Pride of a Patriot

*Disclaimer: This is highly likely to offend many people. I am aware of that, and I do not care. If you can’t handle it, don’t read it.*

My apologies ahead of time if my thoughts are scattered, I’m currently more than a little angry. I don’t often publicly post my political opinions. Some people would attribute that to paranoia. I don’t mind; they may be right. We are a watched nation. Both by our own government, who more often than not I don’t agree with, and those who would seek to destroy us. Terrorists are not fools, and if you think they don’t have computers and hackers just like we do, you really need to pull your head out of the sand. That being said, I’d like to share a few thoughts.

This morning, I was sitting sipping my coffee, staring dismally at the overcast sky, when I started listening to the song my dad was playing on his phone. It was “An American With a Remington” by Larry Gatlin and Billy Dean. Reading some of the comments on the video made me sick. I mean, honestly… people are so ignorant. Most of the comments were of the general theme, ‘Stupid rednecks, no wonder the terrorists think so little of us’ or “Wasn’t Jesus all about not killing anyone? Even your worst enemies?”

First of all, us “stupid rednecks” are likely to be the only thing standing between you and those terrorists when they decide to bring the fight to us, and mark my words: they will. This is not a new war. This is an ongoing fight that started before the crusades. And eventually, it will come to us. And you can be sure, some of us will be ready. You won’t think we’re so stupid when we’re the only reason you aren’t faced with converting or losing your head. We’re really very good with our rifles. You’ll learn to appreciate that.

And second, about “not killing anyone”, oooh… this is a personal major pet peeve of mine. My first semester of college, we had a guest lecturer in one of my classes who wanted to talk about a controversial subject in the Church. He proceeded to spend the next hour explaining why Christians should be against war. Now, this is where I make a public service announcement: Know your audience. I am the daughter of an infantryman and the sister of an airman in a family with a very distinguished military history. And I am a Christian. I left that class so angry that my friends avoided me for hours, without even knowing what was wrong. Have you read the Bible? It’s hardly all sunshine and roses. There are at least 60 battles mentioned in the Old Testament. Many, many, of which were commanded or blessed by God. (Someone put together an excellent compilation here.) Does that sound like a God who opposes war? The New Testament provides no direct teaching on the matter of war. If you want an in-depth look at this, I would suggest this article. The basic gist, though, is this: never is war condemned. Never are we, as a people, commanded not to fight.

In case it isn’t clear yet, I am not a pacifist. I don’t like the direction our country is headed right now, but I believe in America. I believe this country was founded on principles worth standing by, and there is nowhere else I would rather live. There is nowhere else I would rather fight for.

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

All of this reminded me of a quote that is often attributed to Japanese General Isoroku Yamamoto (but in reality, no one knows for sure who actually said it),

You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.

This may not be as true as it once was, but it is still true enough. Now, I’m not asking for a war. I’m not asking them to come. But know this, there is still a rifle behind every blade of grass. And behind that rifle is likely a redneck who knows, very well, how to use it. I’m not asking for war. But I’ll be ready if it comes – will you?

As the song says:

What makes you think I will turn and run?

You underestimate these United States,

And the righteous might of people who are standing as one.

You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.

Tic Toc

I recently posted about making decisions and following paths unseen. After such a long period of not having even the slightest clue of what was coming next… well, not that I do, I’m having a hard time not being really impatient. My best friend has reminded me twice just this week that the Father’s timing is perfect. And she’ll probably have to remind me again.

I’m getting pretty good at re-developing a habit of turning to the Word in times of unrest and uncertainty. This certainly qualifies as one of those.

Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

 

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.

 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

 

Lamentations 3:25-26

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good to wait silently, For the salvation of the Lord.

God’s timing is always perfect. God’ plan is always perfect. Human nature drives against patience, but what can’t we do with Him on our side? His plan is perfect. So, despite my human impatience, I am willing and content to wait on His timing, because I know in the end, it will be more than worth it.

 

What’s Next?

I recently told a friend that for the first time in a long time, I don’t have the slightest clue what’s next in my life. Usually, I have some kind of idea. This time, I’ve got nothing. Our paths are not always clear. A few months ago, I told another friend that I had the feeling that God was telling me to “Get ready,” to “Be prepared,” but He’s withheld whatever it is I’m supposed to be getting ready for. It didn’t take me long to figure out that whatever it is, it’s going to be big.

Our paths are not always clear.

And somehow, it took me until last week to realize that I hadn’t actually done any of the preparation I had talked about with my friend. So, I holed up in my room, turned on my worship music, and set to getting my head and heart in the places they need to be, to be ready for whatever decisions are coming my way. I want to be prepared to make biblically wise, godly choices.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

 

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

 

1 John 5:14

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

 

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

 

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

Does anyone else see a recurring theme? Because I do. Don’t go it alone. Turn to God. Turn to trusted friends and family. Turn to the Word. Seek counsel.

Guess what? I have a pretty good idea of at least one of the choices I’m going to have to make soon. And guess what else? I’ve been striving to follow these instructions. I’ve turned to God in prayer. I’ve turned to friends and family for advice and prayer. I’ve spent hours in the Word. And when it comes time to actually make that decision, I feel confident I have the right answer. I feel at peace about it.

Out of the Box

I’ve had two separate friends, both of whom I think of as younger sisters, reach out to me this week on very different issues. L is my best friend’s little sister and more than a year after K (my best friend) has been married and out of the house, L still misses her and struggles with her being gone and she often turns to me with that sorrow. H is a younger friend who attached herself to my hip roughly 5 years ago and has pretty much stayed there ever since. She and her twin sister went and got tattoos this week; she wanted to know what I thought of hers. I got to thinking about how different these two girls are.

L is from a Holiness community; she’s always covered past both shoulder and knee, her hair falls past her waist, she doesn’t wear makeup, and she doesn’t even have her ears pierced – she would never even dream of a tattoo. H lives in Southern California; she wears bikinis, her hair is super short, dark eye liner and mascara make her blue eyes pop unbelievably, and she now has a decent sized tattoo gracing her right shoulder.

These two girls couldn’t be more different. One thing is very much the same though- they both love God with all their hearts. L’s long skirts don’t mean she loves Him more than H or that God loves L more than H. H’s cross tattoo doesn’t mean she loves Him more than L or that God loves H more than L.

Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” I think this is important to remember. You constantly hear the phrase, “Don’t put God in a box.” I’d like to offer – Don’t put Christians in a box. You don’t have to look a certain way to love or be loved by God, and I think that’s something we often lose sight of.

“What If”

Asking “what if” can be one of the most dangerous games a person can play, but sometimes you just can’t help it.

My family is, once again, in a transition period – this time out of the military. Last night as we sat out on the porch enjoying the cool weather, the topic of “what if” came up; more specifically “What if we never left California?” And the top description was “mundane.” We wouldn’t be unhappy, but we wouldn’t be anything special. We wouldn’t have met people we now consider family. We wouldn’t be able to pursue the dreams God has placed in our hearts.

I told a friend that playing out this specific scenario of “what if” is bittersweet. Because while the outcome isn’t ideal, it’s certain. If I would have stayed in California, this _________ is what would have happened, I don’t even question it. And right now, I have NO idea what’s next. What I do know, though, is that I’m a better person now that I would have been if we’d stayed. And I know whatever it is God has in store for me, and my family, next is so much better than what I know would be if we’d never left California.

In circumstances such as these, you often hear Jeremiah 29:11 quoted,

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As beautiful as this verse is, and as applicable as it can be, it is more often than not taken out of context. Take a moment to read a bit more of this passage. Jeremiah 29:10-14:

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

This promise is made in the midst of a harsh exile and promised only upon the exiled searching their own heart and earnestly calling upon the Father. This isn’t just saying “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” This is saying, “Call on Me. Trust in Me.” This isn’t just a handout. This is a reward of faith.

Now, I’m not in the midst of a 70 year exile, but on a much smaller scale, I can relate. I don’t know what’s next. But I have the faith to call out and know that whatever it is, it’s better than where I would have been.

Soul Mate: Apply Here

There’s a lost soul coming down the road
Somewhere between two worlds
With an oar in his hands and a song on your lips
We’ll row the boat to the far shore
Row the boat of love, lost soul

“Lost Soul” – Bruce Hornsby

 

We often hear such phrases as, “Two lost souls found each other.” and how everything was better after that. They were now complete, happy, etc.

 

I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul but that’s the old me

“Feel Again” – OneRepublic

 

In the same manner, we hear things like this ^ “[I was a lonely soul before you.]”

These are the dreams and aspirations of today’s people. To find another lost or lonely soul. Or to heal a lost o lonely soul with their own. Do I really have to tell you how messed up that is?

 

Others find humanity by looking in their own hearts. Only lost souls need to search for it outside themselves.

-Orson Scott Card

 

Being a lost soul is never a good thing, it’s a a sad thing. That’s not even a question. But society has some delusion that one person can “fix” another person’s soul. Only Christ, who died for your soul, can fix your soul. In that respect, we should not seek lost souls to pair with our own. We should seek contented souls.

 

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:10-11

 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1 Timothy 6:6-7

 

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

 

In Christ, we should be contented souls. And as contented souls, we should seek other contented souls to yoke ourselves to.

 

Friendship is a single soul living in two bodies.

-Aristotle

 

When two people marry, two become one. Unequal souls cannot meld. So, I reject the world’s idea of romance. I do not want a lost soul. I do not want a lonely soul. I want a content soul. I want to join myself to someone who is content in his faith and his life, to someone who does not feel he has to search for contentment through romance, to someone who is strong enough to to happily wait for the content soul God has out there to match his – just as I am learning to wait contentedly for him.

 

Discover Gypsy Drifter

Discover Gypsy Drifter

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a little shameless self-promotion with my loyal followers. I’m spending my summer in an unpaid internship with a church I used to attend. Unfortunately, unpaid means a slightly difficult schedule to work with in looking for a paying position on the side. So, I’m improvising and crossing my fingers that this will help out some: I started an Etsy shop! And I appreciate and and all support! God Bless!

Thank You

The military has always had a soft spot in my heart. My Papa was an Army infantryman who fought in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. My Great Grandpa Charlie served in the Army and Air Force (he was enlisted when they split into separate branches). My Grandad served in the Air Force Reserves. My Papa Church served in the Air Force. My aunt and her husband served in the Air Force. Another uncle served in the Navy. One cousin is in the Air Force. Another is a Marine. My closest cousin married a guy in the Army. My dad is an Army infantryman. My brother just graduated BMT for the Air Force. I have friends in nearly every branch.

Short version: my family has a long and distinguished legacy of service in the United States military. I hold our service members very close to my heart, for they are my heart. They are my family.

Say what you will about me, but mess with my family, and as the old song says, “You’re walking on the fighting side of me.” In light of that, I’m sure you can imagine my frustration at the constant degrading, insulting, judgment, and accusing of our service members. These men and women that many in our country call killers and murderers do only what they must to protect those same peoples right to spout such ignorant opinions.

Did you know that when you work it out, enlisted service members make less than $4 an hour? Even less than that when they’re deployed? $4 an hour to get shot at and drive over bombs so ignorant bystanders can spit at their boots and picket their funerals when they come home. And that pisses me off beyond what I can express in word or deed. Unless you’re willing to spend a day in their shoes, to stand on the front lines in their place, please feel free to keep your lips zipped shut, because I don’t want to hear it, and they don’t deserve to hear it. They deserve to hear thanks and respect.

From those of us who know better- to all service members- Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves- thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I have no way to express my thankfulness, my gratitude, and my love for you all.

Happy Memorial Day

Recklessness

“What is, therefore, our task today? Shall I answer: “Faith, hope, and love”? That sounds beautiful. But I would say – courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack is not psychology or literature… we lack a holy rage – the recklessness which comes from the knowledge of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate in the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth… a holy anger about the things that are wrong in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God’s earth, and the destruction of God’s world. To rage when little children must die of hunger, when the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and against the madness of militaries. To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction peace. To rage against complacency. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the kingdom of God. And remember the signs of the Christian Church have been the Lion, the Lamb, the Dove, and the Fish… but never the chameleon.” -Kaj Munk

I discovered this little gem while reading Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne for my Intercultural Ministry class. (This isn’t a book I would pick up and start reading on my own. Nor is it a book I would finish on my own, on the off-chance I had picked it up. If it wasn’t a required text, I would have tossed after reading the first chapter. And even as I have been reading it, there has been more than one time that I have literally thrown it across whatever room I happened to be in at the time. And woah- bunny trail! This is a topic for another time.) Back on focus. This quote, I love. And how true it is! The Church has become so fearful. We fear the judgment of secular society, and as a result, we have abandoned much of what we stand for. You’ve heard “love the sinner, hate the sin.” But today’s Church has gone beyond loving the sinner; and they’ve gone beyond loving the sinner in a bad way. What I mean by this is that the sin of our world is no longer hated, but tolerated. Allowed. The Church has stood by and watched it happen, and ever so gradually, joined in. So much of the Church now participates in the sin the our God condemns. And why?

Why does the Church behave like this? Because the Church is scared. The Church is scared of what the world thinks. And to that, I say this: How dare we? How dare we fear the world? How dare we fear the world when we serve an almighty God? How dare we fear the world when we serve a God worthy of fear?

We are not called to be Chameleons, we are not called to fit in with this world.

We are called to be Fish. Now, this one is a little more complicated.The “fish” symbol is a globally recognized sign of Christianity. This symbol is called an “Ichthys,” and when translated, it’s an acrostic for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” I recently came across this quote: “we, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water.” Tertullian, a second-century theologian said this. We are called to baptism, we are called to die to ourselves and be born again in Christ, and we are called to swim against the current.

We are called be Doves, we are called to purity.

We are called to be Lions, we are called to be bold.

15 Things I Wish I Knew Before College

Oh so true!!!

Brett E. Shoemaker

I am a senior in college.  I am almost done.  Like most, I was pretty excited for college but I didn’t know what quite to expect.  I have put together a list of some of the things I wish I knew before I got here.

1. Who you used to be doesn’t really matter now.  College is essentially a fresh start at discovering who you are and who you want to be.  Nobody cares if you were the homecoming Queen, nobody cares how many touchdown passes you threw, and nobody cares how many friends you didn’t have.

You get a new identity.  You are not judged by your past and you have no expectations placed on you by your new friends.  For some people this is great and some people waste the opportunity.  I wish I knew that when I walked into my dorm room as a freshmen that…

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