Today I hope you enjoy this guest post from Alan Allegra. If you enjoyed it or find it offensive or have any other comment be sure to let Alan know how you feel. From time to time I like to post articles from fellow authors at Faithwriters.com. We can learn a great deal if we take the time to read what others have to say. So without further delay on with this weeks quest article.

Is America a Christian Nation?

Religion and politics are the two most incendiary topics of conversation imaginable. Everything we think, say, and do is influenced by our view of God and government. President Obama’s observation that we are not a nation beholden to any particular religion has struck the match of ardor and ignited the debate over whether America is a Christian nation.

Let me clarify that there is no such thing as a Christian nation. A Christian, by definition, is an individual follower of Christ. No nation can be “a” Christian, although we understand that those who debate the question mean our law is based on Christian (or “Judeo-Christian”) principles. Without floundering in a sea of theology, let’s just say that the principles in discussion predate Christianity and Judaism. They were incarnated in the very womb of Creation.

Some tell us we need to “embrace universal principles that emphasize our common humanity and promote greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures.” This sounds well and good and politically correct, but is it practical or possible?

The Book of Judges is a horror story right out of a Gothic novel, except it’s all true. It honestly and almost matter-of-factly documents scenes of rape, murder, dismemberment, unbridled lust, idolatry, robbery, economies of truth, betrayal, assassination, warfare, torture, suicide, filicide, and other best-seller fodder. The key verse and epilogue are identical summaries of the culture of the time: “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25). In other words, every person followed the dictates of their common humanity, unfettered by government standards.

If we are to appreciate different cultures, then we need to embrace them uncritically lest we offend. We were wrong to interfere with Nazis, and must appreciate Holocaust deniers. Beheading and terror are innate to some cultures, and we need their cooperation to make this a better global village. Forced abortion is practiced by a country with over 20% of the world’s population. Genocide rules in many countries, and a caste system in others wears a heavy boot that keeps the people crushed and oppressed. So we wonder: Whose principles of common humanity should we embrace and cooperate with?

A cursory consideration verifies God’s view of common humanity: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Jeremiah reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9). God ordained human government, based on His righteous character, to rein in man’s evil: “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).

Are there “good” common principles of humanity and culture that we can embrace? There are values that are shared by humans that manifest themselves in almost every culture, such as private property and the right to life. But these are not beliefs that evolved or sprang up from the fertile soil of man’s own heart. “Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them” (Romans 2:14, 15). God has written His standards in every heart, and we either live by them or make excuses to go our own way.

Founding Fathers [VHS],

The Federalist Papers

Founding Faith: How Our Founding Fathers Forged a Radical New Approach to Religious Liberty

It is historical fact that the founding fathers based the nation’s laws on the Bible. They were not all Christians or Jews but recognized the wisdom of having a righteous standard of law, a law that respects life and encourages true freedom.

Alan Allegra, Executive Administrative Assistant of Faith Church in Allentown, Pa. More devotionals at http://www.faithefc.com/includes/Alan-Devotionals.htm. More articles at Lifestyles Over 50: http://www.lifestylesover50.com/ and the Morning Call: www.mcall.com. Available for writing.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com <a href=”http://www.faithwriters.com“>CHRISTIAN WRITERS</a>

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Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres32.html

Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, Mar. 4, 1865 16th president of US (1809 – 1865)

mal·ice Pronunciation: \’ma-lis\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin malitia, from malus bad Date: 14th century

1 : desire to cause pain, injury, or distress to another

2 : intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuse.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malice

What a different time we are currently living in. The current resident of the White House has a tendency to turn people groups against one another. He has a propensity to promote envy and strife amongst fellow countrymen. In Lincoln’s time our country was facing a far worse problem than the one we are currently facing. The nation was  torn apart by a vicious civil war. Brother was fighting brother and neighbor was at war with neighbor, both thinking they were in the right. Lincoln had a vision of a unified nation, one nation under God. He was striving to keep the unity of the nation  together. After the war had ended, and many were wounded in the battle, a time of healing needed to take place.

Lincoln called upon the goodness of our nation to bind up the nation’ wounds, to look out for each other, to forgive past errors and move forward. Today we have this constant refrain of how WICKED and BAD AMERICA IS. We have the President of these UNITED STATES endeavoring to divide this great country by stirring up class envy (the haves against the have nots) racial divisiveness, and political party bickering. This US VERSUS THEM mentality is not going to make this country stronger but only bring about it’s ruination.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. James 3:16 (AMP)

America has it’s faults, many of which have been brought about by greedy men, and corrupt legislators. It has invaded all walks of life and can be found in all sectors of our society. We as a nation need to repent of our evil deeds and work toward a more perfect union. It takes all of us willing to overlook the faults and failures of a few and strive to uphold the basic moral foundation upon which this great nation was established. If we toss aside all that our founders envisioned when fashioning this new nation, then we toss aside all that it means to be America.

We are not like the rest of the world.  We are not a clone of former states and civilizations. Over 200 years ago our forefathers birthed upon these shores a great new nation conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. We have all been endowed by our Creator  with certain inalienable rights, that among these are the right to LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS. We are not a nation that should seek to punish those who succeed, but remember it was upon this foundation of individual freedom that many have fought and died.

But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other. Gal 5:15 (GW)

It would appear that once again we are engaged in a great war to see whether this nation so conceived, can long endure. Our Constitution and the rights it protects is being assailed by those who do not value the principles set forth therein. This was a Constitution which set forth to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. The founding document of this great nation does not need to be interpreted, rewritten, amended, or reworded, it needs to be defended. It establishes the safeguards to our individual rights and freedoms. If the Constitution is shredded and destroyed, so too shall our rights as individuals vanish, and this nation will cease to be.

Our Constitution and its defense of individual rights, is being assailed from the White House to the court house. We see rioting in the streets as individuals are being vilified for their pursuit of happiness. Envy and malice was on full display when an angry mob of malcontents swarmed the homes of  some of our fellow citizenry. The trespass against these citizens is a trespass against us all. We, as a nation, can not turn a blind eye as some in our society are vilified for achieving the American dream, and demonized for living the life that the Constitution guarantees for us all. If we continue this course of action of criticizing and attacking each other, then we as nation will be destroyed.

It is time we put aside our petty grievances and embrace once again the greatness of America and what she stands for. Liberty and justice for all. It is time we embrace LIFE and uphold LIBERTY and mete out JUSTICE with an eye toward heaven, knowing that we all are being judged by a higher and greater authority. The very authority recognized by our founders, which endowed us all with these INALIENABLE rights. Rights that need to be honored not abhorred. Rights which need to be protected  not discarded. Rights for which our forefathers fought and died. We have been endowed with these rights from on high, but if we fail to acknowledge this endowment, then we do not deserve to retain it.

Let us therefore humble ourselves and pray that this freedom we so long enjoyed remains, and this nation and it’s government, thus established, will long endure. We do not need to remake America but we do need to REMAKE our citizenry. We do not need to RE-ESTABLISH another nation, we just need to REMEMBER ours, for the greatness she once stood for, and the freedoms she represents.

May this nation established by rule of the people, by the people, and for the people ever endure. And endure she will if in God we truly place our trust. May God continue to bless America.

“[It is a] great truth that industry, commerce and security are the surest roads to the happiness and prosperity of [a] people.” –Thomas Jefferson to Francisco Chiappe, 1789. Papers 15:405 http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff0100.htm

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor. —George Washington

Abraham Lincoln gave his second Inaugural Address on March 4, 1865, as the Civil War was raging. He said, “Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray — that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.”

Lincoln’s next paragraph is especially appropriate for Veterans Day:

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

When President Lincoln finished his classic oration, he reportedly kissed the Bible and left the platform. He was assassinated the next month.

The freedoms we enjoy in this country did not come without sacrifice. The lady who stands on Liberty Island may be holding a tarnished lamp but the hope she stands for remains. The hearts of every American who thanks God each day for the greatness of America will keep that torch burning brightly. When the last soul falls to death and there is no one left to stand up for freedom for all, then the light will fade into darkness.

Here is hoping that day never comes.

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Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Today seemed like a perfect day to share this old parable. With all the talk about the financial woes we find ourselves faced with and an upcoming Presidential election I felt that perhaps a little talk about INTEGRITY would be a much needed refresher course. Imagine how things would be different if there was just one person in charge of this whole mess who would speak up and tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What if a real man or woman of integrity were in charge of the current financial morass, do you suppose things would be handled differently? I do not know about you but it would appear America has an ample supply of talking heads and power hungry politicos, what I feel she is lacking though are a few good honest men and women of integrity. I pray for people of integrity to arise to the forefront. I personally am growing weary of listening to and watching the foxes ruining the hen house. Perhaps it is time we post a guard at the door?

Anyway here it is an oldie but definitely a goody.

An aging king woke up one day to the realization that should he drop dead, there would be no male in the royal family to take his place. He was the last male in the royal family in a culture where only a male could succeed to the throne – and he was aging. He decided that if he could not give birth to a male, he would adopt a son who then could take his place but he insisted that such an adopted son must be extraordinary in every sense of the word. So he launched a competition in his kingdom, open to all boys, no matter what their background. Ten boys made it to the very top.

There was little to separate these boys in terms of intelligence and physical attributes and capabilities. The king said to them, ‘I have one last test and whoever comes top will become my adopted son and heir to my throne.’

Then he said, ‘This kingdom depends solely on agriculture. So the king must know how to cultivate plants. So here is a seed of corn for each of you.Take it home and plant and nurture it for three weeks. At the end of three weeks, we shall see who has done the best job of cultivating the seed. That person will be my heir-apparent.’ The boys took their seeds and hurried home. They each got a flower pot and planted the seed as soon as they got home. There was much excitement in the kingdom as the people waited with bated breath to see who was destined to be their next king.

In one home, the boy and his parents were almost heartbroken when after days of intense care, the seed failed to sprout. He did not know what had gone wrong with his. He had selected the soil carefully, he had applied the right quantity and type of fertilizer, he had been very dutiful in watering it at the right intervals, he had even prayed over it day and night and yet his seed had turned out to be unproductive.

Some of his friends advised him to go and buy a seed from the market and plant that. ‘After all,’ they said, ‘how can anyone tell one seed of corn from another?’ But his parents who had always taught him the value of integrity reminded him that if the king wanted them to plant any corn, he would have asked them to go for their own seed. ‘If you take anything different from what the king gave you that would be dishonesty.’

‘Maybe we are not destined for the throne. If so, let it be, but don’t be found to have deceived the king,’ they told him. The d-day came and the boys returned to the palace each of them proudly exhibiting a very fine corn seedling. It was obvious that the other nine boys had had great success with their seeds. The king began making his way down the line of eager boys and asked each of them, ‘Is this what came out of the seed I gave you?’

And each boy responded, ‘Yes, your majesty.’ And the king would nod and move down the line.

The king finally got to the last boy in the line-up. The boy was shaking with fear. He knew that the king was going to have him thrown into prison for wasting his seed. ‘What did you do with the seed I gave you?’ the king asked. ‘I planted it and cared for it diligently, your majesty, but alas it failed to sprout.’ the boy said tearfully as the crowd booed him.

But the king raised his hands and signaled for silence. Then he said, ‘My people behold your next king.’ The people were confused. ‘Why that one?’ many asked. ‘How can he be the right choice?’ The king took his place on his throne with the boy by his side and said, ‘I gave these boys boiled seeds. This test was not for cultivating corn. It was the test of character; a test of integrity. It was the ultimate test.’

If a king must have one quality, it must be that he should be above dishonesty. Only this boy passed the test. A boiled seed cannot sprout.’ Never!!

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

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