We just commemorated the sacrifices of our soldiers, airmen, and sailors that died for the cause of freedom. Memorial Day is a day set aside to reflect on the state of the union. I realize that we are the midst of a storm that has been brewing for years. America has been always been a nation that has fought for freedom. We think about how our freedoms aren't free.
The state of the union is unsettled today. There are forces at work here that are threatening to tear the country apart. We are currently fighting through the storms of adversity. Globalism and socialism wear out the moral fabric of society.
We seem to have forgotten why these sacrifices were made. America is the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave. The sacrifices weren't in vain. They sacrificed so we could live in a free country. The increasing pressure from the socialists would have you believe that those sacrifices were in vain. They would have you believe that if you allow the government to dictate your every move you'll be free. It is foolish and dangerous. Nothing is free. Big government and massive regulations have sucked the lifeblood out of this country. I don't want to live in a country that curtails my freedoms. This movement will do just that.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Learning From The Past, Peering Into The Future
This past week I've had the opportunity to explore two historic sites in my hometown. The first impressions of the sites were that parts were very run down. There were spots that looked bad at first. It was only when I was made to see the potential that I could really see the good. I discovered beautiful wallpaper, elegant wood paneling, and a solid cement structure. I also saw a unique fire door that separated one building from another one.
It was fascinating to discover even in the vacant classrooms a sense of all the children that passed through the hallways. It was nice to see the old cloakrooms right beside the classrooms looking as they must have looked when children hung up their coats. I learned that the school had 100 kids in each classroom. That information wowed me as I contemplated how the teachers must have ruled the school. There had to be some discipline with that many kids. When I look at how schools are today, I do wonder what happened. If you had that many kids in one classroom today, it would be chaos.
The convent I visited also interested me. It wasn't as run down as the school but still had some issues. I liked the small chapel and the meeting rooms. I can imagine some good uses for the building. I imagine a meeting area that is bigger than the current one over at the borough hall. I imagine a place for workshops and other events.
There is a lot to learn from the past. Respect for the community is one lesson that sadly gone by the wayside. It was taught at the schools and took the form of pride. Yet I don't see that nowadays. When I peer into the future I see a bland robotic state. There is no sense of accomplishment here. The statues and memories of yesterday are being torn down and forgotten. No one wants to remember any more. I guess that is why I cling so much to the past. I want people to know and understand their past so they can move confidently into the future.
It was fascinating to discover even in the vacant classrooms a sense of all the children that passed through the hallways. It was nice to see the old cloakrooms right beside the classrooms looking as they must have looked when children hung up their coats. I learned that the school had 100 kids in each classroom. That information wowed me as I contemplated how the teachers must have ruled the school. There had to be some discipline with that many kids. When I look at how schools are today, I do wonder what happened. If you had that many kids in one classroom today, it would be chaos.
The convent I visited also interested me. It wasn't as run down as the school but still had some issues. I liked the small chapel and the meeting rooms. I can imagine some good uses for the building. I imagine a meeting area that is bigger than the current one over at the borough hall. I imagine a place for workshops and other events.
There is a lot to learn from the past. Respect for the community is one lesson that sadly gone by the wayside. It was taught at the schools and took the form of pride. Yet I don't see that nowadays. When I peer into the future I see a bland robotic state. There is no sense of accomplishment here. The statues and memories of yesterday are being torn down and forgotten. No one wants to remember any more. I guess that is why I cling so much to the past. I want people to know and understand their past so they can move confidently into the future.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Looking for a Ray of Hope and a Sense of Purpose
If you have been following this blog for a little while you probably know of my struggle. It is hard to keep moving when it seems that everything is going south. I have tried time and time again to hang onto that ray of hope. You know that it is increasingly more difficult to find the good in all the rubbage that is flying around. I would justify myself for the trapped feeling I have whenever I try to find some purpose in my life.
The Lord knows my struggle. I know that he is in control but sometimes it is very hard. I look diligently trying to see outside my own little world. I know that I don't want to go back to what I was, a very selfish and self-centered person. Yet this world's message keeps hammering away. It tells me that I shouldn't be thinking of others, but have the mentality of "me first." It also keeps telling me that I'm too old and too run down. I sometimes feel myself agreeing with that statement. I do feel like I'm being torn in two balancing between two different worlds.
I do have to remind myself that I am created in God's image. I am his daughter. He has me in the palm of his loving hand. Jesus has overcome the world. I was created for his glory, not my own glory.
Yet I am still so selfish. I have difficulty saying things and struggle for the right words. I selfishly want that feeling of doing something meaningful and name worthy. I know it is a struggle we all face. We don't like to admit it. We shy away from it. We may even reject it outright by trying unsuccessfully to be pious. I have to be honest. Yes, I sometimes love attention. I like being the center of attention too.
It is hard when you feel the walls closing in on you. You wonder if you really actually belong anywhere. You do. God has placed you where you are for a reason. You do have a purpose in life. Keep looking for that ray of hope as it dawns. Stop struggling with stuff you can't understand. Thank the Lord for each day.
The Lord knows my struggle. I know that he is in control but sometimes it is very hard. I look diligently trying to see outside my own little world. I know that I don't want to go back to what I was, a very selfish and self-centered person. Yet this world's message keeps hammering away. It tells me that I shouldn't be thinking of others, but have the mentality of "me first." It also keeps telling me that I'm too old and too run down. I sometimes feel myself agreeing with that statement. I do feel like I'm being torn in two balancing between two different worlds.
I do have to remind myself that I am created in God's image. I am his daughter. He has me in the palm of his loving hand. Jesus has overcome the world. I was created for his glory, not my own glory.
Yet I am still so selfish. I have difficulty saying things and struggle for the right words. I selfishly want that feeling of doing something meaningful and name worthy. I know it is a struggle we all face. We don't like to admit it. We shy away from it. We may even reject it outright by trying unsuccessfully to be pious. I have to be honest. Yes, I sometimes love attention. I like being the center of attention too.
It is hard when you feel the walls closing in on you. You wonder if you really actually belong anywhere. You do. God has placed you where you are for a reason. You do have a purpose in life. Keep looking for that ray of hope as it dawns. Stop struggling with stuff you can't understand. Thank the Lord for each day.
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