As a Nation, by the grace of God, we celebrate our 246th year of Independence as a sovereign Nation. It took courage and determination to become the United States of America. Yet, for far too many in our educational system seem to not only forget, but purposely disregard that truth. The evening news indicates that far too many have even turned their backs on America.
Let begin with prayer for our Nation on its 246th birthday. Dear heavenly Father we pray for our Nation that it isn’t just a time for fireworks and barbecues. But one in which we recognize our dependance on You and the blessings You have poured out on this Nation for these last two centuries. Do not abandon us Father, but strengthen our resolve as Your people, that our prayers may reach out to you both day and night. Open the eyes of those in government at all levels, to understand that our blessings come directly from you. Strengthen our resolve and determination to turn back to you as a people and as a Nation. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A little background on our Declaration of Independence that declared us as a united nation and united people, no longer 13 colonies of the British Crown. (slide)
Those five men, as noted, defined the basis for our independence. Over the course of seventeen days, in between meetings and other governmental affairs, Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence under the advisement of the Committee. An act that secured Jefferson’s name in history forever.
The formal signing of the Declaration of Independence took place at the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on July 2, 1776, by Delegates to the Second Continental Congress. George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison are counted as “Founding Fathers” but were not delegates at the time and did not sign the Declaration. Washington resigned his position as a Virginia delegate when Congress formed the Continental Army and appointed him commanding general on June 14, 1775.
Each of the 56 delegates came forward to sign the Declaration of Independence as representatives for their respective newly declared states, versus British colonies.
Opening words of the Declaration, continued on next slide.
Acknowledging that our rights come from God, and not decreed by the will of government, which still holds true today, unless we willingly or unwillingly relinquish those rights--God forbid.
In signing this document, each man placed his life, liberty and fortune on the line. Five of those signers were captured by the British as traitors and killed. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of those 56 signers fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
The Original 13 States.
At great risk, many even losing their life, migrated west to build the Nation "from sea to shining sea".
Almost 12 million immigrants were processed through the immigration station on Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954, at which time the station closed. They arrived with a desire to become American and an integral part of the American dream they sought after.
Shown are views of unregistered and uncontrolled illegal immigration flowing unrestricted across our Southern border… It's estimated that there are between 15 million and 23 million illegals in USA, with additional millions still pouring in over the last 1 ½ years.
Are you familiar with this project? Many aren't.
It refers back to this part of American history. Yes, slavery was morally wrong. It was a question of cheap labor for large Southern plantations. A system that was eliminated at the cost of a bloody Civil War. Little is mentioned that slave labor existed across much of the world at the time. Little known or noted, is that there were also whites who came here from Europe as indentured servants for a prescribed period of time, with the same standard of a slave.
Let’s take a closer look at the 1619 project, which is not based on facts, but one writer’s opinion with the support of the N.Y. Times Magazine staff. Of course, it’s a radical rewriting of American history, which has made its way into and is being taught in many of our public schools.
Again, slavery mostly focused on large southern plantations, as a form of cheap labor. It did not shape America elsewhere, and as previously stated, was eliminated at great cost of both lives and fortunes, by a bloody Civil War, with the death of approximately 620,000 union soldiers, from combat, starvation, and disease, not counting the wounded. No nation in the history of the world was perfect, but America truly has been a “shining city on the hill” in its defense of liberty around the world.
This has made significant progress in America’s public schools—and it’s spreading as part of the “Woke” curriculum and agenda.
It is what's being taught in many public schools, undermining 1776 with emphasis on the Founders as slave owners. It is also a push for reparations for American Blacks none of whom were slaves to be paid by those who never owned slaves.
American schools in the 1950s. We will discuss this more in next week’s posting.
Schools in 2020 where the pledge is no longer a routine part of school curriculum, since students are not obligated to say the Pledge.
I can only hope and pray that our pledge, including the words, "One Nation under God" and prayer are turned back toward God both in the schools and across the Nation. Today's schools are shaping tomorrow's America.
President Ronald Regan had the vision and foresight to profess these words in his inaugural address on January 5, 1967.
Just as stated by President Reagan, our future as a Nation and its cultural values, rests not only with our youth but even more so with those who teach them.
Truthfully, I can’t pray this enough these days.
As God’s people, the Body of Christ, we cannot underestimate the "Power of Prayer.” God hasn’t forsaken His people. Nor should we underestimate the power of prayer. Some may say that this is an overkill, but prayer is never an overkill.
Why pray? As stated on the slide, God is sovereign over all things. He is not the author of evil but can and does use it to accomplish good. The ultimate evil that gave us the ultimate good was the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, intended for evil by Satan and the Jewish leaders, yet is the very foundation of our salvation. Just as the Nazi Holocaust and murder of Jews was intended for evil, God used it to return His Chosen people back to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Never underestimate the power of prayer, even during the darkest days.
Let’s turn to God’s Word here and continued on the next slide.
For He is our God, and we are His people!
Amen!
This is our history as "One Nation under God". Have we already lost it, or will it remain as such going forward?
We’ll close on this… with a “Please God, don’t abandon us!”
