"Think on These Things"

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NASV).

I found an old clipping dated July, 1987. It quoted the interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance as given by Red Skelton on January 14, 1969! It originally appeared on the Red Skelton Hour and was reproduced on that date in the Know County Chamber of Commerce newsletter in Vincennes, Indiana, which was Red’s hometown. I know some of you will not know Red Skelton. He was one of the great entertainers of what seems to be a lost era. He said:

“I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had such wisdom. We were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he walked over. Mr. Laswell was his name… he said, ‘I have been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it to you and try to explain to you the meaning of each word:

I – me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge – dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance – my love and my devotion.
To the Flag – our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her dignity that shouts freedom.
Of the United – that means we have all come together.
States – individual communities have united into 48 great states [remember the date]. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united with a common purpose, and that’s love of country.
Of America.
And to the Republic – a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it is from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands.
One nation – a country united. [Stay with me to the end]
Indivisible - incapable of being divided.
With liberty – which is freedom and the right of power to live one’s own life without threats or fear or some sort of retaliation.
And justice – The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all – which means it is as much your country as it is mine.’”

Red Skelton went on to say, “Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance – under God. Would it not be a pity if someone said, ‘That’s a prayer and that would be eliminated from school.’”

I hope no one reading this will truly believe that we are not a country in trouble! Our only hope is to Think on These Things! To continue to walk away from God as if it had no consequence is the height of arrogance and stupidity! Join me in calling as many people back to under God!