CPFUMC

News and views of the First United Methodist Church in Cross Plains, Texas

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

CHRISTIAN FLAG

I felt that an appropriate place to post the information that I read to the congregation last Sunday, July 6, 2008 when we celebrated our freedom and pledged allegiance to both flags.

The Christian Flag is the only free flag in the world. It is different from every other flag, religious or secular, ancient or modern. It is uncontrolled, independent, and universal. Unlike all natioanal flags and all denominational flags of various churches, it has no earthly bonds or allegiances. Christ and Christ alone is it Master. Without limitation, it exists for all the world's people regardless of sex, race, national boundary, economic condition, affluence, or poverty, politics, slavery or freedom. It cannot be restricted by any nation or denomination. This unique, universal quality makes it like the air we breathe, belonging to all and yet owned by none. For those who want it, wherever and whenever, it is freely theirs.

The Christian flag is one of the oldest unchanged flags in the world. It was concieved at Brighton Chapel, Coney Island, New York, Sunday, September 26, 1897.

The white on the flag represents purity and peace. The blue stands for faithfulness, truth, and sincerity. Red, of course, is the color of sacrifice, in this case calling to mind the blood shed by Christ on Calvary, represented by the cross.

The first pledge to the Christian flag was written by Methodist pastor Rev. Lynn Harold Hough in 1908.

"I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One brotherhood, uniting all mankind, in service and love."