I was just listening to a song that came up on my MP3 player. The song was God Bless America. It was done southern Gospel style. It was very inspirational listening to it.
As I listened, I got to thinking about how we is Americans can sing this song, but we could make some very small changes possibly and allow anybody from another country to sing it about theirs. I don’t say this to belittle the greatness of America in any way. I don’t say that we should be praising other countries above our own. Utopia does not exist, but the United States of America is as close as mankind has ever come.
At the same time I accept the fact that a citizen of Germany might be able to sing their national anthem, except for the fact that I think it’s title is Deutschland Uber Alles, which means Germany above all. That sentiment I would reject. But then again I’m not sure if that’s actually their anthem. For that matter, this is not our national anthem, yet. God bless America is not a statement that we are better than anybody else, although I think we are. It is a statement calling upon Almighty God and His grace to extend that grace towards us. I would be not particularly offended if we added a verse for each country in the world. God bless Namibia. God bless Uganda. God bless China. I have no trouble with that. God’s grace and God’s blessing are big enough that nothing we say and hope for other countries belittles what we want Him to do for us.
So sing with joy in your heart as you call upon God’s blessing. Rejoice with an awareness of what grace is all about. Embrace our heritage. Understand the foundations. And God bless America.
homo unius libri
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
Opus 2026-318: Patriotism, American Style
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