(Son)  Dad, has it always been this way?

(Dad)  Well, even from the beginning men hated Jesus, even though he did nothing but love them and teach them and heal them.  They nailed him to a cross.  They thought they had killed Him, but they only set him free to live in the hearts of people like you and me who believe in Him.  Then came the apostles and most of them were killed for telling other people about Jesus.  So they tortured them and killed them and even left their bodies to rot as an example to other people.  But the church kept right on growing watered by the blood of these precious Saints.

(Son)  But Dad, did they want to die?

(Dad)  No they didn't want to die.  I mean, many of them had children just like you they had to leave behind.  But they were forced to make a choice.  They could choose to live this one life here on earth and reject JesusAnd be damned or they could choose to believe in the words of Jesus and live forever.

(Son)  I think I understand.

(Dad)  Here, maybe this will help you understand.

I have heard how christians long ago
Were brought before a tyrants throne
And they were told that he would spare their lives
If they would renounce the name of Christ.
But one by one they chose to die
The Son of God they would not deny
Like a great angelic choir sings
I can almost hear their voices ring.
Chorus
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength, with all I am.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

Now the years have come and the years have gone
But the cause of Jesus still goes on
And now our time has come to count the cost
To reject this world, to embrace the cross
And one by one let us live our lives
For the One who died to give us life.
Till the trumpet sounds on the final day
Let us proudly stand and boldly say ...

Chorus
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength, with all I am.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

To the Lamb of God who bore my pain
Who took my place, Who wore my shame.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

The converstation between the father and his son continues

(Dad)  You've got to remember the it wasn't always this way.  I mean, my dad could even pray in school.  Of course, they took that away from him.  Then it became incorrect for us to believe in the Bible and after that they just stripped our right to worship away from us and we quietly stood by.  But son, I hope that you're never in the position that you have to choose between your faith and your life.  But if you are - I know which choice you're going to make because I know that Jesus lives inside of you.  In the meantime, just pray like I taught you to and take care of your mom.  And remember that God is the Father of the fatherless.

Chorus
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength, with all I am.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength, with all I am.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

I pledge allegiance to the Lamb
With all my strength, with all I am.
I will seek to honor His commands
I pledge allegiance to the Lamb.