“REMEMBER THE ALAMO”!
REPOST FROM 2010
As a youngster, I had several heroes. One of my favorites was Daniel Boone. He was an American frontiersman portrayed on a TV show by Fess Parker.
I even had the coonskin cap to emulate my hero. The hat was designed for warmth. It used a raccoon hide to wrap over and around your head. The coolest part of that hat was the fluffy raccoon tail that hung down the back.
In the opening credits of the show, Daniel Boone would throw his hatchet at a tree and split it in half. WOOOOW! He was cool!
Davy Crockett was another one of our heroes. I’m not sure who said it, but in honor of him, when we were playing cowboys and Indians or Army, we’d scream with 5-year-old honor, “REMEMBER THE ALAMO”! Running full speed into a make-believe battle, pretending to be ready to risk our lives for a just cause.
Societies heroes in those days were people who lived principled lives. Those people who risked their real life for friends, family, and country. The sports celebrities were admired and appreciated for their talents but were still regarded as entertainment.
It wasn’t long ago when a handshake meant something, a person’s word was their bond. Now? A signature promising to keep our word doesn’t really mean we’ll keep our word. It just means we’ll keep our word as long as it’s good and painless for us. This isn’t new to our society, it’s just more prevalent and accepted today than it was in the past.
Television in earlier years reflected a society and its values at the time. Many of the sitcoms still had at their core a lesson about principles. What are the values of our society today?
Sometimes I feel like Daniel Boone and want to throw a hatchet right into the middle of my TV! I bet the real Daniel Boone would do it!
Consider a real bonafide hero in Pat Tillman. The man who walked away from an NFL contract at the height of his career. His sole motivation was to serve his country. I’m not sure why that hasn’t been made into a movie. The only movie made about Tillman was the controversy after his life was over. It seems Hollywood avoids principled lives like they do morality.
It’s been a long time since this country saw the likes of Pat Tillman. He was a throwback. It looks to me like we need some more throwbacks, or what the old fashioned preachers might call a revival. We need to revive our consciousness from a stupor of liberal media that celebrates immorality.
We need to revive the spirit of God in this country. Is it still possible for us to do the right thing instead of the easiest thing?
The lives lived by honorable people with a simple perspective was brought about by what they believed and how they thought. The principles that guide a great nation are the same principles that guide great people.
Jesus Christ said, “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (partial) Putting others before ourselves is the example of the one we are named for, Christ himself.
The young ones in a society learn to cherish what the elders cherish. By our actions, what are we showing the young ones in our lives that they will learn to cherish?
While I liked the coonskin cap, that wasn’t why I admired the character of Daniel Boone. He wasn’t for sale, he stood for morality and backed it up physically if he had to.
That’s how I want to be remembered as well…
TC Avey
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 @ 8:03 am
Your post reminds me of a book I recently read, “ye shall be as gods” by Larry Johnson. In it Johnson breaks down the destruction of our society and parallels the world views of Christianity vs humanism throughout history. It is a detailed account of the attacks Christianity has faced and is facing today in our government, media, entertainment, school systems, family structures, religion, and economics.
America does need good virtuous hero’s. We need to be those hero’s and inspire those around us to be hero’s worth looking up to as well. I think this begins with understanding the battle for our minds taking place on a daily basis. Satan has a plan and he is doing everything he can to erode our values and beliefs.
Floyd
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 @ 9:39 am
I agree 100% TC. The eroding process seems subtle, one seemingly small compromise then this… Interesting how even the lost world looks up to those with the power and characteristics from God that stand for the good of all, and then deny the power and the results. Talk about a screwed up sense of understanding. Thanks TC.
Hazel Moon
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 @ 10:00 am
As we like to enjoy some relaxing TV time in the evenings, we often watch a movie or a series we have ordered on Net Flix. It is disturbing when we are going along well into the movie and there is a scene with a homo twist. That is where we cut off that movie and have to make our own ending. Or if we are beginning the movie and every other word is an “F” word or cussing. Click off it goes too.
The best ones withoug bad words seem to be the CSI, or other murder mysterys, which I like because I always love a mystery. 🙂 Back to Daniel Boon and Davy Crocket, those were the shows children (and us) could enjoy. Good Post Floyd
Floyd
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @ 11:52 am
Thanks Hazel. Isn’t it interesting that when Hollywood makes a clean family movie it makes them money, yet they choose to release garbage… Why? They don’t serve the same master as we do…
Lisa notes
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @ 9:17 am
I agree, Floyd: we need more throw backs. Those who’ll do the right thing, not the easy thing. From what I hear about Tim Tebow, he may be one of those throw backs in the sports world. I hope he’ll stay true to the course.
Floyd
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @ 11:53 am
I agree Lisa. That’s what the world needs. The courage of those who serve God boldly seem to strengthen all those around them.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @ 1:21 pm
Agreed, Floyd. We need true, real revival in the hearts and minds of men and women all over this country. It is possible with God (as we’ve seen throughout history). People will keep their word as long as the circumstances are favorable, but it seems like so many times, the slightest provocation provides their way of escape and justification is set. So sad what it does to their own lives and families and our society.
Lord, breathe on us by Your Spirit and release your word of life and restoration–we come to you desperately needy…
Floyd
Thursday, March 15, 2012 @ 1:34 pm
Thanks Jason, that’s a wonderful prayer. With Him all things are possible!
Nancy
Friday, March 16, 2012 @ 8:04 pm
I was just having a similar conversation about this with someone today! I consider my word to be MY bond, but not everyone can be trusted in this manner.
It is up to us to change things in our own generation. I influence as many as I am able including kids and family. That is often a challenge in itself. A strong biblical basis is the key. What would Jesus Do? Not so trite of a question after all. If we have seen Him, we have seen the Father. Spiritual principles, once engrained, are like the mind-body reactions of a martial art. They will help us ” not be for sale”. Honor and integrity are to be desired in this culture, for sure!
Good post!
Floyd
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 5:45 pm
We’re on the same page Nancy. Not for sale, that says it all. I’ve dealt with scads of people who cheated. I always believe the value of what they are trying to gain is the value of what their life is worth. If a price can be placed on our character by cheating then that is the value of a life that should be immeasurable by any number.