I was reading about the Civil War yesterday and when reviewing an analysis of the Battle of Gettysburg I naturally came upon the Gettysburg Address. Given at the site of the bloody battle a mere four and one half months after its conclusion, Lincoln's speech was brilliant for its insight, content and brevity. He said what he wanted, what he needed to say in just a few moments and he closed it with the hope that America would be reborn with a new spirit and truly operate a government of, for and by the people.
We may have been reborn on that day back in 1863, but America today has sunken to a place where Lincoln probably wouldn't recognize her. His intention was never to create a godless welfare state where the masses yearned for handouts and not freedom, yet that is where we find ourselves today. Our children probably don't even know who Mr. Lincoln was based upon the prevailing inclination of our modern history texts and classrooms more interested in condoms than decency. And the politicians? Well, let's just say that the politicians have power and riches as their prime goal. The people are just a little problem for them that they have to deal with from time to time.
Oh, I don't think all politicians are bad, but I do think that many use the system to the degree that the "of, by and for" referred to by Lincoln is seen by them as not the "people" but as "themselves." Human nature is a strange thing. So often good intentions end up being thrown out the window. At no time does it seem more evident than today.
I find it especially noteworthy that Lincoln spoke of an American rebirth. To be born again, sounds to me like he was using the same remedy that Jesus Christ calls for in our personal life. And being a God-fearing man, I think Lincoln clearly had that in mind. He wanted to see the American Spirit, with its thirst for knowledge, leadership and a better life for all, reinvigorated in our body politic and all of our people under the guidance of a merciful God.
And I think the tie to the tenets of Christianity were more than a coincidence, for Lincoln knew that for a people and its nation to thrive and prosper they must have God at center stage. And with God we can do anything. God, my friends, is the key to all things in this world and the next.
In this spirit, we Americans, to again become the great nation that we have been in the past, must throw off the growing chains of tyranny and dependence on government and strike out smartly on a course of freedom, real opportunity and hard work with the help of our Maker. We must demand of our elected leaders that they strive for what is right, not what their weak self-centered ideologies of power, greed and corruption desire. The directing force of America should not be the lobbyists and the large group interests they greedily represent; this force should be the American people, a people who must devote the time and effort to educate themselves and verify what is being done by their government. If the politicians don't listen, we must replace them in the election process with God-fearing Patriots and, while trusting their judgment, always taking time to verify what they do as well. It's hard work, but it's what we as citizens must do or our Republic will fall into the ash heap of failed political experiments.
Dear Lord, Help all of us in America to be re-energized with Thy love, knowing that we can only truly succeed through Thy salvation. Many of us are troubled today because we know something in our society is just not right but we often lack the courage to seek the truth. Give us the courage to seek the truth, to follow the truth and demand it. The truth demands honesty, hard work, determination and faith, all things that we can have but only through Thee. Open our eyes to the truth, to remembering what America once was and what it can be, and be with us in our ongoing struggle to recapture the Spirit of which Mr. Lincoln spoke.
Infect us with Thy Holy Spirit, guide us and, most importantly, love us as we work to stem the outgoing tide. We ask in the name of He who died on the Cross for our sins and salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
It's time for us all to get busy, America. Have a glorious day working for our future.
We may have been reborn on that day back in 1863, but America today has sunken to a place where Lincoln probably wouldn't recognize her. His intention was never to create a godless welfare state where the masses yearned for handouts and not freedom, yet that is where we find ourselves today. Our children probably don't even know who Mr. Lincoln was based upon the prevailing inclination of our modern history texts and classrooms more interested in condoms than decency. And the politicians? Well, let's just say that the politicians have power and riches as their prime goal. The people are just a little problem for them that they have to deal with from time to time.
Oh, I don't think all politicians are bad, but I do think that many use the system to the degree that the "of, by and for" referred to by Lincoln is seen by them as not the "people" but as "themselves." Human nature is a strange thing. So often good intentions end up being thrown out the window. At no time does it seem more evident than today.
I find it especially noteworthy that Lincoln spoke of an American rebirth. To be born again, sounds to me like he was using the same remedy that Jesus Christ calls for in our personal life. And being a God-fearing man, I think Lincoln clearly had that in mind. He wanted to see the American Spirit, with its thirst for knowledge, leadership and a better life for all, reinvigorated in our body politic and all of our people under the guidance of a merciful God.
And I think the tie to the tenets of Christianity were more than a coincidence, for Lincoln knew that for a people and its nation to thrive and prosper they must have God at center stage. And with God we can do anything. God, my friends, is the key to all things in this world and the next.
In this spirit, we Americans, to again become the great nation that we have been in the past, must throw off the growing chains of tyranny and dependence on government and strike out smartly on a course of freedom, real opportunity and hard work with the help of our Maker. We must demand of our elected leaders that they strive for what is right, not what their weak self-centered ideologies of power, greed and corruption desire. The directing force of America should not be the lobbyists and the large group interests they greedily represent; this force should be the American people, a people who must devote the time and effort to educate themselves and verify what is being done by their government. If the politicians don't listen, we must replace them in the election process with God-fearing Patriots and, while trusting their judgment, always taking time to verify what they do as well. It's hard work, but it's what we as citizens must do or our Republic will fall into the ash heap of failed political experiments.
Dear Lord, Help all of us in America to be re-energized with Thy love, knowing that we can only truly succeed through Thy salvation. Many of us are troubled today because we know something in our society is just not right but we often lack the courage to seek the truth. Give us the courage to seek the truth, to follow the truth and demand it. The truth demands honesty, hard work, determination and faith, all things that we can have but only through Thee. Open our eyes to the truth, to remembering what America once was and what it can be, and be with us in our ongoing struggle to recapture the Spirit of which Mr. Lincoln spoke.
Infect us with Thy Holy Spirit, guide us and, most importantly, love us as we work to stem the outgoing tide. We ask in the name of He who died on the Cross for our sins and salvation, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
It's time for us all to get busy, America. Have a glorious day working for our future.
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