My heart is too heavy to write about food, travel, gifts and holiday plans. The news of this health care bill passing against the will of the American public - our elected leaders betraying us - has totally thrown me for a wicked loop. I needed a reminder that this country is still worth allegiance; so, I have been re-reading the Declaration of Independence (something all Americans should do every now and again).
It does good to re-read your history - as a Christian and an American. In this particular instance, re-reading it reminded me that this Nation and the principles it was founded upon still count today. There's still hope even when the ugliness of what our leaders are doing threatens to ruin the mood of Christmas once and for all in 2009.
I lingered on the words and thought about what it must have been like to live on principle alone - knowing that the signing of your name would mean the destruction of your property, family and life... the ultimate sacrifice for an uncertain future.
"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
"We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
A ragtag band of farmers, fathers, God-fearing patriots, liberty-loving commoners... defeated the worlds most grand army of their time.
Because it was the right thing to do...
...to give their children a chance at freedom and a future of prosperity.
The legacy of our founding fathers live on in the hearts of all those who love freedom and the future of their children.
Miracles still happen.
I'll also be reading the story of the first Christmas in the coming days (God's ultimate sacrifice for a CERTAIN future)... savoring the details. The Romans wanted to make sure everyone was paying taxes, so pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem like a good wife and citizen - to be counted. She added one more little person to the world. God used her obedience and the decrees of a Roman Caesar to fulfill his prophecy:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." ~ Micah 5:2
Jesus was counted. Mary was counted. God's Word still counts today... these some 2,000 years later.
Just one more reminder that the tiny child we celebrate this Christmas season - the true gift to humanity - is still in control. He knows the future. He understands the fears and burdens of our hearts. He knows what the manger smells like (probably much like the inside of the United States Senate chamber - ha!).
Jesus is not phased by the muck and grit of reality - because He has plans to clean up the mess.
We shouldn't be phased, either. He is still on the throne. Whether we put Him there in our lives or not... He's still the King that Counts.
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10 comments:
Amen, sister. I listened to a sermon by someone last week. He made this statement (that I will paraphrase) "No matter what the fool thinks he is doing for good, God see his heart and laughs." ultimately God is in control and no matter how people continue to work so hard to mess this country up, He knows His plans and His works.
That alone is my comfort.
I have been toying with this thought about the health care bill passing without the thoughts and voting of the people.. I love how you put this.. Thanks for sharing..
Amen, great post.
Merry Christmas!
"Miracles still happen."
Let us all continue to pray...
It brings me so much peace and comfort to know that God is infinite, eternal and unchangeable. He knew all before He created even the first speck of dust. My heart really breaks for those who don't have the hope that I have. Those who look at the yuck that surrounds us and wonder where this world will be in 20, 80, 500 years... I know, and I can't wait.
Amen my sister. Thank you for speaking up for God's America, our nation. We need to keep praying.
xox
I'm sorry your heart is heavy right now...but maybe I shouldn't be? I suppose that at times it is good and right to feel sad, disapointed, etc. (I just want to "fix it" when I witness someone feeling like that.) Regardless, I appreciate the direction of your thoughts: remembering truth (historical and spiritual.)
Praying that your family experiences a surfeit of love and warmth this week,
~K
I hear you, Heather. I am so disheartened about this. The gov't should work for us, not against us. They are elected to do the will of the people, not their own. Those who turned their backs on their constituents, IMO, should not be re-elected. We need, as Christians, to stop removing ourselves from the political process and start caring about this country, and that means voting in those with like values.
I praise God that He is still in control-whether our government acknowledges it or not.
I actually CRIED at the first quote from the Declaration of Independence. I do need to go back and read it again. It will renew my resolve for election days coming.
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