Why Our Heroes Deserve Thanks And Our Homes Need Scripture

Start with a simple act: say thank you. From there, we trace a path that moves from quiet gratitude to courageous action—honoring veterans who carry both visible and hidden wounds, and lifting up the families who shoulder the burden with them. We talk candidly about how our culture prizes celebrity trivia while often overlooking the men and women who protected the space for our games, songs, and routines, and why redirecting admiration can change the character of a community.

We open Scripture to find a blueprint for home life that actually holds in a storm. 1 Peter 3 challenges husbands and wives to live with honor, gentleness, and understanding—habits that make peace more than a feeling. Jude confronts a different danger: smooth words and empty authority that divide churches and households. By contending for the faith, praying in the Spirit, and showing mercy with discernment, we build depth that endures. These themes echo through Psalm 127 and Proverbs 29, where we see that houses stand when God builds them, children thrive with loving discipline, and work without worship wears the soul thin.

To ground these ideas, we share the story of Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant David Bruce Bleak, a combat medic whose courage and selfless resolve saved lives under fire. We also revisit Ulysses S. Grant’s 1869 Thanksgiving proclamation, a national reminder that prosperity without gratitude hardens the heart, while humble thanks renews strength and solidarity. We close in prayer and extend simple ways to support the show and pass along faith-filled stories to the next generation.

If this conversation strengthens your resolve to thank a veteran, love your spouse with honor, or rebuild your home around Scripture, share it with a friend. Subscribe, leave a rating or review, and tell us: what practice of gratitude are you starting this week?

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome, Prayer, And Gratitude
• 2:58 Veterans Seen And Unseen Wounds
• 7:28 Refocusing Admiration Away From Celebrities
• 11:02 Scripture On Marriage From 1 Peter 3
• 14:16 Contending For The Faith In Jude
• 19:05 Building Homes Under God’s Wisdom
• 22:23 Medal Of Honor: David Bruce Bleak

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:01

Hey folks, this is Jesse Cope. Back with another episode of the American Soul Podcast. Hope y'all are doing well wherever y'all are, whatever part of the day you're in. I sure do appreciate you joining me, giving me a little bit of your time and attention. I will try and use it wisely. Hopefully, y'all are able to listen to it with somebody else. Parents or children or spouse, friends, co-workers. For those of y'all that continue to share the podcast with others, thank you. For those of y'all who continue to pray for me and for the podcast, thank you. Very, very grateful for your prayers. Father, thank you for today. Thank you for you, Father, and your son Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love and your mercy, your grace, and your forgiveness of sins. Through the merit of your Son of Jesus Christ alone. For those of us who have it, Father, thank you for the ability to read your word, to worship you without fear of persecution. Thank you for those who have gone before us who have suffered and risked so much so that we might have access to your word and have the ability to worship you according to your word. Forgive us our cowardice and our unbelief. Help us to overcome it we do believe. Forgive us our judgment of others, our rash words and actions. Forgive us for not forgiving others as you have forgiven us, Father. Help us to follow the commands of your Son Jesus Christ, to love you with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thank you for those listening to the podcast and sharing it, Father. Please be with them, be with their families, guide them, bless them, surround them with your angles, protect them from evil of any kind. Be with those who are hurting and alone, Father. Be with those who are depressed, who are anxious, who are brokenhearted. Comfort them. Be with our veterans, Father. Who are struggling through injury or illness. In body. Physically. Or in mind. Please got no words here. Hey folks, just a little side note there. I was I had the this is a little old, I had the privilege. The great privilege of being around a lot of veterans on Veterans Day last week. Week before. And there were a couple there that had obvious injuries, scars from battle, missing part of an arm or a leg, or being a relatively young man, but already walking with a cane or having problems with sight, etc. But there were also men there that had scars that you couldn't see. And I think it's really important for us just two things here. If you have a veteran around, folks, and I would include your law enforcement officers, especially, well, just in general, tell them thank you. Not just one day a year, whenever you can. Whenever you see them, just tell them thank you. And it doesn't matter if they get embarrassed or not. And you don't have to make a big deal about it. If you're walking out a restaurant and you see somebody that you know that's served, just say, hey, I really appreciate it. Most of those men don't want recognition, folks. It embarrasses most of them, especially the good ones. And yet our nation has to show appreciation and gratitude for those men who have been willing to sacrifice so much and their wives, folks. That's one thing. I've told the story, but it's been a while. When people used to ask me about being in, I always said that my wife and I were in, and they would go, oh, she was she was in the Marine Corps too. And I'd say, Well, she was married to me, and so pretty much, because whatever the Marine Corps told me to do, it affected her too. You don't don't forget or belittle the sacrifice of those wives and children who send their husbands, their fathers overseas. Not knowing if they're going to come back, not knowing if they're going to come back whole. We don't do a very good job, folks, of telling those people who sacrifice so much or who are willing to sacrifice so much how grateful we are. And we give all this attention. You know, those those men that I had the privilege, the honor of being around, folks. I don't even I don't even remotely put myself in that same category. We should know those people in our communities. Way more than we know about uh how many of us, how I I'm so guilty of this, folks. How many of us know the lyrics, every single lyric to like a dozen songs or more of the of the singers that we like, or we know the stats of some NFL player or college football player or basketball or baseball or softball or volleyball or whatever? We know these minute details about these people who don't know us. They don't know anything about us. And with very few exceptions, folks, they're chasing fame and fortune, playing a game, or acting on a stage. Does that mean that they're all bad people? No, not at all. Does that mean that they're not even remotely in the same category as men and women who risk their lives, their limbs, their sanity, and their spouses, their fathers, their brothers, their sons? Yeah, it means they're not even remotely in the same category. And a lot of that is on us for giving so much attention to the people that aren't in that in that category at all, and so ignoring those who are. I got way off track, folks, and if I let myself, I could really get rolling. So I'm going to go ahead and stop, and we're going to move on there. Bible verse for today for marriage is from 1 Peter 3, starting with verse 1. In the same way you wives to be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be one without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external, braiding the hair and wearing gold jewelry or putting on dresses, but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord. And you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. You husbands in the same way live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman, and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. Folks, there's a lot there I think on both sides that people don't really want to hear today, even people that claim to follow Jesus Christ. And if you're one of them, you really need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Uh and all of us, I I suppose to some extent, one extent or another, are those people at different times. And we need to really take a long, hard look in the mirror, folks, and get ourselves squared away. We need to be more concerned about doing what God tells us to do as a husband or a wife rather than what the world tells us to do. We ought to be more ashamed of not doing what God tells us to do as a husband or a wife, as opposed to what so many of us are today often as ashamed of doing what God tells us to because the world looks at us like we're weird or different or weak. That ought to be a badge of honor, folks. If the world is looking at you like you're weird or different or weak or whatever else because you're following God's word as a husband or a wife, or just in general, you're following God's word, that's a great honor. Scripture for today, Jude 1, verses 1 through 25. This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. Dear friends, I have been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share, but now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God's marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only master and Lord Jesus Christ. So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful. And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them, but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness waiting for the great day of judgment. And don't forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and severe, and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God's judgment. In the same way, these people who claim authority from their dreams live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, The Lord rebuke you. This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses' body. But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals they do whatever their instincts tell them. And so they bring about their own destruction. What sorrow awaits them? For they follow in the footsteps of Cain who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money, and like Korah they perish in their rebellion. When these people eat with you and your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord's love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit, and have been pulled up by the roots. They are like wild waves of the sea churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars doomed forever to blackest darkness. Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people, he said, Listen, the Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the world, on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things that they have done, and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These people are grumblers and complainers living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves and they flatter others to get what they want. But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's spirit in them. But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. Now all glory to God who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time and in the present and beyond all time. Amen. Psalm one hundred twenty seven verses one through five. Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects the city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat, for God gives rest to his loved ones. Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them? He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Proverbs twenty nine verses fifteen through seventeen. To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall. Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. I think probably the best I can do is just simply to reread these scriptures on the next podcast because there's so much good in there that we probably need to hear it all over again. I guess that's true of all scripture, but for some reason this really struck me. Medal of Honor winner for today, David Bruce Bleak, Sergeant Korean War, Medical Company, 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, June 14th, 1952. Oof, Minerai Goal, Korea. Sergeant Black, a member of the Medical Company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty and action against the enemy. As a medical aid man, he volunteered to accompany a reconnaissance patrol committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain, the group was subjected to intense automatic weapons and small arms fire and suffered several casualties. After administering to the wounded, he continued to advance with the patrol, nearing the military crest of the hill. While attempting to cross the fire swept area to attend the wounded, he came under hostile fire from a small group of the enemy concealed in a trench. Entering the trench, he closed for the enemy, killed two with bare hands and a third with his trench knife. Moving from the emplacement, he saw a concussion grenade fall in front of his companion and quickly shifting his position, shielded the man from the impact of the blast. Later, while ministering to the wounded, he was struck by a hostile bullet, but despite the wound, he undertook to evacuate a wounded comrade. As he moved down the hill with his heavy burden, he was attacked by two enemy soldiers with fixed bayonets. Closing with the aggressors, he grabbed them and smacked their heads together, then carried his helpless comrade down the hill to safety. Sergeant Bleak's dauntless courage and intrepid intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service. Accredited to Shelley Bingham County, Idaho, not awarded posthumously, presented october twenty seventh, nineteen fifty three at the White House by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, born february twenty seventh, nineteen thirty two, Idaho Falls, Boonville County, Idaho, died march twenty third, two thousand six, Arco, Idaho, buried Lost River Cemetery, cremated, no burial, Moore, Idaho. Location of Metal, Idaho Military Historical Society, Boise, Idaho. David Bruce Bleak. Just another name, folks, that we ought to remember a great deal more than actors or actresses or athletes, college, professional or otherwise, singers, songwriters. I think we got time for one today, a proclamation. Thanksgiving Day, 1869, by the President of the United States of America, a proclamation. The year which is drawing to a close has been free from pestilence. Health has prevailed throughout the land. Abundant crops reward the labors of the husbandman. Commerce and manufacturers have successfully prosecuted their peaceful paths. The minds and forests have yielded liberally. The nation has increased in wealth and its strength. Peace has prevailed, and its blessings have advanced every interest of the people in every part of the Union. Harmony and fraternal intercourse restored are obliterating the marks of past conflict and estrangement. Burdens have been lightened, means have been increased, civil and religious liberty are secured to every inhabitant of the land whose soil is trod by none but free men. It becomes a people thus favored to make acknowledgement to the supreme author from whom such blessings flow, of their gratitude and their dependence, to render praise and thanksgiving for the same, and devoutly to implore a continuance of God's mercies. Therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend that Thursday, the eighteenth day of November next, be observed as a day of thanksgiving and of praise and of prayer to Almighty God, the Creator and the ruler of the universe. And I do further recommend to all the people of the United States to assemble on that day in their accustomed places of public worship, and to unite in the homage and praise due to the bountiful Father of all mercies, and in fervent prayer for the continuance of the manifold blessings he has vouchsafed to us as a people. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed, done at the city of Washington this fifth day of October in the year of our Lord 1869, and of the independence of the United States of America, the 94th U.S. Grant. Father of all mercies. The homage and prairie praise due to the bountiful Father of all mercies. In this month, folks, throughout the year, all the time, we need to tell God thank you for his blessings. Whatever he has blessed you with, and the blessings as a nation, and humble ourselves before him and seek forgiveness for our sins, both individual and national. If you are looking for a family-friendly middle grade read, I would humbly recommend Countryside if you get a chance to check it out. And if you enjoy it, if you would leave a review somewhere for the first or the second book or both, I would very much appreciate that. And if you're getting something out of the podcast and you feel like you have three or four or five dollars a month to donate to it, there is a web page on the Buzz Sprout website for the podcast where you can set that monthly donation up, and I would be very grateful for that as well. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the stay our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil, for that is the kingdom of the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. God bless y'all. God bless your families, God bless your marriages if you're married. God bless America. God bless your nation, wherever you are around the world. Listen. We'll talk to y'all again real soon, folks. Looking forward to it.