All this week, Independence Day has been celebrated in various ways across my community in Midwestern America. Watching a fireworks show last night made me nostalgic for a time that has not yet transpired, but which I look forward to most dearly. A time when I will join with all those American Christians who haveContinue reading “Independence Day: July 4th, 2025”
Category Archives: History and Origins
Heroes From History: Miles Standish
Miles Standish was one of the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Rock, a British colony that would be a progenitor to the United States of America. He was a kind and courageous warrior. Standish was known for fighting against evil, yet never allowing appearances to beguile him away from righteousness. When life beckoned him to fulfillContinue reading “Heroes From History: Miles Standish”
Iconic Weapons: Stiletto
The stiletto is a classic weapon that may have evolved from the rondel dagger, or “dagger of mercy,” used by knights in the Middle Ages to penetrate armor and finish downed opponents. Thus, it seems to be somewhat of a scaled down version of a rondel dagger, often featuring an unsharpened blade that could beContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: Stiletto”
Merry Christmas 2024
The Advent season is the time leading up to the celebration of Christmas. By this time, it is Christmas Eve where I am, the day just before. During this time, we ponder the faithfulness of our Lord in not leaving us to our doom, fulfilling the promise to send us a Savior from the veryContinue reading “Merry Christmas 2024”
America (Extended Version)
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 addContinue reading “America (Extended Version)”
Family Found and Forged
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 beenContinue reading “Family Found and Forged”
The Hero with No Name
This is a ballad I am working on to tell the tale of John of Austria (1547-1578), also known as Don Juan de Austria. Born out of wedlock, he was the son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the half-brother of King Phillip II of Spain. He was a brave and enduring man, scornedContinue reading “The Hero with No Name”
The Happy Warrior: A Haiku Series
The story of Wojtek the Bear was such an inspiring and wholesome story that I felt it only fitting to add a poetry post on the topic. Seeing as Wojtek was a soldier, I felt it most fitting to write a haiku series. Since haiku was developed by the warrior samurai as a form ofContinue reading “The Happy Warrior: A Haiku Series”
Heroes From History: Wojtek the Bear
Wojtek – meaning “Happy Warrior” in Polish – was a Syrian brown bear who was enlisted in the Polish Army during the Second World War. He was the only non-human to ever receive an enlisted position with an official rank and payroll in a human military, at least during WWII, and potentially ever. Wojtek wasContinue reading “Heroes From History: Wojtek the Bear”
The Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a major engagement of the Pacific War during World War II which resulted in the Japanese Navy ceasing all offensive operations for the rest of the conflict. From October 23-26, 1944, American, Australian, and Filipino forces battled against the Empire of Japan for control of the Philippines. Their goalContinue reading “The Battle of Leyte Gulf”
The Pensive Warrior 