Jessica’s GARDEN OF VERSES

IN AND AROUND THE WORD with Zita

The Patriot
by Allegra Weaver

AROUND THE GARDEN with Margaret

PRAYER PALS

IN THE KITCHEN with June

 

 

Jessica’s GARDEN OF VERSES

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, who never to himself hath said, “This is my own, my native land!” (Sir Walter Scott)

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must...undergo the fatigue of supporting it. (Thomas Paine)

The invention in this country of a new form of government and the production of the Constitution of the United States stands as one of the most remarkable inventions in the history of man.

(Alexander Graham Bell)

A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real good will towards men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of society...The Scriptures tell us “righteousness exalteth a nation.”

(Abigail Adams)

O my fellow citizens, each of you carries on your shoulders not only the burden of doing well for the sake of your country, but the burden of doing well and of seeing that this nation does well for the sake of mankind. (Theodore Roosevelt)

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it is time for us...for this mad, rushing twentieth century American to stop for a moment and think. Let us arrest our near reverential admiration of material success and return to the spiritual and ethical values. Let us imbue and rekindle in ourselves and our children the so-called old-fashioned way of patriotism, a burning devotion to the principles and ideals upon which our country was founded...Our great republic, the chosen infant destined to be man’s last and remaining hope for suffering humanity, a shining beacon of light, noble and glorious, the haven for the oppressed and persecuted and truly God’s gift to mankind.
(Sidney L. DeLove)

All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship.

(Steven Grover Cleveland)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

IN AND AROUND THE WORD with Zita

Paul, knowing Timothy would be in a daily spiritual battle, as every Christian is, asked him to be a good soldier. Read II Timothy 2:3-15. Timothy knew from Paul’s teaching to go forth in battle attired in the breastplate of faith and love, the helmet of salvation, with his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, his chest covered with the shield of faith, and carrying the sword of the Spirit which is the word of grace

(I Thessalonians 5:8, Ephesians 6:14-19). He was putting himself under the sovereign care of the “Lord of hosts, God

of the armies of Israel” (Psalm 24:10; I Samuel 17:45;

Romans 8:31-39).

I remember reading a sermon by Spurgeon that gave an impressive vision of how this “Lord of armies” cares for His soldiers. He said words to the effect that some of the soldiers are extremely patriotic, standing firm in the faith, while others are weak in the spiritual battle. Then he said, “God is impartial in His care, for the weakest one is as dear to Him as the strongest. One may lag behind, wander, or even grow weary in the spiritual battle, but from all the dangers, God protects them with His arm of power (I Timothy 1:7). God even finds those who are near perishing and nourishes them until they regain health. He finds, consoles, and renews the strength of those with weak minds who are ready to faint and die. Just as in His lifetime on earth when He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort. He now in heaven, with loving heart, yearns toward the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, and the fearful and fainting here below.” Spurgeon closes by asking, “Remember how gently He gathered us to Himself, to His truth, to His love, to His church? How often does He restore us from our wanderings and bring us back to serve Him? He rescues His most unworthy servants. How can we love Him enough or serve Him worthily.”

As you read your Bible in the future, take notice of the many military terms used. Please read Psalm 27:1-6 and Hebrews 13:5-7.

THE PATRIOT

by Allegra Weaver, age 16

When I think of a patriot, I remember a picture and caption I saw in a book commemorating World War II. The picture showed a little girl standing forlornly by a heap of material collected for the war effort, a rubber doll on top of the pile. The inscription told me that this girl of perhaps four years old had sacrificed her beloved doll for rubber scrap. In this attitude of giving, I gained insight into what a true patriot is. A patriot is someone who is willing to give whatever is inside them, nearest their heart for their country without asking anything in return. John F. Kennedy expressed this sacrificial attitude when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

We as citizens may not all have the same talents or abilities to offer our country, but if we give what we have, that is enough. So many people today believe that their country exists solely to make them comfortable and happy. Certainly, it is not unreasonable to say that a country’s government would like them to be happy, but every citizen should understand that being a citizen involves much more giving than taking. Citizenship is a lot like friendship; if one person selfishly does all the taking from the relationship and the other person does all the giving, soon the relationship is so one-sided that it ceases to be a friendship.

Many citizens do not mind giving of themselves during a national crisis, but they cease to give and only take during the ordinary times. Well then, as this behavior seems to be a pattern of human nature, can we draw the conclusion that when the country is in need the people should give, but when the country is at peace, the people should live with disregard for their country’s future success? No! The stirring, courageous acts of citizens at war are born in peacetime. Patriotism every day is cultivated by an attitude of diligence. Actions such as singing our national anthem, obeying the laws, being thankful, and staying true to the nation’s ideals which many people see as insignificant all contribute to a nation’s strength. Without pride in country there would be no heroes or heroines during troubled times. If people do not find it worthwhile to live every day for their country, they will find it difficult to die and sacrifice their honor, fortunes, and lives during a time of crisis. Then, their country will cease to exist.

When I think of a patriot, I think of those courageous firefighters who died at the World Trade Center on September eleventh, the day terrorists tried to make our country non-existent. Let us remember that true patriotism cannot be born suddenly in a moment of adversity. It can exhibit itself at the proper time, but it must already be alive in the American citizens’ hearts, conceived during a diligent prosperity. Patriotism should be as much alive in our day-to-day activities as it is in our moments of national testing. For, if we cease to feed our love and loyalty of country every day, we will not have it to support us when we most need it. That would indeed be a sorry outcome for our great country if by neglect of our patriotic duties in our daily lives we allowed our patriotism to die. An old proverb reminds us that attention to detail can determine the future of our nation. “For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; for want of a horse the rider was lost; for want of the rider the battle was lost.” Let us strive to be diligent American citizens so that we will be able to support our nation during its next national crisis whatever it may be.

AROUND THE GARDEN with Margaret

OUR FEBRUARY GARDENS

We don’t always think of gardening in February, but since it is one of our most pleasant months, there are lots of things we can do.

We want to look at patriotic things like red, white, and blue potatoes. BLUE? The red and white we know, but BLUE? Yuck! If anyone is adventurous enough to try them, let us know how good or bad they are.

The seed catalogs and our nurseries offer many red, white, and blue flower selections, from asters to verbena. Planted together, they make a beautiful statement, honoring our national colors.

This month we need to plant peas, lettuce, early cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, chard, radishes, kale (ornamental and edible), and spinach. We might be able to get the plants for cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower in our local nurseries.

Sweet peas can be planted too, but be sure to get a heat- tolerant variety such as Royal Family. It is a climber, so you will need a fence or trellis. There are also sweet peas available in a bush type, which need no support.

Vegetable seeds that should be started indoors now are tomato, pepper, eggplant, and the cole crops. Several summer and fall blooming flowers to start inside are zinnia, aster, marigold, petunia, and chrysanthemum.

It is easy to start plants indoors if you have space in a warm area where there is sunshine. Inexpensive seed starter kits are available. They include a tray, containers for the seeds, a dome cover to keep the moisture in (making it a miniature hothouse), and instructions for use. It’s easy and fun.

We hear and see a great deal of patriotism for our country since 9-11. Loyalty to God, of course, is the first priority of His children whose citizenship is in Heaven, but His Word tells us we are to obey the laws, honor those who have the authority over us, and pray for our leaders.

Have a wonderful gardening and praying month; God bless us all “real good.”

Margaret

Prayer Pals

When Stacy Tucker accepted the leadership of this ministry, the file given to her included notes from June Nead. June had offered the following prayer ideas at our Prayer Pal Meeting on January 15, 2001. Stacy considered them so useful that she repeated them for us at our recent 2003 revealing party.

First, ask God to guide you in praying for your prayer pal and to increase your concern for her. Then ask Him to provide her with the following:

· Bless her and manifest His goodness in such a way that there can be no doubt that it is His goodness, not coincidence or chance.

· Strengthen every good personality trait and good desire she has, and encourage right decisions.

· Make her open and receptive to His voice and sensitive to her own personal sin and need.

· Surround her with His holy presence, and remind her of His many past mercies and His merciful intervention in new and powerful ways.

· Give her a hunger for His Word and that she would spend some time each day in it.

· Allow her to know His great and merciful love.

The REST OF THE STORY...about Prayer Pals

In the Roving Reporter Prayer Pal article of our January newsletter issue Carol quoted Stacy Tucker saying, “It’s great fun—especially when you think you have figured yours out—and you’re totally mistaken!” Here is the sequel to that story. ?

This year, my secret prayer pal was Stacy Tucker. I had so much fun! It was a regular year until about October, when Stacy came over to talk to me one day. As she was about to leave, she told me that she knew who her prayer pal was. I managed to keep a straight face (it was hard) and asked her who it was. She told me she was sure it was Karen. There were just too many things pointing that way. She said she got a lot of apple gifts and Karen knew she liked apples (I didn’tJ), and there were other gifts that were things she and Karen had talked about. (Does God plan out coincidences?) Then, she said, there was a gift that really gave Karen away. “Really,” I said, “what was that?”

(I couldn’t wait to hear!) She said she and Karen had been talking about her kindergarten classroom and had mentioned possibly stenciling on her cabinets, and the very next gift she got was a stencil book! That convinced her.

Well, after this conversation (in which I was very careful not to lie—that was hard!) I had a new goal—to think like Karen in my prayer pal giving, so Stacy would continue to be convinced she was right. I even came up with a Christmas idea that was really much more in Karen’s line than mine. And it worked!!! Stacy was totally surprised at the revealing.

What a fun year!

by Donna Roberts

IN THE KITCHEN with June

Tying in our theme, patriotism, with food is an easy thing to do, for we just zero in on anything that is red, white, and blue. Rather than give you one particular recipe, I’ve included some ways you can adapt food using this color scheme, and maybe the ideas will spark you to be creative on your own. Have fun!

Grand Jell-old Standby:

Whipped topping or whipped cream in any combination with red and blue gelatin yields a red, white, and blue dessert kids love.

Red, White, and Blueberries:

For a patriotic addition to any salad, toss in blueberries, onion slices, and tomatoes.

Grand Old Standby:

Start with slices of pound cake or angel food cake. Top with whipped topping or whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries. You could also layer fruit and topping in parfait glasses. Top with edible glitter for fun.

Cupful of Blues:

Blue drinks and drinks in cobalt bottles that fit the holiday spirit include raspberry-flavored Gatorade, some bottled waters,

Kool-Aid drinks, and more.

All that Glitters:

Add holiday sparkle to any food—popcorn to peach cobbler—with a few shakes of blue and red edible glitter. Find quarter-ounce bottles at craft and cake decorating stores.

When You Munch upon a Star:

Don’t forget the star-shaped pasta for a patriotic salad.