My Prayer for America

This Easter helped me put some things I’ve been thinking about into perspective.

I realize that we’re up against some seriously evil powers intent on destroying everything decent in our nation, with good people and institutions all that stands in their way. However, we can’t defeat those who wish us harm all by ourselves, and must turn to God if we expect to win this fight for the soul of America.

So here is my heartfelt prayer for this country of ours:

Hearing His Voice

“Do you have a second? I’ve talked to several other friends, and a bunch of family members. Heck, I even talked to a stranger about it. No one was any help so far. 

So, I wanted to get YOUR opinion.”

These were the opening words from a friend of mine recently. He was visibly bothered by something, and I wanted to help him. Although…I admit that I chuckled more than just a little at also realizing I was, apparently, his absolute LAST RESORT.

(Before I continue, I should probably note here that my friend has just opened his heart to Jesus, and is still very young in the Faith.)

“What do YOU think about your choices?” I asked. And without going into the whole conversation, over the next 10 minutes I watched and listened as the voices of Reason, Conscience, Fear and Pride influenced my friend’s thoughts and words.

He concluded with, “See?  This is why I am SO confused!”

We humbly trust in the Power of Giving Thanks…

This post from our good friend “Pgh” was a wonderful reminder last year of how and why we should always give thanks, no matter our circumstances.

We’re honored to be able to share it with you again. 

–JTR & GBL

——-

——-

Every year, on the Tuesday evening before Thanksgiving Day, our congregation gathers to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. And, while we seek to be in a mind of praise and thankfulness EVERY day, there’s something about this particular evening that sharpens that focus.

It is truly a time of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.

This particular Tuesday evening, our Pastor delivered a message on “The Power of Giving Thanks“. It will change MY life forever, and from the heart, I would like to share his thoughts with you.

Student told she can’t write about God as her “idol”, …but Michael Jackson is okay.

This “Are You Kidding Me…??” moment is brought to us today by the United States Public School System.

From HotAir.com:

“…A 10-year-old girl wrote what her mother describes as a “cute” presentation for a class assignment to discuss who she sees as her idol. When she chose the Lord Almighty, her teacher demanded a more appropriate idol, like, er … Michael Jackson?“

Obviously, this teacher could use a refresher course on what the First Amendment actually says.

More:

She said her daughter was told to start over and pick another idol.

“But my teacher said I couldn’t write about God. She said It has something to do with God and God can’t be my idol,” said Shead about what her daughter told her.

Erin told her mother she was also not allowed to leave the assignment about God at school, that it must go home.

On the second try, Erin chose Michael Jackson, which was acceptable.

Come to think of it, showing the teacher the definition of the word “irony” might not be such a bad idea, either.

At Democrat rally, activist publicly thanks God ….for Abortions

If you’re a God-fearing person, I’d suggest you put down anything breakable before reading further.

Courtesy of the Washington Examiner:

With high-ranking Democratic officials listening reverently in the Iowa state capitol, a liberal activist and union official on Wednesday led a prayer for increased funding for abortions, for greater access to abortions, for doctors who perform abortions, and for what she called “the blessing of choice.”

Commercial removes “endowed by their #Creator” from the Declaration of Independence…

This story is actually less about what happened, and more about WHY it happened. 

In case you missed it, Samuel Adams Beer® (named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence) decided to omit the phrase “endowed by their Creator” in a recent commercial which quoted that key line of text from the Declaration.

Now, if that’s all there was to the story, it wouldn’t be that big of a story. To be fair, there’s nothing listed anywhere that mandates someone has to quote our founding documents verbatim in a commercial. However, this is just the beginning.

Our Independence Day, or merely the 4th of July?

“…When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation…”

—-

Question:  Do YOU celebrate the 4th of July, or Independence Day?

For many, July 4th is most often noted as being a day off from work – punctuated by barbecues and fireworks. Ironically, it wasn’t until 1870, that the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees. Later, in 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

But BBQs, days off, and fireworks aside, why did our Founding Fathers seek independence from Great Britain?

Reminding myself (again) to be a Happy Warrior

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “Happy Warrior“, correct?

But as our country continues to endure a seemingly endless deluge of scandal mania pouring forth from the White House, I’ll admit that I can become somewhat despondent regarding our chances for turning this around. Far too often, I become too focused on the ‘warrior‘ part, …and allow the ‘happy‘ to fall by the wayside.

When that happens, I desperately need to force myself to focus on what’s TRULY essential in my life: my family, friends, faith, health, career, home and the bountiful blessings which God has granted me.