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July 2007 |
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Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus’ mighty Name! I am writing this on the eve of Independence Day and thinking about the brave men who signed that memorable document at eh founding of our nation. I am also writing in the aftermath of yet another terrorist attack in the UK. Because I am due to hop on a plane for the OSA National Event in Birmingham I take terrorist activities very seriously. I will be going in to Birmingham early for the last preparations before every one arrives and I have sooo— much to do before I leave. We are about to celebrate the act that began our great nation. Yes, I said great nation, I really mean that! The United States of America is a great nation, the greatest of nations. If you doubt that just travel to other nations as I do. We have freedoms here that just do not exist in other nations. With freedom comes responsibility and we, the Church of Jesus Christ, must work hard to show our beloved nation that she is turning from the God of her founders. I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors… I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. ( Alexis de Toqueville, Democracy in America, 1835) The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that, by signing that document, they were sealing their doom. They understood taking up their cross for righteousness. Of the fifty-six signers: seventeen lost their fortunes, twelve had their homes destroyed, five became prisoners of war, one had two sons imprisoned on the British starving ship Jersey, one had a son killed in battle, one had his wife die from harsh prison treatment and nine signers died during the War. Lately there are many who would have you believe our nation was not founded on Christian principles and the founding fathers were not Christian. Well of those fifty-six above mentioned signers, forty-two claimed membership in an established church denomination. Now two of those forty-two may have been Deists while maintaining church membership and one signer was a Deist. There were only thirteen who were not church members! (Remember, this does not make them all atheists—just ones whose church membership is questionable.) Taking the worse case scenario (all unknowns are atheists and three Deists were not Christian) the signers were 72% Christian! The Declaration itself refers to God as Creator and Divine Providence. 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.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. When he signed the Declaration Samuel Adams said, “We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.” Why have we, the heirs to this rich heritage, abandoned the God of our fathers? Why has the US collectively grown cold? Perhaps we need to be reminded this July 4th of the reason for our celebration. Maybe the Church of Jesus Christ (that’s you and I) needs to remind the US of our heritage. Samuel Adams warned us of the consequences of not doing so. A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader. We are at war—a war against terror. Perhaps we need to increase our virtuousness in addition to adding air marshals to plane flights. Lets do our part because, righteousness is something we can do something about. Thank you for your prayers for our team while we were in Norway. Would you please also pray for all who are working behind the scenes, most of them leaders, to serve the hundreds who will come to the OSA national event in Birmingham this month? Like LCI, people in OSA take no salary or pay. They simply serve out of a love of God’s people, but service in the confusion and heat of a national event can be draining. Please pray for strength and wisdom. I also have another prayer request for you. I am sure you all know my good friend and colleague, Sue, who has worked to serve the LCI vision so faithfully. Now she is sick and hospitalized Please join me in praying hard for my friend. Thank you for your support. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!!
A servant,
Pat McEwen |
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“The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:10-12 NAS |
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From the desk of Pat McEwen, 7/03/07 |
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