Tag: Declaration of Independence

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Why I Stand

Flag 2

With all of the controversy surrounding the NFL, the National Anthem, and Old Glory, I just wanted to share a few thoughts why I, personally, choose to stand.

I stand…

… because our flag, Old Glory, is the symbol of the United States of America, the land I love and the nation of which I am proud to be a citizen. To do otherwise, for me, would be to not only disrespect our nation, but to dishonor God by showing a lack of appreciation for His good and perfect gifts that He has afforded me because I am an American.

I stand… when The Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem, plays because that is a show of respect for the flag that it so eloquently describes, and a show of unity with my fellow citizens. Even when we may disagree about sports, politics, religion, etc., when the words “O say can you see…” are heard, we become silent and unified in our mutual respect for the flag, the anthem, and all that it symbolizes.

I stand… because of fifty-six men from all walks of life who, in putting their signatures on a parchment known as The Declaration of Independence, knew they were putting their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor on the line in the name of freedom. These men were as flawed and imperfect as the rest of us, but found the courage to stand for an ideal greater than themselves.

I stand… because I want to be an example to future generations that we are more than a collection of individuals, each going their own direction.

Flag FoldedI stand… because from the streets of Lexington and Concord to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, for over 240 years, brave men and women have given their last full measure of devotion to secure the freedom the rest of us enjoy on a daily basis. I stand, saluting an unfurled flag because of all of the wives, mothers, fathers, husbands, and family members who have been handed a folded one.

I stand… because standing is a universal sign of honor and respect.

I stand… because I believe that our battle is not against flesh and blood, and that we can accomplish more through the power of prayer than through hollow protests.

I stand… because we are better when we operate in unity, as “one nation under God, indivisible…” As a Christian, I believe the truth expressed by the psalmist who said,

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity! ~ Psalm 133:1

I stand… because our flag and national anthem symbolize what is right with our country, not what is wrong with it.

I stand… because there are other countries where people are poor and oppressed beyond measure, and are looking to America to be an example — The shining city on a hill.

I stand… because I am the recipient of a grace that has been granted to me in the form of a life in a free country called America.

I stand… not because we are perfect and have it all together, but as a sign that I am willing to take my place — standing beside you — working together to make America a better place.

I stand… to show that I am up on my feet and ready to go; to be a part of the solution, not a symptom of the problem.

I stand… because I am grateful.

Flag 3O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

                                                      ~ Katharine Lee Bates

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America Fresh Oil New Wine Living It Out In Real Time Spiritual Warfare The Bible The Big Event The Life of Faith Through The Looking Glass

The Victimization of Truth

Capitol

In the wake of the terror attack in Orlando this past week, the predictability of politicians and the press has not disappointed. Unfortunately, these types of attacks have almost become commonplace in our society, with the ensuing rhetoric that follows being almost equally disturbing… placing the blame everywhere EXCEPT where it justifiably belongs.
So after such a tragic event, why is it so difficult to be honest about the problem? Common sense would dictate that, until you properly diagnose the problem, you will NEVER find an effective solution. John F. Kennedy once said…

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.”

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So now we add Orlando to the list of U.S. cities affected by Islamic terror: San Bernardino, Fort Hood, Chattanooga, Garland, Boston, Washington D.C., New York…

Where do we go from here?

We go back.

We go back to the place where we lost our way. We can’t hope to understand our future until we understand our past.

When did political correctness trump the truth?

How did we allow minorities of special interests to dictate what was in the best interest of the majority?

img_0183How can anyone read the writings of Washington, Jefferson, Adams, or virtually any other of the founding fathers, and believe for a second that they thought God had no place in our public discourse?

When did the Bible and Judeo-Christian values take a back seat to the enslavement and intolerance of shari’a law and Islam?

On July 3, the truth will come to light.

 

On July 3, we will expose the sinister forces that have worked behind
the scenes, and taken our culture down the “rabbit-hole”.

 

On July 3, we will reveal the causes and the solution
to the Unraveling of America.

 

Unraveling Flag - horiz

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#HonorMemorialDay

For about 240 years, Americans have shed their blood for the cause of freedom.

From places like Lexington and Concord to Gettysburg to Appomattox Station, the blood of patriots has been shed on American soil, fighting for a young nation’s heart and soul.

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When the United States had established itself as a world power, our brave men and women were once again called upon, and shed their blood fighting against dictators and tyrants with
names like Mussolini, Hirohito, and Hitler.

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While American citizens enjoyed the safety and security of life at home in places like Wichita, Dallas, Boston, and Tacoma, American soldiers gave their lives in previously unheard of places with names like Chochiwon, Ia Drang, Haditha, and Kamdesh.

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On Memorial Day, we honor the sacrifice of these brave American heroes who saw the cause of freedom as something worth defending, worth their sacrifice. We remember those who gave the last ounce of devotion to the ideals and principles enshrined in documents
like The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

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Today… we remember.

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…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God,
shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people,
by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
~ Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
from The Gettysburg Address

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Ironic, Isn’t It?

Through The Looking Glass2

Life is filled with irony…

John F. Kennedy once said that… “It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.” In saying this, he was echoing an old Latin saying: “”Si vis pacem, para bellum.” (“If you wish for peace, prepare for war.”)

Although hundreds of miles apart, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both passed away on the same day… July 4, 1826: The 50th Anniversary celebrating the day they both signed the Declaration of Independence.

In the attempt to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, the only bullet that hit him actually ricocheted off of the presidential limousine, the vehicle designed to protect him.

However, the greatest irony of all is in the words of Jesus…

“Whoever will lose his life, for My sake, will find it.”

The irony of the Christian life is that, in order to have abundant life in Christ, we must be willing to give our lives away, and lay them down at the feet of Jesus. By surrendering our will and rights to Him, we find freedom we can find in no other place.

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America Living It Out In Real Time The Life of Faith The Mysteries of God The Secret Place

Are You Cashing-In?

Why are so many people unhappy?

In his article, A New Year – A New Life, Steve Shepherd gave his idea of a perfect world. He said:

“In a perfect world you would feel as good at 60 as you did at 17. And you would be as smart at 60 as you thought you were at 17.
In a perfect world professional basketball, baseball, and football players would be complaining because schoolteachers were signing multi-million dollar contracts.
In a perfect world potato chips would have calories, but if eaten with dip, the calories would be neutralized.
In a perfect world, mail would always be early, and the check in the mail would always be for more than you expected it to be.”

KS77810In our own Declaration of Independence, we are guaranteed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.

“… The pursuit of happiness.”

I think our Founding Fathers may have understood that, while man may have the power to allow others to pursue happiness, the only one who can guarantee true happiness is God.

So… why are so many people unhappy?

A big part of it could be a misunderstanding of what prosperity is. While in some religious circles prosperity has been saddled with negative connotations, in the Bible, prosperity is very positive, and denotes much more than a financial position.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. ~ III John 1:2

In God’s economy, prosperity goes so far beyond financial success and multiplied possessions. Plenty of miserable people have those things. True soul prosperity (III John 1:2) is born out of listening to Godly counsel (Psalm 1:1), maintaining a vital connection with the LORD (Psalm 1:2), recognizing prosperity’s purpose in your life, and maintaining a healthy balance in all we do (Psalm 1:3).

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

Yes, every single morning.

However, there’s a catch: Every dollar that is left by the end of the business day is debited. Whatever you failed to use by the end of the day is gone, unable to be recovered.

So what would you do? I would imagine that you would draw out every penny.

The fact is, each of us has such a bank. The bank is called “LIFE” and it’s currency is “TIME”.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the day’s deposits… the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow.” You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

The clock is running… it is your future.

Make the most of today.

Be sure to join me this coming Sunday as I continue my series Seven Words That Work Wonders. Service starts at 10:30a.m. To watch live, click here.