These are the three systems that form a healthy society . It was this formative foundation that created our patriotic nation — a patriotism that was revealed in the attitude of the people ’ s appreciation for and mentality to protect what we inherited .
When one or all of these systems fail to function in the format described above , patriotism is paralyzed and society begins to malfunction . Without correction , it eventually becomes dysfunctional .
Through ignorance of who we once were , America ’ s support system is being dismantled . Our patriotism is deteriorating as our nation is being programmed into taking this unhealthy and dysfunctional path . If we as individuals and a nation are to become healthy again , we must restore our support systems .
Our true history tells us who we were , shows us how we became who we were , and teaches us what needs to be done to again become the healthy nation we once were .
The question is this : Will we as a nation learn our true history , which teaches us this format , and then be willing to invest the time and energy needed to apply this format ?
Time will tell !
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PATRIOT
On July 4 , 1776 , representatives of the Second Continental Congress gathered to sign one of the most important and ambitious documents in history — the Declaration of Independence .
That day , at the Pennsylvania State House , our Founders didn ’ t know if they were signing their death warrant or the birth certificate of a brandnew nation .
They put everything on the line , and nothing was for certain . If America lost the Revolutionary War , they knew it likely meant death for themselves and even their families . The final line of the Declaration of Independence is filled with their resolve . It proclaims : “ With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence , we mutually pledge to each other our lives , our fortunes and our sacred honor .”
“ Courage is the highest expression of responsibility , and responsibility requires knowledge . It requires courage to follow God ’ s plan for our lives and take steps of faith . ”
The colonists came out of an oppressive monarchy in England , and they knew they couldn ’ t go back . In fact , they were willing to pay the ultimate price for their freedom .
The patriotism of our Founding Fathers required tremendous courage for them to be responsible and step out into what God had called them to do . And today , we are still reaping the dividends of their courage . My definition of courage is “ a willingness and ability to risk who you are and what you have for what you want and who you want to be .”
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