Celebrating our freedom, freedom of two hundred and forty years of our independence on this fourth of July. Fireworks, barbecues, and picnics as we enjoy the freedom so many have fought for to protect. While we grill hot dogs and listen to the music ring out from the patriotic band nearby, a soldier is watching over us. We shoot off bottle rockets and Roman candles as they dodge mortars and bullets to protect us. Whom the Son set free is free indeed ~ John 8:36 Click To Tweet Our Declaration of Independence has been besmirched and trampled on in our own country. Rights and freedoms that they fought so valiantly for back then, we still struggle to keep today. 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 does not say anywhere in it unless you are a certain color, faith, nationality, orientation, or even an idiot. It states that “all men are created equal” therefore they should all have the same rights. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism; it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. I would believe that this includes and is not limited to our rights to earn a fair wage, pick our […]

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I recently shared my thoughts on Medium about MLK Day and the correlation it holds with me personally. Today as I celebrate my own birthday I share it with another great day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I remember as a kid being told that parades were being held just for me on my birthday. In fact, I was reminded of the same just yesterday. One thing that I share with Martin Luther King Jr. is his great tenacity to love. Love in a way where you are able to serve one another. Love in a way where your faith is what leads you. Love in a way that your actions answer the most persistent and urgent questions “what are you doing for others? Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. I spent many years conflicted about the thin line between love and hate. Raised in the south, I saw hate in all shapes, sizes, and colors. As I grow older each day I have witnessed the beauty in which Martin Luther King Jr. had foretold. A time and place where we can learn to live together as brothers and sisters. In a world more divided than in Martin Luther King Jr.’s day, we look to our leaders for an example, yet we find none. Rather than following the consensus it is time we become the molder of consensus. It is time we lift each other up and hold each other in […]

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Memorial Day weekend is upon us. Time for parades and barbecues. Meanwhile let us not forget to say thank you.

As we celebrate the long weekend. Make plans for picnics, parades and food. It is not without our veterans that we have this luxury.
I personally come from a family of veterans. Both my grandfather’s served in the military as did my mother. Many that will read this have lost family members and friends in the many wars that have been served.
When we decide to show gratitude for these men and women of our armed forces. It goes beyond throwing a parade or flying our flag. Many of these men and women sacrificed their futures for us as well.

Statistically many of the homeless that you pass by on the street today on your way to the party or parade. They are veterans that fought to protect our country. Yet when they returned, they have been ignored. They deserve more, they deserve better, some need real help others just need a hand.

“We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.”
~ Red Poppies

Cities and towns consider them blight. Just yesterday I read an article about how a service center for them is a problem for the community. If the communities did what was needed many of these veterans would be celebrated rather than discarded. This Memorial Day as we tend to cemeteries

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