We have great power when we really understand and believe our vision. That kind of understanding and eloquence begins in the home.  

The principles of the Constitution should be part of our daily conversations.  Our children should be fluent in constitutional language.  

The Constitution will only protect us if we know and love the Constitution well enough to protect it.

Looking for some great books?  Free?  Online? 

If your answer is YES, then you've found a gold mine! 

OldFashionedEducation.com has gathered some great books, stories, and other resources for you.  

Here are some that seem relevant for Patriotic Moms, but there are many others.  

After you click on a link, take a look and see if you find other areas of interest to you.  

Though I can't vouch for all of the books, I've spotted some real gems here.  Hope you do too!

I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. 

His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. 

I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. 

He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. 

I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ" the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. 

Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met. 

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work....

Let the Blood Games continue.

Only weeks after election 2012 and years before election 2016, in a routine interview, a glossy pop magazine popped Florida Senator Marco Rubio with an oddball question: How old do you think the earth is? Rubio responded a bit clumsily and noncommittally. Smelling blood and opportunity, the wolf pack bared fangs and chased.

Their game is either to force Rubio to affirm a personal belief the earth is 4.5 billion years old—disturbing some of his religious supporters--or to mock and stigmatize him and others who could harbor any delusional uncertainty—damaging him with a different part of the electorate. 

The snarling pack imposes a totalitarian demand: No matter whether you’re intelligent, you engage the real world, you offer solutions to problems, and you attract and persuade citizens to support your vision and solutions; the pack demands to know if you have any hidden reserves of unsavory, illogical faith. Deny it or be tarred and marginalized.

The pack’s position, stretched to its logical end, amounts to demanding that politicians reject belief in God’s divinity and supremacy. That is, it countenances loyalty only to a god who exercises no will or power beyond passively upholding the principles set forth in Science 101.

Before reflecting why that is necessarily so, consider some of the other malignancies exposed by this flare up.

First is the premeditated bad faith of an upscale publication. The random question is untethered  from public policy, from issues in the US Senate, or measures Rubio might pursue. It arose from a singular goal unrelated to reporting current events: GQ wanted to conjure a killer question, something that might damage a popular potential GOP presidential candidate.  It’s easy to imagine the query came from a group brainstorm over lunch: “Think, people…how can we trip him?!”

Second on the list is the poisonous effect of unresting, perpetual attack machinery.  Scarcely had the interview hit GQ’s website and newsstands when it ricocheted across the blogosphere and commentariat, with sneers from the left and defenses from the right. Barack Obama is two months shy of putting his hand on the Bible for a second term. Yet, already an anticipated candidate for 2016 is under manufactured attack for how he might read that book’s teachings.

GQ forced the exchange, the left media took up the cudgel, and then a celebrity hack of liberal economics at the Grey Lady weighed in. Now, it’s volleyed about on social media. Is it any wonder so many ambitious politicians opt for the duck and cover art of saying nothing about anything? 

Ugliest of all is the totalitarian, anti-faith direction this attack takes our politics. A western Democratic organizer cited the GQ interview on her Facebook page to spread the smear. When I commented critically, a number of her friends suddenly appeared and pressed to know how old I think the earth is.....

Americans are still reeling from the election.  Many are wondering what went wrong, and why.  

How can so many people vote for a president whose policies are so destructive for our country?

What does our future hold when a large majority of young voters choose the guy who promises them the most free stuff from the government?

Never mind that government "freebies" can only be purchased with borrowed money from China -- money young Americans will have to repay sooner than they realize.  Young people chose what they thought was an easy handout, and they rejected the candidate who had the knowledge and skills to create the jobs they so desperately need.  Their decision will make future challenges much more formidable.

But who can blame them?  America's youth are immersed in principles and in practices that will destroy their liberty, peace, and prosperity.  In the public schools, on college campuses, in the entertainment they watch, and in the mainstream news media, they are deceived and entrapped

That isn't by accident.  Progressives have worked patiently and persistently to control our "most important cultural institutions. It took time, but the payoff has been huge."

Even now, some believe it's too late to save the rising generation.  But we have a significant advantage -- progressive policies don't work.  

If we patiently and persistently give our best effort, and rely on God when we fall short, we can win our young people back.  We must learn and live the principles and practices of liberty and share them with our families.  Our example may help our sons and daughters come to value the Constitution and the liberty it makes possible.    

It won't be easy -- almost everything in the culture is going the opposite direction.  But few endeavors are more important.  

How can we not give our best efforts -- our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor -- to preserve the priceless legacy of liberty we've been given?  "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance," and sometimes much more. Others have paid a staggering price for us.  Now it's our turn to toil and sacrifice so we can share this sacred gift with future generations.  

With the help of God, and with our very best efforts, Patriotic Moms and Dads can carefully convey our noble heritage to countless millions, just as patriots before us.  

That is our only hope.  Let's pray we're not too late!

One of the most important things we can do as Patriotic Moms is to put first things first, to make room in our lives for the things that matter most.

Life is full and not everything fits.  We need to consciously design our lives to reflect our values.  Even good things have to be prioritized, or the most important things may be left out. 

For those of us who are Christians, making room for the Savior is our most important priority.  

Do You Have Room?
By:  Shawna Belt Edwards

They journeyed far, a weary pair;
They sought for shelter from the cold night air.
Some place where she could lay her head,
Where she could give her Babe a quiet bed.

Was there no room? No corner there?
 In all the town a spot someone could spare?
Was there no soul come to their aid?
A stable bare was where the family stayed.

Do you have room for the Savior? And do you seek Him anew?
 Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy, or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?

A star arose, a wondrous light,
A sign from God – this was the holy night,
And yet so few would go to see
The Babe who came to rescue you and me.

This Child divine is now a King.
The gift of life to all the world He brings,
And all mankind He saves from doom,
But on that night, for Him, there was no room.

Do you have room for the Savior? And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the One who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy, or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?

Will you come tonight? Will you seek the light?
Do you have room?

"God Bless the USA" is a patriotic song written and recorded by country music star Lee Greenwood.  It became popular after September 11 and during the Iraq War.  Lee wanted to write the song "his whole life."  He selected cities from across the country to represent all Americans.

God Bless the USA
By: Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. 

I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:

They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. 

I heard a young man exclaim, “Isn’t Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick.” 

The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, “Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. 

Another said, ‘The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate.” 

At this, I had more than enough.

I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. “Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?” They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

“I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?” They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why would you do something like that?” asked a young man, “There isn’t anything for free in this world.” They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. “I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?” In unison, a resounding “Hell Yeah” fills the room.

“Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money-free bargain.” I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.” Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked, “What are the rules?” I smiled and said, “I don’t know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you.” They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, “What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man.” I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I am serious, this is a legitimate offer.” They gaped at me for a moment....

Thanksgiving is a such a warm, wonderful holiday.  Family and friends join together to give thanks, to partake of a delicious meal, and to enjoy each other’s company -- just as the Pilgrims and native Americans did so many years ago.

I have heard stories of the first Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, but this year, more than ever before, I realized what incredible faith and commitment the Pilgrims had.  They, like our Founding Fathers, truly committed their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to obeying the will of God.  

They left their family and friends, their native land, their comfort and security, and more than half gave their lives - all to worship God in the way they believed He wanted.  And they did it with great faith, even when everything went wrong.  They did it with great love for God, even when He didn’t deliver them from indescribable  suffering and hardships.  They did it with great courage, even when the obstacles appeared insurmountable.  And they did it with gratitude in their hearts, even when their daily food ration was just five kernels of corn.

So, as we enjoy a great feast with friends and loved ones, let’s take time to give thanks to God, to retell the story of the Pilgrims and the incredible price they paid, and to recommit ourselves to pay the price to be true in our day.