Tag Archives: patriotism

The Message Behind the Music-July 12

Posted on July 12, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Dolly Parton – Color Me America (Audio)

Inspiration Behind Color Me America:

Dolly Parton wrote Color Me America the day after September 11th, 2001. The horrific events of 9/11 filled Dolly with a spirit of patriotism. The lyrics reflect the aspirations and values that Americans shared at this moment in time. Dolly waited until June 2003 before releasing Color Me America on her For God and Country album.

Biblical Application:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself, Matthew 22:34-39.

Exegesis of Color Me America:

I am red and white and blue
These are colors that ring true
To all I am and feel and love and do
I stand proud and brave and tall
I want justice for us all
Color me America, red, white and blue

Dolly compares how she is feeling to the colors of the American flag. Dolly is proud of her country, appreciating all that America stands for.

I see red when evil speaks
Spilling red blood on our streets
And I feel blue from grief and sorrow that it brings
But the white, the light of love
God’s own Spirit like a dove
Lifts us up and hands to us an olive branch

Dolly tries to put the attack on America into words. Evil prevailed on this day resulting in death. Dolly is grieving with the families of Americans who lost loved ones. Dolly leans on God in the aftermath of 9/11, seeking help from above.

Oh, sweet freedom, may you stay
In our land and lives always
And may peace and beauty fill our hearts anew
And may we all stand up for you
May our thoughts and deeds be true
And be worthy of your stripes
Red, white and blue (red, white and blue)

Dolly clings to the freedom in America. Hoping for peace and healing. Followed by a call to stand up for American values. Praying for the proper response in deeds and thoughts, based upon American values.

I am red and white and blue
These are colors that ring true
To all I love and feel and see and do
Oh, I stand proud and brave and tall
I want justice for us all
So, color me America, red, white and blue

The chorus reflect the colors of the flag. Dolly has learned to love what this flag represents. Full of pride which makes her stand tall for American values.

Oh, sweet America (America, America…)
God won’t you shed, won’t you shed your grace on Thee
And crown Thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
Oh, color me, color me America
Red, white and blue, color me America

Dolly senses a blessing from God upon this nation. Leaning on God’s grace. This final stanza touches on America the Beautiful before touching on the colors in the American flag. This is Dolly’s heart felt response to 9/11/2001.

Final Thoughts:

I serviced a bank across the street from the Liberty Bell on September 11th. Before the Twin Towers fell, I received a call not to report to work as their area was closed for security reasons. This one event altered my career path, going into teaching a few months later. When one door closed, another opened, providing a decade to pour my heart and soul into teaching high school students. Color Me America became a song which reflected my own appreciation for this country. Although no nation is perfect, it’s still an amazing place to live.

by Jay Mankus

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What Happened to Being Honest?

Posted on June 13, 2020 by expressyourself4him

On May 25th, George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota when white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes. This one act of hatred has ignited a series of protests and riots over the past 2 weeks. As Americans still stuck under state induced quarantines watched helplessly from home, anger was unleashed upon buildings, businesses and vacant malls across the country. As citizens began to express their concerns and opinions on social media, the Cancel Culture movement has risen up to condemn, punish and silence those who deviate from mainstream progressive ideology.

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully, 1 Timothy 3:15.

As each day passes, the backlash against honest tweets continues. The first victim of this backlash was Sacramento Kings Play by Play announcer Grant Napear. Napear was fired by his radio station and forced to resign from his 22 year position with the Kings all because he replied to a tweet “All Lives Matter.” The next was New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees who made a statement about honoring the flag in an interview during Memorial Day Weekend. While Brees wasn’t cut by the Saints, he was shamed into apologizing for expressing his heart felt beliefs about patriotism. James Bennet of the New York Times was forced to resign after agreeing to print an Opinion Editorial written by conservative Senator Tom Cotton.

[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear (unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives]. 17 For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong, 1 Peter 3:16-17.

One of Jesus’ disciples made an interesting observation in the first century. After publicly denying knowing Jesus, Peter is restored in John 21:15-19. This conversation seems to have empowered Peter to become a spiritual rock, eager to share his faith after Jesus rose from the dead. However, Peter adds a disclaimer, when you do share your faith, you may suffer. Although Peter doesn’t specify what kind of suffering, it appears to be socially. In other words, you won’t be the most popular person, but when you’re criticized for doing the right thing, it’s worth the backlash. I don’t know how long this trend will continue, but when you do express your beliefs, do so with a gentle, courteous and respectful spirit.

by Jay Mankus

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The National Anthem, 9/11 and Professional Sports

Posted on October 1, 2017 by expressyourself4him

When I was in high school, the National Anthem had become passe.  Sure, the sporting events that I attended played an old version on a lame sound system, but it was tradition.  Unfortunately, this continued without much meaning, unless of course you were contending for a championship or title.  Like standing for the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of the school day, playing the National Anthem before a sporting event is what you did.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 7:12.

On September 11th, 2001, I was just about to head into work when I received a delivery from UPS.  Without any introduction, this man proclaimed, “the twin towers are on fire.!”  Surprised, I replied, “what?”  As soon as he left,  I turned on the television, watching in awe.  Every week I traveled up to East Rutherford, New Jersey for work, greeted by these towers in the skyline each time I arrived.  A couple of weeks earlier I made a special delivery to the John Hancock building.  After these two buildings fell to the ground, the tradition of the National Anthem became more than just a song.  This one minute and thirty second song became a way to honor, remember and respect those who have died serving America.

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor, 1 Peter 2:17.

One of the perks of my father’s job when I grew up in Delaware was that his company bought season tickets for the Philadelphia Flyers and Phillies.  When there weren’t any clients in town to entertain, the family was able to attend games a few times a month.  In 1987, my dad scored tickets to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.  To inspire the crowd, Lauren Hart sang God Bless America, the song Kate Smith made famous singing at sporting events.  Although the Flyers lost this game and the series 4 games to 3, I still get chills when I think about the Spectrum rocking at the end of this anthem.  When you put the National Anthem, 9/11 and professional sporting events together, you get a recipe for honor, patriotism and time to pay respect to the veterans of the USA.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Lost Words of JFK

Posted on September 12, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Beginning in 2008, Lost Tapes debuted on Animal Planet.  This horror series featured a combination of legendary creatures like Bigfoot as well as supernatural ones such as vampires.  Each episode begins with a presupposition, “what if researchers have a real life encounter, able to film their experience.”  These lost tapes are later found by some one who stumbles upon this evidence, serving as a warning to steer clear of specific places or regions.

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday, Isaiah 58:10.

In the real world, revisionist historians are now are work, trying to hide the Christian heritage upon which America was founded.  Most people don’t realize that many schools on the East Coast were created by churches to help educate children.  Tools such as the New England Primer introduced the alphabet with verses of the Bible that were memorized for each letter.  This is just one portion of history scrubbed from modern text books, teachings that are now lost and forgotten.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another, Galatians 5:13.

The media is also good at suppressing audio soundbytes, news stories and previous statements that are contrary to the progressive moment.  One of my favorites statements comes from John F. Kennedy, “ask not which this country can do for you; but what you can do for this country.”  These lost words could revolutionize this country if practiced.  Yet, modern politicians want to create needy citizens who can’t live without government.  Subsequently, a generation of “what’s in it for me” has crippled the progress of our culture.  May these forgotten words of JFK inspire individuals to a live a life of faith, service and patriotism.

by Jay Mankus

 

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When Winning Isn’t As Important

Posted on November 29, 2014 by expressyourself4him

In the days following 9/11/01, many Americans used professional sporting events as a vehicle for healing.  In Major League Baseball, the singing of Talk Me Out to the Ball Game was replaced with God Bless America.  At the first Monday Night Football Game in the NFL, a sense of patriotism swept through the crowd, causing tears to flow from my eyes as a giant flag, shaped like the United States of America was stretched across the entire field.  During this period in time, winning wasn’t the only thing.  Rather, playing these games symbolized a sense of normalcy to proclaim to the world, “America will carry on.”

Meanwhile, another community experienced a similar tragedy, placing sports into its proper perspective.  The 2006 film We Are Marshall is based upon the death of 37 football players, 5 coaches, 25 boosters and other staff who perished in a plane crash near Huntington, West Virginia.  Despite wanting to remain competitive, winning had to be placed on the back burner.  To honor the memory of these people, the school president was nudged by students to field a team to fill the void left behind.  In a stirring scene, Matthew McConaughey, who plays head coach Jack Lengyel, redefines winning to include playing with all your heart for 60 minutes.  “If you do this, we can not lose!”

Today, competition has a wide scope from school districts who have banned keeping score to the hard core who keep score in everything they do.  For me, sports was a refuge, a place where I excelled.  The more success I tasted, the cockier I became.  Yet, like many things in life, athletic competition has a way of humbling the proud, bringing each star back down to earth.  However, when I finally gave up my pursuit of playing professional golf, only then did I understand winning isn;t everything.  Whether you have the talent or not, give your dream a shot and let the chips fall where they may.  In the end, winning isn’t as important as knowing that you did everything you could to maximize your God given talents.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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More Than Patriotism

Posted on April 22, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Following the aftermath of April 15th’s terrorist attack during the 2013 Boston Marathon, a spirit of patriotism appears to be spreading across the fruited plains.  Instead of listening to stars preform America’s Nation Anthem, spectators at sporting events in Boston and other cities have become participants, pouring out their soul in song.  Rather than steal the spotlight, celebrities have turned theirs mic away from their own lips, pointing it toward the stands to magnify the crowds’ voices.

As a son of an immigrant from Lithuania, my heart has been touched by this renewed sense of patriotism.  Goosebumps made my hair stand up the first time I saw these highlights.  However, in order for this feeling to last, more than patriotism is required.  While secular and revisionist historians attempt to hide the truth of this country’s founding, Americans must remember the faith of their founders.

Benjamin Franklin once called on delegates of the first Constitutional Convention to pray so that their deadlocks and disagreements might end.  George Washington believed in the divine providence of God after gunfire from an ambush appeared to have bounced off his body.  John Adams had a vision for a land built upon the honest practice of biblical principles.  Speaking on America’s independence, Patrick Henry acknowledged that God has blessed this land.  Therefore, if you are moved to patriotism, go one step further by following in the faith of our founders!

by Jay Mankus

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