Look around you.

The stark reality is that there are those who wish to divide us and those that wish to unite us. America, throughout its history, has been no stranger to those who wish to sabotage her strength, demean her directives, and strip away her freedom. America is no stranger to those who oppose her. She has always had enemies both outside and inside her borders. Those who have been blessed to be a part of the American dream, bought through the blood, sweat, and toil of others, are not all on board with her ideals, nor do they appreciate their citizenship and all it affords them. Their version of the American dream is a nightmare for all who truly value their freedoms…all true patriots who are beyond grateful for the country in which they live.

There are many who do not seek peace and understanding among fellow Americans. Some are so intolerant that there’s now no longer room for discussion. They are no longer willing to rationally and calmly listen to opposing views. They have unwisely chosen instead to harden their hearts and close their minds to anything they don’t wish to hear. Silencing opposing views is what they do best; and if that isn’t enough, some have turned violent, which is what we’ve seen recently.

Sadly, some don’t want to unite. Some have no desire to learn our true history or take a moment to think of all who sacrificed so they could be free. Some just want the perks of freedom while trying to take away the freedoms of those who disagree with them. Their version of freedom is not framed in reality, and the utopia many in their camp envision is unrealistic and incompatible with the American way of life.

Some call for socialism. Some claim they want totalitarianism. And most have no idea what they’re asking for. They have been brainwashed into believing untruths and have been too lazy to dive into facts. They are naive to think something that’s failed in every country will somehow be successful in ours. Both take away personal responsibility, the opportunity to create a better existence personally and collectively. They stand in the way of positive progress and, by their very nature, are stifling and oppressive.

Many experienced a tiny taste of totalitarianism at work in the USA when Covid 19 hit. Unfortunately, several mayors and governors allowed the authority given to go to their heads. Many citizens were beside themselves and horrified to see how quickly their leaders became tiny tyrants with their list of unrealistic, suppressive demands.

Many experienced hypocrisy on steroids when certain mayors and governors broke their own rules and were indignant when caught. Their attitudes were a very matter-of-fact response…a clear message of “Do as I say, not as I do.”

What’s the saying? “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

In other words, as a person’s power increases, their moral sense diminishes. For some, but not all, of course. There were many mayors and governors who should be commended, as they did not abuse their powers, but instead did their best to find a balance while keeping their communities and states as safe as possible. Those are the mature leaders…those are the true leaders.

While some seek to make America better, some are actively working non-stop to drastically and dramatically change America into a place none of us recognize. Some will always complain about capitalism. Some will always be ungrateful. And, some will always prove hypocritical in their stances. (Hollywood, I’m looking at you.)

Some words of advice:

If you don’t believe in America, you’re free to leave.

If you want to be a part of the problem, not the solution, you’re free to leave.

If you don’t care enough to understand the brilliance of our Constitution and Bill of Rights which outline your precious freedoms, you’re free to leave.

If you are unable to show respect for all that our country provides you and your family, and be thankful that you live in the best country on earth, you’re free to leave.

If you are ashamed of our flag, our pledge, our anthem, our patriotic pride dressed in red, white, and blue…you’re free to leave.

If you want to blame others for your problems and don’t bother to understand and practice the concept of personal accountability which is rooted in common sense, you’re free to leave.

If you purposely are looking to incite division, change our history, dismantle and destroy our nation, you’re free to leave.

If you wish to radically change America for the worse, you’re free to leave.

If you’re not for America, you’re against America, and you’re free to leave.

Hollywood…you’re free to leave.

Propagandist Media…you’re free to leave.

Late-Night Talk Show Hosts…you’re free to leave.

Socialists, Marxists…you’re free to leave.

Elitists crying for a One-World Order…you’re free to leave.

Government Representatives who don’t believe in preserving America…you’re free to leave.

No one is keeping you here. You may leave any time you wish. After all, this is a free country…for now anyway.

Like Benjamin Franklin once said in reply to the question, “Well, Doctor, what have we got – a Republic or a Monarchy?” Without hesitation, he replied, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” Yes…if you can keep it.

There are those actively seeking to destroy America. Anyone paying attention understands this reality. Unfortunately, some aren’t paying attention. Some simply don’t care. Some look the other way, bury their heads in the sand, and hope everything will be okay. Some believe America will never lose her freedoms. They truly believe America will always be free, so they do nothing and turn a blind eye to those seeking to destroy her.

As our former president Ronald Reagan once so astutely conveyed, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.”

America is not a perfect place, as people are not perfect. We can all strive to do better. We can all be better. Yes, America is not perfect, but most will agree, of all the places on earth, it’s the greatest place on earth.

United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Americans need to stand and unite together. We all need to pledge to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We need to be willing to sacrifice like those who went before us. We need to take personal accountability for our own actions and not blame a group of people for the actions of a few.  We need to exercise common sense and compassion. We need to be open-minded and listen. We need to choose kindness, selflessness, graciousness, and never stop being appreciative for the blessings we have because we’re Americans.

America, this is your wake-up call.

More importantly, as Americans we need to individually open our eyes and hearts and recognize that our country needs to turn back to God and recognize we, as a sinful people, desperately need Him. We need His leading, His direction, His guidance, His mercy, His salvation. America will never be well without Him. America will never be great without Him. He is the Great Physician and the only One who can bridge the gaps, bring lasting unity, and heal this divided land.

hspate@verizon.net

 

 

As we prepare to celebrate this Fourth of July, let’s not forget all of those who went before us. Let’s remember every American who selflessly sacrificed so much, many at the cost of their lives so we could be free. Let’s remember our blessings and the Creator who bestowed them.

Let’s give thanks for all who helped build this country, remembering their hard work, their bravery, and their persistence in creating a country like no other.

May we never forget the lessons of the past nor those who put pen to paper with dreams and visions of a greater place than from which they came.

May our hearts hold dear those who, through toil, sweat and heartache, made enormous sacrifices for the collective good. And may we not forget those who painstakingly and with much wisdom fought for principles, fought for family, fought for religious freedoms… fought for all our liberties.

Let’s be thankful our ancestors were not a passive people, but patriots who dreamed big dreams and allowed us to partake in them. Let’s be both mindful and grateful for their passionate persistence in not giving up or letting go. And most importantly, let’s thank God Almighty for leading our founding fathers to create a nation that valued life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Let’s be grateful for all the men and women who worked both independently and collectively… both in the past and the present…all for the common good. It is this patriotic spirit that has united. It is the drive for something better that has kept America strong and allowed it to grow. It is the generosity of so many giving of themselves that’s enabled every American citizen to be a part of something bigger than themselves. A gesture that has given every U.S. citizen the opportunity to be a part of the great American experiment…an experiment like no other.

But, with all blessing and opportunity comes great responsibility. And, with responsibility comes accountability. We each are blessed to call America home and, like those before us, we must do our part to preserve this great nation so that it can continue to be a place of freedom for generations to come.

America has never been perfect. Its people, like all people, have never been perfect. Its past has never been perfect. Perfection can never exist this side of heaven, but despite all of America’s imperfections, many blessings have flown from this great nation.

Unfortunately, however, the blessings are fading. Our America is changing. There are those who don’t and never will appreciate the incredible sacrifices made for them by those they’ve never met. There are those who use their freedoms to trample on the freedoms of others. There are those who will never take the time to learn from history. There are those who will never truly appreciate their freedoms, and too many who view their freedoms not as a gift of sacrifice, but rather one of entitlement.

America’s greatness is being forgotten, values are being devalued, the family unit is being broken, and morals are being mocked. There are those who actively seek to silence all truth. There are those who seek to rewrite our history…to disrespect, destroy and dismantle everything we hold dear. The America we call home is quickly being broken down and becoming unrecognizable before our very eyes.

Yes, once upon a time, our nation was blessed because we allowed God into our homes, our hearts, our schools, our government. Over time, however, we have sadly witnessed America turn its back and have watched as God has been unapologetically kicked out of the public square. We have seen rebellious, prideful hearts create their own idols and follow after their own desires. We have witnessed all kinds of depravity darkening America’s doorstep.

Any success America has had in the past, any greatness achieved is due solely to God’s gracious guidance and intervention. The truth is simple, yet hard for some to swallow:

America will never be great without God.

God has never needed America, but America has always needed God.

2 Chronicles 7:14 states this truth: “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

As we prepare to celebrate this Fourth of July, let’s take a step back in time and be reminded of some wise words from those patriots who embraced the American dream and stood strong to preserve the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Let’s unite in prayer for our country and ask God to shed His grace and protection over us and to heal this once great land. And let’s never, ever forget that America’s blessings have been endowed by our Heavenly Father. America cannot survive without Him.

Happy 4th!

Dear America,

“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.”

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion… Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.” – John Adams

“The people…are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” – Thomas Jefferson

“Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as the abuses of power.”- James Madison

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.”- Thomas Paine

“Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again.”

“If we lose freedom here, there is no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth.”

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.” – Ronald Reagan

United We Stand,

Your Fellow Patriots

hspate@verizon.net