250th Celebration – The Blessed Overcomer

Happy Fourth of July! Before we start with the food and fireworks, I wanted to share the following post with you. I hope you will take the time to read. ~OC

“I have flown over battlefields and schoolhouses, over farms and factories, over churches and courthouses. I have been raised in moments of victory and lowered in moments of grief. I have watched generations come and go. Today, America turns Two-Hundred and Fifty years old. If I could speak, this is what I would say…”

My Dear America,

For two hundred and fifty years, I have waved in the wind through seasons of triumph and seasons of heartbreak.

I have seen brave men and women give everything so others could live in freedom. I have watched families build lives from nothing. I have witnessed extraordinary courage during wars, disasters, and national tragedies. I have also watched division, hatred, selfishness, and pride threaten the very foundation upon which this nation was built.

Today, I want to speak—not as a politician, not as a party, not as an ideology—but as the flag that has stood above every American generation.

To Those Born in America

Never forget that freedom has always carried a cost.

The liberties you enjoy today were purchased by the sacrifice of countless men and women whose names history may never remember. Some never came home. Others came home carrying wounds that could not be seen.

Honor their sacrifice not merely with words, but by how you live.

Respect one another.

Serve your communities.

Defend truth.

Care for your neighbors.

Do not waste your freedom chasing things that will never satisfy your soul.

Remember that rights and responsibilities have always walked hand in hand.

A nation cannot remain free if its people refuse to live with character.

To Those Who Now Call America Home

Welcome.

Whether your journey here began with hope, hardship, sacrifice, or prayer, know that your story is now woven into America’s story.

Bring your talents.

Bring your dreams.

Bring your work ethic.

Bring your love for family.

Bring your gratitude.

Help strengthen this nation by embracing not only its opportunities but also its responsibilities.

Never stop appreciating the freedoms that millions around the world still long for.

America has always been at her best when people from many backgrounds chose to become one people committed to a shared future.

To Every Citizen

Please stop seeing each other as enemies.

You were never meant to fear one another simply because you vote differently.

You were never meant to despise someone because they grew up somewhere else.

You were never meant to define another human being by a political label before seeing them as a person.

I have covered the coffins of soldiers from every political belief.

Death never asked who they voted for.

Their sacrifice was for every American.

Perhaps that should remind you that your neighbor is not your enemy.

Remember Who You Are

I am only cloth.

I have no power by myself.

I only represent the people who stand beneath me.

If honesty disappears…

If compassion disappears…

If courage disappears…

If integrity disappears…

Then I become nothing more than fabric blowing in the wind.

A nation’s greatness has never depended upon the beauty of its flag.

It has always depended upon the character of its people.

A Word About Humility

No nation is perfect.

America has accomplished remarkable things.

America has also made painful mistakes.

Maturity is found in celebrating what is good

while having the courage to acknowledge what must improve.

Patriotism is not pretending perfection.

Patriotism is loving your country enough to help it become better.

To the Next Generation

Dream boldly.

Work diligently.

Serve faithfully.

Honor your parents.

Protect the vulnerable.

Respect those who came before you.

Build something that outlives you.

Leave America stronger than you found her.

One day, this nation will belong to your children.

Prepare it well.

One Final Thought

As I have flown over this nation for two-hundred and fifty years, I have learned something.

The strongest America has never been the loudest America.

The strongest America has always been the America that prayed together…

served together…

sacrificed together…

forgave together…

and believed that tomorrow could be better than yesterday.

May you never lose that hope.

May you never lose your courage.

May you never lose your gratitude.

And may you never forget that while I may symbolize your nation, it is you—your character, your compassion, your integrity, and your willingness to love your neighbor—who determine what I truly stand for.

Happy Two Hundred and Fiftieth Birthday, America.

May God bless you with wisdom.

May He guide your leaders.

May He protect your people.

And may liberty always be joined with justice, humility, and love.

Happy Birthday, America.

Signed,

—Old Glory

On Sunday night, the White House lawn will host a UFC event as part of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration.

For some, it will be entertainment.

For others, it will be a symbol of strength, toughness, and American culture.

For me, it represents something entirely different.

The White House has long been called “The People’s House.” Throughout American history, its grounds have hosted events that brought families together, celebrated achievement, honored service, and showcased the best of our nation.

The annual Easter Egg Roll has welcomed children and families to the South Lawn since 1878 under President Rutherford B. Hayes.

Presidents have hosted Independence Day celebrations filled with music, fireworks, and community.

President Lyndon Johnson transformed the lawn into an outdoor arts venue during the Festival of the Arts.

President Gerald Ford hosted Queen Elizabeth for an elegant state dinner beneath a tent on the South Lawn.

The grounds have welcomed world leaders, served as the landing place for Marine One, and stood as a symbol of American leadership.

President Jimmy Carter even installed a temporary ice rink so Olympic champion Peggy Fleming could perform for guests.

President George W. Bush hosted T-ball games featuring children of active-duty military personnel.

Families.

Children.

Artists.

Athletes.

Public servants.

Moments that reflected dignity and community.

Now, the White House lawn welcomes the UFC.

That reality should cause us to ask an important question:

What are we choosing to celebrate?

The UFC has certainly become a massive business success. Millions watch its events. Millions more wager on the outcomes. The organization has produced many talented athletes who have worked hard to reach the highest levels of their sport.

But the UFC has also been surrounded by years of controversy involving domestic violence allegations, arrests, abuse accusations, and troubling behavior from some of its biggest stars.

The organization’s founder and CEO was caught on video striking his wife. Public outrage followed. Yet many quickly moved on.

Several fighters over the years have faced allegations or arrests involving domestic violence and abuse.

Yet tonight, this organization is being elevated to center stage on one of the most recognizable pieces of property in America.

As Christians, we should not merely ask whether something is popular.

We should ask whether it is worthy of celebration.

Popularity and righteousness are not the same thing.

The crowds that shouted “Hosanna” on Sunday shouted “Crucify Him” on Friday.

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that the values of God’s Kingdom often stand in direct opposition to the values of the world.

Jesus taught us to honor the peacemakers.

Jesus taught us to protect the vulnerable.

Jesus taught us that true greatness is found in humility and service.

Jesus never taught us to idolize aggression, celebrity, power, or wealth.

I already know many people will disagree with me.

Many will watch.

Many will cheer.

Many will place bets.

Many will celebrate the spectacle.

That is their choice.

But as for me, I cannot help but feel sadness that a place which has hosted children hunting Easter eggs, military families playing T-ball, artists sharing their gifts, and leaders gathering in diplomacy is now being used to showcase an organization whose history includes so many troubling examples of violence beyond the octagon.

Perhaps that says something about where our culture is today.

Perhaps it says something about what we reward.

Perhaps it says something about what we have become willing to overlook.

As Christians, our calling is not to blindly follow the crowd or celebrate whatever is trending.

Our calling is to seek God’s Kingdom first.

To honor what is good.

To defend what is right.

To stand for truth even when it is unpopular.

America’s 250th birthday should be an

opportunity to celebrate the highest ideals of our nation: faith, family, service, sacrifice, character, and human dignity.

Instead, Sunday’s main event leaves me asking whether we have confused entertainment with virtue.

And that is a fight I have no interest in watching. ~OC