The Heal the Wounded Spirit website was established in 2008 following the publication of, healing of
a violated spirit. The primary focus was survivors of sexual and spiritual abuse and the impact on the marriage relationship.
By God’s leading, Heal the Wounded Spirit has expanded. It now includes revival of patriotism in America. The 21st century view of patriotism pales in comparison to the early Patriots’ understanding of patriotism. What was once an important part of a person’s identity and character has been redefined (minimized) to a mere feeling.
Patriotism n. Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country,
either in defending it from invasion, or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws
and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen,
the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen.
Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828
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Patriotism n. Love for or devotion to one’s country.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, copyright 2004
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George Washington understood the importance of being a good citizen, a Patriot, and a person of faith.
“While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly
ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of
Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”
General George Washington, May 2, 1778
Addressing the troops following the winter at Valley Forge
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Peter Marshall, Senate Chaplin 1947-1949, understood that liberty is precious, costly, and involves responsibility of doing what is right before God.
“Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that
shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too
precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Help us see that our
liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right.”
Peter Marshall before the U. S. Senate, Senate Chaplin 1947-1949
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Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States, understood the importance of Faith & Freedom.
“If we ever forget that we are one nation under God,
we will be a nation gone under.”
Ronald Reagan
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Without faith, we have no freedom. Without freedom we are doomed to live in bondage.
Welcome to the Heal the Wounded Spirit Website. I’m Shelley G. Jones
- Patriotic Knitter – “Knit (create U.S. made items) for the Revival of Patriotism!”
- Designer of the Faith & Freedom Prayer Shawl
- Survivor of sexual, spiritual, and emotional abuse
- Author of healing of a violated spirit
Heal the Wounded Spirit’s logo is Crocuses.
Crocuses are a delicate flower, yet amazingly resilient. In late winter, Crocuses immerge from the cold ground and bloom! Like Crocuses, survivors of abuse are resilient. Like Crocuses, Americans have always been, and always will be, resilient.
Survivors of abuse and the spirit of America may seem to have little in common. But there are connecting links. Each is in conflict. Each bears deep woundedness. Each is fighting for survival. Each is in need of prayer and healing.
Inspiration for the patriotic portion of the Heal the Wounded Spirit website comes from the
4th verse of the Star Spangled Banner - words rarely sung – words giving God the glory for preserving America as a nation in the War of 1812 – the Second War for Independence.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Francis Scott Key, “Star Spangled Banner” 4th verse – 1814
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In 1814, Francis Scott Key was an eyewitness and survivor of the 25 hour
bombardment against Fort McHenry. Miraculously, the fort survived.
The Stars & Stripes survived. And in the aftermath of the battle, Key penned
words on the back of an envelope – words that would eventually become
America’s National Anthem.
Inclement weather made the fighting more arduous. The Stars & Stripes –
the storm flag measuring 25’ by 17' – though battered by cannon fire, wind,
and rain – majestically flew above the rampart. But as the British ships sailed away in shameful defeat, Major George Armistead ordered the massive garrison flag – the 42’ by 30’ flag - to be raised on the 90’ pole.
Men sang “Yankee Doodle” – a taunting ridicule to the British sailors. They fired their guns – played cadences on drums - celebrated in a similar manner as the Patriots celebrated when the British soldiers surrendered following the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
One hundred and seventeen years later, in 1931, the United States Congress by congressional act made the Star Spangled Banner the official National Anthem of the United States. The song had previously been adopted by the Army and Navy. By this act of congress, God is anchored in America’s heritage.
Yet, the actual Star Spangled Banner - the flag accepted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 – the flag of the United States of America of which we sing, is NOT protected by congressional act.
In 1968, the U.S. Congress passed the Flag Desecration Act making it illegal to “knowingly” cast “contempt” upon any flag of the United States by publicly “mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it." In 1990, this act of Congress was overruled by the Supreme Court – judges who deemed desecration of the American Flag to be a person’s right of free-speech.
On July 27, 2006, the U.S. Senate (for the second time) failed to pass a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the American Flag. The vote was 66-34 - one vote short of passing. This failure by the Senate to protect the Flag of the United States continues to make the “right” of a person’s “free speech” more important than the most treasured symbol of liberty - the American Flag.
Without congressional protection, the American Flag is vulnerable – an item (or victim) that can, and, is being abused. And, as the flag of the United States of America bears the violation, the people of America bear the woundedness.
The Stars & Stripes has flown high in many wars – survived acts of terrorism.
But no war or terrorist attack has threatened all that the American Flag stands for
more than the war America is now engaged in – a Moral, Ethical, Cultural, and
Spiritual War. It is a War that has been inflamed by many judges and legislators –
the same people who pledged to uphold the Constitution yet instead have taken
the faith of America’s Founding Fathers and made it the sin of the land.
Across the country, school children are learning less and less of the American
Flag – its history – the sacrifices made – the heartfelt, undying respect it has held
for generations. Many do not say the Pledge of Allegiance or are allowed to
express their faith. Far too frequently, children are not experiencing or learning of
patriotism. More and more generations of children are being estranged from their
heritage.
The Patriots of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 verbalized freedom in
song. Singing, playing the fife and drums, moral, and victory went hand in hand –
“United we stand, divided we fall” (The Liberty Song 1768) – “Let tyrants shake their
iron rod…., We fear them not, We trust in God” (Chester 1775) - “Yankee Doodle,
keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy” (Yankee Doodle Revolutionary War) - "Still shall the Banner of the King of Heaven never advance where I'm afraid to follow" (Bunker Hill or The American Hero, Revolutionary War) -“Firm, united let us be, rallying ‘round our liberty” (Hail Columbia 1798) - “And this be our
motto: In God is our trust” (Star Spangled Banner, 1814).
On the front lines of battle, flag bearers valiantly led brigades of Minutemen. Despite the smoky clouds of gunfire, the Stars and Stripes remained the object that inspired them to fight. The Flag connected each man with their new identity – freemen – free from England’s oppressive rule. And for this liberty, they fought and died.
As flag bearers were killed, a comrade grasped the pole and continued the charge forward - the cause of freedom must not die! Always the war cry – “trample the jackboot!”
From the War for Independence (1776) throughout World War II (1945), an ever-growing patriotic spirit was anchored and flourished in America. Following WWII, new words began creeping into America’s vocabulary – “separation of church and state” - “political correctness” – “tolerance.” As these terms took root, the sounds and voices of patriotism began to quiet.
In 2001, following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, an outward expression of patriotism surged. The American Flag was flown on homes, schools, vehicles, and businesses. We sang patriotic songs. We prayed. Sadly, this visible and heartfelt passion for America was short lived.
It is time that we hold the Stars and Stripes high, honor and protect it. It is time we sing patriotic songs in our schools, colleges, and churches – play patriotic music daily on radio and television instead of just on holidays. It is time we revive patriotism in a manner that honors the Patriots of America’s past.
It is time we read the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are clearly written – short in length - easy to read and interpret.
It is time we stop believing judges and elected officials who so freely declare the intent of our Founding Father while offering no documentation in support of their decisions.
It is time we hold elected officials and especially judges accountable. The Constitution IS the foundation of the United States – it was never intended to be a document that “evolves.” Per the Constitution, judges may serve only as long as they show “good behavior.” For decades, the behavior of many judges has been far from “good.”
“The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such
inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both
of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall,
at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished
during their Continuance in Office.” The Constitution, Article. III. Section. 1.
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Prior to the Revolutionary War, the Colonist refused to buy needed items from England due to the heavy tax and England’s attempts to keep the Colonists dependant on England. If the Colonists had not made home production of items they needed for their survival a priority – food, clothing, guns etc. – they could not have stood against the most powerful army and navy that the time.
It is time we once again insist upon USA made items – the home-production of items we need for to make America independent, strong, and financially secure. Added to this, is the home production of Patriotic items – items that honor America. For without strong home production, America is doomed to be the victim of dominance and control by other nations – a similar predicament as the Colonists faced with England prior to the War for Independence.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were men of strong faith and wholesome character. When they pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to each other and the nation, they meant every word of it.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of
divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes,
and our sacred Honor.” Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
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America has long been engaged in a Moral, Ethical, Cultural, and Spiritual War. The battle is intense. But, if we stand as our Founding Fathers did “with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,” America’s woundedness can be healed.
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9
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