"Oh,
say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On
the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And
where is that band who so vuntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution!
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh,
thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Bless with victory and peace, may the heav'rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust":
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key - National Anthem
In 1620, the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth of untamed America. Fleeing from persecution and the lies of the "church", they had finally found a home in which they could worship freely and teach the next generations of God. But this time was not without many struggles and trials and death. We owe much to the Pilgrims for bravely setting out into the unknown, and starting our nation!
In the later 1700s, trouble began to brew as England sought to keep a firm hold on its thirteen colonies. Brave men and women such as Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, Sybil Ludington, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, and many others saw that it was time for America's people to unite and fight for their freedom.
"Join or Die" was Benjamin Franklin's declaration to the colonies as England strove to starve them, among other things, into submission.
"Give me liberty, or give me death!" - Patrick Henry
Doctor Joseph Warren - respected and active among "the Rebels". I believe he died in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War.
"Short sighted mortals see not the numerous links of small
and great events which form the chain on which the fate of kings and nations is
suspended." ~ Dr. Joseph Warren
"Our country loudly calls you to be circumspect, vigilant,
active, and brave." ~ Dr. Joseph Warren
Silversmith, Paul Revere, is well-known for his famous midnight ride.
I can't think about these heroes and heroines without feeling a thrill of patriotic pride! ;) But truly, I love to learn of the colonial days, the War of Independence, the time when America was born.
Though bad things have happened in America, it was founded on godly principles, fought for by great men; it has been a light and hope to other nations. It symbolizes courage and freedom. I salute our flag! I'm indebted to our founding fathers; the men and women with a vision and passion for freedom; our veterans; our current soldiers. I find my inner patriotic pride when I read about the courageous former days of America. I think we should fight for this nation that God built and blessed!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So . . . when did we stop fighting? When did we stop fighting for our brothers, sons, daughters, family . . . homes? Our freedom to worship God? To glorify and serve Him above all? Liberty for all mankind?
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." ~ Thomas Jefferson
"I mourn over my bleeding country . . . I weep at her distress,
and with them deeply resent the many injuries she has received from the hands
of cruel and unreasonable men." ~ Dr. Joseph Warren
I mourn for America too; the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Because she is being destroyed from the inside out. Her founding fathers are scorned. Her flag disrespected. The principles on which she was founded . . . forgotten.
Her people have become lazy, careless, foolish, and unintelligent. We care more about fashion and entertainment than freedom and godly standards. We look at appearance and search for excitement; and neglect to act in a way that benefits our country and sustains our liberty. Our government calls for "Equality!" and "Safety!" and "Rights for everyone!" and we echo their shout, not even realizing that they are slowly striping away our rights.
"When any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns, it is sending a clear message. It no longer trusts its citizens because such a government has evil plans." ~ George Washington (www.NationalGunRights,org)
"Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone - except God." ~ Billy Graham
"If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." ~ George Washington
Please forgive us, God, because we have wandered so far from the righteousness and truth on which America was founded!! Our government scorns you. Founding fathers and men and woman who protected our country are all but forgotten, their words unheeded by a generation who takes freedom for granted.
"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on my side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"I have been many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." ~ George Washington (scripturesquegraphics.com)
"You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it." ~ John Quincy Adams
So I mourn for this country, because I fear her destruction. I am sad for the men and women who fought so passionately and bravely for America - I'm glad they cannot see the foolishness and wickedness that is working to ruin this country!
But ultimately, I still hope. I will still pray for healing for my country.
"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 will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Though the government and some people may be trying to change things, America - the old America; the true America - stands for liberty, courage, hope, justice . . . for the King of Kings! It's not too late to keep fighting for freedom! It's not too late to stand up for godliness. For truth. And righteousness. For liberty. And conservative views. It's not late to echo the passionate and courageous cries of people like George Washington, Patrick Henry, Abigail Adams, Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln!
"We recognize no sovereign but God and no king but Jesus!" ~ Patriot quote
So this 4th of July, I celebrate what America truly stands for. I celebrate the America of Old. I celebrate the godly founding father and patriotic men and women of America.
And let's pray that America's government and people of today will turn back to the God who has so faithfully sustained them through the years! It begins with you! It begins with me! Let's lift our hearts to the Lord, and each take a stand for righteousness!
"Build Your Kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray"
Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective
Some books and movies I've enjoyed that are set near or during the Revolutionary War. The Liberty Kids series is ESPECIALLY informative and all around delightful.
Comment away!! Share your thoughts. Tell me about some wonderful reads or movies about America that you love.
"But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord,
in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me."
Psalm 5:7-8 ESV
