Tag Archive for: America

America – A Blessed and Beautiful Nation

While waiting to enter the sanctuary one Sunday morning, a young boy saw a plaque with names on it.  Pulling his mother over to it, he proceeded to ask her what it was about.

Quietly, the boy’s mom explained that the names on it were for those from the community who had passed away in the service.

Without missing a beat, the young man asked, “Mom, did they die in the morning or evening service?”

We are often inundated with calls to separate faith from government.  Yet, the Bible lays a foundation for the behavior to be modeled by citizens.  Respecting our leaders, serving one’s nation and loving others – even those with whom we may not agree, are ways in which we can honor our Father.

Along these lines, many American believers have answered the call of their nation in times of war and peace.  Still others have found different ways to show their allegiance to the nation that they call home through other various acts of service.

In every age, and among each generation, there has been strife and conflict.  We shouldn’t expect any more or less, since we’re all human.  Yet, America is a sum – a total, of the people who call it “Home”.  From the diversity of its population to the brilliant landscapes, we remember with a grateful heart all that God has blessed us with.  It’s along these lines that many old church hymnals included a few patriotic anthems amongst their pages, as Christians chose to be thankful for God’s blessings on their land and petitioned their Creator to protect and draw them back to Him.

I hope that the following words will serve as a reminder of the blessings that God has bestowed on this nation.

“AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL”

Katharine Lee Bates, 1893

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Built to Withstand the Weather

Many people love covered bridges. They stir nostalgia – allowing memories of another time to come to mind.

As part of their charm, these structures often draw much speculation to why they were built. It seems, thanks Hollywood, chivalry and courting come to mind for many.

However, the real reason for covered bridges was more utilitarian. They were originally built to protect the structure from the weather.

While maybe not as inspiring as a love story written for the big screen, there’s something just as noble and powerful to the reason behind covered bridges.

We often look at the outward appearances of people and things. Yet, we don’t look at their inner beings – who or what they really are. While an appearance may make for an attractive picture, the inside “guts” reveal the real structural integrity of a person or thing. It also makes us ask if the bridge (or person) is built to withstand life’s storms – and are they who they were created to be?

Covered bridges offer a unique, attractive perspective of a previous era. Yet, they also offer a great reminder that we must always look at what’s inside to make sure that it matches what is on the outside.

Have a great day!

😀

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Unity Bales

I made a delivery to a local farm when I saw these hay bales in red, white and blue netting. While I’m used to brown and green twine, this was new to me!

Baling gives farmers an efficient way to store and handle hay. However, when you cut bales loose, it can make a great mess – allowing stalks, leaves and dust to freely go in every direction.

When I saw these bales, I saw the colors that are incorporated into America’s flag. Like loose hay, each person is a different, unique individual. Yet, joined together, each man, woman and child allows their various gifts and personalities to come together for a common good.

This idea of national unity isn’t new to the United States. It’s been practiced by many nations throughout history. In fact, this principle has Biblical roots.

We live in a day when many people want to separate and pull us apart like loose hay. It’s only when you and I join together that we become better at handling the challenges that lie before us.

Have a great day!😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Happy Fourth of July!

“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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

On this Fourth of July, we remember the sacrifices of many!

Have a great day!😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Homemade Ice Cream

June is National Dairy Month in the United States. During this time, America’s dairy farmers and processors are honored for providing safe, nutritious food products.

For more than forty years, my father has worked in a cheese factory. As a result, grown up, we have often enjoyed homemade ice cream that was made from rich cream during the summer months.

Memories were made of get-togethers with several family members cranking multiple ice cream freezers. Even today, it’s not uncommon to make ice cream for at least one or two family gatherings.

In honor of National Dairy month, here is the ice cream mixture recipe that my Mom has used for many years.

COUNTRY STYLE VANILLA

4 Eggs. Approximately 5 Cups of Milk. 2 Tablespoons of Vanilla. 2-1/2 Cups of Sugar. 4 Cups of Whipping Cream. 1/4 Teaspoon of Salt.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until thickened. Add cream, vanilla and salt and mix thoroughly. Pour into can. Add milk to fill line on can and stir well. Freeze as directed. Makes 4 quarts.

Enjoy and have a great day!😀

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Cost of Freedom

For many, Memorial Day is part of a three day weekend. It’s a time to get together with family and friends, have a cookout or go camping. For others, it is an opportunity to remember family and friends who have passed away.

Yet, the true reason of Memorial Day goes much deeper. It’s about a great debt.

Memorial Day is when America, as a nation, remembers those who have died while on active duty. Those brave individuals gave the ultimate sacrifice – offering their lives defending the ideals of freedom. On this day, we remember those who would never make it home to see their loved ones nor see old age.

As we spend Memorial Day with family and friends, let’s remember that freedom is never free.

Have a great day!

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Treat Others to the Best

Growing up just a few miles from this barn, it’s been a common sight for much of the last four decades for me.  While I’ve never used the product advertised, I have loved old barns.  So, it’s easy to understand why I have enjoyed seeing this barn and others like it throughout the years.  They are a part of America’s rural heritage and help us to remember times that were often simpler and happier – at least in our memories.

Barns painted with advertisements were a once-common sight across rural America.  As a means to reach passing motorists, companies would rely on these barns to promote their products.  In addition to a small stipend paid, these advertisers would offer the farmer a means of getting their barn painted – helping to preserve the integrity of the barn’s wood.  A win-win situation, if you will.

An early common advertiser was the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, who’s “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco – Treat Yourself to the Best” ads were painted on barns in more than twenty states.  These signs were painted by hand.  According to Wikipedia, the Mail Pouch program ran from 1891 to 1992.

While the Mail Pouch ads were the most common, other companies also painted their slogans and advertisements on barns.  In addition to barns, many other buildings were also used for canvasses for these promotional campaigns.  Feed and grain stores, tobacco companies – even tourist destinations such as Rock City, near Chattanooga, Tennessee, painted roadside structures in similar fashion.

In addition to barns, perhaps you may remember other rural roadside advertisements.

Perhaps, one of the most famous was the “Burma Shave” signs.  These ads would have several small signs in sequential order carrying humorous rhyming poems – with the last sign saying “Burma Shave”.  While these advertisements were before my time, I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures of them in different publications over the years.

These vintage barn and roadside signs are reminders that each of us displays messages every day.  Our actions often carry more weight than our words, and people often watch what we do to see if we can be trusted.  Regardless of whether we realize it or not, someone is always watching us – so let’s “Treat Others to the Best”!

Have a great day! 🙂

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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