Pledge of Allegiance, by Red Skelton

With Flag Day in recent past and 4th of July soon  forthcoming I had found this 5 years ago in the NC Farm Bureau June 2006 periodical.  I think each of you will appreciate it too.

The late Red Skelton (1913-1997) wrote the following commentary about the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mr. Skelton was a gifted artist, writer, composer, actor and comedian.

"As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class.  Mr. Sketon later wrote down and eventually recorded his recollection of this lecture.  It is followed by his unique observation.

I - Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - Our standard; Old Glory, symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - That means that we have all come together.

States - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states.  Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose.  All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - Republic - a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern.  And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - One Nation - meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - Which is Freedom, the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - For all - that means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

     I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: UNDER GOD.
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said this was a prayer and so it would be eliminated from schools, too?"

Red Skelton.


Please pass this on to everyone you know.  This is a special gift from Mr. Skelton and from this schoolboy teacher.  It is my desire to continue passing the torch from Red Skelton to everyone I know adults and children alike.

Happy Father's Day!

As God the father through Jesus Christ and so many others in the OT and NT, in example after example...showing and teaching us what it is to be a "Father", the one thing that hits home with me daily...is when I look myself in the mirror. Remember fathers...it begins with you and no one else.  Only we as men can become the fathers that God desires us to be.

A song, whom I do not remember sings it, but makes me stop and think and wonder...as I am being watched by my son and others...am I reflecting that image, like in the stillness of water...the image that Christ desires?  The song goes along the lines as..."...Want to be like you, because he wants to be just like me.  Want him to see Jesus in me.  To be holy example for his innocence eyes to see..."

As I wish my father and so many out there...Happy Father's Day!...Are our children seeing Jesus in us?

Let's make a difference guys.  Every father out there...are and will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Seeking, Finding and a Promise to count on

So many of us, our neighbors, friends, and family members have been affected by the U.S. economic down turn.  Some having pay cuts, reduced hours, or even lost income.  So many times when faced in the valley as most of us are at this time, we are not sure who or what to turn to.  It was so easy when we were on the mountain top, but now...the valley...it is not so fun.  But nonetheless, we are instructed and encouraged to praise Our Lord always.

Often times, the only time we pray is in time of need.  Example...when life is on the line, when a loved one is in the hospital, or when one is hurt or suffering...we pray.  Without preaching...we are not to be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)

This leads me to a devotion I had read lately.  Are we seeking and finding? (Matt 7:7-8) "Ask, and God will give to you.  Search, and you will find.  Knock, and the door will open for you.  Yes, everyone who asks will receive.  Everyone who searches will find.  And everyone who knocks will have the door opened."

Did you catch some of those promises?  I know...perhaps some of us are asking....Where is God?  To answer this question...you must understand and believe He is everywhere you have ever been and everywhere you will ever go.  He is with us day and night; He knows our every thought; He hears our every heartbeat. 


Sometimes we think and believe in the crush of our daily lives and duties, God seems so far away.  Or sometimes, when the disappointments and sorrows of life leave us brokenhearted, God may seem distant, but He is not.  


When we earnestly seek God, we will find Him because He is here, waiting patiently for us to reach out to Him....right here...right now.


Billy Graham was once quoted saying..."Don't take anyone else's word for God.  Find him for yourself, and they you, too, will know, by the wonderful, warm tug on your heartstrings, that he is there for sure."


Now after seeking and finding Him.  We are given many promises, but here I invite you to read and consider this promise we can count on.  (James 1:12) "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."


Throughout the seasons of life, we must all endure life altering personal losses and sacrifices that leave us breathless and into uncertainty.  When we do, we are normally overwhelmed by fear, by doubt, or by both.  Thankfully, God has promised that He will never desert us.  And God keeps his promises.


Life is often, and especially now, during this economic down turn, are challenging, but as Christians, we must trust the promises of our Heavenly Father.  God loves us, and He will protect us.  In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of sorrow, He will dry our tears.  When we are troubled or weak or sorrowful, God is with us.  His love endures, not only for a season, or for today, but also for all of eternity.


I pray we set our hopes on heaven, to hold firmly onto the promises and the promise of eternal life, so that we can withstand each struggle and storms we face in this world.


In closing this entry...let's remember...(James 14:13) "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do."


Prayer links us with God's true purposes not just for us, but also for the world.  It not only brings the blessings of God's Will to our own lives, it also brings us the added blessing of being in sync with God's plan.


Lastly, when we have our prayers answered, we must be willing to give God the glory when he acts----no matter what the result.  


Remember...Our Lord stated to the disciples, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son". (John 14:13)


Let's seek...find...and in prayer...count on his promises....


Pray without ceasing....God does have a plan for everyone of  us...and most of all....remember...God is and always will be 'In Control'.


God Bless my brother and sisters.