The State Goes to Church

A civil war, rooted in the pattern of two colors on our map, rages within The United States. Is the violence plaguing our political system the result of a superpower’s disinterest in embracing purpose? This nation has resisted its calling to be an openly Christian domain, a place where the huddled masses can secure the blessings of liberty. 

The rot found in the head weakens the entire body. Consider the number of politicians unwilling to serve the public. Rather, a charismatic personality taps into the culture of amassing likes on social media. Their own agenda promoted without any thought of the constituents who expect to get a seat at the table, at last, via their elected proxy.

This aspirant to a seat of power who campaigns on the platform of advancing the greater good grows deaf to Fatherly advice. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition…[r]ather, in humility value others above yourselves…” (Philippians 2:3 NIV). This death of an unrealized good Samaritan is tragic to witness.

The swell of indifference is compounded by the many fences erected. One party touts itself as the party of God while the other is considered a haven for left-wing radicals. Combatants set up a dynamic where the middle ground is not sought often enough. “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined…” (Matthew 12:25 NIV).

Both sides forget. “Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul…” (Proverbs 16:24 NLT). Too many in the flock are fixated on certain “bad” behaviors while turning a blind eye to other kinds of missteps. Their sworn enemies are judged as being hell bound. Alleged pleasure seekers, rightly indignant, paint the devout as bumpkins who hold up fables from an outdated book as fact.

A faction of the congregation, when in power, oversteps boundaries. In Ephesians 5:10, each person is encouraged to determine carefully what pleases the Lord. It is between the individual and Him to work out whom they love, when she will be fruitful and multiply, or preferred pronouns, just as each wo/man weighs the consequences of stepping outside the marriage covenant, stealing what is not theirs, or bending the truth until it breaks.

Morality cannot be legislated by passing a glut of laws. The line between church and state is blurred forcibly if “those types” over there are stripped of their right to choose the manner in which they pursue a relationship with the divine. There is, however, no reason why the state cannot draw inspiration from the church.

True disciples heed the call to listen. Peacemakers agree to disagree on hot-button topics, like when life begins or what defines a family. They seek wise counsel from God through prayer and study in order to model the use of a mindful approach when casting a vote on issues like voting rights, a path to economic stability for all, access to healthcare, and protecting the health of our planet.

Priorities change. Everyone, no matter the variety of attitudes shaping their belief system, will shelter under the banner of Old Glory feeling valued. Socioeconomic disparities based on gender, race, and/or ethnicity built into the fabric of America’s constitution, though later amended, are held up as wrongs not to be repeated. Success is redefined as a go-getter using their talents to help others.

A choir of voices raised in a promise to care about family from another mother. The insult of censorship threatening a firebrand’s ability to dissent on a loaded subject, say the relationship between gun control and school shootings, reminds a populace to stay aware. No one condones the added injury of our children being drained of that spark of youth in an internment camp for illegals immigrants.

Leaders, inspired to move mountains, blaze trails. Already vulnerable groups are not denied the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Acts of war by the U.S. are vetoed when they hint at a return to colonizer ways versus championing the right of fellow humans to live free of authoritarian rule. Surely, wealthy and powerful pedophiles around the globe are not permitted to hide unpunished in redactions.

The risk does not lie in citizens, some under a heavenly influence, pledging to stand in solidarity with each other to create a more perfect union. The shift toward this ideal challenges a sleeping giant to dust itself off, water the garden of Uncle Sam, and stride back onto the world stage to shine brightly like the sun. 

The leader of the free world evolves into a conduit through which godsends flow outward to fill the earth. This is the potential the nations recognize, may even pray is brought to fruition by the U.S. some time soon. But brave deeds will be required of the United States for it to debut such greatness.

 

The Glow of Youth is our Hope

And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.  (Hebrews 10:38  NLT)

Americans, we are on the brink of greatness.  How do I know?  The young people of our nation are awesome. 

Here is just one story:

A college-aged Jewish man invited anyone of any faith to join him for Shabbat every Friday.  This young man of faith and his diverse group of friends broke bread and talked.  When he heard about another young man on campus who was in the habit of spewing hate in public forums, our young man of faith decided to invite this lost one to dinner.  He stood his ground even after most of his usual dinner companions scattered to the wind.  His friends found him still willing to share when they cautiously returned one by one.  

Now, the best part of the story begins.  This group, inspired by a man of faith, allowed the lost one to talk and he let them talk.  They exchanged thoughts and articles until the lost one had to admit the error of his way.  He publicly and bravely admitted the hate he spewed was based in lies.  This brave young man was reborn but at the price of being estranged from his family.

My fellow Americans, do you understand what I am saying?  People from all walks of life found each other on this college campus because a man of faith extended a loving hand to everyone he met, even a young man trapped by a fear he had been taught since his youth.  This diverse group of people talked to each other, learned from each other, and grew stronger together.  They stepped out of their respective comfort zones to become a better version of themselves.  That is the true American dream. 

So, I repeat my assertion.  Americans, we are on the brink of greatness while standing at a crossroads.  We cannot turn away from our responsibility; it is up to us to choose the direction that clears the way for our young people to fulfill their purpose.  They are destined to become the leaders of tomorrow who will usher this nation into a time of unimaginable greatness.  Our young people, against the odds, are learning the importance of lovingly embracing each and every one of their compatriots.  

Hope for the future is a glorious sight to behold.  Being part of that change is a gift.  Let us begin now.

Making America Great Again is Scary for Some

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” ― Edmund Burke

I do not think America should want to be great again because "again" includes native populations being decimated by disease and then being forced off their land by invaders with superior weapons, the same populations being sterilized without permission, the Tuskegee Experiment, shaming victims of sexual assault, hunting animals into extinction, Jim Crow laws and a multitude of hate groups, considering spousal and child abuse to be private family business, being slow to address the HIV infection because marginalized populations died first, polluting the environment, the Cold War, not everyone being able to vote, not really believing all humans were created equal, unequal access to education, healthcare, jobs, and housing, bombings, anger, frustration, division, global warming, race lines, class lines, religious persecution, internment camps, talk of building a wall, xenophobia, having deep and emotional scars from seeing how poorly humans can treat each other and so many other things not popping into my mind at this time.

Nostalgia is dangerous if it prevents a forward progression.  America is on the right path but it can do better.  It is wonderful to invite the huddled masses yearning to breathe free to your nation's shores, but the open invitation must be extended to every woman, man, and child.  I think many Americans like to think back to the "glory days" when this country liked to present itself as a wealthy, business-savvy world power which was at the forefront of scientific discovery as well as the leader of the free world.  This was a facade which tried to negate the pain and suffering of so many Americans who were being failed daily.  I am not the only one who would NEVER want to go back to ANY time in America's history.  And that fact must be acknowledged.  .

Do not get me wrong.  No country founded and governed by imperfect people will ever be a perfect place.  I am not asking for that type of nirvana.  I am asking this nation to keep it real.  It takes a village to raise a nation to progressively higher levels of greatness.  Giving voice to the differing points of view about what is good to keep and what has to be thrown out immediately will keep us all on our toes, inspiring America to become a place where there is liberty and justice for all.    

Women of Great Value

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)




Anyone who makes light of sexual assault, brags about trying to initiate an adulterous affair, and uses shockingly obscene language to denigrate women is not fit to be the President of the United States of America.  The next leader of the free world must be a person of integrity who extends respect to everyone.  Every life has great value.  I should not have to point out how this most definitely includes the female gender. 

The POTUS is expected to take the lead in ensuring that little girls and women throughout the US, better yet the world, are given full access to education.  It is the means by which poverty, gender-based violence, and gender inequality can be vanquished.  This nation will grow in strength when no American girl or woman has to bump up against a glass ceiling. 

Can a person who advocates grabbing a woman's genitalia really understand this concept and then fight to have this type of freedom spread like a wildfire throughout the world?  I think not.

Fear No Evil

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil...   (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

Terrorists of all types may want to maim and kill me, you, or any of our fellow citizens in an effort to strike fear into our collective soul.  These hateful actions are doomed to fail if Americans allow God to be our protector and source of comfort.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  (Psalm 23:5 NIV)

God is willing to be a safe harbor during these stormy and frightening times.  He is a healer who can take what was meant for evil and make it good.  He is the one with all power in His hands, well able to make sure our foes see America prosper despite it being attacked on many fronts.  We can sit at a table filled with bounty while abundant blessings flow into every area of our lives.  Every one of us can have the last laugh because fiery darts have no power when The Lord is our shield.  

Victory is not a dream but a forgone conclusion when one commits to knowing and believing the Word of God found in the Bible.  If Americans walk in faith without fear or anger, we can expect to keep receiving beautifully good things until our entire nation experiences the joy of living in the overflow.  So, let's us pray for relief, expecting to defeat terrorism with a God-given bravery and dignity.  America's enemies will wither before our eyes. 

The Best Fruit of Hard Labor

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?  (Ecclesiastes 1:3 NLT)

This is a question to be pondered day and night.  What fruits of hard labor are you expecting to reap? 

I understand how learning to pour great effort into completing a task teaches one the value of discipline as well as perseverance.  There is nothing wrong with being able to support your family, even better if you also can afford pleasant things and exciting adventures.  Accolades and status should come to those who consistently get the job done with stellar results.  Each one of us knows the list of benefits arising from hard, honest work is long and varied.  

Yet, I wonder if our desire to work so hard is a bit self-serving.  Many of us take care of ourselves and our own without much thought for what our neighbors require.  We do things like volunteer, give away used things to the poor, or donate money to children starving in poor countries.  But we work like our lives depend on it because in this society money is power unfortunately.  The idea of "he who dies with the most toys wins" is not a joke, but a curse dampening the spirit of cooperation.  

Do not act like I am an alarmist screaming about the sky falling.  When is the last time you gave away your car to a single mother who needed it to get to work more easily?  And I have never told a homeless man you can live in my home until you get back on your feet.  Finding the fortitude to participate in bold acts of kindness requires a leap of faith.  You must believe God will allow even greater blessings to flow into your life as you let possessions leave your hands.  

A radical change in attitude is needed to help us embrace the greater purpose of working hard to sow love even when it is very inconvenient to do so.  You and I must acknowledge that the best fruit reaped from our hard labor is the transformation our nation into heaven on earth.  Let us start with small tasks until we can become fully committed to our new job of securing a bright future for every child.

God-Made Versus Self-Made

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)


Each one of us are made to reflect the shining light of love that is God.  Acknowledge the self-made man or woman because ingenuity has been shown. But honor the God-made women or men who desire to walk in integrity and kindness so that our nation may see the blessings of the the Lord.  These are the people who should be our trusted leaders and heroes. 

All We Need is Love

4 Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails...  (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV) 

Michael Jackson said in his song "I'm starting with the man in the mirror" and "I'm asking him to change his ways."  The challenge of every American citizen is to walk in the love so that all of our children can inherit a healed land.  We will not fail to see America the Beautiful if we first commit to changing ourselves only to expand our sphere of influence until the entire nation is transformed by love.  This legacy is preferable to the culture of pain and hopelessness, mixed with lots of anger-fueled aggression, in which we live now.  

Lack Nothing

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1)

The Lord could be the king that guides our leaders to help us walk a path of integrity so that our children can have a bright future.  We truly would lack nothing if we could leave them a legacy of peace, justice, prosperity, health, wisdom, and joy.  We will not be spared difficulty or bad times.  The Lord still requires us to meditate on his Word day and night.  It is the only way He can shepherd us toward victory. We can see America shining from sea to sea.   

Invest in the Future

The LORD will make you the head, not the tail.  If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.  (Deuteronomy 28:13)

"The most important one,” answered Jesus, "is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:29-31)

We are flawed humans, never really giving EVERYTHING.  Still, we can start with acknowledging there is only one God.  The next step is to pour our energy into making sure every action, thought, dream, and ambition is about helping anyone and everyone we meet.  That is how one cares for neighbors.  His grace allows these imperfect acts of kindness to be counted as perfect love.  

As we reflect His goodness, we become the head.  A good leader starts with his family and expands this influence until she can show the world the path to greatness.  Americans and America will be at the top, not to lord over everyone, but to be an example of obtaining excellence through service to The Lord.

A wise woman or man will leave an inheritance for future generations.  We can leave our children's children a nation that is strong, fruitful, and full of honorable citizens who are proud to be Americans.  

True American Patriot

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a patriot as "a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country."  

Do you love this country enough to take a leap faith?  Believe there is a God.

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:20 NLT)

Are you willing to fight back unbelief and know God is the answer to all that ails this nation?  Be a true patriot and pray to God about how each one of us can help every woman, man, and child living in America find healing. 

Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.  (Psalm 50:15)

There would be an outpouring of love, kindness, justice, and honor.  Our country would be at peace.  We would be living proof of God’s awesome power and grace. 

Protect the Most Vulnerable

"Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

(Deuteronomy 27:19)

The challenge of providing a people with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a very difficult job.  Divine guidance is needed.

Our leaders must heed the warnings.  The issues they deal with are difficult, including how to treat immigrants, legal and illegal, police shooting civilians under questionable circumstances, and police being targeted for assassination.  The American government must be able to control its borders so that it can repel those who would do its citizens harm.  It must keep better track of who is living here and what everyone is doing.  But it is commanded to treat every immigrant with respect.  The widows of men shot by police officers deserve to have each case thoroughly investigated without bias.  The children of slaughtered police officers cry out to heaven because our nation refuses to see why angry young men lash out at authority figures and threaten to send our society into lawlessness.  

God speaks clearly about these issues.  Things do not go well when a nation does not behave honorably and protect all of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.  He is merciful and holds back utter destruction, but we all know our country is not thriving.

Be Called by His Name

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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.           
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)

Other nations proudly say they are Muslim.  Why can’t the US be an openly Christian nation?  This nation would not stop being a democracy.  God is all about free will.  No citizen would lose the freedom to choose her or his own path.  The separation of Church and State would remain.  It would just be a matter of this nation saying we collectively follow the good example of Jesus who conducted all of His business with integrity, kindness, and wisdom. 

Our great land needs a healing.  The ills ailing this country are great: rampant violence and lawlessness, systemic racism and sexism, youth left to their own devices, corruption at all levels in government, frequent gun violence, acts of terrorism, breakdown of the family structure,  lack of tolerance for those considered “different”…  The list is long and painful. America must humble itself and admit it has lost its way.  

Do not fall into the trap of thinking this will turn into the USA following an unforgiving god who is all about hellfire and brimstone.  There cannot be finger pointing and talk of who is the bigger sinner because we all fall short in some way.  It is about the one and only God, through Jesus’ example, being a perfect and loving leader.  Our nation would thrive under such benign guidance. 

Let’s try something different by praying to God for advice on how to conduct our national business with more wisdom.  It is okay if you do want to participate, but keep your eyes open so that you can be witness to the great blessings which surely will come.

In God We Trust: Right Action

Many devout Americans entreated the Secretary of the Treasury to put “In God We Trust” on coins during the Civil War.  They knew what needed to be done. 

"This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  (Zechariah 7:9)

The battle to end slavery was just.  A people who had endured unspeakable acts of cruelty and savagery for centuries would be set free.  These believers looked to God for protection and guidance in times of great turmoil.  These true Americans stood on His promises.  God did not fail them or abandon them as they risked life and limb to help their fellow countrymen.  As our republic continues to stand, their faith rightly remains etched on our coins to this day.