Little towns that are taking a stand

Most of us live quiet lives, avoiding involvement in the fray we hear, see or read about that goes on elsewhere.
Would reading about bold people who do something when they feel the smoldering coal in the pit of their stomach refresh you?
In King, N.C., a resident didn't like having a Christian flag flying amongst nearly a dozen flags above a park's war memorial.
That complaint received support from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and from Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. City officials worried and decided to take down the Christian flag.
Air Force Vietnam veteran Ray Martini thought the Christian flag should fly. Others agreed, but Martini went to the park and stood vigil over a second Christian flag someone prepared for a flagpole in front of the war memorial.
Other veterans and individuals from churches got involved. Word spread far from King, N.C. Soon Martini was receiving food, blankets, and encouragement for his courageous stand.
Over 500 people crowded city hall and 40 speakers spoke in favor of leaving the Christian flag at the park. No voice of opposition was heard. The council decided to seek further legal counsel.
However, something else happened, too.
The flag with its cross reminding believers of the blood Jesus Christ shed to forgive our sins, might have been rarely noticed, even by worshippers in sanctuaries where it is displayed. Now the Christian flag is seen all over King, N.C.
The economy improved with rapid sales of Christian flags, Christian flag decals, t-shirts, and bumper stickers.
The born-again Christian veteran who initially began the vigil is concerned someone may try to remove a metal sculpture of a soldier kneeling at a cross.
Surely, the cross wouldn't be an issue here in America.
Oh, wait, even scripture says the message of the cross, that Jesus' death is offering reconciliation between God and man and between man and man, is offensive to non-believers (I Corinthians 1:18, the passage written by a converted man who was often targeted for death by non-believers).
In Frankenmuth, Mich., a city founded by Lutherans, someone objected to crosses on a bridge and to the city's seal because of its cross. He, and an atheist organization, wanted the crosses removed.
Residents objected, but they did more than that. They began “planting” crosses in their own yards all over the city. Now hundreds of crosses are more visible than the small cross in city's seal.
Others far from Frankenmuth began planting a cross in their yards, too.  
Here in Red Oak, Pastor Fred Pilecki of First United Methodist Church, read of the cross dispute in Frankenmuth. Pilecki was proud of the citizens' response.
After receiving approval and support from the church's missions committee, a few men from First United Methodist Church pitched in to make small white crosses for their congregation.
News of the crosses reached Sunday night's “Truth Project” at the Y, where people from about seven churches regularly meet. Several wanted crosses, including pastors of other congregations.
Because citizens of Frankenmuth visibly supported their Christian heritage, here in southwest Iowa, between 500-600 crosses are now “planted” in yards in Red Oak and the surrounding area.
Just imagine how things would change by remembering our Christian heritage and by taking God up on His offer of reconciliation through the cross of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Pilecki's volunteers have a few crosses left, so call if you're interested in planting a cross.
 Marge Warder is a freelance reporter for the Red Oak Express, and she can be reached at mawarder@yahoo.com.