In Times Like These

We are in an election year. Achange is eminent; which way will our Country be led for the next four years?

Many take voting for our Country’s president very seriously, and rightly so. For whoever wins this highest position of leadership in our Nation has in his or her power to make decisions which will affect each and everyone of us, both individually and corporately as a Nation.

It is a historic fact our Nation’s laws have been based on Judeo-Christian laws such as the Ten Commandments. Islam, a rapidly growing religion within our Country, has beliefs which are similar to many of our ancient religious laws.

Laws Which Change with No Public Voting

Some groups within our Country have such a strong lobbying power; laws are changed without any real vote by the people. Many times laws are changed by deception and manipulation (as the abortion law). Many of these groups should really patriotic and are very convincing that they have the “good of the people at heart”

One such group is the ACLU. On their website they sound like they are very much for “God, Country, and apple pie.” The truth is they aren’t at all for God. Many of their activities are anti-Christian, anti-Jewish, and just plain anti-religion.

It was the ACLU, who was responsible for the passage of “Separation of Church and State”. Many thought this was a good idea to keep religion out of politics. But, I bet they never dreamed it would have such a far reaching effect as to want to change the very things that form our National heritage; like the Pledge of Allegiance; no prayer in schools; no prayer at public events (not even ecumenical type prayer). For those who would be uncomfortable with sitting through a one minute prayer, I make a suggestion (not of my own conception), why not just get up and go to the rest room, the concession stand, or take a short walk? Why deny those who appreciate this custom the right to participate?

At present such groups would like nothing better than to have a law passed that would negate more of our basic laws which embrace Judeo-Christian laws and which have served us well for over a hundred years, and served the Jewish and Christian communities perfectly for hundreds of years.

Are we suppose to divorce ourselves from the tenants of our faith when we vote? Some have propagated that this too should be banned. Whether this suggestion has its roots in the ACLU camp has not been disclosed to my knowledge. But considering the ACLU’s position on Separation of Church and State, one can’t wonder if this absurd suggestion found on the Internet might have been hatched by someone associated with the ACLU.

According to our National mottos we are “one Nation under God,” and “in God we trust”. It is inscribed on our money, appears in the third verse of The Star Spangled Banner, and is part of The Pledge of Alligiance. Thus it seems rediculous to even think, God-fearing men and women should abandon seeking the Almighty’s guidance in voting for the men and women who will govern over us; our President, governors, senators, and other elected officials. Not to mention the fair amount of proposals which could become laws?

But, What Does God Tell Us to Do?

The Bible tells us to respect those who govern over us…to obey them.

In the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13 verse 7 (NIrV) – “Obey your leaders. Put yourself under their authority.”

In Titus, Chapter 3 verse 1 (NIvR) – “Remind God’s people to obey rulers and authorities…”

In 1 Peter, Chapter 2 verse 13 (NIrV) – “Follow the lead of every human authority. Do it because the Lord wants you to. Obey the king (president). He is the highest authority. Obey the governors…have respect for everyone. Have respect for Go. Honor the king (president).”

Certainly we would want someone to lead us who can uphold the laws we believe to be right for the Nation. It is much easier to respect and obey someone we agree with, than someone we oppose.

About Our National Anthem

How many of you know our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner? Sure, most of you know the first verse since it is usually sung at sporting events. But how many of you know the second and third verses? Oh! You didn’t know it had a second and third verse? (Neither did I until a few years ago, I stumbled across a copy of it in a very old hymn book, and then later in an old piano book of popular songs). I have a hunch you don’t know how this cherished song came to be written.

Briefly, I will give you the facts as I learned them from an encyclopedia and an updated reference book of hymns and their histories.

The Star Spangled Banner was written by an attorney by the name of Francis Scott Key. Mr. Key was well known around the Capital, and well respected by the President and members of congress. He was also a profound believer in the Bible. IT was the Fall of 1814; the Capital was in danger due to an attack the British had led against it. There were warships in Chesapeake Bay. The British held as captive a prominent physician, Dr. Beanes. Francis was summons by the President to try to seek the release of Dr. Beanes. When negotiations broke down, Francis Scott Key was held as a hostage on the British warship.

As dawn began to break on the morning of September 14, 1814 it was clear the American forces withstood the twenty-five house bombardment by the British. On an envelope Francis Scott Key had in his jacket pocket, he scribbled these words down, which became our National Anthem

1. O say! Can you see by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight. O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave? O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
2. On the shore dimly seen through the mist of the deep Where the foe’s haughty hosts in dread silence reposes What is that which the breeze o’er the towering steep As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam In full glory reflected now shines on the stream. “Tis the Star Spangled Banner”, O long may it wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
3. O thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just And this be our motto, “in God is our trust”! And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Why Should Faith Go to the Polls?

If one’s faith is part of their daily life, as it should be, then there isn’t any way one can not rely on this faith to guide them in the decisions they make at the polls.

In the past their have been laws written contrary to God’s laws.

• Abortion
• Gay Rights
• Same Sex Marriage
• Prayer in the school
• A proposal to change the verses of The Star Spangled Banner
• Our support of Israel
• Eliminating the Pledge of Alligiance from being said at all public gatherings.

In times like these, I trust these issues and others like them are being voted on in the most responsible and conscientious way – by praying about them, then following the dictates of one’s convictions as a result of prayer. After all, it is, “in God we do trust”.