The Patriot as a Citizen of the World ~ All About America

Anyone who really knows me, understands that I am a passionate patriot. I love America immensely. It offers freedom, hope and opportunity like no other country in the world. As such, I will be posting All About America every Wednesday, because I am proud to be an American! The content will vary and may include photos, facts, commentary, quotes, excerpts of speeches, etc. I will use different sources and make every attempt to site the source. Sometimes I may offer commentary, other times, if I think the content speaks for itself, I may not. I hope you enjoy All About America as much as I do, and that you’ll come back and visit often. And may God Bless America!


This has been taken from my second favorite book of all time, The American Patriot’s Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. It is filled with tons of amazing information and history, and anyone who loves history or consider themselves to be patriotic, will love this book. I did a full review of this book and if you would like to see it, simply click here.

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In April 1910, Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech in Paris in which he reflected on patriotism in a world that was just beginning to resemble what we today might call a “global village.” A century later, his words are worth pondering.

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I believe that a man must be a good patriot before he can be, and as the only possible way of being, a good citizen of the world. Experience teaches us that the average man who protests that his international feeling swamps his national feeling, in actual practice proves himself the foe of mankind; that the man who says that he does not care to be a citizen of any one country, because he is a citizen of the world, is in very fact usually an exceedingly undesirable citizen of whatever corner of the world he happens at the moment to be in. . . If a man can view his own country and all other countries from the same level with tepid indifference, it is wise to distrust him, just as it is wise to distrust the man who can take the same dispassionate view of his wife and his mother. However broad and deep a man’s sympathies, however intense his activities, he need have no fear that they will be cramped by love of his native land.


Now, this does not mean in the least that a man should not wish to do good outside of his native land. On the contrary, just as I think that the man who loves his family is more apt to be a good neighbor than the man who does not, so I think that the most useful member of the family of nations is normally a strongly patriotic nation.

In and Of the World . . . Current Events Wrap Up

Ok, it’s Thursday, and you know what that means… It’s time for The Current Events Wrap Up meme, hosted by the amazing Julie Arduini at her The Surrendered Scribe blog. The Current Events Wrap Up meme is the vision God gave Julie for discussing what is going on in the world, nation and even our own lives. There is so much happening these days and it would be amazing to have a team of conservative commentators discussing their thoughts. Please go and check out Julie’s blog, and if you like current events or news, think about joining in and/or spreading the word!

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Mass murders. Pirated ships. Terrorism. The race for nuclear weapons. Children being killed. Deadly earthquakes. A “rock star” president who is idolized, and who disses the U.S. overseas, much like the Dixie Chicks. Amnesty for illegal immigrants. The economy. The continued hysteria over the fictitious global warming. As usual, there is much to choose from for discussing and commenting on. One thing has really sobered and saddened me though.


The liberal, gay agenda is taking over. And not just with the liberals, academics and Hollyweird, anymore. It has been slowly, but surely infiltrating the conservative and Christian communities.


~ Last year, Dove-Award winning Christian Music singer Ray Bolz, came out and announced he was gay. He’d recently divorced his wife of 33 years to be true to himself (for more info click here).


~ Recently, Texas Christian University announced that there will be separate housing for gay students, starting next year. The community will be open to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and trans-gender students, along with their heterosexual student supporters (for more info click here).


~ Just this week, in an interview with CNN’s Larry King Live, famed Pastor Rick Warren has now disavowed and apologized for his support of Prop. 8, the California bill to keep marriage between a man and a woman (for more info click here).


It seems more and more, that we Christians are not only in the world, but of the world too. That, my friends, is a commentary that is just really, really sad.

Keep Swinging ~ All About America

Anyone who really knows me, understands that I am a passionate patriot. I love America immensely. It offers freedom, hope and opportunity like no other country in the world. As such, I will be posting All About America every Wednesday, because I am proud to be an American! The content will vary and may include photos, facts, commentary, quotes, excerpts of speeches, etc. I will use different sources and make every attempt to site the source. Sometimes I may offer commentary, other times, if I think the content speaks for itself, I may not. I hope you enjoy All About America as much as I do, and that you’ll come back and visit often. And may God Bless America!


This has been taken from my second favorite book of all time, The American Patriot’s Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. It is filled with tons of amazing information and history, and anyone who loves history or consider themselves to be patriotic, will love this book. I did a full review of this book and if you would like to see it, simply click here.

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“My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.”


That was Henry Aaron’s approach to baseball and life, especially in the early 1970’s, when “Hammerin’ Hank” was playing for the Atlanta Braves and getting close to overtaking Babe Ruth as the all-time home-run leader. As he grew closer to the record-breaking 715 mark, the hate mail began to arrive, and what should have been the best time of his life turned into an ordeal.


Some people couldn’t stand the thought of a black man taking Ruth’s place as the homerun king. There were thousands of malicious letters. “You will be the most hated man in this country.” “You’re black so you have no business being here.” Even death threats, “I’D LIKE TO KILL YOU!! BANB BANG YOUR DEAD. P.S. It mite happen.”


He just kept swinging through the ugliness, quietly carrying on the work of Jackie Robinson, who had first broken baseball’s color barrier, and taking comfort from the flood of fan mail urging him on.


On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron stepped up to the plate in Atlanta and hammered number 715 over the left centerfield wall. As he rounded the bases, millions of Americans cheered. Few realized the full extent of the gauntlet he’d run. But his dignity and perseverance were evident. President Nixon may have said it best: “When I think of Hank Aaron, I think of power and poise, of courage and consistency. But most of all, I think of a true gentleman, an outstanding citizen. On the field and off, Hank Aaron represents America at its very best.”

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Personal Note: I chose this for All About America, because baseball is America’s sport (even if I personally don’t enjoy it). Hank Aaron’s achievement is certainly admirable, but it was the way he handled himself and his humility that truly made him great. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were more sports heroes today who could have the above quote applied to them because they live a life of character?

Also, the above quotes from hate mail that Hank Aaron received are posted as is. The grammar errors are not mine. :-)

My Friend LaNae ~ Character Counts

The Character Counts Meme posts every first and third Tuesday of the month. I’d love to have you join me for spotlighting, celebrating and honoring people of good character, who’ve led exemplary lives and who’ve lived with honor, integrity, dignity and sacrifice, and those who’ve inspired others by overcome great obstacles in their own lives. I believe that when we celebrate and exhort good character traits, we can turn the tide, and see more of them. At least I’d like to try! If you are joining us, please leave your name and link at the Mr. Linky down below and don’t forget to leave a comment! Blessings!

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For this installation of Character Counts, I really wanted to go personal. I’ve chosen to honor someone who means a lot to me, one of my oldest and dearest friends, LaNae. For the sake of her privacy, I will refrain from using her last name.


I first met my friend LaNae nearly 21 years ago, in England, while I was in the Air Force. We were introduced and instantly became close friends. She even had a “Tracy” room in her house, so I could come and stay off base. She was one of my best friends there and I missed her terribly when I came back stateside. About a year after I returned to the U.S., she too returned home to Nebraska. Wanting to try something different, I packed my car and moved from Southern California to Nebraska and we became roommates. Eventually I moved back to Arizona, and though it has been over 12 years since I’ve actually seen LaNae, we still keep in touch and she remains one of the best friends I’ve ever had.


LaNae grew up on a farm in a tiny farming community in western Nebraska. She now lives on a ranch with her husband and two daughters in a tiny farming community in western Kansas. In many ways, LaNae is like many other mid-western folks – honest, hard-working, family-oriented, loves the Lord, etc. But to me, she is much more than that.


In all honesty, I consider LaNae to be one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given me. She has been a strong Christian all of her life, but when we met, I was a well-practiced heathen, from a long line of well-practiced heathens. But rather than keep me at a distance, she welcomed me into her life. She didn’t focus on our differences or judge me for my actions (though she certainly could have), but rather enjoyed the time we spent together and became a gentle, yet very powerful influence in my life.


I have no doubt that her prayers (over 10 years worth) were instrumental in my salvation. Before I knew the Rock though, LaNae was my rock. She was my safe harbor during the many storms of my life. The example she set of kindness, integrity, Godliness, honor, and self-respect had a profound effect on me. She lived the kind of life I wanted to, but didn’t really know how to.


In many ways, LaNae was my conscience, when I didn’t have much of one naturally. Long before the WWJD movement, I had my own little WWLD – what would LaNae do. When I found myself in different situations, I thought of this very often. Now, that certainly doesn’t mean I always made the right choice, but I generally knew what the right choice was because I could imagine what LaNae’s choice would be. For example, I was the type of person who would strike back, viciously, if someone hurt me, but LaNae’s mantra was “kill ‘em with kindness.” Again, that doesn’t mean I would always do the right thing, but there she was, at the back of my mind . . . I just couldn’t get her out of my head!


Of course she isn’t actually perfect, and I promised not to reveal any of our deepest, darkest secrets. (Wink, wink!) But she is the most beautiful woman I know, both inside and out. She’s the kind of woman that most other women desperately want to hate, but just can’t because it’s simply not possible. Like all of us, LaNae has gone through some tough times in her life, but she gets through them all by clinging to Jesus. She is the very picture of grace and faith. Her walk with the Lord is steady, her relationship with Him is deep, and her love for Him is strong. She doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk, and inspires others to do the same.


LaNae, I love you, girl! Thanks for a great 21 years of friendship!

Deeply Honored ~ No Foolin'

WOW! I am truly humbled and honored today. I have been notified that Seed Thoughts has been chosen as the Blog of the Month for Christian Women Online. To be honest with you, I’m a bit overwhelmed by this, since it is my understanding that there are over 4,000 blogs on the CWO blog roll.


I am constantly in awe of the way that God has been leading me in my writing and that He allows me to do this. I know He has given me a gift for writing, but without His purpose, that gift wouldn’t get used meaningfully, if at all. It is always my desire to honor and glorify Him in my writing.


This is especially meaningful for me this month, since it is officially my one year blogiversary. It has been a delightful journey. In addition to my words, I’ve shared my laughter, my tears, my goals, my struggles, my achievements, my failures, my sorrow, my joy, my heart, and my love for my family and Jesus. In return I’ve received healing, comfort, freedom, encouragement, wonderful words of wisdom from others . . . and friends.


The friends have been amazing. I have “met” people I never would have otherwise met and am truly honored to “know” them. They have inspired me, taught me, and accepted me, warts and all. (By the way, the warts are figurative – I ain’t been kissin’ no frogs!) It amazes me that I can feel such a connection with so many people online.


To those of you who’ve been with me for a while, and some of you have even been with me since the beginning, I’d like to thank you. Thank you for coming back to read time after time. Thank you for your encouraging comments. Thank you for inspiring me, challenging me, blessing me and teaching me. Thank you for putting up with all of my blog-changes, the look, the content, the adding and subtracting, etc. Most of all, thank you for the gift of your friendship!


To those of you, who are new to Seed Thoughts, thank you for stopping by. I really do appreciate it. I hope you enjoy your visit here, and come back often. There is a plethora of content because I just have too much going on in my brain to narrow it down. :-) In reality though, in all that I do and write, I strive to be real and relevant, and point others to Jesus. Because that is what He has called me to do. This is more than just an outlet for me. It is my ministry and I am honored that I get to do it. I know that any words I offer that inspire, uplift or encourage others, are actually from my Father – I am simply a tool He chooses to use.


“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” ~ Isaiah 55:8-11

Washington's Glasses ~ All About America

Anyone who really knows me, understands that I am a passionate patriot. I love America immensely. It offers freedom, hope and opportunity like no other country in the world. As such, I will be posting All About America every Wednesday, because I am proud to be an American! The content will vary and may include photos, facts, commentary, quotes, excerpts of speeches, etc. I will use different sources and make every attempt to site the source. Sometimes I may offer commentary, other times, if I think the content speaks for itself, I may not. I hope you enjoy All About America as much as I do, and that you’ll come back and visit often. And may God Bless America!


This has been taken from my second favorite book of all time, The American Patriot’s Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb. It is filled with tons of amazing information and history, and anyone who loves history or consider themselves to be patriotic, will love this book. I did a full review of this book and if you would like to see it, simply click here.

~~~

In early 1873, the infant United States faced a crisis. The Revolutionary War was practically over, but the army had not been paid. Soldiers who had fought for years were in desperate need of money. Congress had no funds, and rumors spread that it would send the men home without pay.


By mid-March, the threat of violence filled the air. Officers encamped at Newburgh, New York, talked of mutiny against the government. George Washington, realizing the country verged on disaster, sat at his desk on March 14 and wrote an address urging his men to have patience.


The next day, when the general strode into the hall where his officers had gathered, a hush fell over the room. These men had come to love their commander in chief during the war, but now they looked at him with resentful eyes.


Washington began to speak. He urged his men to have patience. He promised to do everything he could to secure their pay. He asked them to consider the safety of their new country, and begged them not to “open the flood gates of civil discord.”


He paused. His men stared uneasily.


Washington produced a letter from a congressman explaining difficulties the government faced. He started to read, stumbled over the words, stopped. Then he pulled from his pocket something the men had never seen him use before – spectacles.


“Gentlemen, you must pardon me,” he said softly. “I have grown gray in the service of my country, and now find myself growing blind.”


The hardened soldiers fought back tears as they suddenly recalled Washington’s own sacrifices. Later, when the general left the room, they voted to give Congress more time. As Thomas Jefferson later observed, “The moderation and virtue of a single character probably prevented this Revolution from being closed, as most others have been, by a subversion of that liberty it was intended to establish.”