Sunday's theme at ASLC

PART OF MY STORY
For many the flag is just a flag. But for those of us who served in the military – especially in times of war – the flag is much more than just a flag.

Normally, the way for people in civilian clothes to honor the flag is to put their right hand over their hearts. A law was passed a few years back that allows military personnel not in uniform, retirees, and veterans, to honor the flag by saluting as they once did in uniform. For us that’s a great honor. May not sound like much of a big deal to those that have never worn the uniforms of the Armed Forces of the United States. But it is for many!

But the thing is, you’d understand better perhaps if I told you my story – if I told you why this is important to me, why soldiers feel a strong connection to their unit or team, why I feel a connection to my previous units… because I felt tight with the people in them. Because after many, many trips to the field; after shivering in an observation post with my fellow patrol members, after walking miles in soaking rain, after going days on little sleep or food, after being dirty and covered in camouflage paint, after carrying a heavy pack up one hill and down another-hill after hill and mile after mile, after long nights that never end until the sun breaks the next morning… after all that… you do get close to the men and women you work with. You honor them, and respect them. You learn about honor, and respect, and duty.

I spoke this oath many times, honoring milestones in my military life:
I, Chad Kline, do solemnly swear that I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.

And when you salute the flag it means more than doing something just because you have to do it. It means something more! After all that, you are instilled with a sense of honor and duty that travels with you, long after your “service” obligation is done. I’m proud to salute the flag still.

And because of this law, whenever I hear the National Anthem, and a flag is around, I will stand up straight, face the flag and, as per regulations, I will raise my right hand - fingers extended - to the corner of my right eye, lower arm parallel to the ground, and render honors to the flag in a hand salute. I will never turn down an opportunity to salute the flag in this way. I will do this proudly as a former member, and veteran, of the United States Army.

There… you just heard part of my story of the flag and why it’s important to me to be able to salute it. I hope you understand better why it’s important to me.
Unless you took the time to read this, or talk to me, you’d have no idea why.


THE POWER OF STORY
There is power in “Story” – you learn about the person speaking; their hopes and dreams, their regrets and burdens, their challenges and opportunities.
Last Sunday we looked at the Power of Story! We heard part of Rev. Bob Jordan’s story – about his youth in segregated rural Alabama, and his growing up with a few black students, and after de-segregation about his being moved to an all-white private school by his parents so the white kids wouldn’t have to be in school with black kids. And now he works with Habitat for Humanity, and organization started by some white Christians who believed that their faith called them to live with and among those who were oppressed, to help them build – literally – a better world.

It was a powerful story to hear.

There is something miraculous about hearing someone’s “story”… they reveal to you who they are… layer by layer, story after story… but you have to listen to them, and respect them, and honor them.



MORE “MIRACLES” THIS SUNDAY – THE MIRACLE OF “CREATION”
We’ve been looking at Miracles over these last few weeks… and we’ll be looking at the Miracle of Creation this Sunday.
Creation certainly has to do with the world we live in… the Creation stories in the bible come to mind.

Are there more “miracles of creation” out there? For sure – ask anyone who’s had a child. Our children certainly are created miracles!

But what about the miracle of starting over… after the loss of a job… after a move – new school, new place, new friends… after the discovery of a new talent or skill… or new interest… or a new love…

Truth be told, Creation Miracles are all over the place!


What’s your Creation Miracle story?


Peace,
Pr. C-