FW: Daddy's poem..............................(JH)

  : Daddy's Poem

                Her hair was up in a pony tail, 

                her favorite dress tied with a bow.

                Today was Daddy's Day at school, 

                and she couldn't wait to go. 

                But her mommy tried to tell her, 

                that she probably should stay home 

                Why the kids might not understand, 

                if she went to school alone. 

                But she was not afraid; 

                she knew just what to say. 

                What to tell her classmates 

                of why he wasn't there today. 

                But still her mother worried, 

                for her to face this day alone. 

                And that was why once again, 

                she tried to keep her daughter home. 

                But the little girl went to school 

                eager to tell them all. 

                About a dad she never sees a dad 

                who never calls. 

                There were daddies along the wall in 

                back, for everyone to meet. 

                Children squirming impatiently, 

                anxious in their seats. 

                One by one the teacher called 

                a student from the class. 

                To introduce their daddy, 

                as seconds slowly passed. 

                At last the teacher called her name, 

                every child turned to stare. 

                Each of them was searching, 

                a man who wasn't there. 

                "Where's her daddy at?" 

                She heard a boy call out. 

                "She probably doesn't have one," 

                another student dared to shout. 

                And from somewhere near the back, 

                she heard a daddy say, 

                "Looks like another deadbeat dad, 

                too busy to waste his day." 

                The words did not offend her, 

                as she smiled up at her Mom. 

                And looked back at her teacher, who 

                told her to go on. 

                And with hands behind her back, 

                slowly she began to speak. 

                And out from the mouth of a child, 

                came words incredibly unique. 

                "My Daddy couldn't be here, 

                because he lives so far away. 

                But I know he wishes he could be, 

                since this is such a special day. 

                And though you cannot meet him, 

                I wanted you to know. 

                All about my daddy, 

                and how much he loves me so. 

                He loved to tell me stories 

                he taught me to ride my bike. 

                He surprised me with pink roses, 

                and taught me to fly a kite. 

                We used to share fudge sundaes, 

                and ice cream in a cone. 

                And though you cannot see him. 

                I'm not standing here alone. 

                "Cause my daddy's always with me, 

                even though we are apart 

                I know because he told me, 

                he'll forever be in my heart" 

                With that, her little hand reached up, 

                and lay across her chest. 

                Feeling her own heartbeat, 

                beneath her favorite dress. 

                And from somewhere there in the crowd 

                of dads, her mother stood in tears. 

                Proudly watching her daughter, 

                who was wise beyond her years. 

                For she stood up for the love 

                of a man not in her life. 

                Doing what was best for her, 

                doing what was a right. 

                And when she dropped her hand back 

                down, staring straight into the crowd. 

                She finished with a voice so soft, 

                but its message clear and loud. 

                "I love my daddy very much, 

                he's my shining star. 

                And if he could, he'd be here, 

                but heaven's just too far. 

                You see he is an American Soldier

                and died just this past year 

                When a roadside bomb hit his convoy 

                and taught Americans to fear. 

                But sometimes when I close my eyes, 

                it's like he never went away." 

                And then she closed her eyes, 

                and saw him there that day. 

                And to her mother's amazement, 

                she witnessed with surprise. 

                A room full of daddies and children, 

                all starting to close their eyes. 

                Who knows what they saw before them, 

                who knows what they felt inside. 

                Perhaps for merely a second, 

                they saw him at her side. 

                "I know you're with me Daddy," 

                to the silence she called out. 

                And what happened next made believers, 

                of those once filled with doubt. 

                Not one in that room could explain it, 

                for each of their eyes had been closed. 

                But there on the desk beside her, 

                was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose. 

                And a child was blessed, if only for 

                a moment, by the love of her shining star. 

                And given the gift of believing, 

                that heaven is never too far. 

                They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. 

                Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. 

                If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends. 

                Take the time...to live and love. 

                Until eternity.. 

                God Bless 

                There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free. 

                The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind. 

                Don't forget them.

=

---

doughnuts

Good morning everyone.  And it is indeed a good morning.  Second day in a row that I haven’t had vertigo when I opened my eyes.  YAY and THANK YOU LORD!!  I know it will probably be back, but as least it’s gone for now.

 

As I was getting ready to come to work this morning, I heard a segment on the radio station that wakes me up about doughnuts.  I didn’t catch all of the conversation, but it was about making homemade doughnuts out of canned biscuits.  And boy, did that bring back some memories!   I remember my Mama making them and they were a real treat. I don’t know if we couldn’t buy “Krispy Kreme” or any other brand of doughnuts – you know it was back in the dark ages!!  I don’t know if it was because we didn’t live in a large town and I know they weren’t sold in the little stores in my community.  I just really don’t know why we didn’t buy store-bought doughnuts; we just didn’t.  Mama would take a can of biscuits, cut a hole in middle of each one and drop it in a sauce pan of very, very, very hot oil and it only took a few seconds for the doughnut to cook.  Then she would lay it on a paper towel for just a few seconds, then drop it into a bag with powdered sugar in it, shake it and….there was your fried, homemade doughnuts!  It would almost melt in your mouth and tasted a little like the funnel cakes you could get at the fair.

 

I remember, after the boys and I moved to Manns Harbor, they wanted some doughnuts one night.  White’s was already closed and back then, the stores in Manteo had already closed.  They didn’t stay open late like they do now and there were no Food Lion’s or Harris Teeter’s on the beach and even if there had been, there was no way I was going to drive to the beach for doughnuts.  So, I told them we could make some.  They looked at me like I had lost my mind because even then they already knew I wasn’t a great cook.  Mom make doughnuts?  No way…it wasn’t going to happen.  I took a can of biscuits out of the refrigerator, opened them and spread them out on wax paper.  I was trying to decide what to use to make the doughnut hole (I couldn’t remember what Mama used).  I looked through the utensil drawer and nothing in there would work.  Then…on the counter I saw my Tylenol bottle—one of the small ones—and it only had 2 pills left in it.  I took them out and washed the bottle.  I know the boys, at this point, thought I had lost my mind.  I took the Tylenol bottle and made a perfect little hole in the center of each biscuit with the small top of the bottle.  By this time, the oil was perfect and I dropped the first doughnuts in it.  It only takes a few seconds for the doughnuts to cook.  I laid them on a paper towel and cooked the rest.  I cooked 3 doughnuts at the time and I put the doughnut holes in with the last batch.  As soon as they were done, I dropped them in a small paper bag with powdered sugar in it and let the boys shake the bag until the doughnuts were covered.  I hardly ever got to eat a doughnut, unless the can of biscuits happened to have an odd number.  Then I would get the extra doughnut along with a few of the doughnut holes.  My boys thought this was the greatest treat ever!! We cooked them sometimes when they had friends over and “Mom’s canned biscuit doughnuts” were always a hit!

 

What simple pleasures!!  What great memories!!

 

Have a great day everyone.  Stay cool.

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com

 

 

Patriotism

Good morning everyone.  It’s really quiet here…no one stirring but me, Haley, Piper (dog) and Bodie (ferret).  It’s foggy outside but the temperature is very nice.  I am heading back home today.  I’m ready to go, but I hate to leave too.  I’m sure all of you have been there at one time or another.  I hope the travel angel rides with us all the way, especially around Raleigh.  That is the only portion of the trip I dread.  Coming out here, about 40 miles east of Raleigh I started getting queasy in my stomach and I’m sure my blood pressure was sky high.  As soon as I’m past that beautiful city, my stomach just calms right down and my heart rate drops back to normal.  I don’t know why I dread it so much but I do. 

 

I think of myself as a very patriotic person; in fact, I know I am.  There is nothing more beautiful that one of those really big American flags just blowing in the wind.  I remember when Hardee’s was in  Manteo (where TL’s) is now.  There had one of those huge flags and it was such an awesome sight.  I saw  it every morning on my way to work from Nags Head to Manteo.  Then, I remember one morning when I came by and it wasn’t there.  Shortly after getting to work, I heard on the radio that it had been stolen.  How sad.  Hardee’s replaced it before the week was out and then about two weeks later, that flag was stolen.  Pretty common people in my opinion.  Hardee’s management decided to not put one back up and I really missed it.  It always bring a lump to my throat when I see my country’s flag waving or hear the National Anthem sung – sung correctly, not like Roseann ( and many others) sang it.  I realize it’s only a song, but it’s an important part of our patriotic heritage and should be respected as such.  Just my opinion. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an oath of loyalty to the national flag and the Republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the national pledge in 1942.  It has been modified four times since its composition, with the most recent change adding the words “under God” in 1954.  Congressional sessions open with the recital of the Pledge, as do government meetings at local levels; meetings held by the Knights of Columbus, Royal Rangers, Boy and Girl Scouts, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Freemason, Lions
club, Rotary Club, as well as many other organizations. (I also read that Bellamy originally wrote this “pledge” as a way to make money selling flags…whatever the reason, I’m glad it became what it is today.)

 

According to the US Flag Code, the Pledge of Allegiance reads:  “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”.  Also according to the Flag Code, the Pledge “should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.  Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present and not in uniform may render the military salute.  Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.”

 

The original Pledge read as follows: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. In 1923 the National Flag Conference called for the words “my Flag” to be changed to “the Flag of the United States” so that new immigrants would not confuse loyalties between their birth countries and the United States.  The words  “of America” were added a year later.  The United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge as the official national pledge on 6/22/42.

 

Swearing of the Pledge is accompanied by a salute.  An early version of the salute, adopted in 1892, was known as the Bellamy salute.  It started with the hand outstretched toward the flag, palm down and ended with the palm up.  Because of the similarity between this salute and the Nazi salute developed later, President Franklin Roosevelt instituted the hand-over-the-heart gesture as the salute to be rendered by civilians during the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem in the United States.

 

Beginning in 1948, there were several attempts made to incorporate the words “under God” into the Pledge.  Prior to February 1954, none of these attempts were successful.  The final successful push came from George M. Docherty.  Some American presidents honored Lincoln’s birthday by attending services at the church he attended and by sitting in Lincoln’s pew on the Sunday nearest his birthday.  On February 7, 1954, with President Eisenhower sitting in Lincoln’s pew, Pastor Docherty delivered a sermon based on the Gettysburg Address titled “A New Birth of Freedom”.  He argued that the nation’s might lay not in arms but its spirit and higher purpose.  He noted that the Pledge’s sentiments could be those of any nation, that “there was something missing in the pledge, and that which was missing was the characteristic and definitive factor in the American way of life”.  He cited Lincoln’s words “under God” as defining words that set the United States apart from other nations.  President Eisenhower responded enthusiastically to Docherty in a conversation following the service.  Eisenhower acted on his suggestion the next day and on February 8, 1954 a bill was introduced.  Congress passed the necessary legislation and Eisenhower signed the bill into law on Flag Day, June 14, 1954.

 

We always say the Pledges to the American Flag, the Christian Flag and the Bible in my Church on Sunday morning.  Often times it is said without much emotion and quickly. Often times there are people, our own members, that do not recite it.  Several years ago, our Sunday School superintendent led the reciting of the Pledges and we had said all three in less than 30 seconds.  I raised my hand and asked that we please repeat them, with meaning, taking time between each pledge to turn to the item.  I think it kinda ticked the superintendent off; but I really don’t care.  If you aren’t going to give the Pledges the respect they deserve, then don’t say them at all.  If you are just mumbling words, then don’t say them at all. Again, just my opinion.

 

I guess I will go for now.  Getting ready for breakfast. Thank all of you for the birthday calls and emails.  You have started my morning off right.

 

 

 

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com

 

 

A little history lesson

Hi friends.  I hope all of you have had a great day.  Mine has been terrific.  We went up to the clinic so Hannah and her Daddy could go horse-back riding this morning.  I decided I wasn’t going to try it today.  I worked in TJ’s garden some yesterday afternoon and again this morning – about 6:30.  And, my back is sorta paying the price tonight.  I took pictures while they rode, which is what I usually do anyway.  I spent the rest of the day working on TJ’s business books and fixed supper tonight.  TJ and Hannah are putting the finishing touches on a small storage shed they have been trying to get done all day.  The rain has run them off the job 3 different times and it’s thundering and lightening again.  But, they only have a few more minutes and maybe they can get it done.

 

I mentioned the other day that I had wanted to post some information on different things relating to July 4^th, our flag, Great Seal, etc.   I just kinda got caught up in the research over the weekend.  This particular email covers a little military history and some information about the 4^th.

 

The military history of the United States spans a period of over two centuries.  During the course of those years, the United Stated evolved from a new nation fighting the British Empire for independence without a professional military (1775-1783), through a monumental American Civil War (1861-1865) to the world’s sole remaining superpower of the late 20^th. century and the early 21^st. century.

 

Here are what I thought was some interesting statistics regarding the wars:

American Revolutionary War – 1775-1783…..deaths 4435….wounded 6188

First Barbary War – 1801-1805….deaths 2….wounded 3

War of 1812 – 1812-1815….deaths 20,000….wounded 4505

Mexican American War – 1846-1848…deaths 13,271…wounded 4152

American Civil War – 1861-1865…Union: deaths 110,000…wounded 275,200; Confederacy: deaths 93,000…wounded 137,000+

Spanish American War – 4/25/1898-8/12/1898…deaths 332

World War I – 1914-1918…deaths 53,402…wounded 204,002

World War II – 1941-1945…deaths 407,300…wounded 670,846

Korean War – 1950-1953…deaths 54,246…MIA 8142

Gulf War – 1990-1991…deaths 378…wounded less than 1000

Vietnam War – 1959-1975…deaths 58,193…wounded 153,303, MIA 1948

Iraq War – 2003-2010…deaths 4,404…wounded 31,827

Afghanistan War – 2001-present…deaths 1098, wounded 2379.

 

I am so sorry so many lives have been lost in fighting wars but I think the thing that bothers me most is the Missing In Action.  They should have never been left behind.

 

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the US commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the kingdom of Great Britain.  During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.  After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a committee of five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.  Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. 

On July 3, John Adams had written to his wife this letter:  “Abigail – The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

 

Adams prediction was a little off.  From the outset Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

 

Early Observances:

Ø  In 1777, 13 gunshots were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island.  Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayer, music, parade, troop reviews and fireworks.  Ships were decked with red, white and blue bunting.

Ø  In 178, General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.  Across the Atlantic Ocean, ambassadors John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner for their fellow Americans in Paris, France.

Ø  In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday.  The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.

Ø  In 1781, the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.

Ø  In 1783, Moravians in Salem, NC, held a celebration of July 4 with a challenging music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter.  The work was titled “The Psalm of Joy”.

Ø  In 1792, the first recorded use of the name Independence Day occurred.

Ø  In 1820, the first Fourth of July celebration was held in Eastport, Maine which remains the largest in the state.

Ø  In 1870, the US Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.

Ø  In 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

 

THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

 

       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….

 

There is also a line in there that refers to the King of England…”a prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people…”.

 

 

I know I studied all this in grade school, but it was never clearer to me that this weekend.  I could have spent hours on the computer doing research and I did probably spend over 6 hours.  I am so proud to be an American.  But I am concerned for my country.  My main concerns can be found in these 6 words: “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness”.  Life – if someone people had their way, the older generation would be euthanized with they had served their usefulness and were becoming a burden.  Life – the killing of millions of unborn babies.  Liberty – our liberties are more and more restricted every day.  Pursuit of happiness…harder and harder to come by.  So many people are just barely managing to get by.  Their paychecks hardly stretch from payday to payday. 

 

I know there is the other side of the coin. I could make a lot of good points too.

 

I think this will do it for tonight.  My head is getting more stuffy by the minute and it’s hard to breathe.

 

If you remember, please pray for Hannah and me as we travel back home tomorrow.  I think we will be leaving about lunch time.

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com

 

 

FW: Scars and Stripes

 

 

 

Hey friends.  I bet you think I misspelled a word in the subject line, but I didn’t.  One of the ladies at my Church, Marie, is always very gracious to bless us with a song.  She has had some pretty extensive dental work done lately and when I asked her to sing a certain song today, she replied she hoped she could do it and was afraid it might give her some trouble.  Well, if that song gave her any trouble this morning, you would never know it.  She just belted it out.  There are two parts in the song that are really powerful and she sang with all kinds of power and glory this morning.  She told me after Church, “it was God”. Well, whatever it was….it was AWESOME.  Thank you so much for the blessing.

 

I want to share the words with you and I believe you will agree that we have found another independence day song!  The title is “Scars and Stripes”:

 

Dawn is breaking the stormy night,

The battle is raging in ruthless plight,

Soldiers giving their life for a life,

Defenders of freedom and right.

Bravely they watch as the blazing skies

Give proof through the first gleam of morning bright,

For yonder, still waving, their symbol of right,

Old Glory, the Stars and the Stripes.

 

Old Glory still stands for a county free,

It’s beauty held high for the world to see,

To freedom, justice and liberty,

It’s the Stars and Stripes forever,.

 

From the halls of Pilot they loudly cried,

We find Him guilty, crucify, crucify.

They mock Him, crown Him, pierce His precious side,

Love carries what should have been mine.

 

The sun was darkened, Heaven cries,

The nails have been driven, the Savior has died.

Jesus has given His life for my life,

I am free by His Scars and His Stripes.

 

All Glory and Praise, I have been set free,

By the blood of the Lamb on Calvary.

There’s mercy, freedom and victory

In the Scars and the Stripes forever.

 

Oh, there’s mercy, freedom and victory

In the Scars and the Stripes forever.

 

 

I almost shouted when she finished singing.  The words give me goose-bumps.  What a great gift!!!

 

I got to Church a little earlier than usual this morning to practice the songs we would be singing.  I am not a very talented organist anyway but I can usually do okay with My Country ‘Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, and the Battle Hymn of Republic.  But I also knew we would sing the Star Spangled Banner today.  It’s hard to play and very hard for most people to reach the high notes in it.  Our Pastor often says he needs a step ladder to reach some of the notes in our hymns.  Arvin sang My County ‘Tis of Thee as a special and we sang the other 3 as congregational songs.  I played the Old Rugged Cross for the offering…’cause without the cause I wouldn’t have any freedom.

 

Shortly after I got to Church and had run through the songs (with poor eyesight and fingers that were sticking to the keys, I knew it was going to be a bad day-music wise) Candi and Charlie came in.  The last time Charlie was here I played Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano with him.  I held his finger and he played the notes.  This morning we played that once and he wanted to play Old McDonald.  I told him I didn’t know how to play that but he said he did.  So I told him to go for it.  Of course, he can’t really play…but he played…if you get my drift.  And he sang along as he was playing.  Then he played the Wheels on the Bus and then I asked him to play Jesus Loves Me.  I asked him if it was okay if I got my camera and he agreed so I was able to videotape this.  Then I had nursery this morning and Daniel is a such a joy.  He will be 2 in August and just beginning to talk.  Well, he talks a lot; I just don’t understand all of it.  We always sing Jesus Loves Me as our opening song for Sunday School and I started humming it.  Daniel heard me and started singing it.  So, then we sang it together and I videotaped it too.  He doesn’t say very many words plainly, but you know he knows what he is singing.  My batteries died just before we sang the last three words of the song.  And of course, I missed it when he clapped his hands and said “Yaaay!”.  I am working on teaching him two new words – glory, which he picked up right away and hallelujah.  He tries to say that one too and then just looks at me and laughs. 

 

Our message was great this morning.  Our attendance was kinda slim, but some of our own people are out of town and we have a few visitors.  Tonight we are having an ice-cream social, with all the toppings, after Church.

 

I hope all of you spent some part of today in the Lord’s house.  God bless.

 

 

 

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com

 

 

Independence Day thoughts

I decided sometime this week I wanted to prepare a special July 4^th. post for my blogspot.  As I started researching yesterday, I just found so much “stuff” I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it all in one post.  It would take me days to prepare it and almost as long to read it.  I discovered information I didn’t know, which come to think of it, isn’t too surprising.  I was going to start with a post about July 4^th. itself.  Then in Pastor’s message this morning, he mentioned Patrick Henry and his famous speech.  After coming home and researching that, I decided to make that my first post. Until today I’ve never read Patrick Henry’s speech or if I did, I don’t remember it.  But like everyone else, I can quote the last 11 words…”but as for me, give me liberty or give me death”. I thought about putting the entire speech in this post but decided it was too long and most people probably wouldn’t read it.  If you are interested in doing so, just Google it. But I am going to include a portion. So here goes…

 

PATRICK HENRY – 3/23/1775

 

On March 20, 1775, the second Virginia Convention met in St. John’s church in Richmond, Va instead of the Capital in Williamsburg.  This was done to avoid conflict with the Royal Marines.  Delegate Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise a militia, and to put Virginia in a posture of defense.  His opponents urged caution and patience until the Crown replied to Congress’ latest petition for reconciliation.  On the 23^rd. Henry presented a proposal to organize a volunteer company of calvary or infantry in every Virginia county.

 

“If we wish to be free….we must fight! I repeat sir, we must fight.  An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left to us.  They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.  But when shall we be stronger?  Will it be next week or next year?  Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?  Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?  Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?  Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power,.  Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.  There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.  The battle, sir, it not be the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.  Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.  There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!  Our chains are forged!  Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is  inevitable and let it come!  I repeat it, sir, let it come.  It is in vain, sir to extenuate the matter.  Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is no peace.  The war is actually begun!  The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!  Our brethren are already in the field!   Why stand we here idle?  What is it that gentlemen wish?  What would they have?  Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”.

 

United States history was one of my favorite subjects in school.  But after all the research and reading I’ve done this weekend, I wish I had paid more attention.

 

I live in the greatest country in the world. But it breaks my heart at what is happening in the United States.  Are we become too arrogant, so sure of ourselves that we believe nothing can harm us?  We need to make 2 Chronicles 7:14 our constant reminder of what we need to do and what the consequences will be if we just obey…”If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.

 

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com

 

 

Independence Day

Hello everyone.  I don’t know about where you live but it has really been hot here in Dare County today. 

 

After Heidi with Tideland delivered my Kindle and took my picture, Candi, Charlie and I visited the Aquarium.  It’s fun to go there anyway, but it’s really fun to go with a little one.  I love seeing things through their eyes…it’s so refreshing.  Then we went to McDonald’s for lunch…sorry they didn’t have ice cream Candi.  Candi and Charlie surprised me with a birthday gift.  Charlie tried hard to keep it a secret. I had kinda figured out it was a gift for me (guess I would have been really disappointed if had been something else wouldn’t I?).  But, finally Charlie couldn’t hold it any longer and while Candi was getting our order he leaned over the table and whispered – loud enough the people at the next table heard him – “Granny B, this bag is your “burfday” present. It’s a secret”.  And along with that statement came the sweetest smile.  He is such a sweetheart.  Don’t get me wrong, he is all boy; but he wiggled into my heart the first time I laid eyes on him.  He is a really special little boy.

 

I know you all are probably going to do something special for July 4^th.  I’m sure I will too; I just don’t know what yet.  I’m pretty sure Albemarle will have some kind of celebration and Hannah, TJ and I will probably attend.  I am grateful for the independence July 4^th. represents.  But today I am talking about another kind of independence.  One day as I was going to work this week, I heard one of my favorite hymns on the Christian radio station.  I had never heard anyone but Marie, at my Church, sing it.  The song is “He Came to Me”.  Marie is on the music schedule to sing this Sunday and I knew she already had a song picked out.  I immediately called her and left her a voice mail asking that she also sing “He Came to Me” on Sunday night.  I really didn’t think the pastor would mind.  After I got to work I sent her an email just to be doubly sure she got my message.  In the email I told her it had ‘come to me’ what a great independence day song that song would be.  Think about it….because of my salvation….I am free.  Free from having to worry about where I am going to spend eternity.  And there is no way…absolutely no way…I would have that independence without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  In our celebration of July 4^th. we usually recognize the sacrifice others have made that we might have all of the freedoms that go with that independence.  And I am very thankful for all of those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.  But, the most important sacrifice was made on the cross….not on a battlefield.  Although I guess it was a battlefield of sorts.

 

So tonight as I sit here typing this email, I thank God for the sacrifice he gave us.  I want to share the words of the song with you and I think you will see how it is an appropriate song for Independence Day.

 

The gulf that separated me from Christ my Lord,

Was so vast the crossing I could never ford.

From where I was to His demand, it seemed so far.

I cried “Dear Lord, I cannot come to where You are.”

 

He came to me, He came to me,

When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

That’s why He died on Calvary;

When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

 

He came to me, when I was bound in chains of sin,

He came to me, when I possessed no hope within;

He picked me up, and drew me gently to His side

Where, today, in His sweet love I now abide.

 

He came to me, He came to me,

When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

That’s why He died on Calvary;

When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

 

I hope each and every one of you have that independence.  If not, it’s not too late.  It’s yours for the asking.

 

 

 

 

Brenda

boutlaw@carolinaregion.com