• WAYPOINTS: A Pledge to the Flag of Jesus

• READING: Four Books on Sale!

“I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands; one brotherhood, uniting all mankind in service and in love.”

 Those are familiar words for persons who attended Bible schools, church camps, and youth rallies during their younger years. But what does it mean for today?

Harold Hough, a prominent Methodist minister, created the simple words in 1908, following the pattern of the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. The Pledge connected with the new Christian Flag created one year earlier. The flag and pledge found support and usage with many Protestant church groups around the world in the 1940’s.

The common ending, “One brotherhood, uniting all mankind in service and in love,” has some problematic features. Fundamentalist groups changed it to include only people who had the correct doctrine as they defined it. Others have focused on the problem with the patriarchal perspective of “brotherhood,” which dismisses 50% of the human race.

Even with those issues, the focus on Jesus the “Savior” rather than a particular denomination or theological system is vital. That seems critical in light of an American population that is rapidly abandoning a divided and quarreling Christianity for alternate—perhaps better—forms of spirituality.  

The vision of “uniting all mankind in service and in love” turns attention to the universal Shalom that rejects power, dominance, and empire to take up the “towel” of servant-hearted work. The seductive lure of prestige, money, and control seems so satisfying, only to be the Devil’s offer with a high price to pay. The message of Jesus has and must transcend all national, racial, ethnic, and gender boundaries to unite everyone!

The words from nearly 120 years ago, though imperfect, still speak to believers in a challenging, tumultuous era.

What would you like to see more of on my Tracks for the Journey Network? I've published over 150 pieces so far this year in my newsletter, blog, podcast, and videos. Let me know which broad topics would help your journey to well-being during the next months. Thanks!

You can respond in two ways: Join the Facebook Trackers group and take the poll, or Email me with your top choice of these topics:

• Spirituality and Theology

• Positive Psychology

• Ethics in Current Events

• Ecology

• Interviews with Leaders

I’m excited to hear your preferences as I shape the next great months of the Network!

FOUR Tracks for the Journey books are available for your Kindle right now! This bundle of editions 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 is on sale for $13.97.

The volumes contain more than 60 essays, devotionals, and reviews to inspire and inform your everyday life!

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Order from Amazon and enjoy this smorgasbord of intriguing topics!