God Bless America

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains,
To the prairies,
To the oceans
White with foam.
God bless America, my home sweet home.
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Remember, as you celebrate American's independence today, what a blessing God has given us to live in this free land. Paul Sweeney said it well when he said, "How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy." We are so blessed to live here.

Did you know that the Bible says some things about government?

• It says that governments are blessed when they are based on God - " Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34 KJV)
• It says that Christians are to respect and obey the government, because we know that God alone puts governments into power. (Difficult thought for some Americans to accept. We like to think we vote people into power, but the Bible says God makes that decision.) "Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God." (Romans 13:1 NLT)
• It also says that we need to pray for our nation. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

Will you join me today in praying for this nation of ours? More and more freedoms are taken away from us every day, and there may come a day when we are no longer free. But today, we are free to pray. So let's do so. Pray for America, land that we all love.

Off with your hat, as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have its say;
you're man enough for a tear in your eye
that you will not wipe away.
~Henry Cuyler Bunner