We, the People, in order to form the perfect Union....have failed to exercise our duty

"Pray...for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity." (1 Timothy 2:2 NLT)

There has been much written about the founding fathers and the faith they either had or didn't have, according to whom you believe. God, some claim, isn't the judeo-Christian God, but rather a deity kind of generalized god, which was common in European circles of the time. If so, why would there be so many instances where it was in direct violation of the European culture that the Forefathers stood? The common reference to God was that, "God" singular not plural.

Others would have you believe that they were just reflecting the culture of the times, that is why most were learned and theologically expressive in their commentary. Why would they cross an ocean to reach a land where their religious freedoms could be more expressed? If they were just reflecting the cultural religiosity of the times, there was no need to violate the King's order to worship in the Church of England style. That would've been a foregone conclusion.

Of course, the country that was birth upon the blood of patriots, or traitors (depending on who you talk to), doesn't really reflect the original design, much like humanity doesn't bear the original intent of the Creator anymore.

Is it any surprise that the popular vote, sometimes called the common vote, isn't as effective as it was once?

The power of the electoral vote has destroyed the republic's original design. People were meant to be represented in government, the whole majority, not the minority that controls it now. It is no shock that the minorities of the population seem to gain the upper hand every time over the majority when they are best at enticing the minority that control the republic.

Noah Webster, founding member of this republic and more famous for his dictionary created to ensure proper use of the language of man, seems to also have been a prophet, although he would've disputed the title when he stated in 1832:

"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, 'just men who will rule in FEAR of God'. The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for public good as much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the RIGHTS of the citizens will be VIOLATED or DISREGARDED. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the CITIZENS neglect the DIVINE commands and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."

We have proof of this happening over and over in the history of our country; from the Lyndon Johnson Act that served the self interest of the then-Senator and is still imposed by the government to silence the moral character of the country in its spiritual leadership to the political abuse of the electoral college process of electing public officers such as the President and vice President of the United States. Not many people realize that the House of Representatives was to be a portion of the general public represented in the governing body, rather than the 'rich man's club' that it has become. You have to have over 100,000 in funds to run for Representative today.

It is at the 'lower' levels of government, such as the House of Representatives and the Congress that were designed to protect the integrity of the highest positions of the Republic. And just as the House and Congress were to ensure presidential integrity and representation of our people, so was the electoral college created to preserve the election of such positions.

But, there is no one to blame for the state of our country OTHER than the people. I have grown tired of hearing the comment over and over again that we can only elect the "best of the worst" candidate for office rather than "demand" the government be staffed by the BEST of the populace. We have believed the lies that those politicians would have us believe that our voices no longer have the weight and power that they were designed to have.

"Now more than ever 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. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent then in the national legislature." It would seem that our evangelical leaders should have claim to the quotation above, but it isn't the sound bite of the day. James Garfield's article published in The Atlantic in 1877 titled "A Century of Congress" warned us of the course our neglect of government would lead to. Garfield placed the sole responsibility of America's future upon ...."those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation" who neglect to "aid in controlling the political forces."

If 86% of the population of the United States claim Christianity as their faith, then why do we not have prayer in the schools, the Bible as a primer in the study of culture, morality, and poetic prose?

If that number is the majority, why does Planned Parenthood continue to destroy the fabric of the future generations?

Why do we allow our REPRESENTATIVES in government give formal praise to a religion bent on the destruction of the government?

Why do we insist allowing those who stand in the halls of our state and federal governments ignore the choices we decide in majority?

America has become the land of the many governed by the choices of the few. And WE allowed it.

Instead of living in fear of what our leadership in the Christian community may have us believe, we should be living, as Webster spoke so long ago, in fear of God and under such, elect those to govern us out of those who fear God also. Instead of tolerating the lies, immorality, and corruption of the political experiment, we should revolt.........against the decay that has rotted the fabric of our national image.

On July 4, 1776, in popular tradition, those traitors that would have a country free of the tyranny of a minority that would "enslave the minds, the souls, and the lives of men" from across an ocean of the physical world also 'chained' the foundational impus of this great experiment to the "laws of nature and nature's God.......with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."

These men did not only declare themselves slaves to the Divine but also committed their lives, fortunes, and "sacred honor" to this pursuit in a document that ensured their destruction if the cause not carried to fruition. It was entitled the Declaration of Independence and inflamed a world.

And it did cost them dearly, with physical and emotional prices claimed through the lost of entire families and fortunes, torture and enslavement, and destruction of personal property and livelihoods. In the tradition of the early church, these traitors-turned-patriots stood upon their pledge, some giving their very lives to the cause of this nation. But not one turned back upon the sacred honor they had so boldly pledged.

Neither should we, as evangelical conservative Christians, turn our back upon their sacrifices to this land and the people within. It is time that we stage another revolution…not of blood and war, but of sense and morality…..that we claim the government designed to be representative of the people to be staffed by those who would represent the people in majority rule. That the abuses and conveyances of the minority who would deny the historicity of our faith and the foundation intents of our Forefathers be overcome by the retaking of our government from their hands. Not as Christians, not as individuals, but as AMERICANS.

Remember what Garfield said regarding our lack of accountability of the governing body from the governed. And remember what God told His people….."There is nothing that God cannot do for those who seek His face and bear His name."

You want America to be great again? Reclaim the government from those who have governed us in the past.

Be the people that our Forefathers told us to be……..and the people our Heavenly Father designed and taught us to be.

How will you pray?

For the continued blessings of those who govern with the fear of God?

Or protection from those who govern without?

It's your vote.

Learning under the mentoring of God......

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." —Psalm 119:71(NIV)

It seems sometimes, when I look over the vastness of life, that I will never know the rest of the faithful or the peace of the forgiven because of the oscillation that I go through in my struggles. Sometimes I think God rolls His eyes in frustration at me when I argue the point so passionately with Him and still don't see the purpose behind the storm, the trial, the afflictions, and the pain. He merely points to the cross, that symbol of man's greatest shame and greatest salvation, and I fall to my knees again in abject apology for my arrogance and presumption.

"I am tired of God breaking me upon the mantle of this world," I muttered to someone the other day, "To have to constantly deal with heartache, another sorrow, and another pain…..I'm tired. I'm weak and I am useless." Usually, after slamming my poor body against the wall in front of me, I find myself heaving with exhaustion and aches looking at the door encased in the wall that is unlocked and slightly ajar. "Here," God says, "Is what I wanted you to see."

Sometimes the wall remains.

I expressed my frustration to someone regarding their silence and alienation to a friendship that was once held so dear. I told them that I would rather know what caused it, this falling off, than to develop a hatred for the love that I have for them. They spoke, confirming some things and pointing out wrong assumptions on others. And, though the relationship isn't healed by far, I can walk away with my love for them secure and maybe even matured.

All of these things, from the alienation of my old Home Church to the struggles at work, home, and relationally, are for God's glory-----not mine. All of this pain, not my choice, but His. And I find myself at the breaking point over and over again……stretched out over the altar of God, fearing the dropping of the sacrificial knife, and finding myself redeemed, restored, and renewed.

I don't know if I'll ever pastor in a church, but I know I will impact lives wherever God allows me to serve.

I don't know if I'll ever have peace according to the standards of the world, but I know I will have hope.

I don't know if I'll ever have joy according to my desires, but I know I will serve gladly in whatever capacity I am called in the body.

I may never get what I think I want, but I know I will never have what I don't need. I will never know riches, unless it is to richly bless others. I will not gain stature and fame, unless it is for God's glory. And I will stand before the White Throne of Judgment without fear, because I know I will have done my best to know and follow God's decrees.

In the struggles, without me even realizing consciously that it was occurring, I find myself closer and closer to God in understanding that His ways aren't mine and that's a good thing………..

Cause mine only cause me trouble…….

In the dark of night, with danger all around and fear riding upon my shoulders, I shall not be moved.


Because God is there.