A Dying Country?

We live in a changeable world. Change is usually good. If it wasn't for the initiative of people to search for changes, we would still be living in the stone age. I am very thankful for people who search for cures for diseases and make medications better, who make computers and cars better and more efficient, and those who strive to further our knowledge and understanding of our world.

However, I have to admit that I wish some things didn't have to change. I wish that things were slower, like back in the days before we had automobiles. I wish people cared more about each other. Our world--and maybe our country specifically--has become very egocentric. We focus on ourselves; on what is best for us and what is going to get us ahead of the rat pack. But most of all, I wish we could go back to a time when God and country still went hand-in-hand. There was a time when our politicians--those we elect to represent the will of the people--really cared about what the people thought. Our founding fathers knew that government had the potential to become corrupt and that is why they instituted the Constitution. They wanted to ensure that in spite of themselves, people could not destroy our country for personal gain or notoriety. I find it hard to believe, though, that many of our elected representatives are so willing to ignore not only the will of the people, but the Constitution as well! Do they think that if they ignore it, it will magically disappear? Do they think that if they write a piece of legislation that is eight billion pages long, it will trump the Constitution? Or do they think that by keeping the eight billions page bill secret WE the PEOPLE will forget about it?

I know one thing for certain; if we don't let God back into the center of our decision making, we have nowhere to go but down. Sometimes I really wonder if our current administration isn't concertedly trying to destroy the American way of life. I know we aren't perfect. Truth be told, America is traditionally a bully. But regardless, we are a great nation and we have prospered because we built our moral structure on God's law. But the progressives are hell bent on removing our moral code and that will be our downfall.

We are a little over a week away from the start of a new year--an election year. I encourage you to begin praying now for our country, our future leaders, and our world. I also encourage you to start paying particular attention to what is going on in our nation. I am guilty of burying my head in the sand for too long and I believe that many Americans are doing the same. Ignorance is NOT bliss in this case. Please pray and if you feel led, get involved. There are conservative groups on Facebook that are more than happy to keep us notified of breaking events and provide links to petitions that allow us to make our voices heard. If we Christians and patriotic American's won't stand up for our country, who will?

America the Beautiful

I love Brad Stine. If you have never listened to him, I encourage you to check him out. He depicts himself as a comedian for the other half of America. He prides himself on several things. One is that he does not use swear words during his act. Another is that he is a conservative Christian. Thirdly, and most importantly for this post, is that he is as about as patriotic as they come. He loves America. He believes in its foundation, given that it was formed on Christian morals and values by our Founding Fathers who were Christians and who used the Bible as their instruction manual. He is not afraid to get on his soap box and tell it like it is. He is also not willing to let our great country go to 'hell in a handbasket', if you will.

I admire Brad as much as I enjoy his comedy. First off, my kids love him too. He is funny! Second, he shares my values. And third, he inspires me to become a better person. I have lots of Christan friends and we often talk about how bad things are getting. We empathize and dream of a day when a conservative will once again lead this country and then we move on. But there are a few people who, like Brad, are not afraid to stand up and fight. Their soapboxes may not be as prominent or big as Brad's but nevertheless they do what they can with whatever position God has given them in the world. And I admire them!

Many years ago I heard a song with these words; "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything". That has been my mantra for a long time. I even use it on my kids and the get it! There are a lot of Christians in America. Over 90% of the population at least believes in God. And if that many people believe in God, it would stand to reason that they would want to see our country find her roots again. God is an absolute God and morals and values should come from Him. The devil has done his best over time to gray the absolutes. Today you will hear more about tolerance than you will about absolute right and wrong. Before long even Christians are telling others to do whatever floats their boats rather than try to lovingly encourage them to do the right thing. And worse than that, we feel like we have no recourse. How can we fight a government that demands tolerance? How can we fight an administration that has no absolute morals and values?

Here is how; we need to unite! We need to stand together for the same thing. We need to become informed. I admit that I do not know nearly enough about what is going on in this great country. I tend to shut out the bad news; your know, ignorance is bliss!

God placed us here in this time and place for such a time as this. We are blessed to be living in what I (and many others) truly believe are the last days. It's easy to give up trying to make a difference because Christians know that things must continue to get worse before the great and awesome day in which the Lord Jesus returns, but we need to take our stance from Jesus Himself. He knows who will come to Him and be saved because He is omniscient. But He never gives up. He continues to give people time and opportunity to change their minds. Even now, we are waiting on a great and merciful God because He desires that NONE should perish. He is staying His hand for the sake of those who are yet lost. So who am I to give up on America? I am a voice and I can make a difference in the sphere of influence the God has given me. It may be my neighborhood. It may be amongst my Facebook friends. It may only be within my own home. But whoever will listen, I need to spread the word. America is GREAT! She deserves to have us fighting for her. God blessed us to live her in this time for a purpose. By His grace I can do all things. As long as I have a voice, I will share His great love and faithfulness with all who will listen. It is because of His great love that America exists and is prosperous. How long she is prosperous is completely up to us. We can stand together and fight. Are you up to the challenge?