The crowd stands to their feet. Silence fills the arena. Cowboys lined up by teams, stand at attention as the red, white, and blue makes it’s silent entrance. A dad’s hand on his son’s shoulder as to catch his attention from his playfulness. He recognizing his touch as, pay attention, here comes our flag. The rider starts a trot around the arena, as the National Anthem is sung, the horse eases into a lope. The flag begins to pop as the horse increases speed. Even the shoot help stops and pays reverence. I notice a Vet with a World War II cap, discreetly wiping a tear at the grandeur of the moment. As the anthem ends and the rider cues a crisp stop, the crowd breaks into a thunderous applause.
If you’ve ever been to a ranch rodeo, or any arena event you have probably experienced this. I don’t know that I have always been this way, but lately it’s taken all I have not to cry. I’m sure many of you experience the same thing. I feel a great sense of pride to live in this country, but I am saddened by it’s current shape. We are not helpless!! We can take an active roll in bringing honor back to our country, back to our homes, and especially back to the Lord.
1. Prayer Is Our First Powerful Defense. If my people will call on My Name,  I will heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14
2. Don’t Leave The Prayer Closet, Just To Take A Seat Somewhere Else. Start somewhere.
3. Bring Our Families Back Around The Dinner Table. My grandparents use to talk about the depression, our country, the cost of freedom. Our families need to increase the time around the table, face to face, and getting back to stories of faith, family and God. I’m preaching to myself to. I also have been making more of an effort to make Sunday afternoons family time. We’ve needed it and I know it’s important part of our family heritage. Let’s not let the t.v., their peers, or the school educate them in morals. They need to hear from us and the dinner table is a great place to impress upon your children.  Deut. 6:7
4. Turn Off The T.V.. I admit, I love t.v.. So for me, I have to limit my time or record shows I like. It’s no secret that we have become a people immersed in media.
5. Get Our Families Back To Church. We are faced with many people who just don’t know what the Bible says. Let’s not condemn them for this but let’s get beside them and teach. Read the Bible to your children, talk about what the pastor said at church on Sunday. Church is not just about attendance but the community you build with the people inside. It’s about growing in faith and sharing it with others. It’s also not about perfection. No church, pastor, elders, leaders, or members will ever be perfect but don’t bail. Strive to make your church better by rolling up your sleeves, not to fight but to work. What gifts or talents do you have that could benefit those around you? Being involved means staying connected.
6. Teach Our Children To Love God, Love People, And Kick Complacency To The Curb. We do have enemies. Not everyone is for us and it’s okay to offend. The PC police, well, I think it means “Please Cuss”, because that’s what all the apologizing, makes me want to do. Don’t you think we are showing our kids that apologies are worthless when they are frequently handed out to every yahoo who demands one?  Let’s teach them what true repentance looks like and why God designed us to do it when we need it.
7. We Should Teach Our Children To Be Good Citizens. First, you must practice being a good citizen. Value the privilege of voting. Stand up for the flag when it passes by. If you see a Veteran in a restaurant, teach them to extend their hand and thank them for their service. Keep praying at the football games and keep the Ten Commandments on our Courthouse lawns and classrooms. Because those are the Laws to which every law we have in our country should be anchored. Keep reminding them of the battle that was fought for them, both abroad and here at home.
Most of all teach them, the battle that we must continually fight to be good stewards of what God has given us.
Can you tell me something you love about America? I would love to hear from you? And thank you for your comments.
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