Some time ago, I was re-watching the movie “Midway.” Six months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, they were trying to set a trap for the US Navy and destroy it. The American commanders actually set a trap of their own, and the highly outnumbered US forces won a decisive victory. I am always humbled by the selfless and heroic efforts made by the World War II generation. They sacrificed their lives for something they believed was bigger than them. They knew the value of family; the power of God; and that life and liberty was foundational to being an American, and it was worth fighting for. They were defined by their courage and character, their dedication to what was right and good.

For me, Memorial Day was always a solemn day first, and a day of great celebration second. Growing up, our 4-H horse club always participated in the Memorial Day Parade that wound through Rootstown, Ohio, and ended up at the cemetery. There, we faced the graves of those who served their country, many who died that we might live free. Our horses were to stand at attention, and we were to sit on them, also at attention, our hats removed, as the speakers honored America’s finest. Afterwards, we would load up the horses and head back to the farm, where we had a cookout, usually with Warren and Sue McCarthy, Gene and Betty Flynn, Bob and Doris Harris and their families.

Warren and Gene served on D-Day. They survived it. And they were decorated war heroes. Not much of what they did was ever discussed. But you somehow knew that they were special. My dad, who was a farmer during the war, was best friends with these men. He knew what went on, but would never say. They were among the finest men I knew growing up. My uncle Bob Harris served in the Philippines. There were times when he had flashbacks. My dad would get a call from my aunt, and he would find Uncle Bob, talk him down and hold him until the terror passed. He, too, was a decorated hero. All these men knew the price of freedom, and they understood their civic duty to their families, their God and their country.

I’m sure you have stories as well about the brave men and women who served in our nation’s armed forces.

President Ronald Reagan remembered veterans in his speech May 26, 1986. He said,

“If we really care about peace, we must stay strong. If we really care about peace, we must, through our strength, demonstrate our unwillingness to accept an ending of the peace. We must be strong enough to create peace where it does not exist and strong enough to protect it where it does.”

To me, there will never be peace on earth until the Lord returns. Jesus said, however, in Matthew 5:9,

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Many have sacrificed themselves that we may have peace and freedom. Let us honor their deeds.

Have a blessed and powerful day,

The Daily Jot Staff

https://dailyjot.com

There is a good deal of debate among the Christian community about whether Christians should be politically active. One could postulate that because Christians have chosen not to be politically active is the reason our nation is in its current condition.

If the nation is 80% Christian and its elected representatives do not adhere to Biblical standards, there is a disconnect. Yet people will complain endlessly about the unethical and immoral representation in government and the moral decline of the nation.

Romans 12:21 says, “Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” In a nation where we are given the right to choose our leadership, we should be choosing good leadership that leads wisely.

So, what to do? How do we change the direction of politics in this country?

Those who are called to politics should be exercising that calling. The rest of us should be voting for the best candidate.

There is an example in the late 1970s and early 1980s that worked really well for Christian involvement in American politics. Christians were able to elect good candidates from the county to state to national levels, including President Ronald Reagan. Christians got involved. They stepped outside the four walls of their churches and took initiative to shape the future of their country. Unfortunately, that passion was not transferred to the next generation of Christian activists. Maybe now is the time.

People often ask how do we change the direction of politics? To me, it’s going to take hard work and dedication, much the same as the pro-life movement.

In politics, it takes organization. Pastors should encourage those with political interests to gather together and work with others from other churches or Christian organizations. If your pastor doesn’t want to do that kind of thing, you can take it on yourself if you are so inclined. Get involved at the local committee level. Political party people are always looking for new faces to be involved. Work with your local party committee and get elected to the leadership of the committees. Then you are in a position to recruit and select candidates. Candidate selection and backing is important.

In the Reagan years, Christians worked hard to take over local party committees, then county, then state. They had tough skin because the moderates in the party (establishment people who said they were Christians, but stood for anything that kept them in power) fought tooth and nail to prevent the conservatives from having influence. But persistence paid off, and there were many good candidates selected and elected. Christians were winning leadership positions in Congress, and we elected a president. Moreover, I believe many were led to Christ in the process.

I will leave you with a quote from Noah Webster, which is representative of many of our Founding Fathers: “I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence.”

Have a blessed and powerful day,

The Daily Jot Staff

https://dailyjot.com