2. CLEAN DRINKING WATER: As you get a drink of water, remember that in some rural areas of the Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia women and young girls have to walk as much as six miles every day to get water. Many water sources are contaminated and cause cholera and dysentery leading to death. The Mudug region in Somalia has had no rain in five consecutive rainy seasons and is in a terrible drought.

3. FOOD ON THE TABLE: As you empty your leftovers in the trashcan, remember that each day about 16,000 children die from hunger-related problems (one child every five seconds). This year has seen the worst food crisis in 20 years. In Ethiopia, there is a shortage of 125,000 tons of food at this very moment. Children on the streets of Bombay sift through garbage each day looking for their next morsel.

4. GOOD HEALTH: As you consider yourself lucky for not catching a cold this season, remember U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Heath Kirk who lost part of his right leg in Afghanistan. He also had a severe injury in his left leg with shrapnel imbedded in his hands and heavily burned skin with multiple infections. Heath had just turned 21 a week prior to his injury when the Hummer he was driving was hit by a bomb. Freedom is never free.

5. FAMILY: As you hold hands with your loved ones around the thanksgiving table, remember the 15,200,000 children who have been orphaned by the AIDS crisis. If all these children were to hold hands, they would stretch across the width of the United States. In Eastern Europe less than half of the orphan population will make it to their twentieth birthday and half of those who make it will be caught up in organized crime, drugs, or prostitution. Before the year is over about 25,000 foster kids in the United States will turn 18 and “age out” of the system without families.

6. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: As you contemplate getting out of bed on Sunday morning to go to church, remember that Christians in North Korea are sentenced to labor camps to work in awful conditions because of their faith. Many are secretly executed by the communist government. North Korea remains No. 1 on Open Doors’ World Watch List in severe persecution for eight years in a row.

  Revelation 14:8    And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

                The above reference points to a time during the Great Tribulation when “Babylon” will cause all nations to be intoxicated with sin and godlessness. Nations will lose all sense of morality and reason, and follow mindlessly after her. Some have interpreted “Babylon” as a commercial/political system and others as a religious anti-God movement. There are others (like myself) who believe that the ancient city of Babylon in modern day Iraq will rise again. As in days past, she will cause humankind to be drunk with pride and rebellion in the last days. However one interprets Babylon, one thing is for sure – human beings will be greatly deceived and lose all moral consciousness during this period.

                Although the drunkenness of the end-times will be on a world-wide scale, history reveals several instances of mass drunkenness in individual nations. Thomas Mann, a German writer who had to go into exile because of his anti-fascist views, compared the coming of Hitler and the Nazis to a kind of “mass drunkenness” in Germany. He described it as an intoxication where “virtue sets aside her shield, the mind drops its scepter . . . Mass-drunkenness, which relieves the individual of responsibility, is an end in itself. The ideology which it exalts, such as the State, or Socialism, or the greatness of the country, is not essential to it. They are only pretexts. The one aim is drunkenness. One must get rid of his own self, his own thoughts – or, more precisely, of morality and reason in general.” Mann (I don’t agree with him on everything) saw clearly what many in Germany failed to see until it was too late.

                This mass intoxication that comes from a bottle of lies is no different than the one from an alcoholic beverage. People under the influence are no longer in proper control of their actions, behavior or decisions. They lose their ability to discern and defend themselves and are easily robbed. They do things to others that bring sorrow, shame, abuse, and pain. When they get sober, they have bruises they can’t explain, losses they can’t retrieve and regrets they can’t take back. Symptoms of this mass drunkenness can be seen in America today. Right before our eyes – untold billions are being spent; our defenses are being lowered against proven enemies like Russia; proven allies like Israel are being abandoned; our children are being subject to strange indoctrinations; socialism is exalted through the health scare plan; government interference in business and banking system is growing daily; traditional family values are being eroded; and biblical principles that undergird this nation have been discarded. Our founding fathers would be shocked to see what is happening in America today. In fact, they would think that we were drunk for allowing such things to pass right under our noses. The consequences of these decisions are not only devastating to us but also to our children and grandchildren.

                Here is the concoction to get our nation sober: Titus 2:12-13 “ . . . denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Let’s take the first step today: “Hi my name is (Insert Your Name here) and I am mass drunk.” Anybody else sober out there?

Two families have been in the news in recent days. The family of Jaycee Dugard who was found 18 years after her abduction and the family of the reality TV show“Jon and Kate Plus 8.” Both families have one thing in common – extreme stress that led to marriage breakdown. The first family did not ask for it, the second is debatable. While most families might not go through such stress or breakdown, they have deep wounds that have never healed. Sadly, the hurts get passed down to the next generation. Just like a physical wound, the sooner the proper healing begins the better it is for all involved. How can this healing take place? Let’s begin with what does not heal.

1.       Guilt or blame casting do not work. Our grandparents, Adam and Eve, blamed one another and the rest is history.

2.       Half-hearted or brief efforts do not work. Understand that healing is a process that takes time, right guidance and willingness to change.

Next, understand the main causes of marital wounds:

1.       Differing expectations of marriage. Shaunti Feldhahn conducted hundreds of surveys with men and women and documented the results in her books For Women Only and For Men Only. One result was that the greatest need in a woman is affection but the greatest need in a man is respect. It’s like going to the auto parts store and ordering a hamburger!

2.       Failure to anticipate selfishness in marriage. Our natural bent is to look at things from our own perspective. Instead of becoming the right person, we are always trying to change the other person.

3.       Failure to work through difficulties and trials. As Ephesians 4:26-27 reminds us“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Remember, your marriage has an enemy and it is not your spouse.

4.       Failure to recognize the changing seasons of life. In his book Seasons of a Marriage, H. Norman Wright devotes a chapter to each season – season of expectation; season of the twenties and thirties; season of mid-life; and season of the empty nest. Lack of understanding and preparation can be serious.

Healing can happen if the following three ointments are applied.

1.       Intimate understanding and acceptance of yourself. Many marital conflicts stem from a poor self image and insecurity. Most self-help books only lead to more selfish thinking. The Bible will give you the most accurate image of yourself from God’s perspective, as seen in Psalms 139:14 says “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

2.       Intimate relationship with your mate. Dennis Rainey of FamilyLife gives a short and to-the-point premise of his book Staying Close – “Your marriage will naturally move toward a state of isolation.” The goal of every marriage should be oneness that leads to a growing understanding and appreciation of one another.

3.       Intimate relationship with God. This is the most essential of the three. It begins when we make the Bible a priority in our lives. As we hear, meditate and obey His Word, the Holy Spirit comes in all fullness to occupy our inner being. As a result the life of Christ becomes real in us and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Philippians 4:13). Now we are able to change, forgive and accept our mate as God’s gift to us. The hurts don’t stop but we have someone who helps us heal and keep growing towards oneness.

How about those cases where one partner is no longer available for healing? Ask God to heal you. His grace is sufficient.

Life has changed but not as we hoped. It was predicted at the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle that by the year 2001 we'll work shorter hours; have more time for art, sports and hobbies; and work only 24 hours a week! It is 2009 and we work longer hours, have less free time and more stress. Wouldn’t it be great if we could rewind to simpler times? In his book Little House on the Freeway Tim Kimmel replies: “Life will never again be like it was when we lived in our quiet little houses on the prairie. We all live too close to the freeway to back away from its reality. Together we enjoy all of the benefits and conveniences of modern living. And together we suffer the inevitable consequences.”

Hurried living has taken its toll on our entire society. It’s greatest impact has been felt in the family. A family is a network of relationships that requires time and patience. Both are hard to come by in the average home today. Instead of being a refuge, many homes feel more like a refugee camp. In some homes arguments and blame casting have become a daily habit. In other homes the inmates avoid each other and live as angry neighbors. Sadly, the kids are not immune to this commotion and turmoil. What has happened? Have we selfishly sacrificed our families on the altar of success? Maybe some but not all. Ask most people why they work so hard and they will reply that they are doing it for their family. In a crazy economy they are simply trying to stay afloat, plan ahead and give their loved ones the best they possibly can. That’s not a sin. We have been programmed by our Creator to provide for those in our care. Furthermore, the Bible never condemns success or hard work.

How then can the busy and not so busy families make it in today’s world? First, we need to realize that every family will face difficult seasons in life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 says “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven . . . A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted.” The times of planting are naturally busier than the times of plucking. It is natural to face those strenuous times of late work hours and loss of job. Believe it or not, your parents, grandparents and great grandparents faced them too. The answer is not in bailing out or blaming one another. Second, forgiveness should be freely given. When Peter asked Jesus if seven times was enough to forgive someone, Jesus replied: “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Pent up bitterness and anger is the root cause of many broken homes. Third, the antidote to all our cares, worries and fears is the life of faith. Faith reminds us that God is in control. It assures us that “all things work together for good to those who love God.” It helps us to visualize the “things unseen.” The only way to obtain such faith is to be built upon Christ. In Matthew 7:24-25 He said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  ²⁵and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” Things work out in a strange and wonderful way when Christ and His Word are at the center of our lives.

Ask most Americans and non-Americans “What symbolizes the American spirit?” and they will point to the Old West. There is something about it that represented opportunity, adventure and a challenge to tame the wild. Thomas Jefferson did not waste any time after the Louisiana Purchase to commission the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the West. In the decades following thousands took the challenge to “Go West, young man, and grow up with the country.” This period of our nation’s history created the iconic wild west with cowboys, outlaws, gunslingers, ranches, and trail rides – part reality and part Hollywood. As I write this article I am 30 miles south of Monument Valley, Arizona, the site of many John Ford westerns.

Here are some of the highlights for each of us. Our 14 year old Rebecca’s favorite was Independence, Kansas – the historic site of the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House on the Prairie.” Looking east from the house one can just imagine the covered wagons coming over the hills on the Santa Fe trail. Abigail (10 year old) loved our visit to the Buffalo Bill Museum and grave in Golden, Colorado. Last year she had done a report on the sharp shooter Annie Oakley, who was a star performer on Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. The boys (Nicholas – 5 years old and Thomas – two and a half years old) had two favorites. The first was getting into the Colorado River near scenic Glenwood Springs and the second was the short horseback ride in the Monument Valley. The Indian guides even let them lead the horse on their own. For my wife, Nicole, it was the walk through the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas. She especially enjoyed walking through the old farm house. My favorite was the walk through old Dodge City, Kansas, where lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson earned their reputations. The only showdown we saw where cars, trucks and bikes looking for a parking place!

Although we are ready to be home, there are some priceless things that we are bringing along. The time we have spent together as a family has been the best souvenir. We have come to know each other better than ever, especially being in close quarters for hours at a time! The journey has been more interesting than the many destinations. As Louis L’Amour once said: “The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.” Every family needs this time.

It has also given us a fresh appreciation for the Christian history of our nation. Men and women came to the west because they believed that this was a God given land of opportunity if one was willing to work hard and not give up. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). They loved the landscape but did not worship it (Romans 1:25). Pony Express Riders were required to take an oath and received a Bible to carry with them. History abounds with illustrations that the people operated from a biblical framework whether they knew it or not. As John Eldridge pointed out in his book “Wild at Heart,” God made man with an insatiable desire for freedom, adventure and a good fight between right and wrong. That is the Spirit and culture that built America. In recent years much has been about “multiculturalism in America” where “exploring” has been called “exploiting” and “conquering” is replaced with “conserving.” We discovered that America has a culture. Join in.

What would Jesus drive? Last I checked His mode of transportation included a donkey and a fishing (sail) boat. A better question would be – Would Jesus support the Waxman-Markey bill? For all those who just said “Huh?” this bill claims that carbon emissions (same stuff you just exhaled) are responsible for global warming and many other catastrophes waiting to end this “Blue Planet” we call home. Hence this cap-and-trade bill that will allow the government to sanction each organization or facility a certain number of pollution credits. If you don’t use your credit, you may sell them; if you exceed your limit, you got it – you pay for extra credits (not another “tax” to be sure!). The bill cleared the Energy and Commerce Committee last week and is due before the full House by the end of the month. Since this bill will trickle down (sooner than later) in our utility bill, we cannot afford to ignore it.

First let’s deal with the whole guilt thing. Are we allowed to use the stuff in/on/around the earth for our benefit? I think Genesis 1:26 answers that: “let them (human beings) have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” For example, my wife has healthy snacks in the pantry and fruits on the table for the kids. They know that if they are starving (which they claim to be all the time!), it’s not a sin to help themselves. Similarly, we don’t need to purchase “carbon offsets” to repay our debt to the earth. Somebody will profit from this and it’s not the polar bears.

Second is the stewardship issue that claims that our ancestors lived in harmony with nature until we came along and now the sea-level is rising and the polar bears are dying. Well, God is neither removed nor reactive with His creation. He has already set the limit on the water level. “You have set a boundary that they (waters) may not pass over, that they may not return to cover the earth.” (Psalm 104:9) Contrary to popular hype, the sea-level has remained the same for the past three years (Jason-1 Satellite Mission) and the polar bear population has actually risen. As the song goes “His eye is on the sparrow” and “not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.” (Matthew 10:29) Let’s take care of God’s creation not exploit them for a personal agenda.

Third, who decides how things will come to a close? The Bible reminds us that the end will be from the top down and not from the bottom up. “Behold, the day of the Lord comes . . . For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine . . . Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place . . . ”(Isaiah 13:9-13) The end will not come with a global heat wave but a universal breakdown and remodeling by the owner. The whole creation has been waiting for this makeover like a woman waiting to deliver her baby. (Romans 8:19-22) Our new earth will get an initial taste of it in the millennial kingdom and the full taste of it in the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more sin.

God is still the owner/operator and perfectly in control.

American women are notorious for speaking their mind. They actually think for themselves! An example of this behavior was demonstrated at the Miss USA Pageant last week by Miss California, Carrie Prejean. When asked whether she believed in gay marriage by judge Perez Hilton (an openly gay gossip blogger), she replied "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. But in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." Needless to say, Mr. Hilton was disappointed with her reply and later had a word of admonishment for Ms. Prejean. Some Hollywood celebrities joined in to express their intolerance of Miss California’s intolerant views.

Just when one would expect an apology or “I just want world peace”, Ms. Prejean told the Today show, "I was attacked for giving my own opinion onstage at a Miss USA contest. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to protect marriage. It is something that is very dear to my heart and I'm just here to protect it, that's all I'm here to do." God forbid if such women believe something is right. They will not back down. I know. I am married to one. What is even more mind-boggling is that far from casting off restraint, Miss California is advocating traditional family values. She seems to stand for the complementary roles of men and women in the family. She represents the enigma of the American woman who is bold in her beliefs but modest in her virtues. Somehow she balances the two qualities without any fear or coercion.

What should be done about such audacious behavior? Let’s consider some alternatives. Should we go back to the ancient Athenians who did not permit their women to speak in public and treated them as slaves? How about the tradition of some ancient cultures of burning a widow alive on her husband’s funeral pyre because she had no identity of her own? If neither of them seems impressive enough, how about those male dominated cultures that practice honor killings to this day? Count me out. I agree with that wise man who said, “There would never be a war between the sexes because there is too much fraternizing with the enemy.”

I say we give Miss Prejean a break. She is just a victim of her circumstances. After all she said herself “that’s how I was raised.” Standing up for her conviction at the expense of a tiara is an American trait that Miss California seems to have inherited. Having grown up in a nation where women are treated as human beings she felt she had the right to speak her mind. Maybe, it’s because she grew up in a Christian nation. As Alvin Schmidt remarked in his book Under the Influence: How Christianity transformed Civilization: “. . . where else do women have more freedom, opportunity, and human worth than in countries that have been highly influenced by the Christian ethic?”

Maybe she is actually living out Romans 12:2 which says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This year’s G20 Summit (19 of the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union) was held in London on Thursday to discuss the present economic crisis. Prior to the meeting the French President Nicolas Sarkozy had threatened to walk out if stricter regulations were not implemented. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel had also communicated similar sentiments if things didn’t go their way. Although no one walked out, there was some finger-pointing against America for triggering the crisis. Paris and Berlin were quick to dismiss US proposal of financial stimulus to create jobs (whether one agrees with it or not is another matter). Was anything substantial accomplished at this conference? As previous meetings have proven there is always more talk than action. But there is one observation that was hard to ignore – America no longer had the gavel. It seemed that other countries were parading as the power brokers of the world’s financial future.

What will it take for America to reclaim her position in the world? The American Cowboy. Americans have always had a strange affinity with the cowboy. He projects a peculiarly American style of courage and independence. The cowboy will take on rustlers, rattle snakes, flash floods and personal fatigue to bring the herd home. There is a sense of pride in him that is not haughty but comes from a belief that what he stands for is right. He walks away from unnecessary conflicts but is always willing to stand for the underdog. He forgives but doesn’t forget. He is the reluctant hero who does what is right even if no one follows. When the job is done, he rides off into the sunset. I grew up on Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey and realize that the cowboy image is part history and part myth. It is not limited by a genre of music, historical time period or an ethnic group. It defines who we are as Americans. At the opening of ‘The American Cowboy’ Exhibit at the Library of Congress, President Reagan remarked “. . . Among the horsehair lassoes and Remington sculptures and Gene Autry songs is a part of our national identity. Tales of Wild West men and women from Kit Carson to Wild Bill Hickok to Calamity Jane to Annie Oakley are woven into the dreams of our youths and the standards we aim to live by in our adult lives. Ideals of courageous and self-reliant heroes, both men and women, are the stuff of Western lore. . .  Life wasn't that simple then, and it certainly isn't today. But in the words of a noted historian, ‘Americans, in making their Western myths, were not put off by discrepancies with reality. Americans believed about the West not so much what was true, but what they thought ought to be true.’ He went on, ‘Lacking the common heritage that bound other nations together, they were forced to look elsewhere for the basis of their national existence. And they found it in the West.’”

David, the shepherd king of Israel, had the same spirit when he challenged grown men in the following words, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26). Then he went on to take a 9.75 ft giant named Goliath with a slingshot and won. As long as we remain “One nation under God” we won’t have to take a number in the waiting rooms of the world’s bureaucrats.

 

According to the Beige Book (a Federal Reserve snapshot of our economy) released on Wednesday last week, our nation’s economy continues to spiral downwards. Ten out of the twelve Federal districts are declining while the other two remain weak. The national unemployment rate is now at 7.6 percent, the highest in more than 16 years and is expected to reach about 9 percent this year. In his annual letter to shareholders on Monday last week, Warren Buffett warned that the multibillion-dollar bailouts by the US Government will bring on an “onslaught of inflation.” Finally, the push to nationalize looms ominously over the horizon.

Is there any meaning in this madness? The Bible does warn of a time when such things will happen. Revelation 6:5-6 states “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’” The judgment of the black horse symbolizes inflation, famine, and hunger during the Tribulation. The rider with a balance scale in his hand signifies that the government has control of the food and is weighing out bread to the people. A denarius was a typical laborer’s wage for a day. In the first century, it had a much greater buying power than it will in the last days. One denarius could buy about 16 quarts of wheat. According to the prophecy, the denarius will be inflated and will buy only one quart of wheat. One quart is about 2 pints (4 cups), which will barely feed one person for one day. How about a family of four? This will require people to purchase barley, a low grade grain suitable for the livestock. It would be three times cheaper than wheat but enough to feed a whole family for a day. But this will leave no money for clothing, shelter, utilities, and medicine.

As bad as it may seem in America, we still have much to be thankful. In Zimbabwe, the breadbasket of southern Africa, people are dying of hunger and cholera while their dictator just prints as much money as he wants. Recently, 8,000 lobsters, 100 kg king prawns, 3,000 ducks, 4,000 portions of caviar, 8,000 boxes of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, 16,000 eggs, 3,000 cakes, 4,000 packs of pork sausages, 500 kg cheese, and 4,000 packets of crackers were spent on his birthday party while his people are paying one million dollars for just one sack of flour. This may explain the prophecy “and do not harm the oil and the wine.” The “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” will gallop through our streets after the rapture of the church. But if we put our ears to the ground, can we not hear their hoofbeats growing louder by the day?

Is there something we can do to save ourselves from this judgment? The answer was given about a quarter of a century ago by Billy Graham in his book “Approaching Hoofbeats.” He wrote: “At some time in the future – a time unknown to us – the terrible hooves of the four horsemen will finally trample across the stage of human history . . . but in the meantime it may be that God’s hand of judgment will pause when we repent.”

Nobody likes change. We are open to change only when we begin to feel the truth. In his book The Heart of Change John Kotter (Harvard professor who has been the change guru for over three decades) made a keen observation: “People change what they do less because they are given analysis that shifts their thinking than because they are shown a truth that influences their feelings.” In the last election many Americans felt that things had to change. There is some truth to their feelings.

Our financial sectors need to change. The fire sales of financial companies and the mismanagement of government-sponsored enterprises have shown that we need more accountability in the system. People have lost their entire life savings through Ponzi schemes like the Madoff scam and big business scandals.

Our educational system needs to change. The TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) studies have shown that our students are trailing behind some third world countries in academic standards. Our children and grandchildren deserve better.

Our job outlook needs to change. According to the ADP National Employment Report the employment decreased by 522,000 in January, which is a total of 2.2 million nonfarm private-sector jobs since August 2008. We all have a brother or sister or friend or neighbor who recently lost their job.

Yes, some things do need to change. But not all things should change.

Our commitment to capitalism should not change. The freedom to succeed without government interference still draws the world to America. Tony Blair, former British prime minister, once said, “For all their faults and all nations have them, the US are a force for good . . . I sometimes think it is a good rule of thumb to ask of a country: are people trying to get into it or out of it? It's not a bad guide to what sort of country it is.”

Our commitment to national defense should not change. September 11 is a reminder that human beings are still sinful and wicked. War should be the last alternative to resolving conflicts. But as George Washington knew so well, “to be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” Lowering our defenses is a sure way to invite attacks. Theodore Roosevelt said on more than one occasion: “I have always been fond of the West African proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’”

Our commitment to our foundational values should not change. Biblical principles are still the bedrock on which our nation was founded. The value of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness were based on Christian values. While I agree that the house needs some remodeling, I don’t think that blowing up the foundation is the place to begin. Proverbs 22:28 reminds us “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.” There are landmarks throughout the history of our nation. Too often people think that landmarks hinder us from exploring unchartered territories. On the contrary, landmarks are a reminder that someone has been there before. Before we consider removing them, let’s ask why they were placed. The reason might save our nation.

This year’s after Christmas dinner chat was not about fond memories or embarrassing childhood stories. Instead, everyone had their prognostications of our economic future. The outlook of most Americans seems bleak at this point. Some believe that our worst days are still to come. Others think that we are on the right track and in time things will “straighten out.” Whether that happens or not, we would do well to heed Will Rogers’ warning: Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. Here are some thoughts on what we could be doing while we wait.

Prepare ourselves for tectonic shifts in our standard of living. Ecclesiastes 3:3b reminds us that there is “a time to break down, and a time to build up.” Break downs can actually be what America needs right now. Trials and tough times tend to bring out virtues like sacrifice, perseverance, self-discipline, courage, responsibility, work-ethics, loyalty, friendship, and integrity. These qualities are shaped on the anvil of life. Maybe, then we can truly understand the words of Clarence the Angel to George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) in It’s a Wonderful Life: You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?

Reform our education system to prepare our children and grandchildren to face the future. Although some improvements have been made in the past couple of years, we are still a far cry from being a world leader in education. According to the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) just released, the US continues to trail behind several Asian and European countries. In math, our fourth graders scored 11th and eighth graders ranked 9th. In science, U.S. fourth graders placed 8th, and eighth graders ranked 11th. The PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) test from last year showed that our 15 year olds trailed further behind other countries in math and science. We can’t throw money at this problem. Psalm 127:3 tells us that “children are a gift of the LORD” and deserve our best. We need prayer and a major overhaul of the system.

Pray for another Great Awakening. The ground is fertile for revival. Hard times can either draw people closer to God or lead us away from Him. To those who are looking for something new to save us, it might be worth hearing the words of former president Herbert Hoover: “We have overworked the word ‘new’. . . The practical thing we can do, if we want to make the world over, is to try out the word ‘Old’ for a while. There are some ‘old’ things that made this country . . . Some old things are slipping badly in American life and if they slip too far, the lights will go out of America!” Some of these old things are “Old virtues of religious faith, integrity and whole truth . . . honor in public office, economy in government, individual liberty . . . willingness to sacrifice . . . Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil.” As the Old Book reminds us “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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 

It is unreal to think that just a month ago my family and I had strolled down the street across from the Taj Hotel. It has been heartbreaking to see the beautiful historic building in flames. What makes it even more difficult is the fact that India has made some great strides lately in moving ahead in the world. These attacks have come at a time when the country is shifting and rethinking its values and foundations.  When we were in India I was often asked by the young people, “So what will it take for India to shine in the world?” It was evident that the young people of India are optimistic about their future. It might be worth for them to consider what made America a shining city on a hill.

First, it’s universal freedoms. The first amendment states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble. . .” These are known as the unalienable rights – natural rights or the freedom rights. In other countries such freedoms are openly denied or partial towards some. Have these freedoms ever been abused in America? Of course but the millions of Americans who live daily in peace, honesty, and goodness is sufficient argument that freedom is still the best choice and worth defending. It is the only way that a society flourishes and prospers.

Second, it’s wonderful opportunities. The 1776 US Declaration of Independence famously asserts: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. . .” I believe that any man or woman who is willing to work hard will not go hungry in this country. In America we don’t look down on the working man or woman. We refer to someone picking up our trash as “Sir” which is the same designation we use for our family doctor. Now is everything perfect and easy? Probably not. But it is a whole lot better than what is out there.

Third, it’s foundational values. It is undeniable that our nation is under girded by certain Biblical values like “Love your neighbor as yourself”(Mark 12:31), “Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17) and “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:4). It’s easy to misunderstand America without understanding her guiding values. I find it ironic when America is often criticized for her foreign policy and then condemned for not responding quickly enough to some human rights violation or a natural disaster somewhere in the world. Twice America stepped in to save the world. The first was the Nazi threat and the second time it was the Soviet communists. In both situations our nation helped to rebuild Germany, Japan and Russia. Even in recent years we have seen nations holding free elections for the first time in decades.

So, can India recover from this attack just like America did after September 11^th? Yes. America has proven again and again that as long as we hold on to the foundational values listed above “no weapon formed against us shall prosper.”

              Ronald Reagan said of Margaret Thatcher (England’s Prime Minister 1979-1990), “she is the best man in England.” This statement might offend some, but it does not offend Southern Baptists. Lately there have been accusations that Palin’s candidacy is a challenge to the Southern Baptist view of women. I completely disagree. I am a Southern Baptist woman; my father was a Southern Baptist pastor; and my husband is also a Southern Baptist pastor. I have no issue with a woman being in a position of leadership in the workforce. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 does not deal with women being in leadership outside of the home and church. These are two separate issues.

            Even in the home a woman is not subservient to her husband, she is to be submissive to her husband. There is a big difference between the two terms. Subservient implies abject obedience to someone, while submission is “voluntarily placing oneself under the authority of another.” The husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. And how much was that? So much that He died for the church. Jesus also was an example of how men should lead, by being a servant-leader; which means that He served the people He led. As Christians, men and women are called to these specific roles only in the church and home, not in the public arena.

            The choice that a woman makes to stay at home or to work outside the home is a family decision. The Palins obviously made this choice together, seeing that Todd Palin has been supportive of his wife’s career in public service. There is no “challenge to Southern Baptists’ conservative ideas about the role of women as leaders.” I believe that conservative, evangelical Southern Baptist men and women are applauding Sarah Palin for all that she is doing. As a mother of four children, myself, I understand how important family is. As a woman in the workforce, I understand how demanding a job can be. To be able to balance these two areas is admirable. I commend Sarah Palin for job well done, but I also commend her family for supporting her.

Since this is the year of the 56th consecutive quadrennial presidential election, my wife and I decided to go on the Presidents’ trail. We headed to Charlottesville, Virginia to tour the homes of three of my favorite founding Presidents. Each stop made a significant impression on us.

We began with Monticello, the home of our third President, Thomas Jefferson. Each year about half a million people come to visit his “essay in architecture.” They see Jefferson’s innovative genius throughout the house in his space-saving alcove beds, light -maximizing mirrors, polygraph (copying) machine and other appliances. But the most inspiring point of the tour for us was slightly down the mountain behind the house. It is Jefferson’s grave marked with a headstone that reads, “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson, Author of the Declaration of American Independence; of the statute of Virginia for religious freedom; and father of the University of Virginia.” Jefferson didn’t care if he was remembered for being the governor of Virginia, secretary of state, vice president, and, even, president. Instead, he was more concerned with preserving our freedoms and providing education for future generations.

From Monticello we headed 2 miles south to Ashlawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe. He called it his “cabin-castle” with affection. The home is typical of farmhouses of the 1800s and is filled with beautiful furniture, paintings, clocks and wallpaper from Napolean’s France. But what caught my attention the most was the dropleaf table in the entrance hall. The table, made from Honduras mahogany, was sent to Monroe on behalf of the people of the Dominican Republic. They sent it in gratitude for Monroe's foreign policy known as the “Monroe Doctrine.” In this policy Monroe made it clear that the American continent was no longer available for colonization and any attempt by a European country to do so would be considered a national threat. Monroe’s bold statement secured our nation’s boundaries until today.

For our final destination we headed twenty minutes north of Charlottesville to Montpelier, the home James Madison called his "squirrel's jump from heaven.” The Montpelier Foundation has been restoring the mansion to its original state and is set to be unveiled on September 17^th, Constitution Day. As we stood on the front porch the guide informed us that even the original Madison road was being restored. It reminded me of when Madison was running for a seat in the Constitutional Convention and he needed the support of the Virginia Baptists to win. Early one morning Madison rode off on that same road to meet John Leland, a preacher who was fighting for the liberty of his fellow Baptists. The two men discussed the issues until sunset. Finally Leland extended his hand of support to Madison, who replied, “Then, I’m elected.” True to his word Madison proposed the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

As we drove home we discussed what we were looking for in our next President. Like Jefferson he should not be naïve about economic progress but make education a high priority for our children and grandchildren. Like Monroe he should be bold about our nation’s defense and not forget our old allies. Like Madison he should remember that our nation is undergirded by Biblical values and protect our essential freedoms. As we head to the polls let’s remember Proverbs 29:2, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power they groan.”