Tag Archive | Matthew 5:14-16

A Refresh on the Revolution…

Jul22

There has been quite a bit of enthusiasm over our 250th birthday. There was the movie Young Washington which only wetted my appetite for more about our founding father. (And from what I’ve learned is, there will be.) The event Rededicate 250 held on the National Mall rekindled my hope for a return to the Christian principles embedded within our Constitution. Then the enthusiastic acceptance of our World Cup visitor friends, opened my eyes to appreciate my beloved country from a fresh perspective. Needless to say, I was inspired.

Since the Christian faith of our Founding Fathers is severely downplayed these days, I knew I needed a refresh on the facts of our Revolutionary days. So when I discovered Eric Metaxas’s book, “Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation,” I was intrigued. You know what drew me to his book? He told the whole story. He didn’t leave God out. That was and is the missing element of most history books of our day. And frankly I hungered for that missing element.

So I’m in the process of reading Mr. Metaxas’s book. And I’m enthralled. Being a Christian myself, Revolution enables me to see the leaders of our Revolution from a relatable perspective. It surprised me to know that our Revolution has been the only successful revolution of many world revolutions? Ours has lasted 250 years and is proof positive that adhering to the biblical principles within our Constitution is the reason why. For the world’s sake, in order to continue moving forward America must return to her Christian faith. And the words of Ronald Raegan, and Puritan pilgrim John Winthrop based on Matthew 5:14-16 tells us why:

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.” John Winthrop

Raising up generations who are ignorant of the impact Christianity had on the formation of our country has produced the ignorance we are dealing with today. Did you know that it was reported that some of our leadership argued recently that our rights don’t come from God! This is shocking to me. However, is it any wonder we would be so misinformed about our country’s beginnings when we’ve lost sight of what motivated our Founding Fathers to establish such a country?

So I’m taking a refreshing plunge into a complete account of my country, thanks to Mr Metaxas. I do not care to continue in ignorance of all the nuances involved in the acts of faith and miracles of God that shaped our beloved United States of America. I strongly feel, if we desire to continue moving forward, we should be determined, as our Founding Fathers were, not to go without God.

Young Washington – Mistakes can make us

Jul7

This week America will celebrate her 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And a film portraying our country’s first president, George Washington, is highlighting our celebration. I believe, the timing of the release of this movie is Providential. For there is much to ponder and to learn from the movie, Young Washington.

For instance, Washington’s first attempts at leadership were massive failures. However, he chose to learn from those failures and history revealed it shaped him into becoming just the leader our country needed. His core belief in Providence fashioned a man who didn’t look to himself alone for his guidance. He depended on Providence to guide and protect him and his troops.

Now, I bring this up because America is being threatened from within. For there are those who would erase the roll of Providence in the formation of the United States of America, in particular of our Founding Fathers.

Yet, if we are hoping to extend America’s future, we had better acknowledge our errors as Washington did. For he famously quoted, “We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors.”

Acknowledging the protective power and guidance of God Almighty was the bedrock of his confidence. In a letter to the Rev. Samuel Langdon, Washington reflected this.

“The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without feeling the warmest gratitude towards the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested in our behalf. And it is my earnest prayer that we may so conduct ourselves as to merit a continuance of those blessings with which we have hitherto been favored.” — George Washington in a Sept. 28, 1789 letter to the Rev. Samuel Langdon

I believe the timing of this film is Providential. I pray it will inspire Americans to get informed as to who we are and what we are about. To turn our hearts back to God. To be taught the Truth and be set free by that Truth. We need to acknowledge our mistakes, Swallow our pride and make choices that will bring healing and strength to our beloved country.

And as a result get informed and acknowledge that God is calling us back to Himself. While recognizing the enemy. For he is that hidden voice, the motivator, behind those who are bent on destroying America.

Instead let us purpose to follow the course set for us in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden….” as referenced by President Raegan in his farewell address. A course that returns us to God and restores America. For if we do not, a Puritan pilgrim, John Winthrop back in 1630, warned us of the consequences:

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.”