The headline said, “Celebs react to Zimmerman verdict”. My first response was,”Who cares!”. My second thought was,”Far too many”. The views of multitudes are swayed and formed by what these people think. And that’s a problem. As a whole they are the most liberal and morally bankrupt people in society. You can bet that their opinions will be wrong nearly every time. I get sick and tired of watching “Celebs” being treated as heroes and looked upon as experts. Being a talented actor, athlete, etc. doesn’t make a person wiser or better– chances are, just the opposite is true. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil–“(Ex. 23:2) is still good advice.

On July 3, 1776, following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams reflected on that important day.

The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not.

As we celebrate Independence Day we should be thankful for all that it means. But, we should also be thoughtful as to where we are and troubled by where we are headed. As much as we might want to maintain a positive and cheerful attitude, it’s not a pretty picture! It doesn’t take a genius to see that we have strayed afar from the ideals of our forefathers and that we are headed for disaster. Ignoring it only hastens the day of reckoning. Pretending all is well doesn’t make it so.

While it is easy to blame the present administration, and/or the incompetence of both parties in recent years, we need to see the bigger picture. Congress is but a reflection of what we are corporately. To lay all the blame on them is like the “pot calling the kettle black”. It is “we the people” who have promoted, supported, and tolerated the inept leaders who are taking us over the precipice. We tolerate in ourselves the very things for which we condemn the government. The blind are leading the blind and all are headed for the ditch. Change will never come until we get brutally honest about ourselves, turn to God, and install new leadership. Hope, therefore, begins with us, not them.

President  President James Garfield (1831-1881) wrote: “The people are responsible for the character of their Congress.  If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.”  Yes, “We the people” are responsible, and “We the people must take responsibility for our actions.  James Madison “the Father of US Constitution” declared:  “Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.” (Memorial & Remonstrance, 1785).  Our first president, George Washington, declared in his First Inaugural Address that “There is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness…. [So] the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.”  The Word of God, as delivered by Solomon, put it this way: “Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Think about it!