Independence Day

When the founding fathers met in those back rooms to lay out the government for a new nation so many years ago, I wonder if they had any idea what their new country would become?

I wonder if they knew that their framing of the right to privacy would someday be interpreted to include the killing of unborn children?

I wonder if they could comprehend that the freedom of speech would include pictures of men and women being degraded and abased in pornography?

Could they possibly believe that our educational system would get to the point where some graduates of our high schools would have trouble reading their diplomas?

Would they have begun a system of government where laws are so heavily influenced by the whims and greed of lobbyists representing corporations and special interest groups?

What would they have done differently if they knew that someday the Supreme Court would make it a crime to pray in school, but allow the school to hand out condoms to underage students?

By now, many of you have dismissed this as the rantings of some (take your pick) subversive, commie-sympathizing, right wing, left wing, conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Peace and Freedom Party, hater of America.

Nothing could be further from the truth! I LOVE AMERICA!

I still get goose bumps when I hear the National Anthem. The sight of a soaring bald eagle can get my blood racing as I view the symbol of the greatest country in the world.

I am still in wonder of the sacrifices those men made to begin a country where men and women are created equal. A country where you are to be judged not by the color of your skin, but by the content of your character.

Make no mistake about it, America is the greatest country in the world. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I may gripe about some of the problems we have here, but I will defend my country to the end.

However, loving my country demands that I take an honest look at its failings and strengths. If we close our eyes to the weaknesses of America we can never address them and will never change them.

If America is to be great again it must return to its spiritual roots. America was settled by men and women who came for religious freedom. They did not seek an easy life or a free handout. All they wanted was freedom to worship as they felt God would have them worship.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

On a gloomy day in 1857 a man in New York City by the name of Jeremiah Lanthier scanned the morning newspaper as he rode to his office. He was distressed to read that the depression gripping the nation was causing fear and panic among the people. Factories were stopping production and thousands were unemployed. Although Lanthier was not a big industrialist, but only a clerk, he had one important distinction. He was a man who had great faith in God!

Concerned with the grim economic situation, he sent a note to all his business acquaintances, telling them that each day at noon a prayer meeting would be held in his office. With high hopes he arranged 20 chairs in a circle, but the first day no one came. All alone he prayed fervently that God would bring about a change in him and in America. The second day he was encouraged, for a few friends joined him. It wasn’t long before all 20 chairs were occupied. A short time later a similar gathering was started on Wall Street, another on Williams Street, and finally a fourth on Broadway. Then like wildfire the movement spread to all parts of the country, The moral tone of the nation was affected, and there was a great upsurge in the spiritual life of the people. Some historians say that this effort of united prayer and faith was an integral part of the improvement in the economy which soon followed.

Is America great? Yes, it is! Can it be greater? Yes, it can! If we will turn back to God as a nation I believe that America’s greatest days may still be before her. If we do not, I shudder to imagine God’s response.

Lighting a sparkler and saying a prayer for America… Jerry