What fun to introduce you to my young friend and writer, 12-year-old Isaac Barros. Isaac is the son of our beloved family friend, Larry Barros, who went home to be with Jesus in 2014. Larry was a children’s church leader, curriculum writer, and an amazing preacher. I plan to introduce you to Larry’s words sometime in the future.
Following Isaac’s contribution below, you will find a bit of my musings and a variety of fun resources for all ages to inform and celebrate America and freedom. year-round.
Four hundred years after pilgrim and American forefather Edward Winslow settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, his descendant returns to lead the charge to battle for the soul of our nation.
Pastor Greg and Suzanne Winslow, former missionaries to Mexico, church planters, and founders of If My People New England and Hidden Manna Ministries from NH share about their upcoming adventure and the part you can play. They also cover the state of the Church and America, how to navigate these turbulent times, the power of prayer, and more in this video interview. (Welcome back, Pastor Greg and Suzanne.) 🙂
It is my honor to introduce you to United States Army Chaplain, Brad Lee. Chaplain Lee is a husband and father of six, and a writer with a forthcoming book inspired by his journey with his young son who has Downs Syndrome and Autism.
In Part 1 of this two part conversation, Chaplain Lee shares the road that led him to become a chaplain in the U.S. Army, some of the adventures, challenges, and opportunities he encounters as he serves our country and our soldiers, as well as some powerful thoughts on and wise counsel to our nation.
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. ―Martin Luther King Jr.
The King of all creation, Jesus, shouldered our sin and calls us to bear one another’s burdens.
Bearone another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)
bearing with oneanother, and forgiving oneanother, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:13 (NKJV)
So, why are we shouting?
But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness. 2 Timothy 2:16 (HCSB)
..in the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I Have a Dream, speech
“the time is always right to do the right thing”―Martin Luther King Jr.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love oneanother; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 (NKJV)
We are not our skin; it’s just the stuff we live in. Strawberry, lemon, chocolate, vanilla—let us savor the flavor in each other’s cultures.
Some believe themselves superior while exhibiting inferior behavior toward others. With large mouths, shriveled hearts and tiny mindsets they eke out finite lives in their effort to undermine noble ones. Others say they want equal rights but demand special privileges.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”―Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
What if instead of looking out for ourselves we looked out for each other?
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
The Bible says:
And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, Acts 17:26 (NKJV)
The Great Seal of the United States of America says we are. “E Pluribus unum, out of many, one.” Our pledge of allegiance states, “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” and our national motto says, “In God We Trust.” But when we seek our own and trust in man, as some do, we end up divided. See, the Gospel has the answers—it is the answer for all that ails us.
We are meant to marvel at the majesty of the Creator in His creation.
There is a root that sustains
There is one Vine—
Jesus
How marvelously He colors our lives with vibrant brushstrokes of many hues—
Facets of Himself reflected in our differences
Let us recognize our common ground
And celebrate
The ongoing work of the The Master Artist.
Portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. by Jean Colby
Link here to read: One Blood, A Civil Rights Story, as told to me by Jean Colby, my mother-in-law and Sara Clay, my sister-in-law about their experiences as Civil Rights activists, about the March Against Fear, MLK, and James Meredith. (Scroll down in my post, See, Stand, Speak.)
What are your thoughts on the current racial tensions in America? What do you feel has fueled them and what do you think we as a nation and the Church can do to quell this and bridge the racial divide?
…The tensions are high and so political. The whole thing upsets me. People’s lives should never ever be political playing cards, and yet they are. They always are. I believe that what we did during the time of slavery was horrifying and we should not be dismissive of those whom it is still impacting today. I believe…
…My wife is Chicana from west Texas, and I, (though Texan as well), am actually a fifth generation Cherokee that left the… Click here to Continue.
My, how you’ve grown and how I love you. But it seems like you are leaning away from the life giving Light.
*“Let us, then, search the Scriptures … The Bible contains the revelation of the will of God.” – John Quincy Adams, from a letter to his son dated September 1811 from, Letters of John Quincy Adams, to His Son, on the Bible and Its Teachings by John Quincy Adams (Auburn: James M. Alden, 1850).
By letting go of the Godly principles upon which we were founded, we trample underfoot the names and the precious blood of those who laid down their lives to secure our great country’s freedom.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:20-21 NKJV
* “…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…”-George Washington, Inaugural Address of 1879
* While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. –George Washington, General Orders, 2nd May 1778
Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic textbook in all fields. God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct. Noah Webster
“A Thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” – Theodore Roosevelt, as quoted in Stepping Stones, the Complete Bible Narratives, 1941
In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed … No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people. – Noah Webster, Preface Noah Webster Dictionary, 1828
We are called to be Light bearers. It is easy to say what a mess our church, our country, or world is, but the responsibility of moving God’s heart on our behalf rests squarely on the shoulders of the Christian. Before we can effectively pray for our church and nation we must first get ourselves right with God. We can’t give to others what we don’t have.
Judgement, repentance, and revival begin in the Church. He is a holy, jealous, passionate God. He will not share affection with any other gods or idols in our life. He wants to be our first passion, our go-to. He is calling us to return to our first love and do the first works.
It’s the Church that has made herself right with God that will move God’s hand to bring healing and revival to our families, churches, country and world. What if we each became broken before God and repented of our sin? What if we fell on our faces and sought Him for Himself, for that personal relationship and because He is worthy? Not just for what He can do for us. I believe then we would see what we were looking for.
Awake! Cast off sin, distraction, and trivial pursuit. Let us lay our hearts, our lives before our King. Re-enlist in the army of the ultimate freedom fighter, Jesus Christ, who laid down His life to free the souls of mankind from the bondage of sin.
*“….You, Gentlemen, act the part of pious Christians and good citizens by your prayers and exertions to preserve that harmony and good will towards men which must be the basis of every political establishment; and I readily join with you that “while just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surest support.”-From George Washington to the Synod of the Dutch reformed Church in North America
“That book, sir, is the rock on which our Republic rests…” – Andrew Jackson, reportedly while on his deathbed while pointing to the Bible.
If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14
To fully appreciate what we have, and to ensure we maintain our liberty, it is crucial that we know and understand history (*not erase it) and teach it to our children.
VIDEO:The Lost Secrets of Liberty – *Includes some little known and surprising facts about the Fourth of July and Independence day.
Courtesy of: Heirloom Audio Productions- Bringing history to life for the whole family. Check out their exciting dramatized audio adventures based on the works of G.A. Henty http://www.heirloomaudio.com/
Originally posted on July 4th, 2016. Updated with added entertaining and enriching history videos and other resources for families and those who love to learn.
***Please note: Corrections and revisions have been made to this post as I became aware of the need. A * indicates content added or updated on 7/4/17 or thereafter. In my attempt to report truth, I will continue to add and update this post with confirmed quotes and verified links as I research. Your comments are welcome, and help with this process would be greatly appreciated. God bless you. Rachael M Colby
Rejoice 
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 
Tattoo It On Your Heart 