Michael R. Myers / Ed.D. It's Time to Remember, America

Restoring the Foundations of Liberty
1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-1-936354-32-0
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 242 Seiten

It's no secret that the history of America as a nation has been largely rewritten and reshaped in recent years. With no solid anchor to the past, there is little to give genuine meaning to our present existence. What would happen if we could somehow return to former days and speak with those who framed the foundation of this country? Obviously, that is not possible-except through their writings. 'It's Time to Remember, America!' is not just a statement, warning, or admonition. It is an invitation to recall those who established a system of government such as the world has never known and where the biblical worldview formed a common thread. Yes, it's time to remember the America that was . . . and to dream of the America it can be-under God.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Michael R. Myers, Ed. D.

Ed.D.,

Leseproben

On America and Patriotism
Pa’triotism, n. Love of one’s country; the passion which aims to serve one’s country, either in defending it from invasion or protecting its rights and maintaining its laws and institutions in vigor and purity. Patriotism is the characteristic of a good citizen, the noblest passion that animates a man in the character of a citizen.1 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:5-6, KJV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12) Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) America! Just the name has evoked deep emotion and highest aspirations for personal liberty and fulfillment in countless millions in the short while that this nation has existed as the “land of the free and the home of the brave.” For those who call this country their own, a deep pride swells up as they reflect upon the majesty and powerful influence of America. Many who have left these shores realize the special blessings and privileges of America. The liberty and prosperity of the United States become eminently clear and longed for by an American away from home. Yet another America has emerged with increasing intensity—an America without morals, an America without virtue, an America without Christian values. We are hateful and jealous. We are lost in many ways. Our response to this duality will determine the final outcome of the present struggle. Will God abandon America? What can and will American Christians do to salvage our faltering culture? The answer, I believe, lies in the veracity with which we claim our Christian heritage, using ancient landmarks to steer the course for future generations. In order to save America, we must understand and appreciate America’s past. Historically, patriotism has been a much appreciated character trait. And yet today there are many who would shy away from its call. Scripture teaches us that God establishes nations as His way of structuring human civilization on earth (Genesis 10; Jeremiah 18). While we must take care never to exalt any nation above God and His eternal purposes, it seems wise and proper to embrace one’s country with a love which would spur it on to excellence in the calling God has for it. Without patriotism, we tend to lose sight of God’s plan and purpose for our nation. What follows is a seemingly pious, but misguided separation of Christian influence from human society and government. Apathy and complacency turn into outright disgust and despair. Clearly this is not the way to restoration and revival! As American Christians, our hearts should break for our nation, even as Jesus wept over His (Luke 19:41). We should influence our culture for righteousness, even as Jesus was actively involved in reforming the atrocities of His day (19:45). Following Christ’s example, let us respond to His commission to spread salt and light into the land in which God has planted us. This begins with the individual ordering his life according to the principles and precepts for godly living laid out in Scripture. It then moves outward to the spheres of the family, the church and finally to the neighborhood and beyond. Christ’s Law of Love must govern our relationships in all of these spheres. Furthermore, as American Christians, we must prepare leaders to assume positions of responsibility and influence in every area of life. God has granted us remarkable liberty in this nation. May our love for our country grow ever stronger as we remember her miraculous origins. May this love compel us to seek to correct the wrong things in our nation; to restore her to the biblical standard of morality and justice. May God pour out His mercy and grace on our land. Following Christ’s example, let us lift our sights and spread salt and light into the land in which God has planted us.   “… it is not our own arm which has saved us” One can recognize the almost palpable pride of Samuel Adams in this speech. Adams does not, however, lose sight of the greater Being at work in America’s rise to grandeur. We are now on this continent … three millions of souls united in one common cause. We have large armies…. Foreign nations are waiting to crown our success by their alliances. There are instances of, I would say, an almost astonishing Providence in our favor; our success has staggered our enemies, and almost given faith to infidels; so that we may truly say it is not our own arm which has saved us. The hand of heaven appears to have led us on to be, perhaps, humble instruments and means in the great providential dispensation which is completing.2 Patriotism and humility before God are necessary ingredients for a national spiritual revival! It’s time to remember Our humble beginnings!   “Give me your tired, your poor …” Our forefathers saw America as a “city set upon a hill”—a beacon to all the nations of the world declaring the blessings of a nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). This could be termed America’s gospel purpose. Samuel Adams saw the United States as a haven for the oppressed and abused of the world. … freedom of thought and the right of private judgment, in matters of conscience, driven from every corner of the earth, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum. Let us cherish the noble guests, and shelter them under the wings of an universal toleration. Be this the seat of unbounded religious freedom.3 The spirit of his message is embodied in the Statue of Liberty’s motto: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free …” Let us embrace the downtrodden and needy and lead them to the Light of the World who offers hope to all who come. It’s time to remember our gospel purpose!   “… to owe to his hand and power …” Long before the American War for Independence, God was planting the seeds of this Christian republic in the various colonies. His handprint is firmly pressed into the soil of each unique genesis. William Penn, Quaker preacher and proprietor of the Pennsylvania colony, realized the providence of God in its foundation: For my country, I eyed the Lord in obtaining it, and more was I drawn to look to him, and to owe to his hand and power than to any other way. I have so obtained it, and desire to keep it that I may not be unworthy of his love 4 May we embrace these same sentiments as we dedicate our lives to securing the blessings of our Heavenly Father for our beloved land! It’s time to remember the hand of God in our nation’s history!   “… its ornament and safeguard” John Hancock, first to sign the Declaration of Independence and thereby lay his very life on the line, had a distinct vision of what made America great. But I thank God, that America abounds in men who are superior to all temptation, whom nothing can divert from a steady pursuit of the interest of their country; who are at once its ornament and safeguard. And sure as I am, I should not incur your displeasure, if I paid a respect, so justly due to their much honored characters, in this place…. From them let us, my friends, take example; from them let us catch the divine enthusiasm….5 Hancock saw the people of America as its strength. Tragically, the Christian testimony and example of many of the heroes of our past have been forgotten or systematically removed from our histories. We must proclaim the stories of the people who shaped this nation in our homes and classrooms. Through diligent research we can discover anew the wisdom and contribution of men like those examined in this book. That same ennobled and enlightened character seen in the patriots of old can be restored and help guide us through the challenges of our modern world. It’s time to remember our heroes!   “… to sacrifice … to the sacred calls of his country” Countless men and women of our founding era gave unselfishly of their possessions and lives so that we may enjoy the blessings of liberty. James Otis, perhaps the preeminent New England orator at the time of the Revolution, spoke of the cost of patriotism. The only principles of public conduct, that are worthy of a gentleman or a man, are to sacrifice estate, ease, health and applause, and even life, to the sacred calls of his country. These manly sentiments, in private life, make the good citizens; in public life, the patriot and the hero.6 Have we attained that degree of commitment to the purposes of God for our nation in order to restore and preserve our liberty so dearly bought? It’s time to remember the price of our freedom!   “… a humble anticipation of the future blessings …” First president George Washington had an early and acute appreciation for the nature of the fledgling nation that was taking root. America was like no other nation in its founding and principles of government. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible...