“Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”
Francis Scott Key
September 14, 1814
There is a Banner in my Heart
A Banner Yet Waves, post-Independence Day
In an article entitled Francis Scott Key pens “The Star-Spangled Banner”, authored by History.com Editors and found at https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/key-pens-star-spangled-banner, I learned that these lyrics, first penned as a poem, were written in inspiration at the sight of the tattered United States flag still standing alone after Key witnessed the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the war of 1812. I also read there that Francis Scott Key’s opportunity to be witness to this awe-inspiring moment came about from his desire to set free his friend, Dr. William Beanes, who was being held captive by the British and they were aboard a ship forced to wait. Key had successfully negotiated the release of his friend but they were not allowed to leave until after the bombing campaign on the fort in Maryland was to take place.
Closing my eyes for a second, I put myself in Francis Scott Key’s shoes and tried to imagine him and his friend waiting in apprehension as the events unfolded. Did they hear the first commands of the British to attack? Did they catch glimpse of the first bomb as it dropped? I thought of the banner of determination that first wavered in Key’s heart, giving him the inclination to seek out and save his friend that had been captured by the enemy. I didn’t research the historical account that undoubtedly has the exact time the battle started and ended and every other finite detail in between but I envisioned a man and his grateful friend sitting in a ship “relationship”, in expectation of a long night ahead with only the hope of the fulfillment of a promise made to them by the enemy, to set them free post the battle that would ensue. I wonder if they pondered… would it come true or was it was a lie. All of these things had to exist first before that glorious moment took rise at dawn’s first light for him to peer out and see our flag still standing through it all.
There are many penned accounts of men throughout history that stepped out, determined to seek and save a friend. However, there are fewer full accounts of those that succeeded in their salvation but then had to endure and await an entire battle to come to fruition to see their fulfilled promised freedom breakthrough. I have many friends that are lying in wait to see that light of what they are promised to break-through their long dark nights. They need a friend that will endure with them through the end. Are you that friend or are you able to bring them to that one that will be?
After a day where the independence of our great nation is celebrated with bombs bursting in air, I look forward to coming together with friends and family whose banners are yet waving in determination to see freedom ring true for all, including you. I woke up at dawns early light this morning and thought of the feeling that must have filled the heart of Francis Scott Key, when he peered out and saw that flag still standing in the distance, knowing the battle was over and the freedom of his friend and country was at hand.
What are you enduring and awaiting through in this daily battle we call life? What freedom or breakthrough did you wake up longing to see or experience this morning? What lie of the enemy is holding you captive today? Do you need to be healed in your heart, body, mind, marriage? There is a banner that yet waves for you, in my heart and in His, in a place, in a relationship where you can… not just hope to be set free but truly be set free indeed!
Our only hope to be completely healed and set free as a people and nation… lies in the one and only true friend…. Jesus Christ! Oh say can you see….
I’ll just leave this on the table for you…. meet with me and Him today my friend at ppineschurch.com
a reflection of what’s deep in the heart; more evident when we are set apart.
2020 Vision
Saved… love, for a time such as this
When you know that you know, in your heart, that something’s missing, you are easily distracted from what’s in plain sight. We are in perilous times right now, separated from God and separated from one another. Left to ourselves, social distancing starts to take its toll as we are hard pressed to feel the love, distanced from the touch of others in our lives. With no end in sight, we can start to feel like we are condemned to live separated forever. God only knows what you’re really going through right now. God also knows how to get you here… alone with Him.
I am here to tell you it’s really true. God knows what you alone are going through and the love that you want to know… Well, He lives to show you that love and just how much He knows you, my love.
Today and everyday… love lives because He lives!
My hope is that God meets you wherever you are. Whatever vulnerable state you are in, whether you are alone in a place, alone in a relationship, or alone even in a crowded room… God is there and He has all that you need. He is the very answer, the way, the truth and the life. He is love and the love-er, of your life! May you receive your answer…. Him and His way, truth and life… Beloved.
My prayer for you and your love
Lord God, this morning I lift the needs of every single soul with the question in their heart of whether they will ever find the love that they seek. You and only you know, hear and have the answer to every cry of our hearts. This very day may they come to know… your love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For He sent his son to the world, not to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved. ”
John 3:16
God…without love… we are dead and you know this and you have made a way for us to escape the death found in that which we lack. I pray that every single one that comes across this prayer or ponders the thought of the existence of true love in this world, would not just be filled with the desire to find the love they desperately seek but would open their mouth and ask for it from the only one that can completely give it… YOU. Your word tells us we have not because we ask not… I pray they, we, I ask…
Lord God…
I come to you a sinner, separated from the love you have for me.
I don’t want to live this way any more.
I know that your son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sin, and that because of this I do not have to live separated from you or your love.
I ask you to come into my heart and my life.
I ask you to be Lord in my life… that I may receive all that you have and that you would help me to walk daily in your love.
I pray these things in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Be loved. You are His… BELOVED.
Live… with me… one wholly loved life!
Love… with Him… let’s walk together. Join me and share the love!
What a soaring sight, birds of a feather, once flocked to be caught by the fowler together Wings weighted in squalor in a world full of muck In proclivities of a poverty mindset found stuck Unworthy vessels in light, now seen fit in His sight Sanctified and set free, take toward the sky in flight
Game over for the love of my past days … now I’m ever looking forward to the sun going down, gracefully on a Sunday night!
ONWARD AND UPWARD TO FACE THE NEW WEEK I TAKE FLIGHT
I have a new Sunday night game.
The love I once had cannot compare to the love I have found. There is more than one way to express it. On top of that there is more than one level and way to experience it. In the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual realm…I can feel it, see it, and give it, because I have received it.
I did, once upon a time fall in and out of love but that, incidentally, was not the true love for which I was meant. It was a just a feeling through times endured and well spent.
Now into a new chapter, I experience it through a place that I have arrived each morning. It’s more than a memory I can’t let go of, a treasure I pursue, a pleasure I indulge in… it’s more than a pain and trial, it is a gift from God.
It is my opened relationship to Him and all He has given me to do for YOU every day. Each day is now filled with one single full heart longing to serve at a table for two.
The message easily missed, while in search of a sign.
His ear to my heart, is always inclined.
The whispered answer to my question
“He knows that you’re mine”
Psalm 23: 3
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
And verse 5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
When I ask why the fight for love has to be such a battle and I want to retreat, God is there to remind me why it has to be such a fight. The enemy knows who I belong to and so… I can only rejoice. That’s why he tries, with all his lies and tactics to steal and destroy. He sought me in the desert, and the dimly lit secret places I went to hide and escape. He makes every effort and still takes aim in the midst of the week, but discernment is a gift given to help determine which voice I hear speak.
Don’t just stand there… the message is ready to be received. I am glad it’s where it can be retrieved. Thank you Lord for putting Wednesday where you did to help me survive another day and the end of this…. WEAK!
When the sun is set… and the day melts away… COME WHAT MAY!
With the setting sun comes a single thought… of anything left that has not been bought. My mind draws a blank, for there’s nothing there, no worry, fear or unaddressed care. It’s all been purchased and carried away… to be handled by another, so come what may.
With the rising sun… the day has just begun… SEE THE LIGHT!
As I look forward to the morning’s new cup of tea, I also look forward to the company. Time to rise to the challenge of a brand new day, what’s in store is more than I can say. He knows and sees all, from the very first light… to the darkest hours that fill the night
His cup, it overflows with all the need but He listens and answers as if He’s just with me. There is comfort in trusting He knows all that I need and every thing that He started…
On the edge of the shore… ask once more… DO YOU LOVE ME? He says… I DO!
HIS LOVE is enough to WAIT
As I think and ponder on every written word and deliberate on all the things I’ve heard, what He has whispered I can not forget, He’s been telling me since the day we met. Before you knew me… I have always known you and I’m here to stay… forever with you!
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”PSALM 27: 14
My whole plate 
You must be logged in to post a comment.