June 14 is designated as America’s official Flag Day. Admit it. You didn’t know that did you? Don’t go running to your calendars either. It’s there; it just hasn’t been exploited yet by card or chocolate companies. If the flag companies were smarter, they would figure out some witty marketing to inspire people and increase sales. No matter. What’s important is what it stands for.
Most of us know some of the basic history of the flag—Betsy Ross sewed it, it used to have fewer stars, and the red, white, and blue colors have significance (which you can look up on Wikipedia). What I find interesting is our fascination with it. It’s my belief that the flag is vital to our country not just for what it stands for but because it’s one of the few things that brings our diverse culture together. It’s one of those few things that we can all stand behind, pledge to, and honor. I believe it’s important to say the pledge of allegiance to our flag for this reason—we are a people made up of so many different cultures, traditions, beliefs, colors, religions, etc. and we need something that weaves all of us together as one nation. And that one thing is our flag.
May I suggest that you think about the flag today? Think about what it means to you. Think about the men and women who have fought for the ideals it represents. Think about the fact that our national anthem—the Star Spangled Banner—is a song about our flag. There’s a great story behind the lyrics to that song and how important it was for the writer to see the flag still standing after a massive attack on American soil. Look it up and find out more about US history.
Happy Flag Day!
I, Grendel, pledge allegiance...
Back when I worked at Camp Tockwogh, we liked to sing songs with the kids. One song had the lyrics, “I’m going lion hunting. And I’m not afraid…” At the end of the song, when we face the lion, we run back through the streams, grass, and marshes and admit we were afraid. Why all this talk of the lion hunting song? Because I just read a fantastic book called, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. I hope he doesn’t mind, but I’m going to talk about it today.
The book is about taking risks, dreaming big, and putting your trust in God. Its premise is based on one little line in scripture that could easily be overlooked and is so ho-hum in its delivery that it’s almost comical. 2 Samuel 23:20 says, “Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab’s best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.” Seriously, it’s almost like an afterthought. Oh, yeah and there’s this guy who was really cool and oh yeah, he chased a meat-eating animal that weighed a few hundred pounds and could kill him with one swipe of his claw into an area where they were both trapped and the ground was slippery. I bet the ladies loved him.
In his book, Batterson truly inspires. He’s really got me ramped up to think BIG dreams and to ask God for HUGE requests. God is God; He can deliver on anything, so why not ask? I know that He has a plan for me (and for you, too; I haven’t forgotten about you, dear reader). I also know that I haven’t the foggiest idea why I’m in the situation I’m in right now. No job in the middle of a terrible recession. As Batterson says, we have unanswerable questions and unexplainable experiences. God uses us in ways we just can’t see right now. Since I’m impatient I really hope He gets on with it so I can get paid to be useful.
Batterson reminds us that children live in limitless worlds. I love hearing the dreams of my nephews and nieces. I’m going to be a Jedi knight, or an astronaut, or a vet, or an Olympian. Over the years however, we let the enemy destroy our dreams. If we go back to being like children with God—no hidden agendas, no pride, no inhibition—we can dream big, ask God, and believe.
So for now I’m going to try to do what Batterson suggests. To live a life that is worth telling stories about—which would probably make this blog a lot more interesting. I’m going to accumulate experiences, not possessions—like the pooping baboon story Batterson mentions in his book.
And I’m going to ask ridiculous prayers. Prayers like the one mentioned in the book. In 2 Kings 6:5-7, a guy loses an ax head and they pray for it to come out of the water and it does. That actually reminds me of the time at camp when the waterfront staff was really excited about a mighty magnet we ordered. This magnet was going to help us retrieve all the tools we kept losing in the Chesapeake Bay. The magnet was a mighty let-down. Guess we should have tried Elisha’s prayer.
One final thing about what Batterson wrote (and there is sooooo much more that’s interesting and inspiring in this book). He says that if we don’t like what’s out there—art, literature, entertainment, businesses, etc., then we need to stop criticizing and start creating it. We need to write better books, make better movies, and start better schools and businesses. We need to offer better alternatives. I totally agree Mark! Thanks so much for writing a great book. Obviously I recommend it and it can be found on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Lion-Snowy-Day-Opportunity/dp/1590527151.
Right then! I’m off to create…well, something. And remember, “Those who hear not the music think the dancer is mad.” Faith is like that. Jump in and see what happens!
Have you ever had an experience where you just scratched your head and said, “Did that just happen?” As I was walking Grendel on the beach yesterday, this kid shouts to me from about 50 feet away and says, “Hey lady, you want to buy some rocks?” Um, not so much, thanks anyway, kid.
At first I thought he was a bit crazy. Seriously, who tries to sell people rocks? But as I continued my walk, I thought, it takes some serious cohunes to walk up to strangers and ask if they would like to buy rocks. The kid has what it takes to be a great salesman. But if he wants to really succeed, he’s going to need some basic marketing skills.
First, he needs to consider location—or place. Women in bathing suits walking their dogs on the beach are not likely to be able to pull out a credit card or cash. Maybe in the crowded public beaches during the high season, but not on a private deserted beach. Kid, get your product where the people are and in places and situations where they can buy your glorious rocks.
Second, he needs to finesse his message. What’s in it for me? That is what customers want to know, especially if you are trying to sell rocks. What makes your rocks so great that I am going to feel like I can’t do without them?
Third, he may want to consider the kind of product he is selling. I’m guessing his rocks aren’t the kind that women wear on their ring fingers. If you have a unique product that is easily understood by the public, you may have a gold mine and could be first to market—a great way to get in early and build strong brand recognition. If you’re going to pick a commodity, you’re going to have to set yourself apart some other way. Price may not be a good way to do that. Do you wrap your rocks in really cool packaging? Do you provide exceptional customer service when someone has a question or problem with your rocks?
These are important things to consider in your marketing strategy. I hope that kid learns these things and keeps his talent for asking for the sale. Who knows, he may eventually move on to selling ice to eskimos.
From the Observation Deck 
