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!

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed a resolution which specified that the new country’s flag would have 13 stripes and 13 stars. The red represented valor, the white purity and the blue justice. An Act of Congress designating June 14 as Flag Day each year wasn’t passed until 1949. What transpired between these two dates?

In 1877, 100 years after the flag was adopted, Congress asked all public buildings to fly the flag on June 14 to commemorate that anniversary. They did, but it was a one-time thing, not something to be observed annually.

A Wisconsin schoolteacher, B.J. Cigrand, had his students celebrate June 14, 1885 as Flag Birthday. Four years later, a New York City kindergarten teacher, George Balch, planned a celebration of the flag with his students on June 14.

July 14, 1891 saw a Flag Day celebration at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia and the next year, the Sons of the Revolution of New York celebrated Flag Day.

In April, 1893, the Colonial Dames of America adopted a resolution asking the mayor of Philadelphia and all its citizens to diplay the flag on Flag Day, June 14. The Superintendant of Public Schools in Philadelphia proclaimed that June 14 would be known as Flag Day and that all school children in the city would assemble for exercises. Each child received a small flag.The governor of New York directed in 1894 that each year on June 14 all public buildings would display the American flag.

In 1916, a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1877. Finally, on August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress directing that National Flag Day would be observed every year on June 14.

Since that time, flags have been flown on June 14 at public buildings and homes throughout the nation.– Pat McCarthy

I just finished reading the “Memorial Day Proclamation” issued by the president. Although in agreement with what it says, I am very much aware of the fact that it was probably crafted by a clever wordsmith who serves as his speech writer. I expect that, as all presidents have probably done the same. That’s not what bothers me.

What troubled me as I read the proclamation was the thought of Benghazi and those brave men who lost their lives without our government lifting a finger to help them. That led to numerous other negative thoughts, but it was Benghazi that was at the forefront of my mind. I couldn’t shake it and it was shaking me emotionally, to the point that I had to speak out. Suddenly the words from the president rang hollow—even worse, they sickened me!

In typical politician fashion the president said what was expected–what he thought the people would want to hear. But action speaks louder than words. No man can mean what the president said and do what the president does. “Phony” doesn’t even begin to describe it. It is hypocrisy of the highest sort–the kind that needs to be exposed. The kind that we should never see in the “Commanding Officer” of the United States of America.

Our nation is being destroyed by the most corrupt and inept administration ever. To just sit back and watch it happen without a word of protest makes us as guilty as the perpetrators themselves. It is all the more hideous when it happens because of party preference and racial prejudice. Did I say it is “sickening”? People’s attitude toward Barack Obama and his administration is a defining moment in American history. As we pick up speed in our downward spiral it will become more and more difficult to stop it. Seems to me that it is now or never. Silence at a time like this is cowardly, not “golden”. How can we refuse to speak out when so much is at stake? If not now, when? If not ever, why? If not you, who?

I realize that many could say it better than I, but I don’t hear them– at least not many. I don’t have the ability to sway a nation with oratory, nor a speech writer to say it for me, so I will just speak for myself. Hopefully others will join the chorus of opposition to this administration and the workforce of those willing to labor to bring about change. Most of all let us join the ranks of those who pray for our country— knowing that it is only “under God” that we shall be able to stand. Think about it!

I made mention of this in my message yesterday and thought it might give someone a ray of hope as they struggle with their difficulties. It is written by Dr. Bob Griffin. I wish you could know the whole story, but this gives you a glimpse of what he has gone through the last ten years. It also reminds us that nothing is impossible with God!

Reflection: Ten years ago on Mother’s Day I broke my foot. No pain. Wife
looked at toes (2 at 90 degree right angle from side of foot). She reset
them. Still no pain. On Monday May 12, 2003 I went to the foot doctor for
x-rays and a “boot”. He was more concerned with “no pain”, no feeling at
all.

Later in May 2003 I went to the neurologist for intensive testing to find
out why I could do such damage (I was in a wheel chair by then) and no
feeling. Found out I had rapidly progressing Profound Neuropathy – death of
nerves in my feet. The only sensations I had were “phantom” burning,
cracking, smashing, not based in real injury. Tell THAT to the brain.

July 2003 we returned to see how this condition was improving. It wasn’t; it
was getting worse exponentially. My loss of all nerve function now raced up
to my knees (I flat-lined the testing for conductivity and they kept poking
needles all over my body until I bled). I had little nerve function left in
my hands and arms.

The doctor soberly looked at me and Teresa and said at this rate, the nerve
loss would reach my lungs in a few months and that I would die a slow,
agonizing death over the next year or two. He warned about “quack
treatments” and said there was no cure. This was a thousand times worse than
the diabetic neuropathy that often leads to amputations; mine was fatal.

We were in shock. His last words were to go home, make my will, say my
good-byes to family and friends, take a long trip, spend my money and live
with 8-9-10 level pain 24.7. Get ready to suffer and die. Thanks for the
sweet bedside manner. Grrrr.

That was ten years ago. I moped a bit, questioned God a lot, whined about
being pushed around in a wheelchair by my ever-patient saintly wife (who
also was digesting this horrible prognosis). We and others around the world
prayed. We sought natural health alternative treatments and supplements to
help with this condition. In September 2003 I began therapy to learn to
balance and walk (without feeling in my legs I simply tried to look and let
my eyes replace my nerves; I learned to let my inner ear to the work of
balance). Blindfolded. Trussed in a harness so the therapists could keep me
from falling. Walking on squishing deep foam. I learned.

So ten years have passed. I progressed from wheelchair, to crutches, to
walker, to cane and now nothing. I can now jog, ride a bike, swim, hike
around Wyoming and climb mountains. I am 90% free of pain. I love to
travel the world (and spend money – following doctor’s orders, you know). I
pastor a church, am CFO in my wife’s clinic, and just got in from
roto-tilling the garden and after a break will head off to mow the lawn a
second round this spring (hey – I was shoveling 20″ of snow a couple weeks
ago). I still have no nerve function . . but the condition STOPPED its
progression and even a bit of the damaged areas seem to be somewhat better.

Ten years. God is faithful and the Blessed Controller of all things. This
morning mulling over His goodness I am reminded to “count my blessings”.
Every day is a gift from God; that’s why I call it the “present”. He alone
gets the glory for my salvation, glory in every day of my life and glory
even in the day when, like the Pillsbury Doughboy, He pokes me and says
“You’re done” and I get to die.

I get to die. But then, last I checked, nobody gets out of this life alive.

As the evidence continues to pile-up that there was a cover-up because there was a mess-up regarding Benghazi you would think that the impeachment of Obama and the punishment of other guilty parties would be a no brainer. But, sadly, it seems we have reached the place that the majority doesn’t really care. Even if there was evidence that the president had shot his mother, his supporters would probably say, “She deserved it. She got what she had coming”. He can do no wrong in their eyes.

I would like to think that there are enough decent, God-fearing patriots left in America to make sure that the guilty parties are punished. But, I’ve got my doubts! Time will tell and the outcome will tell much about the type of times we will face in the future. Think about it!