A speech from an Old Army Grunt to a Church Congregation resurfaces 30 years later. And it couldn't be more applicable to today's problems in the United States. There is no denying it, our Country is in a time of turmoil and moral dilemma.
Riots and protests. The American flag being burned every time I turn on the news. Division and hatred among the masses at every turn. So when a dear friend reached out to me saying that she found a speech her Grandfather delivered many years ago to a church congregation, I had to take a look. His very well written address is entitled "Old Glory" and is very poignant to today's plight. Sgt. Bob Ray never published the speech, even though it probably should have. Well, today it is being published online via us here at The Fisherman Soldier Ministries. Here are his words: "...I am Old Glory the symbol of a once God Fearing Nation made up of Men, Women and Children from all Nations of the world that came to these shores seeking freedom from all types of oppression. What am I now? I am no longer flying proudly with honor and respect from all who see me. I am left out in all types of weather and treated like a dishrag that a housewife hangs out on the line to dry and fade. I remember that when I went by, hats came off and hands were lifted to hearts in Honor and Respect. You heard parents telling their children to stand up straight and tall because the flag was passing by. Now I am practically ignored except for some oldster that recalls, with a tear in the corner of their eye, what honor was accorded me in days gone by. Why there was a time when men looked to see if I was still there during the rockets red glare to be given encouragement to see that I was still flying on high. Ah! There were many times in years gone by that men and women were strengthened to keep fighting because I was flying overhead. Now I am spat on and burned by people of this great nation. I recall the many times as I flew over the Armed Forces of this Nation, how I was raised in the morning and lowered in the evening with tender loving care. I flew as a symbol over many war machines to remind all that saw me that we were Americans and mighty proud that I was there. What has happened? There was a time that men and women were proud of me as their symbol of freedom. All over the world are the graves of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen that fought hard and died for this God given Freedom of ours. What has happened? Why the changes that have taken place, and are still taking place? Would I dare say that it is because this nation no longer gives God the credit and honor for the blessings of living in this land? Oh" Yes. But I do dare because this is exactly what has and still is happening, as we have lost respect for our Creator and so we have lost respect for each other. What is happening in our courts, law enforcement and every branch of government is a result of not giving God the glory. It is no wonder that I am burned and desecrated! I wonder what all those men that have died so bravely in wars, or whatever man pleases to cal them, would say if they could rise up and see all that has taken place and is taking place? Would they join the crowd that burns me or would they take action against the flag burners? I can only speculate but God almighty knows the hearts of men and knows for certain why men act as they do in all matters. This nation, under God (does that sound familiar to anyone?) should go back and read what our founding fathers had to say. It's no wonder I am dragged through the dirt, left out in all weather and burned; because this nation I once flew over so proudly is doing the same thing to the principles of it's founding fathers." Master Sergeant Bob Ray served in the U.S. Army during both World War II and Korea. He passed away in October of 2015. He is survived by his bride Marie Drennen-Gillespie-Ray, who says she looks forward to reuniting with him in Heaven when God calls her home.
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So last night I attended an outstanding concert! It was the Toby Mac "Hits Deep" Tour here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has been a long time since I attended a Christian concert, and I had forgotten how powerful the Holy Spirit can move in a place like that. Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Non-Denominational; it didn't matter. Together we were the Church of Christ,was very moving to see the masses of people worshiping, and praising God in fellowship together. Hands raised in the air, all ages, all walks of life. The Holy Spirit was dominant in that arena. Some were very apparently there to be entertained, but all in all; I saw the majority of Pittsburgh residents in attendance were hungry for God. They are craving a revival! Which got me thinking. Naturally. As a member of my worship team at church, I have a very different view when it comes to church service. I'm looking at the congregation head on. I can see who is singing, who is sitting, who is praising the Lord with every ounce of their heart and who has no clue how the songs go and are just standing out of respect/habit. It might be my musical upbringing, or my own personal view of how detrimental Worship is, but I feel there most definitely needs to be a revival of Worship in our Nation. All too often, no matter what your denomination is; Worship is just "...that thing you have to do at Church..." To me, it's more than that. God gave me a gift of music, and I choose to use that to glorify his name. He breathed life into me. I'm going to use that breath to praise his name. Now I know some people are sitting here reading this saying to themselves that they sound like 4 pounds of lug nuts in a dishwasher. There are other ways to Praise God. Raising your hands, dancing in the aisle, through your daily deeds. Yes, I said through your daily deeds. The things you do on a day to day basis, can be used to Worship and Glorify God. Through your actions and works, you can give God the Glory. Taking the few minutes to help a stranded motorist push their car to the side of the road, helping the single mom in line at the checkout with the few dollars she is short, helping your elderly neighbor with her yard work; ALL of these good deeds can be a form of Worship to God. Levi Lusko says, "Praise is powerful. Worship is a weapon. We must approach every battle with arms raised and swords drawn. We are to do everything we can do but we must trust God for what only He can do. When we stop worshiping, we stop winning." The enemy wants us to be un-Christ like to each other. He depends on it, thrives on it. Just as much as the Gospel is your main weapon against the enemy, Worship can be a valuable weapon too. Your actions, your dance, your song; all are weapons against the enemy, and a sign of devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John 4:23 says: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." In this section of John, Jesus is telling a Samaritan woman that they worship what they don't know but that the Followers of the Way (Christians) follow what they do know, and in verse 24 that "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” We know that God is the Truth, the Way, and the Light. When your Worship is weak, your enemy is strong against you. Strengthen your Worship, as you would strengthen your sword. |
AuthorSpike Bowan is the Pittsburgh, PA born Writer and Fiction Author. He is a Veteran of the US Navy, retired Paramedic, Husband, Father and Christian. BECOME A PATRON. CLICK BELOW!
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