Category: Patriotism

7/4/2020

That UNCLE SAM I am

From time to time I share cartoons, and blogs regarding my concerns that America has compromised it's Christian values. America was founded as a Christian nation but is now a melting pot of faiths where false gods are given equal billing with the only true God of our Bibles. We should NOT apologize for our Christian heritage, but instead should embrace and develop it.

So that was then, but today I want to follow up with an email title borrowed from the ‘very minor prophet’ Dr. Seuss where the Sam I speak of is Uncle Sam. That Sam I am, that Sam I am, I do like that Uncle Sam I am.

We are blessed to be in a country (even with all it’s problems) where we can worship God freely (modified by Covid-19 in 2020), where I can pray and am not truly persecuted for my faith. That Sam I am That Same I am, I do like that Uncle Sam I am... though I am not so sure about any Green Eggs and Ham. maybe on the 4th a slice of good ol' Apple Pie...with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream. Ok, two scoops.

I live in a beautiful country that that is presently (summer of 2020) in turmoil. Covid-19 pandemic, racial tensions are high, and a portion of population including anarchist group (ie Antifa) are rioting, looting, and destroying historical monuments.. all while the 24/7 news channels are giddy gaslighting the chaos. We can debate another day if this or any is justified and what is fake but there is no debate life in America is a mess.

With all this being said I still do not really know what true hardship is. I live in a country blessed with great family, friends, and a church heritage from rural Wisconsin that is the roots of who I am.. and for me to wallow in any difficult circumstance I may face is really a moment of lost perspective.

And.. There is nothing new under the sun-- While I am not lowering the bar of expectations for America to honor God first, I am thankful for the blessings of living in a nation where so much is possible. Prayers and dreams of what could be and for a perspective of what God wants for me, my family, my country, and for this world.

With regards to America getting past these dangerous times.. it is simple. REALLY SIMPLE..

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

So SIMPLE.. if we had a repentant heart. There is lies the challenge, and should be our prayer.

So God bless America, and his people to love and serve Him, and others as He intends. May the faith of our nation become as stereotypical American loud and bold in our words and actions honoring the ONE TRUE GOD.

Happy 4th Blessings!

Jeff

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7/1/2020

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Prayer.. What if?

If MILK does a BODY good, then.. PRAYER does a CHURCH BODY good.

President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a National Day of Prayer to be observed on July 4, 1952. Each year since that date, Americans have observed the day in their own way. The observance moved to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan and has been proclaimed each year since, and so this year, May 7th 2020 was the National Day of Prayer.

OK, (IF) we believe prayer is powerful and (IF) we prayed for our nation.. why is our nation is such a mess.

A few weeks ago as our Country and this world continued to implode over all things Corona-19 and Race related and where any resemblance of truth was blinded by a cocktail of panic & blind rage I received a social media request to pray for our nation every night at 8PM. My wife and I have been mostly faithful to praying for our nation since then, but to be honest I have missed a few times. With this request in mind..

What if each of us prayed for our nation and the world everyday. Many of you I am sure do, but I am sure many others of us do not.
What if we asked God to show America mercy as we are in many ways so far from His will.,
What if we prayed for those we do not honestly like nor their politics, hidden agendas, and religious beliefs that conflict with our 'Christian' sensibilities. What if we prayed for (not at) those caught up lifestyles contrary to God's will.
What if we prayed for all these things rather than just complain to God about those less 'enlightened' than ourselves.

What if? and if not What if?.. then Why not?

As I continue this blog I find the prefect reminder of who am I when I pray and who I pray to in the lyrics from the song Who Am I by the group Casting Crowns. click here to listen to song-> WHO AM I

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are.

CHORUS:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I’m calling.
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling.
And You’ve told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are.

CHORUS:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I’m calling.
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling.
And You’ve told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours.

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are.

CHORUS:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean.
A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I’m calling.
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling.
And You’ve told me who I am.
I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
‘Cause I am Yours, I am Yours.

Think about it, Prayer is access to God. If you believe this, then this is the time we collectively say.. "WO!"

So please let's not reduce prayer into a hocus-pocus moment, making wishes to a Genie in a Lamp, or reduce it to casual words spoken quickly before an evening meal or in moments of desperation.

Instead follow the instructions of Jesus on how to pray..
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (GREAT IS OUR GOD)
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (YOUR WILL NOT MINE)
Give us today our daily bread. (PLEASE MEET OUR NEEDS) And forgive us our debts, (FORGIVE ME)
as we also have forgiven our debtors. (FORGIVE OTHERS) And lead us not into temptation, (STAY FROM TEMPTATION) but deliver us from the evil one.’ (PROTECTION)

Pray knowing who God is, and who we are to Him. Pray humbly for mercy for the people in this nation and world and for revival.

Too busy to pray?.. I sometimes think this as my busy mind in this busy society overwhelms my thoughts, BUT how long does it take to just say the Lord' Prayer which outlines perfectly all things we daily need to pray for. 1. Honoring God 2. God's Will 3. Sharing our needs 4. Forgiveness 5. Deliverance from Temptation and Evil Then after I say amen I can feel peace. PEACE BE STILL.. are the words Jesus used to calm the sea, and PEACE BE STILL is the challenge for all of us when life is raging like a stormy sea.

What if.. we prayed the Lord's Prayer Daily and not as a rote process but instead meaning each part? I believe it would CHANGE THE WORLD. I have featured a cartoon of a business meeting in Hell where there is great concern regarding Hell's lack of influence when faced with Christians praying. This is a ScrewTape letters sorta image that I believe captures the true (too often untapped) power of prayer.

Everyone of us have challenges, stress, loneliness, sadness, tragedy, debt, sickness, and/or death that greet us daily. This is a fallen world and I know for myself I make this worse as like Peter I take my eyes off Jesus and focus on the problems (the raging sea) of my day.

But no matter your circumstance, know that our prayers are heard by a God who loves us, and wants what is best for us like the PERFECT father that He is.

One last reminder.. let’s be as the Bible teaches in an attitude of prayer. Pray without ceasing.. meaning we communicate with God throughout our day. This type of prayer should be the natural communication of thanksgiving & praise, repentance, for protection & guidance, and the desires of my heart. Flowery lofty language is not needed, but instead honest ongoing communication about our worries, doubts, and dreams with our loving God.

Blessings (PRAYING in the Back Pew) Larson

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That UNCLE SAM I am

Prayer.. What if?

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