only up for about 3 minutes. It sure seemed longer! I don’t think I could have done it. Some of them, like the ones in the sculpture of Sansovino’s Descent from the Cross (couldn’t find a picture) were held in harnesses because the Christ figure was in a horizontal position while being taken down from the cross.
All together 9 paintings and 3 sculptures were portrayed. They did a wonderful, amazing job, and it blessed my heart immensely.
It was a great way to celebrate Easter as well!
Easter morning we had our traditional Resurrection Rolls with breakfast, a good Easter service at church, a good dinner, our unique Easter egg hunt, a bit of a nap, a great musical and narrative presentation at church Sunday night, and strawberry shortcake to top the evening off!
Hope you had a blessed Easter as well.
Jesse is out of school for Easter break this week, and Jim took off to begin painting the house — but it is raining today. I’m in high gear preparing for the ladies’ meeting tonight and the luncheon in a couple of weeks.
Happy Monday!
The Cradle is empty, because Jesus had to grow up a righteous man, fulfilling the prophecies of the Messiah, and take our sins on Himself, that we might be made the righteousness of God.
The Cross is empty, because when He said, “It is finished”, it was. And He died.
The Tomb is empty, because death could not hold Jesus, and He is risen, and in some mysterious way is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, making intercession for us, and yet amazingly dwells in His children, “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
The Cradle, the Cross and the Tomb are all empty, that we might be filled with His Life.
~ Terry Rayburn
Morning breaks upon the tomb,
Jesus scatters all its gloom.
Day of triumph through the skies–
See the glorious Saviour rise.
Christians! Dry your flowing tears,
Chase those unbelieving fears;
Look on his deserted grave,
Doubt no more his power to save.
Ye who are of death afraid,
Triumph in the scattered shade:
Drive your anxious cares away,
See the place where Jesus lay.
~ William Bengo Collyer
1782-1854
Far be sorrow, tears and sighing!
Waves are calming, storms are dying,
Moses hath o’erpassed the sea,
Israel’s captive hosts are free;
Life by death slew death and saved us,
In His blood the Lamb hath saved us,
Clothing us with victory.
Jesus Christ from death has risen,
Lo! His Godhead bursts the prison,
While His Manhood passes free,
Vanquishing our misery.
Rise we free from condemnation;
Through our God’s humiliation,
Ours is now the victory.
Vain the foe’s despair and madness!
See the dayspring of our gladness!
Slaves no more of Satan we;
Children, by the Son set free;
Rise, for life with death has striven,
All the snares of hell are riven,
Rise and claim the victory.
Do you know the proper response to that greeting? “And the rest of the day to yourself.”
Though I think we have some degree of Irish blood in our veins, when I was growing up, we didn’t really celebrate or observe St. Patrick’s Day, except with the getting pinched if you didn’t wear green at school. which Sally tells us is an American invention. I don’t know why I never wondered why we did that. I don’t remember if we had corned beef and cabbage on that day — probably not, as it was one of my father’s favorite meals, we usually had it his birthday in late February. In my Christian college some staunchly wore orange rather than green to show their siding with Protestantism rather than Catholicism, though technically Baptists aren’t under the Protestant umbrella. But I like that the day seems to have become a celebration of all things Irish. Who doesn’t love the Irish? This poem I saw at Sally‘s says it well:
What Shall I Say About the Irish?
The utterly impractical, never predictable,
Sometimes irascible, quite inexplicable, Irish.
Strange blend of shyness,
pride and conceit,
And stubborn refusal to bow in defeat.
He’s spoiling and ready to argue and fight,
Yet the smile of a child
fills his soul with delight.
His eyes are the quickest to well up with tears,
Yet his strength is the strongest
to banish your fears.
His hate is as fierce as his devotion is grand,
And there is no middle ground
on which he will stand.
He’s wild and he’s gentle,
he’s good and he’s bad.
He’s proud and he’s humble,
he’s happy and sad.
He’s in love with the ocean,
the earth and the skies,
He’s enamoured with beauty wherever it lies.
He’s victor and victim, a star and a clod,
But mostly he’s Irish—
in love with his God.
One of my favorite missionaries, Amy Carmichael, is of Irish descent, and Irish folk songs are some of my favorite music.
Here are some St. Patrick’s Day links you might enjoy:
Updated to add this one: I saw on David McGuire‘s Facebook page this morning the statement, “It’s St. Patrick’s Day, but his inspirational life story is so much more than chasing snakes out of Ireland!” I asked if he has any good links about Patrick’s life, and he graciously sent me these:
I don’t remember who alerted me to One Pretty Thing, but I enjoy the compilations of projects and posts based on holidays or themes. She has several St. Patrick’s Day projects for kids here and here, and general St. Patrick’s Day projects here.
And Tipnut.com has a list of Irish-related links as well, including a live webcam to watch for leprechauns.
And I can’t have an Irish post without linking to my all-time favorite Irishmen, the Irish Tenors. Here they sing, “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears.” about the first Irish immigrant to come through Ellis Island, 15 year old Annie Moore.
In her little bag she carried
All her past and history,
And her dreams for the future
In the land of liberty.
And courage is the passport
When your old world disappears
But there’s no future in the past
When you’re fifteen years
And probably the best known Irish hymn is “Be Thou My Vision.”
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
I had a hard time deciding what to post for Father’s Day! I had some things I’d posted in past years that I really liked, and I know I have readers now that I didn’t have then, but there were so many I couldn’t decide which to post. So…I am going to post a new one from my files and put links back to some of the old ones if anyone has the time or interest to look back at them. Of course, I won’t be offended if you don’t — they’re just there for you to enjoy if you like.
Stray Thoughts 