First From Julie's keyboard:
Happy Independence Day! May we never forget those who founded our many freedoms through the great providential hand of God. When my thoughts turn to this Nation and how we, as Christians, can be helpful in Its success, this passage written through Paul to Timothy, comes to mind.
I Timothy 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Someone may ask what could I possibly do to make a difference in this Nation? Well, according to Paul, this is a good starting place. He told us how to pray, give thanks, and what to pray for, "....a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Another reason for doing this is that "...this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" I Tim. 2:3 Thus, the dual purpose of pleasing God and being a blessing to the Nation is fulfilled.
In closing, may we be ever mindful that with every prayer the "giving of thanks" should be honored. We are still a very blessed Nation even amidst the serious issues we encounter each day. My prayer is that we will take this instruction via the Apostle Paul very seriously and utilize the tools of prayer afforded us through Christ the Lord.
Be blessed each day,
Julie
___________________________________________
July 4th, 2013
Happy Independence Day! May we never forget those who founded our many freedoms through the great providential hand of God. When my thoughts turn to this Nation and how we, as Christians, can be helpful in Its success, this passage written through Paul to Timothy, comes to mind.
I Timothy 2:1-2 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Someone may ask what could I possibly do to make a difference in this Nation? Well, according to Paul, this is a good starting place. He told us how to pray, give thanks, and what to pray for, "....a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
Another reason for doing this is that "...this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" I Tim. 2:3 Thus, the dual purpose of pleasing God and being a blessing to the Nation is fulfilled.
In closing, may we be ever mindful that with every prayer the "giving of thanks" should be honored. We are still a very blessed Nation even amidst the serious issues we encounter each day. My prayer is that we will take this instruction via the Apostle Paul very seriously and utilize the tools of prayer afforded us through Christ the Lord.
Be blessed each day,
Julie
___________________________________________
July 4th, 2013
Well, it has been a long dry spell for the blog, just seemed to have noting to write that was worth the time to do it. I have kept this blog since January 2006, it's future is unknown at this time. The words are not coming easy, I look at the last few posts I have written, I have had to ask myself, why was I writing about our First Amendment Rights? I suppose it was in the news at the time. I am not making little of First Amendment Rights, but there are so much more weightier matters to be considered at this time.
I will make an attempt to stir myself up and speak of some of these things, but if God does not press upon my heart to continue this, then I suppose it's time may have come. I do not have the luxury of spending time upon a fruitless effort of my own making.
A few things I am going to contend for if I continue, 1. Though far from perfect, this Nation has been for the most part, for the good of mankind. 2. Though missing the mark many times, this Nation has a destiny determined in God. 3. Though miss applied at times, this Nation's laws and constitutions are rooted in Scripture. 4. Though fallible and weak, this Nation's people have been more at times than others, a people of faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty, against the long continued efforts of a powerful nation: it is the duty of all ranks to observe and thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of Providence in their behalf." ~ United States Congress - 1781.
We are in derelict of duty, for we as a Nation no longer acknowledge such interpositions. Most of us don't even know we have such a duty to perform. We are ignorant of who we were as a Nation, old heathen practices have been reformed and newly presented to us as freedom and justice the American way. We assume it has always been so, but we have been deceived, and it seems we do not care. A people who's moral fiber has eroded has no passion to drive them but the lust of their own flesh (selfishness).
If we politically assert the duty of which congress spoke in 1781, the cry of the breach of Separation of Church and State is heard everywhere! What was once our duty is now our disdain. Our Congress once saw God as pleased to assist and support the United States in it's struggle for liberty, now in it's liberty its congress denies it's people and itself this duty. We want our freedom, but we want it without our duty to God. We want our liberty, but we want it without Him. Many of us still profess to believe in God, but we have fashioned Him to be something that is conducive to the way we want to live. We make Him to be a god that we can live with, bless us with the things we want to do and have, but without any responsibility to our duty to Him. Our freedom has come to mean, freedom to our own selves and our own desires, whatever we can conceive in our minds to enjoy.
I have recently seen one of our politicians holding up a copy of our Constitution in support of his views, it seems it is still ascribed to when needed, disregarded when restraining. Our success does not lie in our Constitution or Independence, it was in our dependence upon God that we gained our greatest Independence. Our Constitution is but a piece of paper that can be shredded with the slightest effort.
I will make an attempt to stir myself up and speak of some of these things, but if God does not press upon my heart to continue this, then I suppose it's time may have come. I do not have the luxury of spending time upon a fruitless effort of my own making.
A few things I am going to contend for if I continue, 1. Though far from perfect, this Nation has been for the most part, for the good of mankind. 2. Though missing the mark many times, this Nation has a destiny determined in God. 3. Though miss applied at times, this Nation's laws and constitutions are rooted in Scripture. 4. Though fallible and weak, this Nation's people have been more at times than others, a people of faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Whereas, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Father of mercies, remarkably to assist and support the United States of America in their important struggle for liberty, against the long continued efforts of a powerful nation: it is the duty of all ranks to observe and thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of Providence in their behalf." ~ United States Congress - 1781.
We are in derelict of duty, for we as a Nation no longer acknowledge such interpositions. Most of us don't even know we have such a duty to perform. We are ignorant of who we were as a Nation, old heathen practices have been reformed and newly presented to us as freedom and justice the American way. We assume it has always been so, but we have been deceived, and it seems we do not care. A people who's moral fiber has eroded has no passion to drive them but the lust of their own flesh (selfishness).
If we politically assert the duty of which congress spoke in 1781, the cry of the breach of Separation of Church and State is heard everywhere! What was once our duty is now our disdain. Our Congress once saw God as pleased to assist and support the United States in it's struggle for liberty, now in it's liberty its congress denies it's people and itself this duty. We want our freedom, but we want it without our duty to God. We want our liberty, but we want it without Him. Many of us still profess to believe in God, but we have fashioned Him to be something that is conducive to the way we want to live. We make Him to be a god that we can live with, bless us with the things we want to do and have, but without any responsibility to our duty to Him. Our freedom has come to mean, freedom to our own selves and our own desires, whatever we can conceive in our minds to enjoy.
I have recently seen one of our politicians holding up a copy of our Constitution in support of his views, it seems it is still ascribed to when needed, disregarded when restraining. Our success does not lie in our Constitution or Independence, it was in our dependence upon God that we gained our greatest Independence. Our Constitution is but a piece of paper that can be shredded with the slightest effort.
"[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made
only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly
inadequate to the government of any other." ~ John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and
Co. 1854), Vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 1798.)
If our Constitution has no foundation, it will waste away just as the paper it is written on!
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. ~ John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)
These things may sound hard to some but they must be said, we still cry "God bless America" all the while disregarding our duty! America, you have a calling, a great purpose, a wonderful destiny, it is your duty to answer, to thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of Providence in your behalf!
A Servant of Jesus Christ,
David
only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly
inadequate to the government of any other." ~ John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and
Co. 1854), Vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 1798.)
If our Constitution has no foundation, it will waste away just as the paper it is written on!
[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. ~ John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776.)
These things may sound hard to some but they must be said, we still cry "God bless America" all the while disregarding our duty! America, you have a calling, a great purpose, a wonderful destiny, it is your duty to answer, to thankfully acknowledge the interpositions of Providence in your behalf!
A Servant of Jesus Christ,
David