Posted in Patriotism

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.
John Adams

In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.

John Quincy Adams

Posted in Patriotism

Last Friday, my husband and son attended Maine’s TeenPact one-day class.  There, my son had an opportunity to learn a bit about how our government works.  One of the things my husband was tremendously impressed with was that the young people who lead the TeenPact class encouraged the students in attendance to regularly pray for government officials and others in positions of authority.  Although my son wasn’t looking forward to the class beforehand, after it was over he found that it was a wonderful experience.  In fact, he was so excited about his experience that he declared that he wanted to be in politics when he grew up.  To be honest, this completely thrilled his father, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed either.  Who knows what God has planned for our son’s life and how He will use him, but we will definitely not discourage him from any arena he feels he can best glorify God in.

Part of the battle we face as Christians in America today is a result of Christians of the past two or three generations having a hands-off attitude toward politics.  Sure, politics is a dirty business at times, but why?  It is because the influence of Godly people has been too long removed from the public square.  It is time for us to again be involved, to influence the world around us for Christ, to make a difference for Him in all areas of life.  If we do not teach our children of the Godly heritage our founding fathers left for us, if we do not instill in them the importance of preserving that heritage, soon there will be nothing left to preserve.

Couldn’t my son have more influence for the Lord if he went into “full-time Christian service”?  Not necessarily.  My children will have the most influence for God in whatever place God wants to use them the most.  After all, He can see the big picture.  He knows where and how He wants to work, and when He wants to do so.  My job is to glorify God with my life by persevering in the tasks He has given me to do, and to raise my children to know and love Him and be willing to follow His lead and glorify Him in everything they do.  That, after all, is the measure of true success.

I like what David Barton of Wallbuilders has to say about this subject:

“The founders used to teach their young people: ‘Young people, do you want to do something good for God?  Then be a senator, be a judge, be a congressman, a lawyer, a doctor, a missionary, a pastor; but get out there where you can affect people with God’s principles.’  But in the 1940s and 1950s we began to say in America: ‘Young people, do you want to do something for God?  Then be a missionary, be a pastor; but don’t get involved in politics.’

When we started getting out, we handed the system over to ungodly principles.  We’ve got to get involved again.”

--David Barton, America's Godly Heritage

True words indeed, and ones more of God's people should take to heart.

Posted in Patriotism

I heard a preacher say years ago that America was no longer a Christian nation.  This same preacher stated that if God did not judge America for her wickedness, He would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.  While I will not go into all the particulars of why I strongly disagree with this statement, I will say that I think too many Christians over recent decades have had this kind of attitude, and it has cost all of us.  By making the statement he did, this man was in essence saying that what we have here in the United States of America, what our forefather's spilt their blood to protect, is not worth preserving. 

Perhaps part of the reason we have lost some of our rights as Bible-believing Christians over the last few years is because of this very attitude.  Many Christians were not willing to stand up and say "This is our country, too.  God gave our founding fathers the vision of this place, of the greatness that liberty can bring.  America is a Christian nation."  Perhaps if people like this preacher had put effort into preserving what we had, we would not have to fight to get back some of freedoms that have been taken away from us.  Perhaps if more Christians had stood up thirty years ago, like we are today, and bcome involved in the fight for religious freedom and morality, we would not be dealing with the abortion debate we face now.  Perhaps if we had made our voice heard years ago, prayer in public school would not be considered a crime.

The time, I believe, has come to say "We have had enough.  We will stand and reclaim our culture for the Lord and for righteousness."  Homeschoolers are on the fore-front of this battle, and we are training the next generation to take back the ground we have lost.  I am encouraged by groups like Answers in Genesis, the American Center for Law and Justice, Vision Forum, and HSLDA.  These people stand for right, and help the rest of us have the strength and determination to stand with them.  Through prayer, active envolvement, and a strong belief in the goodness of what we are doing, we can make a difference.  We can prove that this is a nation worth fighting for.

Posted in Patriotism

      I mentioned a few posts ago about the exciting new project being launched by Spunky Jr., Agent Tim, and some other teenaged homeschoolers called Regenerate Our Culture.  Yesterday was the launch date.  It looks like an interesting and informative site.  So, go check it out.

Posted in Patriotism

     These young homeschoolers really impressed me with their passion for making a difference in today's culture and the future direction of our country.  Their website, Regenerate Our Culture will soon be launched as a place to find information on politics and culture from a Biblical worldview perspective.  This is an ambitous but worthy project spearheaded by HSB's very own Spunky Junior and Agent Tim, as well as some other teen bloggers.  I hope someday my children will be as articulate and dedicated as these teens seem to be.  I plan to keep my eye on Regenerate Our Culture.  These kids have something to say that our society needs to hear.

Posted in Patriotism

     I noticed this article on the Fox News homepage.  All I can say is that South Dakota is headed back in the right direction.  Hopefully other states will follow suit. 

    Just last night, my pastor made the statement that America was sacrificing her children to the god of self.  A culture in which the defenseless life of an innocent unborn child can be barbarically taken away will ultimately see God's judgement upon it.  Abortion is cruel, horrific, and should be banned.  Kudos to the political leaders in the state of South Dakota for being willing to stand up and say that this act should not be allowed to go on.

     If you feel the same, go here and let your voice be heard.  It's time we stood up and declared righteousness and reclaimed this country for the Lord, the One who has blessed us so mightily.

Posted in Patriotism

     The other day, my husband gave away my Vision Forum catalog. Now, perhaps for some people this might not be a big deal. I mean, after all, it is just a catalog, right?  In our family, however, this particular catalog is guarded and passed along from one member of the family to the other with great care and reverence.  This may seem very silly.  But, truly, my husband, myself, and both of our sons enjoy tremendously just sitting and looking at all the wonderful products that are displayed on it's pages.  We pore and ponder and dream and wonder and hope that maybe we could have this or that, and that we would have the time to enjoy it if we had it. 

     I have purchased many things from this ministry over the years, and every single thing has been a tremendous blessing to myself and my family.  My boys (including my husband!) just like to look at all the cool army stuff!  I bought the crossbow for one of my boys for Christmas.  I purchased the pouch of ancient coins for the other.  My husband might have looked a bit foolish playing with a child sized crossbow, and he had no use for the coins (can't spend them anymore, you know), so I got him the DVD of The League of Grateful Sons.  And I am so glad I did.  What an incredible blessing to view that film.

     The purpose of the film is to encourage us to look to the sacrifices of past generations (in particular WWII) with grateful hearts for all that those men gave for the freedoms of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  The viewer is encouraged to glean from the lessons of those heroes of the past while they are still here to teach us themselves.  There are several testimonies from men who lived through the Battle of Iwo Jima and what they endured and learned from those dark days.  The wisdom of these men is awe-inspiring and their faith and love for the Lord revive the viewer's own heart.  It is a touching and poignant portrait of love, loyalty, and duty.  I would encourage anyone, especially men and boys, to see this film. 

     Just be sure you have a hankie close by!

http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=67880&categoryid=166

An added bonus: it's on sale right now