Sunday Afternoon Tea

From one man he made every nation of men, 

that they should inhabit the whole earth; 

and he determined the times set for them 

and the exact places where they should live.  

Acts 17:26

I love the month of July.  Perhaps it is because it is my birthday month and from childhood it was magical to me (Narnia magic).  July also holds the celebrations of the 4th, fireworks at the park, memories of days by the Lake (Michigan), small town parades, trips to my favorite small amusement park on another lake, and the 4-H Fair.  Oh, yes... and one must always check to see if the corn was "knee high by the 4th of July".

July is the month of patriotism in the USA.  I believe in patriotism, whether as an American or Canadian (Happy belated Canada Day!), or whatever country in which one finds themselves planted by God.  Isn't it fun to watch the Olympics or the soccer games and see the sense of national pride when a team wins?  Well, in most cases... my son is backing "the mother country" and it is not the USA but Germany (I have a very German maiden name).  It must have risen at the top of his DNA.  :)

I am unabashedly proud to be an American for I know the real History of America and not what has been rewritten in public school textbooks.  America was founded on Christian principles by both Christians and moral men and women who were not followers of Christ but believed in the same values.

This nation was a miracle of God.  How in the world could a tiny colony win independence from the greatest nation on the face of the earth at that time if not by God's hand?

America has helped feed the world, send out the Gospel of Christ, support the nation of Israel in its' rebirth and existence, supplied men to help win world wars, explore space and the oceans, and been a leader in the development of new technology.

Which is why I am heartsick at what my nation is becoming now.  I no longer recognize it as the America of my youth.  Oh, I know... it has never been perfect.  No nation has ever been perfect just as no man can claim being perfect except the Nazarene who died and rose again over 2,000 years ago.  No... America was not perfect... but America was good. 

I grew up in a family which did not attend church or have any kind of a real relationship with Christ but even in my family Christian values were the center of what was right and wrong.  I just recently caught an episode of (of all things) The Beverly Hillbillies and when I saw which one it was, I called my husband to come into the room and watch the last few minutes (I remembered the ending).  For there... on a sitcom from the 1960s.... Jed was asked to "say grace" over their Thanksgiving dinner and he prayed to the Lord.

I am asked every once in awhile if it was really so different than it is now.  I tell the young person to watch the old TV shows and read the old books for little glimpses here and there of how this country had morals and virtue.  Still a sinful people but there was a moral anchor which continued from the great revivals of the 1700s, from one generation to another.

So... what am I going to do about it?  Well, my political days were long ago and while I believe it is important for people of faith to be involved... I also saw that getting moral people in office did not change the land (unfortunately, there were times it changed the candidate).  Instead I have decided to do what the Word commands us to do and I have not... I have begun daily spending time in prayer for this country and the leaders (as well as "The Peace of Jerusalem"). 

I pray for another Great Awakening for only in a real relationship with Christ can this country and its' people have peace.  I ask on this birthday of America that all of us who call Him Lord of our life spend time in prayer each day for our individual countries whether we be American, Canadian, Mexican, Israeli, Russian, Asian, European, Australian, South American, from New Zealand or the South Pole... or live on a tiny island which does not show up on any globe.

No matter what we see happening in our various countries, God is still on the throne and He is in control.  Perfect love casts out fear... and His love is perfect.   Instead of fearing what is happening in the world... let us be people of faith and draw closer to the One Who Created Us... and teach our children to do the same.