"Stand For The Flag Kneel For The Flag"

“ I Stand For The Flag and I kneel for The Cross” Luke 22:41-44

• Colin Kaepernick, a professional QB in the NFL chose not to stand but kneel during the National anthem as a way of calling attention to racial inequality in our country. That is his choice and there are inequalities in the good old USA. Its encountered slavery, removed Native Americans from their home lands put them on reservations, dropping of the atomic bomb killing 200,000 people.

• Martin E. Dempsey is a retired Army General, said”I don't agree with everything America has done, but the world is a better place because it exists.”

1. Let’s begin with what the flag stands for:

• The flag consists of 13 alternating red and white stripes that represent the 13 original colonies, and 50 white stars on a blue field, with each star representing a state. The colors on the flag represent:

• Red: valor and bravery

• White: purity and innocence

• Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice

2. I Stand for the Flag and I have that right as well as Colin Kaepernick has that same right to kneel

• I stand for the Flag because I want to show respect for those who gave me and helped me keep my freedoms such as: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the freedom to pursue happiness.

• I stand because I can there are veterans who cannot stand but would if they could

• I stand because “All Gave Some and Some gave All” In 1863, at age 19, a woman known only as Emily, ran away from home and joined the drum corps of a Michigan Regiment. The regiment was sent to Tennessee and during the struggle for Chattanooga a minie ball pierced the side of the young soldier. Her wound was fatal and her sex was disclosed. At first she refused to disclose her real name but as she lay dying she consented to dictate a telegram to her father in Brooklyn. "Forgive your dying daughter. I have but a few moments to live. My native soil drinks my blood. I expected to deliver my country but the fates would not have it so. I am content to die. Pray forgive me...... Emily."

• I stand for the Flag because War is “Hell” Gen. Sherman once said, “You don’t know the horrible aspects of war. I’ve been through two wars and I know. I’ve seen cities and homes in ashes. I’ve seen thousands of men lying on the ground, their dead faces looking up at the skies. I tell you, war is hell!”

3. I stand for the Flag and I kneel for the Cross

• I kneel at the cross because someday I am going to die

• I kneel at the cross because someone died for me that have right to forgiveness

• I kneel at the cross because worry, sorrow, hopelessness, distress, are eased as a result of someone dying for me

• I invite each of you to Stand for the Flag and knee for the Cross.