Have you voted today? Be proud of the fact that we live in a free nation that can elect its own president. To be president must be one of the most daunting tasks and greatest responsibilities on earth. At the end of this day let all Christians commit to pray for those newly elected officials over our land. Let us commit to lift their names before Heaven for guidance as they lead and preside as our rulers.
On March 5, 1797, the day after John Adams took the oath of office as President of the United States he wrote to his dear wife Abigail from Philadelphia:
My dearest Friend, your dearest Friend never had a more trying day than Yesterday. A Solemn Scene it was indeed and it was made more affecting to me, by the Presence of the General (George Washington), whose Countenance was a serene and unclouded as the day. He seem’d to me to enjoy a Tryumph over me. Methought I heard him think Ay! I am fairly out and you fairly in! See Read the rest of this entry »
It is always somewhat fascinating to me to watch two individuals argue and debate in their desire to obtain the highest office in our land. Last night was the third and final time Americans were able to see senators John McCain and Barack Obama battle with words for the office of president. Positions were presented, arguments made, debate and response given, and democracy stands tall. Did the debate last night change your mind as to who you will vote for November 4th? Probably not. Most Americans have a pretty good idea as to who they will support and vote for in this election year – and most are not afraid to share their views. I am a proud supporter of the utmost of conservative politics and desire to demonstrate that support with each vote I cast. However, no matter who seems to be ahead, or who will win, I am still proud to be an American.
America is more than one man, more than a president or senate or government. America was nothing more and nothing less than an experiment that was blessed. Will my patriotism be diminished if the first African- Read the rest of this entry »
“Objects of the most stupendous magnitude, measures in which the lives and liberties of millions, born and unborn are most essentially interested, are now before us. We are in the very midst of revolution, the most complete, unexpected, and remarkable of any in the history of the world.”
To Richard Stockton, one of the new delegates from New Jersey, Adams was “the Atlas” of the hour, “the man to whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of independency….He it was who sustained the debate, and by the force of his reasoning demonstrated not only the justice, but the expediency of the measure.”
Even though contributions were made by others, such as Adams and Franklin, the words of the Declaration of Independence were Thomas Jefferson’s. It was Jefferson who had written them for all time:
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. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The following video is from the HBO series, ‘John Adams’. Watch this video with great appreciation for what God, in his providence, accomplished for this country in 1776. Happy 4th! I join together with you as we all celebrate our freedom and independence.
On July2, Congress finally adopted a resolution in favor of independence, and on July 4 approved the Declaration of Independence. John Adams sat on the committee appointed to draft the document and had himself encouraged Thomas Jefferson to write the original draft, which was accepted with some modifications. As is typical of John Adams, he recognized the historical significance of the event but was just slightly off in his analysis of how it would be remembered – he was convinced Americans would always celebrate July 2 as “the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.
John writes to his wife Abigail from Philadelphia July 3, 1776:
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, with I trust in God We shall not.
"It is a mercy that our lives are not left for us to plain, but that our Father chooses for us; else might we sometimes turn away from our blest blessings, and put from us the choicest and loveliest gifts of his providence." - Susannah Spurgeon
My name is Dustin Benge. I am the pastor-teacher of First Baptist Church of Jackson, Kentucky, a reader, writer, blogger, Master's student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and above all, lover of the Lord Jesus Christ. To find out more please visit the About page.
