Patriotism Plus!

I love America! I'd rather live here than anywhere in the world. In spite of current governmental choices I may not like, I still have basic freedoms enshrined in our founding documents. Don’t ever take our freedoms in America for granted!

Here are some ways we can all “upgrade” our expression of patriotism:

• Tell your children and grandchildren why America is so special. Make sure they understand the freedoms we share. Read or get them books that focus on true American heroes. Encourage them to create and display “patriotic” art.
• Read about some American heroes yourself—our Founding Fathers (and Mothers). What are the character qualities that made them great?
• Get a flag and fly it—show your American spirit! Don’t just wait for July 4^th or Flag Day. Learn flag etiquette.
• Honor those who have fought or are fighting to keep America free. Visit the graves of those who gave “the ultimate sacrifice.” Write a note of gratitude to someone in the Armed Forces.
• Wear the “red, white and blue” occasionally. Remember: red is for courage and sacrifice, blue is for justice and freedom, and white is for purity.
• Host neighborhood or family get-togethers on patriotic holidays. Bake some red, white and blue desserts, or create a dish of berries and cream. Decorate with flags and stars.
• Enjoy fireworks shows together – celebrate our freedom!
• Read the words of America’s patriotic songs (like the “Star Spangled Banner,” “America,” or “God Bless America.”) Consider how God has indeed blessed our nation.  
• Vacation in American historical sites.
• Volunteer – practice the spirit of American compassion and giving. Consider working at a mission, food bank, or homeless shelter.
• Watch a classic movie to inspire you – like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or Independence Day.
• Cheer on Americans who strive for excellence, whether it’s the Olympics, World Cup or a spelling bee!
• Pray for America’s leaders – even the ones you don’t agree with! (Run for office or another leadership role, if God calls you to do so.)
• Pray for America—especially that God’s people will stand with courage. Remember that true freedom comes from Him. We love America, but God is more concerned about our hearts than where we live (Psalm 33:12-22). Seek Him!

What does “Patriotism” look like to you?

Dawn Wilson is the founder of Heart Choices Ministries and creator of UpgradeWithDawn.com and also blogs at LOLwithGod.com. Dawn's ministry encourages, edifies and energizes women with the truth of scripture so they can better enjoy life, bless others and honor God. She lives in San Diego with her husband Bob and a rascally maltipoo named Roscoe.

UPGRADE Your Celebrations!

To celebrate is to observe a day or event with ceremonies of respect, festivity or rejoicing. It's a time to extol or praise, to display or make known.

Everyone likes to celebrate, whether it's a birthday, graduation, promotion or holiday.

And I believe there are at least four ways to UPGRADE Your Celebrations:

Upgrade Mentally - If it's a holiday, look up the meaning of the event [see note about disputed celebrations: Romans 14:5-6]. Prepare some facts to share with others, to help them understand the point of the event. If it's a birthday or graduation or some other achievement, give it some thought. Study some "history" to add meaning - perhaps something about the person's character that got him or her to this point. Who is the person really, behind the scenes. Think! 

Upgrade Emotionally/Socially - Give yourself permission to celebrate! Celebrations are not occasions for sourpusses. Smile. Laugh. Connect. Get involved with people and celebrate together. Be friendly and make a new friend. Let love spill over into joy. Let your inner child remember the joys of youth ... let loose a little. Rejoice! (Proverbs 17:22a; Philemon 1:7)

Upgrade Physically - Do something fun. Think and get creative with food, decorations and gifts. Make a cake, cookies or a special healthy dish. Go to an organized celebration. Wave a flag. Hug!(Especially, hug a veteran on Memorial Day!) Give a thoughtful gift. Go to a parade, or make a mini-parade with your friends. Don't just sit around and watch others celebrate. Get involved in a community of people who understand how important it is to celebrate. Act! (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17)

Upgrade Spiritually - Thank God for the reason for the celebration. Read and share scriptures that refer to some aspect of the celebration. Make spiritual applications when possible. Pray together. Sing a hymn or praise song that "works" with the occasion. Point people to the Source of true joy - acknowledge God (James 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The key to celebrations? Go all out. Be all there!

I hope all your celebrations are happy and blessed. Remember - Think. Rejoice. Act. Acknowledge God.

What do you do to UPGRADE Your Celebrations?

Dawn Wilson is the founder of Heart Choices Ministries and creator of UpgradeWithDawn.com. Dawn's ministry encourages, edifies and energizes women with the truth of scripture so they can better enjoy life, bless others and honor God.

A Carefully-Designed Life

Just as bread does not bake itself or a car cannot simply evolve, a well-lived life doesn't just happen. There is always a process that leads to a satisfying final product.

And there's a process that leads to a life that honors God.

Peter Walsh on the hit HGTV series Clean Sweep promoted a clear-cut designing process.  Before we can de-junk our homes, he explained, we need to envision what we want our homes to represent.

As a "client" stood in the doorway of a room, Walsh asked questions like:

   "What do you want this room to reflect?"

    "What is your vision for this room?"

Once a person articulated a clear vision, it was time to eliminate things that didn't belong - things that ran contrary to the vision.

The same is true in our lives. I call it the 5 C's.

First, we need to CLARIFY. In other words, we need a clear vision of who we want to be - better yet, who God wants us to be. Then, we need to CHUCK (eliminate) some attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that don't belong in that vision. Next, we CHOOSE better responses - we think and act with wisdom and in response to God's purpose and design. We COOPERATE with Him - through a yielded, obedient heart - in creating a whole new life and lifestyle. And then we CELEBRATE! We rejoice in the good work God is doing in and through us.

We follow this five-step process in every area, whether in our relationships, budgeting, parenting, what we eat, entertainment ... everything!

When I grasped this idea, I found I had a perception of myself that was decades old. My vision for my life was still marred by some wrong past choices, but God wanted to give me a new vision. He showed me who I am in Christ. I embraced His vision as the template for my life.

I have the opportunity to grow past all of my wrong choices. God can redeem every one of them!

Every single choice I make now is creating a new version of who I am. I am carefully designing my life. And so can you!

Being proactive in upgrading our lives is all about responsibility. There may be many reasons for the way we are, but never any excuses for how we remain if we are a child of God. We enjoy the precious presence of God's Spirit and have access to His power. We can't blame others. We may not have any control over our circumstances, but we can always choose our responses.

As a Christian, I choose to upgrade my life according to the wisdom found in the Word of God as I rely on the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). It's an upgrade toward positive change in my mind and heart as I lean on God.

Self-effort will only go so far. It isn't trustworthy (Jeremiah 17:5-6). Any work of "the flesh" is weak, limited and temporal. But "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord" (Jeremiah 17:7).

We can choose obedience and faithfulness. As we cooperate with God, we remember - transformation is ultimately His work. Our confidence is in Him.

What are you doing to carefully design your life? I invite you to share some examples of recent UPGRADE successes ... or where you still struggle to UPGRADE Your Life.

Dawn Wilson is the founder of Heart Choices Ministries and creator of UpgradeWithDawn.com. Dawn's ministry encourages, edifies and energizes women with the truth of scripture so they can better enjoy life, bless others and honor God.