Posted by Dodo David at 12:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Giving Thanks by Giving

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Posted by Aaron at 04:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Happy 4th of July!

It's a great day to be an American! Our country turns 229 today. Many of us are celebrating by having picnics, going to the beach, splashing in the pool, or heading for the mall to take advantage of a sale. Fireworks are also being held in many communities tonight...fireworks that recall the firefights of battles fought during our country's quest for independence.

Some people today see America as the sum of her imperfect past. Yes, we have had imperfections--slavery and the subsequent treatment of black Americans after their emancipation being foremost in the minds of many. But we as a people and as a nation continue to strive for improvement. To remember the less savory parts of our history is one thing. To dwell upon it to the exclusion of what good we've accomplished is another.

America stands for freedom. We are trying to bring that beacon of freedom to others. Unfortunately, some refuse to recognize what we are trying to accomplish. Idiots like Michael Moore dare to equate our country's fight for independence from England with the murderous activities of the Islamofascists in Iraq. A few disgruntled Iraqis, along with scores of other likeminded bigots from elsewhere in the Middle East, want to plunge Iraq back into the Dark Ages. The majority of Iraqis have spoken...they stated their intentions loud and clear during their election on January 30. They want a peaceful democracy, just as our forefathers did in 1776.

Freedom comes with a price. The men (and women) in our armed forces realize this. They are willing to put their lives on the line each and every day in order to keep those freedoms that so many of us take for granted! Today, we need to take a moment from our cookouts and beach parties in order to thank them for their service to us. It's because of them that Hollywood celebrities, Michael Moore, leaders of the Democratic party and others have the right to constantly harp and criticize.

So happy birthday, America, and God bless those who fight to keep not only our freedom, but to help bring freedom to others around the world.

Posted by at 11:14 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Horseshoe: Soldier of the American Revolution

Being that today is the birthday of the USA, this blog presents a true story about a soldier of the American Revolution.

In January of 1819, aspiring novelist John Pendleton Kennedy was traveling by horseback through the frontier section of South Carolina, when he came upon a boy who had been injured in a horse-riding accident. Kennedy assisted the boy’s father in taking the boy home. Once inside the boy’s house, the father determined that the boy was in need of immediate medical attention. The nearest physician was several miles away, and so the boy’s father sent for an elderly man called Horseshoe, who was skilled in first aid.

When Horseshoe arrived, Kennedy found himself in the presence of a soldier of the American Revolution. Here is Kennedy’s description of that soldier:

What a man I saw! With nearly seventy years upon his poll, time seemed to have broken its billows over his front only as the ocean breaks over a rock. There he stood – tall, broad, brawny, and erect. The sharp light gilded his massive frame and weather-beaten face with a pictorial effect that would have rejoiced an artist. His homely dress, his free stride, as he advanced to the fire; his face radiant with kindness; the natural gracefulness of his motion; all afforded a ready index to his character. Horseshoe, it was evident, was a man to confide in.

Kennedy and Horseshoe stayed the night at the boy’s house, during which time Horseshoe entertained everyone with stories about his participation in the American Revolution. Years later, Kennedy wrote of his impression of the old soldier’s stories:

It was long after midnight before our party broke up; and when I got to my bed it was to dream of Horseshoe and his adventures. I made a record of what he told me, whilst the memory of it was still fresh, and often afterwards reverted to it, when accident or intentional research brought into my view events connected with times and scenes to which his story had reference.

Late in life, Horseshoe moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On January 17, 1838, Tuscaloosa’s Flag of the Union newspaper published an account of a visit that two journalists had with Horseshoe. Here is an excerpt of the account:

He was born, he says in 1759 in Virginia, and entered the army in his seventeenth year. Before the close of war, he says, he commanded a troop of horse, so that his military title is that of Captain. Horseshoe, although in infirm health, bears evident marks of having been a man of great personal strength and activity. He is now afflicted with a troublesome cough, which ill the natural course of events must ill a few nears wear out his aged frame. Yet, notwithstanding his infirmities and general debility, his eye still sparkles with the fire of youth as he recounts the stirring and thrilling incidents of the war, and that sly, quiet humor so well described by Kennedy may still be seen playing around his mouth as one calls to his recollections any of the pranks he was wont to play upon any of the "Tory vagrants," as he very properly styles them. The old Gentleman received us with warm cordiality and hospitality; and after partaking of the Bounties of his board and spending a night under his hospitable roof we took leave of him, sincerely wishing him many years of the peaceful enjoyment of that liberty which he fought so long and so bravely to achieve. It will not be uninteresting, we hope, to remark that the old hero still considers himself a soldier, though the nature of his warfare is changed; he is now a zealous promoter of the Redeemer's cause as he once was in securing the independence of his country.

. . . he earned a just fame in the war of independence, in which he was eminent in courage, patriotism and suffering. He lived fifty-six years with his worthy partner, useful and respected, and died in hopes of a blessed immortality. His children erect this monument as a tribute justly due a good husband, father, neighbor, patriot and soldier.

Posted by Dodo David at 09:47 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Lt. Colonel Martemas "Marty" Arnwine Is a Hero

I read Jonah's tribute to his father who passed last week. I don't know how I could ever cope with the death of one of my parents.

My father, along with my mother, are the greatest blessings the Lord granted me.

My father is a military man: he went through University of Arizona ROTC, then received his Master's Degree in systems engineering--as a black man married to a white woman in the 70's.

I watch him now and am still jealous of his drive and accomplishment. He retired a Lt. Colonel--one of the few black Lt. Col's in the Army. He is a contractor for the military, still takes college courses and loves his country.

I cannot comprehend his bravery. He marries a white woman; he becomes an officer before blacks were even accepted as such; he has mulato children; he served in the first Gulf War and also served in Somalia.

Only God can describe the type of soul my father has. I am blessed to be his son. I love him with every cell in my body.

His birthday was on Thursday and today is Father's Day. I can think of no better passage of God's Word to tell my father how much I love him, respect all that he's accomplished, and thanksgiving I have that God blessed me with a father like him.

Proverbs 4

1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.

2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a boy in my father's house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,

4 he taught me and said,
"Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.

17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.

21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.

23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level [b] paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Posted by Aaron at 05:13 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack