God Bless America

Just thinking back to a recent discussion with friends about our country, who founded it, why it was founded, etc.

Who were the first people to arrive on these shores from Europe? I would say mostly (if not all) Christians. Some came here to escape religious intolerance, some just looking for gold or a new life. But the vast majority of our early citizens, including the men who formed our government and led the rebellion WERE either Christian, or at the very least believed in a higher power. If you are crafting something, as a Christian, God is involved - even if he is not explicitly mentioned or drawn or whatever.

HOWEVER...

One of the very big considerations while forming our constitution was the idea that they never wanted our government stepping on religion (ie. they wanted no state religion). [Not the other way around, by the way, because everyone brings their ideals to the table in government]. They came up with the idea that the two should be "separate". This is separation of church and state. No formal country-wide religion. That's it. A lot more is made of it these days... too much I think.

I guess this post doesn't have much of a point except to say that this country really WAS founded by Christians (or at least God-fearing men and women) - really, it was unavoidable as Christianity was far more prevalent in that period than it is today.

All that being said I don't want non-Christians to think I am trying to take anything away from them. Not at all. The original idea and principals of this nation are good, solid... while many of us have forgotten who formed them and why we formed a nation around them, they can still work.

God bless you and have a heart-warming Christmas!

The Lord's words are always relevant...

I love reading the gospels, the 4 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I love them above all others because it's all about the life and death of our Lord, how he interacted with his people.

One thing I love is even how, as he was breathing his last, he was able to give us a parting fulfillment of scripture that mirrored his entire life with the words "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?":

Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Why are You so far from my deliverance
and from my words of groaning?
2 My God, I cry by day, but You do not answer,
by night, yet I have no rest.

3 But You are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 Our fathers trusted in You;
they trusted, and You rescued them.

5 They cried to You and were set free;
they trusted in You and were not disgraced.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by people.

7 Everyone who sees me mocks me;
they sneer and shake their heads:

8 "He relies on the LORD;
let Him rescue him;
let the LORD deliver him,
since He takes pleasure in him."

9 You took me from the womb,
making me secure while at my mother's breast.

10 I was given over to You at birth;
You have been my God from my mother's womb.

11 Do not be far from me, because distress is near
and there is no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me;
strong ones of Bashan encircle me.

13 They open their mouths against me—
lions, mauling and roaring.

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are disjointed;
my heart is like wax,
melting within me.

15 My strength is dried up like baked clay;
my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You put me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded me;
a gang of evildoers has closed in on me;
they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones;
people look and stare at me.

18 They divided my garments among themselves,
and they cast lots for my clothing.

19 But You, LORD, don't be far away.
My strength, come quickly to help me.

20 Deliver my life from the sword,
my very life from the power of the dog.

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me
from the horns of the wild oxen.

22 I will proclaim Your name to my brothers;
I will praise You in the congregation.

23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him!
All you descendants of Israel, revere Him!

24 For He has not despised or detested
the torment of the afflicted.
He did not hide His face from him,
but listened when he cried to Him for help.

25 I will give praise in the great congregation
because of You;
I will fulfill my vows
before those who fear You.

26 The humble will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the LORD will praise Him.
May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth will remember
and turn to the LORD.
All the families of the nations
will bow down before You,

28 for kingship belongs to the LORD;
He rules over the nations.

29 All who prosper on earth will eat and bow down;
all those who go down to the dust
will kneel before Him—
even the one who cannot preserve his life.

30 Descendants will serve Him;
the next generation will be told about the Lord.

31 They will come and tell a people yet to be born
about His righteousness—
what He has done.