My grandson Chase is seven years old and a baseball player. I, of course, make every game possible and live and die on every pitch and every out. No major league game could be any more important–to me.
Last Saturday, I attended the game and experienced something that had never happened to me when I played baseball from Little League through high school.
The umpire lined these seven year olds along the base paths just the way they do in the Major Leagues. Then he told them he was going to do something different because Memorial Day is coming and he wanted these seven year olds to know they could play baseball and grow up in freedom because of those people who died for their freedom.
At that point the umpire sang the National Anthem a cappella. He did a pretty good job of singing. He did a better job of reminding kids and adults that freedom is not free.
I don’t know how much the boys understood about all this–they are only seven and have very little life experience, but the umpire made it clear he understands. All of us should understand as well.
On this Memorial weekend, we need to remember that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. The scandals wracking our country show that liberty is tenuous. The founders knew the power to tax is the power to destroy. An unencumbered Internal Revenue Service has the power to destroy liberty itself.
The scandals of this year are attacking our liberties. Religious liberty, freedom of speech, and the freedom of the press are all found in the first amendment. All are under attack. How tragic that member of our military, who have protected our freedom of religion, are now under attack for practicing their religion.
Let us follow the advice of the umpire and remember those who have died for our freedoms, and let us not give up the fight for a free and unhindered nation.
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4 Responses
Interestingly enough, the founders knew the principle of Romans 12:5 as they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
Jefferson Parish Museum for a number of years presented a “Made A Positive Difference Award.” It was inspired by the obit I wrote for Fred Matthew, my Father, “The Difference of One.” Which was inspired by Christ and how those who call themselves Christians are required to be inspired to field the Name, Christ-like.
In 2005, after Katrina in Metairie, Jefferson Parish Museum hosted with two other businesses on Metairie Road, Christmas in Old Metairie. The previous few years Made A Positive Difference Awards were made at the annual event OMRBA held but did not in 2005 due to the hardships on so many. It was a time when we three decided to make a stand for recovery and our Blessings. It was there the first Made A Positive Difference Media Award was announced to those in attendance. Sally-Ann Roberts is the recipient of that award. If you know anything about Sally-Ann Roberts then no explanation is necessary. If you don’t know about this WWL reporter and morning personality beyond her job, then it would take too much space here.
Sally-Ann is the author of “Going Live.” She begins her Acknowledgements first Honoring God and then God’s gift to her, her parents. First her father, Col. Lawrence Edward Roberts, then mother Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts with a neat quote: “If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there’d be no need for scrubbing.”
I understand from Sally-Ann the plaque she received from the Jefferson Parish Museum is prominently placed in her WWL office.
The point you make in your blog this morning is the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 6:7. The modality of instructional success is found in Romans 12:5.
This morning I will present to First Baptist Covington Library Sally-Ann’s Book.
Lest we forget the three-D formula for success: Decision – decide whose you are and your talent(s); Discipline – do the work required to be accomplished; Divinity – study and pray everyday acknowledging Who is guiding your life. There is Hope in Remembrance.
Thanks for the message, space and time Dr. Bailey.
Blessings
God bless that umpire for his display of patriotism. American patriotism and Christianity are intertwined from the very beginning of our nation and nowadays it seems like our American pastime with travel leagues, fall ball etc. places such emphasis on the importance of baseball. Games are played on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and every Sunday. The message is clear,…. practice baseball as much as possible, play tournaments every weekend and family vacations & together time will be staying at a hotel when the games are too far to travel back home. Thank God an umpire took a few moments to honor those that have died to protect out nations Judeo-Christian principles and freedoms. If all the coaches and parents would take an occasional Sunday to say no practice or games today so that we all can have time to visit the Lords’s house.
Ken … our family has served in the military, not all returned home. We are thankful for them and all who recognize the sacrifices and pay tribute. We pray for America to turn back to God.
Lots of time has been spent on sports fields, every moment precious. Prioritization challenges all families. FBC Covington Upward Sports makes that a little easier.
Soccer just wrapped up; football/cheerleading begin in August. No Sunday play, just one weekly practice and game, one hour each. God, family, everything else.
http://fbccov.org/
Select Ministries, then Sports and Recreation
The second, and often unsung, verse of the National Anthem is:
O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Mark Graham