This is an extended version of the hymn “(America) My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” I love the original, but I felt it was lacking in verses. As a hymn, I know people often sing certain verses rather than the whole song, and they sometimes have different verses altogether in their hymnals.
I wanted to add a significant number of verses to this song that follow the same melody, rhyme scheme, syllable count, theme, and meaning. My goal was to give a greater volume of verses to choose from while still maintaining the integrity of the song.
The extension adds nine verses, bringing it up to thirteen in total. This was done to coincide with the Thirteen Original Colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence.
The original hymn was written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1832. The melody is adapted from the British national anthem, “God Save the King.” Before the adoption of the “Star Spangled Banner” as the official national anthem of the USA, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” served as a sort of de facto national anthem.
To elaborate on the aforementioned, I wrote this extension primarily to add more verses speaking of the character and faithfulness of the American people across time and space as a Christian nation in a Godless world. We are a people who have struggled with enemies internally and externally, physically and spiritually. As each generation passes, those forces of evil only grow greater. As it is written, “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
I also wrote this as a gift to the American people this Independence Day. It is the 4th of July, 2024. Long may our land be bright, until we are all called home.
My country tis of thee Sweet land of liberty Of thee I sing Land where my fathers died Land of the pilgrims' pride From every mountainside Let freedom ring
My native country thee Land of the noble free Thy name I love I love thy rocks and rills Thy woods and templed hills My heart with rapture thrills Like that above
Let music swell the breeze And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song Let mortal tongues awake Let all that breathe partake Let rocks their silence break The sound prolong
Our fathers' God to thee Author of liberty To Thee we sing Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light Protect us by Thy might Great God our King
Land of the righteous free Home of the brave are we Brothers, come sing Sing of Christ's victory Praise God and King do we Who gives us liberty Now freedom rings
In God we place our trust He who is right and just To heal our land Him do we need always To guide us all our days For this we ever praise And take our stand
To us you gave your sheep A republic to keep This we hold dear A home away from home No more are we to roam This, a piece of shalom On the frontier
A people strong and firm Faith to outlast the wyrm Hope without end Forever shall we be Steadfast and yoked to Thee Until You choose to see Us all ascend
Though darkness near may creep Over our holy keep It shall not win In Christ we take our pride In faith we all shall die Stood by the Father's side Heeding no sin
My fellow countrymen We storm the devil's den To fight as one Our Lord and God most just Praise for sustaining us Through hell and back we thrust Till all is done
Though evil surely comes Never shall we succumb We fighting men Always shall God provide Evil always denied We all in faith have died To rise again
Shamed and forlorn have we Been on behalf of Thee Hated by all Strengthened through all are we Never forsaking Thee Till we are called to be Home in your halls
Blasphemers on all sides Is when we take our stride In these last days When every tribe shall come Every nation and tongue Americans as one Shall lead the way
America and the Philippines have had an interesting relationship, much like any two countries we analyze from a long-term perspective. However, there is more to be said about the special bond between our two nations, a bond which has given glory to God through bitter times and sweet. It is a bond that has been tested and strained and still stands to be tested as never before in times to come. Yet through all, there have been Americans and Filipinos who have been faithful to one another as to our Lord, no matter the schemes of the Adversary beset to push us apart. This history and future, as well as the friends from the Philippines I have made personally, led me to commemorate the ties between our two nations in the same way I honored the bond between America and Japan. With that said, let us take a brief look at the history of America and the Philippines.
Spanish-American War & Handover
The relationship between America and the Philippines began as a result of the Spanish-American War. Spain was in control of Manila, but a fledging republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo held most of the archipelago. This led to a stalemate that could not be broken, as control of Manila was very much contingent upon naval power, a domain in which Spain held the decisive advantage over the Philippines. However, this advantage did not extend to America at the time. While the Spanish-American war was focused on Cuba for the Americans, it did lead the Spanish and American navies into combat over control of Manila; and the U.S. Navy quickly routed the Spanish forces controlling the bay, harbor, and city.
The Battle of Manila Bay, oil on canvas – Public Domain
Unfortunately, despite the fact the Filipinos were commanding a functional republic throughout the rest of the archipelago, some American leaders bought into the European idea that they were not educated enough to control the island themselves. Aguinaldo tried to reach out to the Americans and form amicable ties, but his attempts were not heeded. In the Treaty of Paris, Spain handed over official control of the Philippines to the Americans. Even though the treaty was unpopular in the U.S. Congress, it narrowly passed with enough convincing by supportive voices. The main draw of the move was to give the United States a presence in the Pacific, allowing U.S. forces to better protect merchant vessels traveling to China. Since this was a valid concern, those in favor of annexing the Philippines won the day.
This would put America and the Philippines on a collision course in the short term, but similar to the British and Japanese, the forced ties would eventually lead to a lasting partnership. However, just as with those other allies forged from historical enemies, Americans and Filipinos would now shed one another’s blood.
The Philippine-American War & Colonization
Commodore George Dewey led an American naval group based out of Hong Kong and took Manila Bay quickly. Additional ground troops arrived three months later and Manila was surrendered without a fight by the Spanish governor, Fermín Jáudenes. However, Aguinaldo and the Filipino forces in control of the rest of the archipelago did not recognize American sovereignty over the islands any more than Spanish sovereignty, nor did the Americans recognize the Filipino claims to sovereignty. The conflict was inevitable at this point, as the Filipinos saw the state of affairs as simply a continuation of their revolution without much of a difference, and groups opposing the occupation back in the Continental United States failed to muster enough support to hand over control of the Philippines to the locals.
On February 4th, 1899, Aguinaldo declared war against the United States. Malolos was established as the capital of the First Philippine Republic, and Antonio Luna was given command of all their military forces. Filipino troops stormed Manila on the 4th, attempting to take the city in one fell swoop. They were repulsed by American troops at every point of contact. The fighting carried on and spread. Luna was killed and Malolos fell to American occupation by March 31st. At this time, U.S. President William McKinley formed a new civil government in the Philippines to establish some kind of peace and the pursuit of happiness and the prosperity of the Filipinos, even against American interests. This declaration was later cited in support of Philippine independence. Due to the atrocities committed by the militant groups under Aguinaldo such as the crucifixion of Americans, setting them up to be eaten alive by ants, and cutting their ears off, any involvement of the First Philippine Republic under Aguinaldo in the new government was seen as unthinkable.
American troops in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War.
A campaign of guerilla warfare continued against the Americans and their allies they had gained amongst the locals by Aguinaldo and his forces. Fighting was concentrated in Luzon. At this time, groups such as the Macabebe – who had aided the Spanish during their reign – began working alongside the Americans and the new government. The Macabebe and Americans worked together to capture Aguinaldo on March 23, 1901. Brigadier General Frederick Funston and a handful of other Americans posed as prisoners of war being transported by some Macabebe troops. This allowed them to sneak into Aguinaldo’s camp and take him alive.
Now in American custody, Aguinaldo pledged his loyalty to the United States and called for all his forces to stand down. However, they did not heed his call and the fighting continued with greater ferocity. There were massacres and atrocities in turn committed by both Americans and Filipinos against one another.
The Philippine-American War Escalates
As Americans captured population centers, they made use of combatants who had been arrested in forced labor – a common practice to this day, as those who have forfeited their liberty through violence against the community may be expected to make restitution through involuntary community service. However, in the context of a foreign war and occupation, this was understandably perceived as enslavement and conquest by the Filipinos. In truth and charity, that is an honest understanding. Out of foolishness, the Americans tried to earn the trust of the Filipinos through naive gestures such as ordering troops to be unarmed while on patrol and forbidding searches of suspicious persons to avoid accusations of sexual harassment.
This naivety of American forces and the collision course it put them on with their Filipino brethren was put on full display on September 28th, 1901 in Balangiga when rebels were smuggling weapons into the town for an early morning attack. Women were used to move the weapons, hiding them in coffins with young girls playing dead. American troops who searched them for weapons were suspicious of false claims of a recent plague, as they had not heard of any such thing. However, they were afraid to search the women for weapons for fear of being accused of sexual harassment, as American troops would be court-martialed and executed if they were accused of inappropriately touching any local women.
So, the weapons got through and the attack commenced. A company of Americans was wiped out, and the town of Balangiga burned to the ground in response. The Samar campaign followed with the Americans using a scorched earth policy against the Filipinos, causing tens of thousands of deaths. Infamously, Brigadier General Jacob F. Smith ordered all Filipino males over the age of 10 to be killed during this campaign, resulting in his court martial for the use of excessive force. It was a horrific time in the history of America and the Philippines, demonstrating how quickly violence can escalate during times of conflict.
A political cartoon from the New York Journal in 1902 regarding the war crimes of General Jacob Smith
Yet, there was light at the end of the dark times that arose out of the bloodshed. The conflict came to an end as rebel leaders fell. Miguel Malvar surrendered on April 16, 1902. Simeón Ola and the rebels under his command fell by 1903. About the last of the rebel forces under the command of Macario Sakay had fallen by 1906. As the war dragged on, the leaders of the First Philippine Republic engaged in all the same violence and destruction against their own people as the Americans had. Rebel leaders were infamous for burning Filipino villages and massacring populations who did not bow to their whims, and the people who followed them could be perceived as doing so out of a hatred for foreigners rather than a true love of country or desire for independence. As a result, the Americans eventually defeated the rebel forces since they limited such practices as much as possible and punished commanders who engaged in such atrocities wantonly.
Lessons Learned
The Philippine-American War never came to a close all at once, but rather, it died down over time as those pushing for more war and bloodshed were eventually defeated. It would take all day to exhaustively discuss the events of this conflict, and it is certainly a topic for future discussions. For now, however, for Americans such as myself, Filipinos, Christians everywhere, and all other observers today, there are several valuable lessons to take note of from studying this conflict.
The war was a wake-up call to the inexperience of American soldiers in tropical warfare. More troops died of disease than enemy contact. Expeditionary forces needed better training in surviving humid, jungle landscapes not seen anywhere across the Continental United States. This could undoubtedly be cited as invaluable to both the Americans and Filipinos in preparation for the battles to come in the next few decades. The Pacific War and Cold War would put these two peoples on the battlefields of the Pacific islands once again against new enemies. The lessons that both Americans and Filipinos learned fighting against one another would save them in the future when they had to fight alongside one another.
Some other lessons I noted while briefly studying this conflict included the importance of local support when waging any such campaign. An ignorant observer may point to the technological advancement of the American forces over the Filipinos as the deciding factor in their victory, yet why then were the Spanish ineffective? There are numerous examples of a technologically inferior force defeating a superior one. The Filipinos also had greater familiarity with the battlefield environment, as evidenced by the great losses Americans suffered to exposure rather than combat. The First Philippine Republic, however, was more of a terror to the Filipino people than the Americans were.
Unlike the FPR, the Americans also punished and even executed their own people who committed atrocities, while the FPR was led by people committing such actions and holding themselves accountable to no one. The Americans also made a point of fostering relationships with the locals in pursuance of peace, regardless of what anti-American critics might assert or what mistakes they may have made along the way. Understanding this, it was inevitable for the Filipino people to turn against the First Philippine Republic and toward the American Commonwealth. This was probably the deciding factor in the war and an important lesson for future war planners.
Another lesson learned is the inherent difficulty in cross-cultural communication and the importance of grace. In their early efforts to foster relations with the Filipinos, the Americans made several mistakes that may have seemed reasonable at the time but were wrong nonetheless. They took over government functions and distrusted Filipinos to run their own population centers. Despite what some uncharitable dunces might assert, this was actually a reasonable prejudice for late 19th and early 20th Century Americans to have given the living conditions across much of the Philippines and the brutal dysfunction of their existing government. Nevertheless, it was uncharitable on the part of the Americans to expect the Filipinos to be wholly incapable of governing themselves, requiring such a heavy-handed intervention. Greater efforts should have been made by the Americans to involve Filipinos in the governance of their own land. Americans, among all people, should have known this given our history with the British Empire.
On the part of the Filipinos, they were excessively belligerent to American offers of assistance, to the point of armed aggression. Some bleeding-heart, paradoxical utopian might think such a response was warranted. However, an unbiased observer with love for both America and the Philippines would notice the restraint of American colonialists and their genuine efforts to try and grow the Philippines; and in noticing this, could admit the violent efforts of the First Philippine Republic against the Americans were harmful to the overall society rather than helpful. The Americans were policing their own, seeking to punish those who mistreated Filipinos even with the death sentence. That is not the kind of policy that would have been enacted by a power that was truly seeking its own gain at the expense of the other. The Filipinos should have taken notice of this, especially given their reputation as a very empathetic and caring culture.
As such, we learn of the delicate and difficult nature of cross-cultural communication regardless of whatever noble intentions one might think themselves to have. There will always be misunderstandings that threaten to spiral out of control. We must be prepared for that, think through important decisions with the utmost concern for all involved, and proceed always with extreme caution where hostility may be lurking around the corner. Also, as mentioned, we must have grace for one another. Where possible, we must not be like the Filipinos at Balangiga who abused the show of faith by the Americans who disarmed themselves as an opportunity to attack, and we must not be like the Americans in the Samar campaign who responded with indiscriminate rather than targeted killing.
Of course, this is very easy to say, and never so easy to do. In fact, the Lord promises us that things will not be easy on this earth. We will be tested, and we will fail. This inevitable struggle points us to our unquestionable need for a savior. Having been provided that savior in our Lord, Jesus Christ, we are eternally grateful.
From the Philippine-American War, we learn the need for the boldness of honest men, willing to always do what is right with bravery and integrity, never giving in to the emotions of oneself or the crowd. We learn the need for sound preparations, for one should not rush into a crisis without first considering the risks and costs. We also learn the importance of the need for grace, love, friendship, and community. It was the love for fellow man and the kindred spirit we share as brothers in Christ that enabled Americans and Filipinos to build bonds that led to inevitable peace. Without this love, the early 20th-century Americans likely would have exterminated the entire population of the Philippines in an endless wave of continually escalating hostilities. Yet because of the love that was born, peace was made in time for these two peoples to rise together and meet new occasions just on the horizon.
A New Nation Emerges
Before the war for independence, the Filipinos were not a unified people. During the conflict, they fought each other more than any invaders. However, the conflict with America forced them to form a unified national identity that previously did not exist. Similar to how the American war for independence against the British forged a new national identity among the Christian denominations of the colonies who had previously all raged against one another, so too did the Filipino war for independence against America force the peoples of the archipelago to unify in a way they otherwise never would have. The result was a culture that valued solidarity, self-governance, and religious freedom, as revealed by the Philippine Commission of 1902.
A Filipino-American family in 1912, author unknown
After the Japanese were cut off from American oil imports due to their invasion of China and the ensuing altercations with American troops stationed there, the Japanese became desperate to replace their oil supply. Their two options were the Norther Plan – to invade the Soviet Union – and the Southern Plan – to invade the Pacific. They lost confidence in the Northern Plan due to several lost border skirmishes and the superiority of Russian tanks. This meant they felt their best chance was to attack the American, British, and Dutch holdings in the Pacific. Their prime objective was to capture the Dutch oil fields in modern-day Indonesia. Doing so would put them on a war path with America, but they wagered if they caused enough damage at Pearl Harbor, they could delay any response long enough to prevent the recapture of Pacific territories by any Western forces.
However, no one was really prepared to deal with the Japanese attack. It came as quite a surprise to everyone, and all the aircraft in the Philippines were grounded for refueling at the time the bombing began. General MacArthur decided it would be best to try and fight the Japanese on the beachhead as they landed, rather than retreating further inland. However, many of the troops at his disposal were untrained and unarmed at the time. The plans for the defense of the Philippines against such an invasion relied on American support from Pearl Harbor, support that obviously never came.
The American and Filipino forces were eventually forced to retreat further inland due to a lack of supplies, the unabated stream of landing Japanese troops, and enemy air superiority. They first fell back to Bataan, but it could not be held. MacArthur was then evacuated to Corregidor while others stayed behind to slow the Japanese advance.
After three months of fighting, the Americans decided to fully retreat from the Philippines and regroup for a later push back into the Pacific. They had to leave many of the Filipino brothers behind, but they would not forget one another. By this time, many bonds of love and friendship had been forged between Americans and Filipinos. Many new families bridged across both cultures. While the Americans were ordered to leave and regroup with the rest of the fleet, Douglas MacArthur vowed he would return one day to help the Filipino people fight for their homeland. In the meantime, he left behind some American personnel, giving them and the other Filipino warriors the order to scatter and fight the Japanese using guerilla warfare across the wilderness.
The Struggle Continues
Americans and Filipinos surrendering to Japanese forces
The Japanese occupation forces captured tens of thousands of American and Filipino warriors and killed tens of thousands more after securing the archipelago. Yet, the people never gave up hope. Over 1,000 guerilla units operated across the Philippines, attacking the Japanese in cells that could not be isolated or snuffed out. The Filipino people were adept at guerilla warfare, and it is said many of them truly believed MacArthur would return one day with reinforcements if they just held out long enough. Thus, the guerilla fighters enjoyed local support from the hundreds of thousands of Filipino civilians throughout the war. This frustrated the efforts of the Japanese to subdue the islands and kept the spirits high of the Philippines, despite the immense suffering and despair they endured.
It is bitter-sweet that it often takes war and conflict by an external threat to bring a divided people together. It is regrettable it often comes to this before such unity is found, but it is hopeful that at least it can be found when such unity is needed most. Americans and Filipinos had fought one another in the past, but now they were forced to fight alongside one another. Also, Americans in the Philippines at this time were able to serve as neutral arbiters or mediators between different Filipino groups with political divides, allowing different groups who otherwise would have never cooperated to work together in the fight against the Japanese. The forming of these memories of teamwork, however contrived, are the kinds of shared bonds that people can remember when relations are strained in the future. Such times remind us of our love for one another when it may be hard to see the common goals we share.
American and Filipino prisoners carry their dead during the Bataan Death March
MacArthur was eventually able to set up an intelligence group out of Australia and establish contact with guerilla units in the Philippines. They continued raids against Japanese occupation forces up until American reinforcements arrived in October 1944. The Filipino guerillas had managed to conduct countless successful sabotage, espionage, and assassination operations against Japanese forces, and were able to effectively get information out to the Americans in Australia. Thus, when the reconquest of the Philippines came, guerilla units were able to provide actionable intelligence for U.S. bombers as well as medivac for downed American pilots.
The full extent of the coordination between American and Filipino forces at this time would take all day to recount. It is nothing short of a miracle to read about and study. It is a long and endearing story of what God can do when He brings His people together.
Filipino troops with an American officer on Leyte during the Second World War
On July 4th, 1946, the Philippines was declared fully independent from the United States of America. The Filipinos were finally recognized as a people, a nation, and a culture capable of defending themselves after generations of battling long and hard. Several of the most wonderful friends I have ever known are Filipinos, and it warms my heart to know our history and for us to share July 4th as a day of celebration. I praise God for my brothers and sisters overseas, uniting with me through the blood of Jesus Christ. Though we may be far apart physically, I know they are always close by spiritually. Yet, this is not the end of the story of America and the Philippines, though it would certainly be a fitting place to leave things as finished.
The end of WWII was the end of a chapter in the history of our two peoples. Many Americans and Filipinos forged strong bonds during this time which led to the creation of even more new families that spanned the two nations. Laws were passed in 1945 and 1956 to recognize marriages and make American citizenship for Filipino veterans who had served in the U.S. Armed Forces or who married someone who had. For a brief time, there was peace and joy across America and the Philippines. Yet, it would be short-lived.
The Communist Plague Spreads
The Cold War began before the ink was dry on the treaties that ended WWII. As soon as the Axis powers had surrendered, the Communists began scheming against the Allies. Europe and Asia would see significant conflict in the decades to come as the world realized the struggle against evil indeed has no end until the Messiah returns. The struggles would only become more intense as time went on, not less so. While the Filipinos and Americans celebrated their newfound partnership as sovereign nations with a moment of peace, they would once again be thrust into hardship alongside one another as the Soviet Union and the Comintern jumped into action without missing a beat.
The Americans and Filipinos established an official military alliance in 1947, agreeing to mutually defend one another against attack on either nation. Of course, there was not much the Filipinos could really do at the time to aid in any attack against America, but the moral support was appreciated. Also, the Filipinos were able to offer the Americans a great strategic advantage against the Communists by continuing to house American forces in the Philippines. This allowed Americans to provide combat power to defend the Philippines which would otherwise be absent while also providing defensive depth to the Americans by moving part of the frontline in the Pacific Ocean up from the West Coast of the Continental United States to the Pacific Isles.
However, there was still much contention between Americans and Filipinos, as well as infighting over issues like the American bases and sovereignty. As such, communist influence was able to thrive in the Philippines without a serious challenge from what should have been a unified force of God’s children. The Hukbalahap guerillas, or the “Huk” for short, took root in Luzon. For a time, they posed a serious threat to the government of the Philippines, fighting to hand the land over to Godlessness and enticing people with their usual rhetoric seen across time and space. The same kinds of emotional manipulation that worked in Russia seized the hearts of many Filipinos, turning them away from ideas of reform to self-destruction under the guise of revolution.
As the Americans tried to help rebuild the Philippines while simultaneously rebuilding the rest of the world from the damage caused during WWII, fighting broke out again across the archipelago. Filipinos were once again slaying each other. Tensions flared as the Philippine government expected the Huks to surrender all their weapons, including small arms like rifles. As we have learned many times throughout history, anyone attempting to disarm you is your enemy, so the division between the Huks in Luzon and the government in Manila was understandable to some extent. After the Philippines gained independence in 1946 and some Huk candidates for office lost their elections, they decided to resort to bloodshed.
Over many years, the opposing governments of Manila and Luzon fought one another. If there is one thing communists are good at, it is using sustained confrontation with them to fuel their propaganda efforts. They must either be contained until they fight themselves or destroyed at once with overwhelming force. However, the government of Manila could not crush the Communists outright, nor would they be given the luxury of containment. The Huks constantly put pressure on Manila, forcing them into battles with no decisive victory. At one point, the Huks even seemed to come close to taking Manila.
However, it was precisely this that sent alarm bells ringing into the ears of Americans. The spread of Communist power and influence in the Philippines was a great threat that could put the whole world at risk if it was unabated. Fortunately, relief came in the way of two critical events. Firstly, multiple Huk leaders were captured at a secret facility in Manila. Secondly, Americans started taking the fight against Communism in the Philippines seriously and helped to arm the poorly-equipped Filipinos with more modern weaponry. These developments gave the Filipino people the edge they needed to turn the tide against the Red Specter.
In 1953, Ramon Magsaysay was elected president of the Philippines, another event that shifted public support from Luzon to Manila. This was likely because most historical leaders of the Philippines were of Spanish descent, but Magsaysay was not. For better or for worse, this allowed him to take support from the Huk leadership. The next year, the last leader of the rebellion surrendered and the Huk Insurgency was considered ended. Nevertheless, Communists continued to work in the shadows of both the Philippines and the United States. In the decades to come, they would make another appearance in both nations as the long war against the Global Left continued without an end in sight.
Americans and Filipinos Take the Fight To Them
As the Communist plague spread, the Red Menace threatened to consume the Korean people. The Russians and Chinese Communists aided what would become North Korea, while Americans and Filipinos both rushed to defend the South. The Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea fought alongside Americans from the U.S. 1st Calvary Division and multiple Infantry Divisions. The first battle ever won by Filipinos on foreign soil would be the Battle of Miudong. Other notable actions of Filipino forces in Korea included the Battles of Yultong and Hill Eerie. With their aid, the Communist forces were held at bay and the Korean people in the South were saved.
A Filipino unit in Korea during the Battle of Yultong
In the 1960s, Americans and Filipinos would find themselves together on the front lines against Communists in Vietnam. While no Filipino units would be involved directly in combat during this confrontation, the Philippine Civic Action Group-Vietnam would provide significant humanitarian aid to American and anti-communist, South Vietnamese forces throughout the war. Their efforts saved many lives in the form of medical care and provisions of other basic necessities. Unfortunately, the American effort was marred from the very beginning. With the war being started by a false flag, the Americans not coordinating well enough with anti-communist Vietnamese, and communist subversives beginning to take root in American society, darkness was able to keep its hold and push out all semblance of light.
The Cold War would continue with Communism and other Leftist offshoots spreading all over the world. In 1989, the Russian Communist regime out of Moscow suffered significant setbacks with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, forcing an eventual reorganization under what would become known as National Bolshevism, combining old Russian Communism with new ideas to revitalize the movement. However, the Chinese Communists were able to survive this period and make significant inroads in the Philippines and the United States. Meanwhile, Leftist denominations already seeded in America, the Philippines, as well as other parts of the world would continue to take root and grow. This would lead to enduring problems in both our countries felt to this day.
Lessons Learned Again
Despite the wealth of history between America and the Philippines, mistakes of the past were repeated during this era. The Americans made the mistake of disarming Filipino civilians during the Philippine-American War, only justifying the belief that Americans were enemies in the eyes of the people. Then, the government of Manila made the same mistake in expecting the people of Luzon to surrender their small arms.
Both cultures should have learned from the past. The Americans of that time should have known better from our history with the British. Likewise, the Filipinos in Manila should have known better from their history with Americans. Yet, so often people fail to learn the lessons they are supposed to from our history.
Also, we can learn from the failures of the Americans and Filipinos of the Cold War era to stop Communist subversion and infiltration into our current societies, as well as the complete overlooking of the Communist Chinese threat. Institutions of power across American and Filipino society were ceded by Christians to Leftists, eventually leading to a generation of professing Christians who were more catechized by a secular worldview than by the Word of God. Also, many leaders were foolish in their thinking they could work with Chinese Communists to counter the Soviet Union, fostering ties that would be used to undermine society after the fall of the USSR.
Forging Ahead Together
U.S. Marines hand over Cubi Point Naval Base to the Philippines in 1992
Today, America and the Philippines have an old, mature relationship. We have grown together for a long time across many generations. This provides us with a great foundation to work together, but as with any relationship, there is always the risk of strain and growing cold if we forget how God brought us together in the first place. Nefarious actors that we have allowed to take root in our societies, to the disobedience of God’s commandment to drive out the evil from among us, will also always try to use our past struggles as a reason to drive us apart rather than a reason to bring us closer together.
After the end of the Soviet Union, the threats our two nations faced from without and within did not end. However, many Americans and Filipinos put their guard down as if such threats had indeed ceased. A good Christian should know that such dangers shall never be at an end until the return of our Lord, and we must remain ever vigilant until then. Thus, as we press forward into this new era, we must carry with us a love for God, a love for one another, a love for our history, and a love for our future. Forgetting those things, we have already surrendered to the Adversary and his minions.
US Navy and Philippine Navy ships sailing together in 2005
Looking back on the relationship between America and the Philippines, I cannot help but be inspired. We have struggled together and against one another, yet throughout all that time, there were Americans and Filipinos who tried to stay faithful to God and one another. Such unity is the mark of the Holy Spirit, and it is an ever-present reminder to me to endure with hope through all the struggles of this earth. That, and the several friendships I have had with Filipinos over the years, led me to write this poem a while back. I am glad to finally bring it to the Public Domain. This is “Family Found and Forged” by Louis Martinez.
A bond neither side asked for Born by circumstance rather than choice A brother and sister bound in war A knot the world most surely did foist
And trouble comes for all such bands Just as brothers clash and sisters claw A house divided cannot stand The wicked long for lines to draw
Yet family always comes back together Growing stronger than ever apart A new bond that God has tethered Preparing as temples both nations' hearts
Strong ties prepare us for new foes To serve God with fervor and love To fight His enemies wherever they go And give glory to our Lord above
Yet Satan never ceases his plans Always scheming to break family away New foes rise within as devil's hands Yet faithful brothers always take the day
God bless America and the Philippines We trust our Lord with all we are Darkness of days past we have both seen Yet the Lord has carried us both this far
Now Satan's agents rise once more Preparing a new scourge upon the land Yet the Lord's chosen shall triumph as before Striking down our enemies at His command
This is an AABB poem I wrote that contemplates the new year on the horizon and how every day is a blessing from the Lord. Each day brings with it new opportunities to serve the Lord in all we do. Also, we are called to always be ready for calamity and hardship, both in season and out. For we never know when calamity may come upon us, and the Lord teaches us it comes like a thief in the night to those who are unprepared. Yet, to those who follow the Lord, no hardship comes as a surprise. For the man following the Lord knows he is promised trouble throughout all his days, and any respite is but a fleeting moment.
One year's end marks another's start So begins another chance to chase God's heart For chase as one might on this side of life There is not to catch but a bit more strife
For never are we done with that grueling race The task set before us upon the earth's face We run till we die and are called home Only at our last breath do we then cease to roam
A new year unto us is as a new day A blessing we recieve each in its own way For each new day is yet a chance to do good And with each year God endures more than He should
For the Lord is patient with those of the world Wanting each to be spared from His wrath unfurled Thus, He waits long for each one to repent Until the day comes when He can no longer relent
Thus should we be as patient as our Lord Not being so quick to draw out our sword But being ready for battle when the day comes On the day we are called by the Lord's war drums
And no man does know when that day shall be For the Father reveals it not to anyone's plea Thus always must His warriors be ready to fight So the day shall not come as a thief in the night
We approach this year's end as we do any others Ready to do good to ourselves and our brothers May we test not the Lord with inaction or pride For then in vain would His Son have died
The first snow falls are a magical time
When all tranquility comes down
The winds start to sing through silver chimes
As the world dons it ivory gown
A quiet peace fills all the air
A sense of calm that stills all thoughts
Cold washes the earth in a lucious white glare
Meditation it beckons and exhorts
Some moan and complain this time of year
They grumble against the Lord
They see not why this time is most dear
Nor why it is a blessing long stored
For it is a time of great peace and joy
When the birds have flown away
All the bugs have died that used to annoy
Wintertime keeps all nuisance at bay
It is a time for reflection and thought
A time to remind us of ourselves
A peace always sought that can never be bought
A change of mind it compels
A change of mind, it does demand
Yet still do we choose what it shall be
Not all who it calls do understand
Not all touched by winter choose to be free
All seasons are a blessing from the Lord For He is the Author of all creation Each time is crafted with unique rewards Unseen by those apart from salvation
Earlier this year, I started studying the use of the knife. I have carried one for as long as I can remember; twice as long as I have carried a gun. It was during some of my earliest memories when I first picked up the weapon, as knives are cheap and readily accessible. However, I never committed any time to serious training and study of its use. Instead, I focused entirely on training unarmed techniques during my early childhood and adolescence, and then on the use of a firearm during my early adulthood.
For a long time, I reasoned that my grappling skills would carry me in the use of a knife. I thought it would be more important for me to focus on training my unarmed and firearms skills since those were more likely to be used in my mind. This, I realize from further study, was a foolish assumption. However, I was a child looking for excuses – something I have been trying to humble myself of as of late.
There are situations where unarmed techniques and firearms would not be useful or effective, such as against multiple unarmed attackers or a drug-enhanced enemy who has closed the distance. In those situations, hands are insufficient; and a firearm can be dropped, jammed, or prevented from leaving the holster by the nature of hand-to-hand encounters. Thus, skill with a knife is not only important but absolutely essential.
Differing Teachings
One thing that puzzled me for a time was the seemingly contradictory information given by different teachers who had written on the subject of knife combat. I had read from men who certainly had the experience to speak confidently on the subject who also claimed that a forward grip was better than a reverse grip and that the knife hand should always be in front. Meanwhile, I read testimony from experts who swore the opposite; that a reverse grip was superior and that the knife hand should be kept in the back, using the support hand in front to distract or trap the enemy.
This confounded me at first. I was left wondering how men who have the experience to speak with authority on the topic of knife combat could assert things that were blatantly contradictory. If they were engaged in the same activity, should they not come to the same conclusions? Was one group of teachers right and another wrong? If so, then who, and how to determine this?
In retrospect, the reason for differing expert opinions is obvious. Of course, different experts have different backgrounds, experiences, preferences, and priorities. As one would expect, in the realm of concise statements and articles stripped down to the bare details, these different perspectives can come off as lacking in appreciation for the products of dissimilar experiences.
Some Examples
If one prefers blades three inches or less in length, he will probably prefer a reverse grip. This is because you cannot cut effectively with such a small blade and will be limited to thrusting. Thus, there is not much point in holding the knife in a forward grip, as you can put more power behind thrusts with a reverse grip.
If one prefers blades four inches or greater in length, he will probably favor a forward grip. This is because a forward grip allows good thrusts while also enabling the user to cut effectively. Thrusts will not be as powerful with a forward grip, but this matters little. A sharp knife unimpeded by armor will thrust through a human just fine, provided the user knows how to bypass bone structures like the rib cage.
If one finds it more important to train for edged weapon versus edged weapon scenarios, he will probably find a knifehand-in-front stance to be superior. This allows one to keep the blade in between him and his enemy, and so the enemy must come through the blade to get to him. The goal in such encounters is what is sometimes called “defanging the snake,” meaning one attacks the weapon hand of the enemy from the furthest possible distance away. If successful, the enemy’s use of the edged weapon is disabled while remaining outside the range of his attacks.
If one finds it more important to train for using an edged weapon against multiple unarmed attackers, a more powerful attacker, or attackers armed with blunt weapons, etc., then he will probably find a knifehand-in-back stance to be superior. This is because there is less concern about a blunt weapon or firearm causing immediate damage upon contact. Blunt weapons need momentum, and firearms must be pointed at the target while firing. Thus, the goal in these encounters is to neutralize the enemy as quickly as possible, and the support hand can be used to obstruct his weapon’s movements with less fear of being hurt compared to an edged weapon.
Additional Lessons Learned
One important takeaway from the differing perspectives of supposed experts is the necessity of empathy. That is, understanding why a man says what he says and not just what he is saying. It can be easy to fall into the trap of one’s own biases and assume someone of a different perspective to be wrong, yet this may be an error if that alternate perspective is well-founded. If we can understand why that person came to a different perspective, we may discover something useful for ourselves. However, if we close ourselves off from that possibility altogether, we become victims of our own overconfidence.
That is not to say it is never the case that someone has a different perspective because he is wrong. Of course, this can happen often, especially if we are doing our due diligence in assessing information. That is why we must test such persons to see if what they assert is good or not. Assume neither, but test fairly. Find what works for you and why, and let it be what does not.
Some Truths to Be Acknowledged
Opinions of different experts aside, there are some truths I did unravel from studying their competing viewpoints.
Firstly, a competent martial artist will acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, as well as the relevant scenarios where each would be favored. As mentioned, there are ways in which a forward grip outperforms a reverse grip and vice-versa, and there are situations where each is preferable to the other. A wise martial artist understands this and speaks accordingly. A foolish one will likely try to sell you the idea that his way is best and any other is invalid. Nevertheless, the foolish martial artist may still have something to teach you. Being foolish in one way does not necessarily imply foolishness in others. Thus, it is always prudent to listen.
Another important thing I learned from all this is the value of carrying multiple weapons for different scenarios and training for the application of each. This is paramount. A forward grip may be superior in most circumstances due to its greater reach and sufficient thrusting capability. Yet, you still may be forced to use a reverse grip by the circumstances. One may need to switch from a back stance to a front stance mid-fight, or vice-versa, if the enemy changes his weapon of choice. Therefore, these are all scenarios one should train and prepare for, since failing to be trained and prepared for them, if and when they do happen, could mean the failure to respond appropriately. You may find an improvised weapon in the area that is suitable to your needs just as you need it, but you also may not.
Lastly, a longer blade is better overall, except in one aspect: deployment. Shorter blades are more reliable to deploy from their sheaths, but you should use as long a blade as you can deploy under pressure. Four to six inches (~ 10 to 15 cm) is recommended. If a blade is shorter than four inches, it may not be able to instantly incapacitate an enemy. That inability could cost you your life against a group of attackers, or against one enhanced by drugs. However, if the blade is longer than six inches, it may require extra space you don’t have to deploy it from the sheath. A blade under six inches can be removed from the sheath even if you are pressed up against a wall with no space to move.
Obviously, folding knives require fine motor skills to deploy, and fine motor skills are severely diminished under stress. Thus, they are not recommended for counter-ambush scenarios that typically characterize self-defense. I still carry a folding knife every day for utility purposes, but not for counter-ambush. Any competent martial artist will recommend you carry a fixed-blade knife, as it can be deployed using gross motor skills. If you live somewhere you cannot carry a fixed-blade knife, that is a major red flag and you should probably move. Don’t set down roots in a place where the government may become your main enemy in the near future. Get out while it’s still easy.
Glory to God
As in all things, I give thanks to God for the chance to glorify Him in all that I am. For all that exists was created by Him and was given to us for the purpose of glorifying Him (Romans 11:36). With that in mind, I give thanks to God for the training of my hands for war and my fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). For the Lord is my strength and my defense (Exodus 15:2). It is a blessing to be able to study and learn the skills of a warrior. For we are called to emulate God (1 Corinthians 11:1), and God is the greatest warrior of all (Exodus 15:3).
I have been working through my commentary on the book of Psalms. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and the one I have found to be the easiest to commentate on. After all, it is essentially a commentary of David’s on the events of his life. This poem is modeled after a common thread I noticed running through many of the Psalms. David would inquire of God, asking where He is and why He is waiting to act. Then, David would request the Lord’s aid in battle, praying for God to vent His wrath upon our enemies. Ultimately, David would always finish his prayer with praise and by yielding to God’s will, regardless of what the Lord decided.
How long must we wait, oh Lord? We wait for your justice to rain How long shall the wicked be ignored? How long must we fight in vain?
The wicked reign from their towers on high Wreaking havoc on the righteous with their schemes How many more innocent by their hands must die? How long will you endure our screams?
Rise up and strike them, my Lord Crush the teeth in their mouths Lash their backs with your heavenly sword Smash them all into a rout
Lead us, oh Lord, into righteous battle Let us ride against the enemy together May your victory be ours in total For we are your warriors who serve your pleasure
We await your beck and call, my Lord We patiently wait for your appointed time Our obedience is your reward For You, my Lord, are eternally sublime
No matter how long we wait, my Lord Our patience in You shall never waiver As long as it takes to hear You roar Each day of pain only makes us braver
Each day refines us more and more Until we are ready to be called Sanctified, we are put in store Until the day of heaven's assault
Today is American Independence Day again. We celebrate this day each year in remembrance of the Declaration of Independence – the document dated July 4th, 1776. So long after the event, it is not uncommon for participants to contemplate what this time means to us today, and why it is important to remember. In so doing, I recall God’s promises throughout Scripture about the blessings of obedience to His Way; the curses for disobedience; and the restoration for returning to Him (Deuteronomy 28:1-30:10).
God tells us He will leave evil in this world so His people may be tested to see if we will follow His Way (Judges 2:20-23). Through these experiences, each generation comes to know suffering, hardship, and war. Each generation is tested to see if it will turn to the Lord, or from Him. Thus, each generation of Americans has been tested in its own way. From the Americans who fought against the British and their proxies in Canada and the Native tribes. To the Americans who fought against the Muslim slavers of the Ottoman Empire’s client states, and the Confederate slavers of the anti-Constitutionalist South. To the Americans who fought against a unified Germany, and against the communist schemes of the Russians and Chinese. To the Americans who still fight against socialist subversives at home and abroad to this day, we are all tested in one way or another.
To me, this day is a reminder that the walk with the Lord is a way of constant struggle. When one evil power is vanquished, another rises to take its place. Thus, each generation must be prepared for when the day comes to answer God’s call. For we never know what tomorrow will bring, and victory belongs to the vigilant. This poem orates my thoughts on this day, and what it beckons me to remember.
All fall short of God's glory And thus all deserve to pay To suffer eternally Never knowing one good day
To sin against God on high An eternal crime for sure All of us deserve to die There is not one who is pure
Yet God is full of mercy His temper is slow to rise And His grace grants clemency A hope that brightens our eyes
By His side we are renewed Lifted up and made to fight All as He would have us do To stand as beacons of light
Then God's wrath is turned from us After we have turned to Him No more are we treasonous No more shall we be so grim
His wrath now holds our foes still Cutting them down with the sword We are agents of His will The instruments of our Lord
The path to Him is fearsome
Not traveled by the weary
At times it can be lonesome
But leads to times most cheery
Happy American Independence Day to all. A blessed day to those who live in America and share in its defense, and to our friends abroad who stand by our side and in the shade of our shield. May we all stand strong together against the enemies of the Lord, whenever and wherever they come. For standing alone, we may be overcome one by hand, divided and conquered by the Adversary. Yet standing together, united as one, we shall weather any test God gives us (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
It’s been a while since I’ve done any creative or scholarly writing. I hadn’t felt any inspiration or compelling motivation for the past few months to write anything outside of work. However, I attended some live music a week ago, and that seemed to be all I needed to get my ideas flowing again. This is an ABAB poem inspired by a specific verse from the book of Exodus chapter 15, verse 3: “The LORD is a man of war; JEHOVAH is His name.” As I wrote this, several other notable Scriptures naturally worked their way in.
The Lord is a man of war And Jehovah is His name Forever He will endure Never is He mocked or shamed
Blessed is His great nation We answer with faith and trust Our Lord of all creation He who made us from the dust
Though the devil plots and plans Satan's schemes so unending The righteous are God's firm hands Never do we cease fighting
Though weary we may become Always shall we find our rest United we are as one The Lord calls for nothing less
The devil gives rest to none His people are run ragged They spurn all the Lord has done In their sin they fall rabid
Praise the Lion of Judah He rules with an iron rod Our commander, Jehovah Praise to our Almighty God
Blessed be the Lord, my strength Who teaches my hands for war For Him, I go any length Just to hear His mighty roar
Being so busy recently has reminded me of how fond I am of simple days where not much happens. Those times when life is predictable are often more rewarding than days filled with excitement. After all, excitement brings with it uncertainty, and thus, fear. But certainty gives a sense of peace. The significance of that feeling is not lost on me.
This poem expresses my contemplation of the sweetness of simplicity and how those uneventful days can be the most rewarding. It trailed off into other associated thoughts of why this might be. That led to my realization of how I long for what I do not currently have. After all, I have craved the opposite before, and I wondered why that was. Thus, this poem turned out to be more of an exercise in free association than anything focused on a specific theme.
Great peril do some hearts consume
The rush of hazard and challenge
The relief of escaping doom
On the edge of danger's talons
But what a way is that to live?
To barely keep one's grip on life
Unsure of what each day will give
Each morn delivering new strife
The simple days I find the best
With peace aplenty to be found
The sweet touch of a good day's rest
The drums of doom silent and bound
Respite from our woeful story
All the sweeter is peace reclaimed
More than the taste of victory
Or are the two one in the same?
For what is peace if not reward?
Reward for battles fought and won
Is not peace what triumph affords?
The gift earned for a job well done
All I know is for what I long
And that oft does change day by day
For rest can again make us strong
Yet strength unused does fade away
Oh, how I long for simple days
When it seems they do elude me
What the heart misses, it does praise
So sweet is that we do not see
I have finally made it to 100 posts on the Pensive Warrior, and it is a fitting time for the occasion. I wonder if it is just a coincidence this milestone was met with the new year just around the corner. I always seem to be finishing or starting something big just as the year comes to an end. Perhaps it is only natural that a sense of finality hangs in the air come the new year, as it is a symbolic time for ends and beginnings.
I am quite pleased with how this blog has come along. I have been quite busy over the past few months and have struggled to put out content as consistently as I have before. However, that is a good thing for me, as it is always a blessing to be busy. Also, if I were not so busy, my 100th post would not have come right on the eve of the new year! And if that had not occurred, I might not have been in the right mood or mind for such a post. As such, I think things worked out just as they should’ve, and I certainly wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Earliest Days
When I first started this blog, I was an unbeliever, but also an empiricist. I did not have faith in God because He had never proven His existence to me. However, I did believe in empirical evidence; pattern recognition. I still do. Thus, I always recognized the Bible would not be something people held to be true across time and space; across cataclysms that defined separate eras where culture was disconnected from one end to the other if there was not something truthful to it. If it were untrue – nothing more than a creation of man as an unbeliever would typically assert – then it would have fallen out of favor across cultures as all man-made philosophies do that clash with objective truth. That which is true, or hints at the truth somehow, stands the test of time.
And having been familiar with Biblical theology from a young age, as well as studying the theology of other major religions to compare and contrast them, I always maintained I agreed with the teachings of the Bible since they stand up to the scrutiny of a natural-law perspective where others don’t. And even when I was an unbeliever, I maintained I wouldn’t want to live in a world filled with people who don’t believe in or follow God. Morality cannot exist a priori – meaning it cannot be deductive and thus requires a lawgiver, lest morality devolve into a matter of opinion and defeat the purpose of its existence. Thus, a world where belief in a lawgiver such as God is lacking – a world of unbelief – invariably becomes a world characterized by a ruthless disregard for all that is good. History shows this play out time and time again in a neverending repeat of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (e.g., Ancient Persia, Ancient Rome, Revolutionary France, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, Communist China, etc.).
With my background in psychology, I understand the concept of socialization. That is, people learn and acquire behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs from those they socialize with. We model ourselves after the models we surround ourselves with, or are surrounded by. In wanting to ensure I socialized others around me to be and do something valuable with the talents they possess, I sought to use my talent for writing to create something both enjoyable and valuable for others pro bono. That way, through no expectation of anything in return, I might give something out to the world worth giving. Somewhere along the way, I discovered my faith in God after delving deeper into His Word and establishing a relationship with Him. Since then, my desire to give something worthwhile to the world with the gift of writing God gave me has only grown. To that end, I have no plans to cease.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Moving forward, I do expect my writing career to get even busier. Nevertheless, I do still plan to post here indefinitely and as often as possible. Though, whereas I was able to post every week consistently in the past, I doubt I will be able to continue doing so without changing things a bit. I have been hesitant to post poetry regularly in the past because I do still enjoy posting articles about history, important figures, and other ideas; and I didn’t want to seem repetitive. I posted poetry often when I ran out of time because it is quick and easy to produce.
From now on, I will seek to post something once a week as intended. However, I will not be shy about posting poetry multiple weeks in a row anymore. I do want to keep original content posted regularly on this blog, and that means I will have to scale back on the articles I post here as I take on other writing responsibilities in my career. I think I shall focus more on hybrid article-poems like this blog post I wrote about the actions of John Paul Jones at the Battle of Flamborough Head. I enjoyed the style of briefly covering the events and then transitioning into a poem about them. This combined the quick turnaround of poetry-focused content with the intrigue of history and tradition.
With that said, here’s a poem I wrote contemplating the future and how we keep moving forward day by day in spite of great darkness all around us.
Every day tests our will and heart Our will to survive and push on And the heart's resistance to pain We lie in longing for the dawn
What is it that drives us onward? To reach for new heights never reached? That urge to always be greater And breach all those bounds not yet breached
It is the Lord our God in us Working through us with His Spirit To live the life we were made for A life defying death's limit
The Pensive Warrior 