Our American Heritage- week 2

Here is week of my compiled lesson plan in order for you as a Christian educator help the next generation be informed. 

Scenario 2- read and discuss by showing how God’s word can be use to help them that situation- allow 5 to 10 minutes

Your class just got a new kid. All your friends say the new kid looks weird and tease them behind their back. You talked to the new kid and they seem nice. What do you do? What do you think God would want you to do?

1 John 3:16-17, 2 Tim 1:7 or if you found any verses yourself

Bill of Rights- ask if anyone remembers the 3 they learned and what the Bill of Rights are and give 4 more - 5 minutes

Lesson: What Happen to Our Country?!- 15 minutes

The goal for this lesson: to share of the story of separation of church and state

Verse: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13

The Lesson (remember this is only a brief outline for you to add or take away and allow God to lead you)

Ask if the kids if they have heard their parents or on T.V the phrase, “separation of church and state” Most will tell us that it was apart of our Founding Fathers desire for our country or that it was apart of the Constitution. But it was not. It was never discussed among them. It was through a letter from a Baptist church to Thomas Jefferson, who was not even apart of making the Bill of Rights, that the phrase “separation of church and state” came from.

The Baptist church was afraid that the 1^st Ammendment (ask if anyone could tell you what it is) would give some government officials in the future a way to away take our freedom to exercise the way we worship God. The 1^st amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”  The intent of the first amendment was 2 things

1)    The Federal Government was prohibited to have one denomination or church run the nation (like the church of England did)

2)   The Federal Government was prohibited from limiting and interfering with the people’s religion exercise

The 1^st amendment was for government to have no part of religion.

 “What it doesn’t mean is that either of these institutions is separate or independent from God and His law…does not mean ‘separation of God from government. If it did mean separation of God from government, then there be no basis for us as citizens to claim that you have unalienable rights.” (7)

         http://www.theamericanview.com/does-separation-of-church-and-state-mean-separation-of-god-and-government/

Our unalienable rights, which comes from the Declaration of Independence, are given to us by our Creator which are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. We all have the same rights. Inalienable means they cannot be taken away and right means something we exercise. So when the government takes away the right to worship the way we want to, they are saying there is no Creator in which we have no rights at all. Our Founding Fathers did not want that for our country. Remind them of last week’s lesson.

But as we know, at school we are longer able to pray and read God’s word. How did that happen? In 1962, a court case called Engel Vs Vitale changed the meaning of what Jefferson said to the Baptist church. “A group of parents sued a New York public school district for requiring students to begin each school day by reciting a nondenominational prayer. Written by the New York State Board of Regents, the prayer read: "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country." (8)

            http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/court/enge_v_vita.html

The court said it was unconstitutional and the prayer was taken away. When they did that, they changed the word “church” from the 1^st amendment to now meaning a religious activity performed in public. The government now does not allow religious activity.

Because that has happen, there has been a gradual change in our school system. But if we read God’s word, He told us that people were going to not want God’s way but their own sinful way.

Read 2 Tim 3:1-5 and Luke 24:4-8: explain to them what those verses mean to you concerning how the world no longer cares about the ways of the world. If you can find other verses share those too. The whole point is that this is not a surprise to God. He is still in control.

Ask: But what do we need to do even though this is going on? Allow the kids to give their thoughts.

To finish up the lesson, BRING HOME THAT THEY TOO CAN TRUST IN GOD AND LEARN TO LIVE FOR HIM THROUGH READING HIS WORD AND REMEMBERING WHAT THEY MEMORIZE FROM CHURCH

GIVE ALSO A BRIEF GOSPEL INVITATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS 

Our American Heritage- The Bill of Rights

I have recently wrote and presented a presentation on our American Heritage. The journey God has taken me has been unbelievable. The next 5 blogs will what I have learned and is for you as a

church educator to teach the kids in your class about Our Biblical American Heritage. It is a very basic outline. I want to encourage you as a church educator to go into God’s Word and study it for yourself. It is important God lies on your heart what He wants to show you in order to teach.
 

The Goal for this curriculum is for kids to learn about:

Their Founding Fathers and their Biblical Influence on our country

The definition of separation of church and state

The Moral Decay of their Country

What is going on in their schools?

What can kids can do in order to be able to stand up for God by using Scripture?

Learn the Bill of Rights in a fun way

                                                   

Each week there is a lesson, a scenario from everyday life to discuss in order to find scripture to defend their stance, and learning the Bill of Rights. The teacher presents 3 Bill of Rights for the first and third week, 4 for the second week to learn, and for the last week, to review them. It is optional, for game time, to play games in order to enforce what they learned about Our American Heritage. It is also optional for the scenario to be reserved for handbook time. This could be done in the month of September to start out the year and because September 17^th is Constitution Day. It also could be done in February for Presidents day. This curriculum is intended for 3^rd-6^th graders, but anyone could take it and improve it for any age. It is important that we educate Biblically the next generation. EVERYTHING THAT IS BOLD IS NOTES FOR YOU TO READ AND DECIDE ON WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT FOR THE LESSON.

The Bill of Rights- in order to learn all amendments, the kids will use their hands and the use of the number to remember each one- my main source for this was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWdfHK6g_C8 Here are other sources to explain to the kids on their level http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/explaining-bill-rights

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/government/billofrights.htm

 

#1 Freedom of Speech- use ONE finger and point to your lips

#2 The Right to Bear Arms- show your TWO fingers and then make it into a gun

#3 The Right to not house soldiers- show your THREE fingers and then hide them under your other hand while saying they are going into a house and then pull them back “Get out of my house soldiers”

#4 The Right to not have anyone search your house without a search warrant- show your FOUR fingers and bring them forward like you are telling them to stop and say “where is your search warrant”

#5 The Right to not testify against your self- show your FIVE fingers and then cover your mouth while saying, “not testify against yourself”

#6 The Right to a speedy trial- show your SIX fingers and with the one finger bring over fast to your other hand who is your jury

#7 The Right to have a jury of your peers- show your SEVEN fingers and with the one hand face the palm towards the kids and then the 2 fingers in front of those also faced towards the kids. Make it look like 7 people in 2 rows just like you see in a real court room.

#8 The Right to no excessive bail or punishment- show your EIGHT fingers and with the 3 fingers slap the back of your other hand.

#9 The Right that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights do not define all of the fundamental rights people have- to be honest, I don’t know what to do for this one. This is your freedom to do whatever you think works. ; )

#10 The Right for states to make their own rules that don’t go against the Constitution- show your TEN fingers and form a state with them. I can form the state of California and Florida. Maybe you can do more : )

The next blog will be about the faith of our founding fathers. But the whole point of this is for you to allow God to work in your life and to impact others. 

1st you need to pray if this is for you. 

2nd if you have a heart to change this nation only by God's word this is for you.

3rd if you have a heart for kids, this is for you.

I challenge you to open your eyes to what this nation needs.

WE WILL NEVER FULLY GET IT

Have I not mentioned before that our God is faithful? The verse in Psalm 37:4 has took on a new meaning for me recently : )

"Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Now most of you know who have been reading my blog this past year that God has put a heart of contentment in me about not having kids at this time. I mean He really has placed a heart of contentment in me to trust in His timing, His plan, His purpose for my life. But then recently my husband has said that I can get off my birth control SOON. Dont know when but soon. It makes me so excited because that is what I want to do, be a mommy : ) But guess what?! The heart of contentment began to falter to being obsessed. When? Why not now? Oh No symptoms of being off of birth control after 5 years? Obsessed...but then God brought to my attention several verses that He always put in my direction when I go this way.

2 Samuel 22:31
"As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

Psalms 32:8-10
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."

 

Psalms 33:13-15

"The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
¹⁴ From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
¹⁵ He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works."

 

But then Psalms 37:4 comes to mind. We all know that when we think of that verse that if we do delight ourselves in the Lord that He will give those things that we want, that nice car, that nice house, that family. Then He gave me a thought, Kristina I know who I have formed you into, through My word and through constant communication, all through life's trials. I know your heart, to want to stay close to Me even when you are weak. Oh wait here is another verse : )

 

 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

 

So Kristina, here is your desires of your hear when you are weak: Me drawing near to you, Me making you strong when you are weak. I know this is the desires of your heart. Trust me with the rest. I am enough for you right now

 

Thank you Lord for being so faithful : )

Solid foundation not religious freedom

Ok I give you full permission to tell me "I told you so" when I say this comment : ) I was listening to Glenn Beck this morning with Cyrus before he went to work. He was talking about what is currently happening in Egypt with the Muslim brotherhood killing all those people including Christians. He was getting all worked up as he usually does and saying we need to pray for it all and how sickening it is we as a government don't do anything to quit funding the Muslim brotherhood. Yeah it's sad what is going on, really sad. It makes me really thankful that we don't have it that bad at all. But what was frustrating was how he was reacting. Yes we should pray but we can't allow our anger to get the best of the situation. It is more then our freedom that is at stake. What should be said is what is our foundation during these times?

God has been unbelievably faithful the few past weeks. He really has been challenging me on what I believe with what's going on with our freedom and our country.

As I said in my 4th of July post, it is more than just Obama with why things are so messed up. Recently I have been reading about 3 different things, the Constitution, FDR, and this series called American heritage series by wall builders. Our constitution was made in order for the 3 branches of government to be defined and to balance and check each other out. The Bill of Rights were also established because alot of the founding fathers and fellow statesmen were not comfortable completely with the Constitution in fear of the government being more in control than it needs to be. The Bill of Rights are for us as individuals, as citizens of this free world. But then men, not for the constitution, came into power who felt they had the right to abuse what our founding fathers had establish. Some of these men were our presidents. Others were historians who felt like God was no longer to be our foundation as a country and wrote textbooks that gives only half of the truth. The most research I have done is on FDR. This president was all about taking away our responsibilities as a nation to grow and thrive and build and influence each other on an individual, local, and state basis. Within 100 days of starting his presidency, he came up with all these government based programs that stifled small businesses and state and local government growth. The book I have been reading is FDR:the first hundred days by Anthony J Badger. He stated,"only 5 percent of Americans paid income tax. In 1929, federal tax receipts were only 3.8 percent of gross national product (to emphasize the context, the figure for 1981 was 20.1 percent)". Imagine that 3.8 percent. Wow... It only just started there. Throughout the years, more presidents continue on adding more programs which meant more taxes and less responsibility for ourselves. No longer do we see the need to take on our duties as an American or even as a Christian to do what we need to do. It really got to me. I have little skills in order to contribute to society like our country was establish to do. I am a product of my government. 

Another point of view was what I watched on these American heritage series. David Barton, a Christian historian, is challenging us as Americans where our heritage comes from. I am still not sure about him but alot of what he says makes sense. He says in the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s that there historians and textbook writers that began to write about our founding fathers and what they intended.

History has turned in on focusing on the money. It's all about the money! That is why most of us probably has heard that our country wanted freedom from England because of taxation without representation. But Barton was saying that taxation without representation was one of the lesser grievances. The top 3 he gave was abuse of representative power, abuse of military power, and abuse of judicial power. For example, the colonies wanted to raise money for missionary purposes to teach others the gospel. The king did not like that and deny them that power. Did anyone hear that in school? I sure did not. Also Barton said when we think about the founding fathers, textbooks tell us that most of them were deists or atheists. Now when you think of the founding fathers who are the first guys who come into your head? Seriously stop and think about who you think of. I asked 4 people who they thought of. All four agreed with Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Some said George Washington or John Adams. Barton said that Jefferson and Franklin are the ones most talked about. They are the least spiritual founding fathers even though if we compare them to some Christians today they were some bible thumpers themselves. So that is who we have been taught. But what about the other 54? What about Benjamin Rush from Pa? Or Francis Hopkinson? Or John Witherspoon? Rush was the first to start the bible society where he wrote a constitution for it where he states the benefits of one, 1. builds a personal relationship with God and 2. bible study would dismiss all social problems. Witherspoon was responsible for the first family bible. Hopkinson was a church music director and wrote one of the earliest hymn book that had all 150 Psalms put to music.

But what does this have to do with a solid foundation? God really has come to show me the importance of knowing about our American hertiage, the Constitution, and how we have developed as a nation in order to be more informed to build a Biblical foundation. As we know as adults, the government and what it has been doing really has been hitting us hard economically but also a reality check that our comfortable lives will not be so comfortable for much longer. I also have come to see how this is affecting the next generation while they are at school or even with their friends. I was talking to some 12 year olds at CEF camp one week and they were telling me kids were getting detentions for bringing their Bible to school. My friend also told me that her mother-in-law who is a teacher is told to teach about the history of the homosexuals. Most young people are on their cell phones all the time and lack any healthy socializing. History and science seem to be twisted and dumb down. Another week at CEF camp, the kids had no basic reading and finding the answers comprehension. Now yes I know as a Psychology major that there are environmental issues at home that also affect these things but the issues are still at hand.

I was talking to my former pastor about this and he led me to the scripture in Acts 4. The story is Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees in the temple got angry about it and took the 2 men into custody. The next day, they brought Peter and John out where they continued on preaching Jesus to them. The Sadducees marveled and realize that they did see Jesus and could not say anything else against them. They than told Peter and John that they no longer could preach about Jesus and were allow to go. Peter and John go back to their companions and other followers and said this,

"Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of Your servant David^[b] have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’^[c]

 For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. ²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

 

Then they continue on praying for boldness! Wow! We too need to realize this and pray also for boldness. Nations and rulers are gathering together today going against Jesus our Lord. But just like Jesus being handed over to Herod and Pilate was and is God's purpose so is what is going on today in our nation and in the kids' schools and friends. There are threats and God sees them. We just need to pray for boldness to speak out God's word. It should not also come to us as a surprise because Paul mentions this was going to happen in his 2nd letter to Timothy in chapter 3,

 

" But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

 

But Paul continues on telling what Timothy and also us what we need to do.

 

" Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

The word of God is our answer. Men, teachers, politicians are all evil men and imposters that want to deceive and mislead. But we need to hold onto what we have learned as children from the scriptures and be bold. Even people who were not Christians when they were little, still have the word of God. Read it! It will change your life! This is also important for us as adults to teach others younger than us who might not have that Biblical influnence. We are all going through it one way or other and the Bible is our solid foundation.

Now, what if those who get involved and become frustrated and want to fight against what freedoms that are getting taken away. I know personally for me I know I can get on my soap box and get angry with what FDR started and what Obama continues on doing to this nation whom he hates. But I have to remember that these things cannot come to a shock to me because of Paul's words but need to go to God's word knowing that is far more stable than anything else. Paul also tells Timothy in the same letter in the previous chapter to

"  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness... Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. ²⁴ And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."

Avoiding foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife is hard but knowing that if I do, allows them to be granted repentance from God and they will know the truth, I say go for it. We need to personally and for others hold onto the word of God during these times. We need to rest in knowing God's promises and character traits. He is the only one who is our solid foundation not our religious freedoms

Trust depends on how you see Him

God always shows Himself faithful while He works in my life. : )

I recently got my old pastor's sermons on CD in the mail on his Creation to Christ series. I was very excited and popped one in that evening. He starts out by going over the point of the study which is to know and see that the God of the Old Testament is the same God of the New Testament. He shows that through His love and mercy on Israel to bring about His ultimate plan that comes in Christ in the New Testament. We cannot understand God's ultimate plan if you dont know who He is from the Bible. Most of our points of view about God come from how we were brought up or what our church taught mostly from man made traditions. This leads into a conversation he had with someone he knew at another place he lived where this person did not trust in God because what had happen in Ohio with those girls. He emailed this person asking where they were coming from. Their reply was that they knew that the world is corrupt because of our sin but if God was so powerful and in control why couldnt He take control of some of the hurt and evilness of this world? My pastor ask the question, "Do we want a holy God take control and give us truly what we deserved?" Of course because of what God has showed to me through His word the answer is No. His wrath upon this evil of this world would destory us and do I wish that upon anyone who is not a Christian. Of course not.

Then my pastor went on with his study where he left off before in Genesis 37, he introduces Joseph. Joseph is a prime example of someone who knows who God is and trult trusts in Him. First, his brothers hate him because he knows what he needs to do in order to please God even if telling his dreams made them more angry at him. Second, they sell him to slave owners going to Egypt. Ok if that was me, I would be scared. But Joseph continues on being faithful to God and trusting in Him knowing He knew the bigger picture. Joseph shows that when he works for Potiphar and even when he is the one in charge while he was in jail. His trust in a God who knows the ultimate plan for his life was what motivated him to not fret and freak out but to remain faithful to Him. Wow what faith! What trust! That is only the beginning : )

The next day, I go to church, one that my husband and I are checking out, to the evening service. The first thing the pastor talks about there is rejoicing in the Lord knowing the Lord is at hand. His scripture was of course Phil 4:4-9. He then says the way we preceive God is how we are going to trust Him. We wont "be anxious for nothing..." but we "let our requests be made known to God..". In return, as He promises and because we know that He is at hand, "the peace of God...will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Do I trust in that just like Joseph did? Do I know that the Lord is at hand? Lately I just have been struggling with worrying about things that do not exist or even have prove that does exist. But why? I know my God is faithful. I know my God knows my heart and all my days from the moment I was conceived to when I die. Oh how I hate my thoughts! Pray for me as I continue to allow God to conform my mind to His will.   

Conforming to His will

As most of you know, my husband and I have recently moved, relocating for a new job. We have been here for almost 2 months. We also decided that I wont work to see if we can live off of his salary for the future. My prayer, without internet or Netflix, for the first month was to draw near to God knowing He will draw near to me as it says in James 4:8a. He has been so faithful and last month was amazing.

This month we decided that I liked going to the library for the internet and will not get internet for awhile. So I continue to pray for God's will as I continue on transitioning into this new lifestyle.  I will confess lately I have become restless where it makes me more conscious and watchful for discontentment and dissatisfaction which is only a gateway for Satan/my flesh to screw with my mind. I cannot allow him to get to me knowing that I am wrestling against rulers of the darkness of this age as it says in Ephesians 6:12 and that God is far more powerful than Satan/my flesh will ever be. I have constantly gone to His word and His promises which has remain so faithful for me.

What He has recently brought to my attention is my mind is in the process of being conformed to His will. I feel disconnected and unsure about things. God has blessed me with this amazing woman of God who has helped me get connected and been my friend. I have been to a picnic for the ACTION (Americans For Christian Traditions In Our Nation of Pennsylvania) group here. I have been going to a Good News Club and have been invited to volunteer at a camp next week. God alo has really laid on my heart on telling others about the Gospel and how it has affected my life with the people in my apartment complex. I have been struggling to do these things, being anxious if I am doing it right, and feeling like it is a duty and finding little pleasure in it. It is not like I feel like if I dont do this that God is going to be angry and I will feel guilty. I have gotten beyond that. He totally convicts me until I do do it. For example, I got some mail of this girl who lives upstairs next to me and I needed to go give it to her. I have talked to her before and she is very nice and this letter was my excuse to go to her again. So last Saturday I had my routine of getting ready for the day and was going to go to the library. I get into the car and notice her car was in her spot. Suddenly, God tells me, "Kristina go get the letter and go give it to her." I gave excuses like she will be here later after I am done with what I want to do. But He kept pressing me. Then I had the thought, What if she is thinking of something right now and I need to have a conversation with her about that? God works like that dont He? So after a minute of going back and forth, I turned off the car, got the letter, and knocked on her door. She invited me as she did before and I sat for awhile since she had some company. Then they left and we started to talk. We talked about some things that were going on in her life and how through it she was discovering herself. I was able to share a little bit what God has done in my life and how He has transformed it. It ended where sometime this week we are to hang out which I am doing this afternoon. But even then, I had my own plans today but knew that this is something God wants me to do. I know I will have fun. I always do : ) I have been praying for opportunites and discussions this afternoon but I have no passion. My friend finds so much joy in telling the Gospel to these little kids and seeks opportunities to do so where ever she goes. Peter, Paul, and the other disciples were like that. Everywhere they went, they preached the Gospel. It was what drove them! Is there a middle? I have the desire to do it but I feel like it is something I need to do. What comes to mind is in Matthew 16:24-27,

     "Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

And Romans 12:1-2,
 
 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

It is like I need reassurance that I am building those relationships or then I am afraid I am being too lazy. I dont know. But I do know that He is a faithful God and His word does not return void. His word is what motivates me. His word is what is alive. The Gospel is still working in my own life. The Gospel is what is powerful not me. I dont think I fully trust in God in that yet. 

 " For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,^[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16  

The 4th of July

In light of the events of our government and country and personally what God has been doing in my life through His word, I felt that this year Cyrus and I need to read the constitution on the 4th of July. It was interesting but also rewarding as we read it. Hehe we did not even finished it. Cyrus had to explain alot of it to me which I think exhausted him : P But it was alot of fun and produce alot of conversation. My thoughts are going to be brief but to the point because I am still trying to learn about this: I dont think President Obama has a big part as much as we think he does when it comes to with whats going on. Now what do I mean by that? I believe that as a country and our country's leaders have allowed over time through the Great Depression, World War I and II, rules and laws to falter morally. What is also sad is how, as the church, we appear we dont care or do little about it. How does a nation or group of people falter morally? They forsake God. Other things get in the way and become more important. There are too many distractions. It does not rock our little world so we dont feel convicted enough. I know I am gulity of that.
I have been reading a book called Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy which by the way is AMAZING!! The burden that this man had for the spiritual welfare of Germany during Nazi Germany was HUGE. He was constantly in the word, seeking God's face in prayer, even apart of a church that separated from the church of Germany and started his own seminary discipling people in God's word and in their current circumstances. He read Jeremiah and felt what he felt. So that made me want to read Jeremiah also. It has convicted me on a level that I dont think I fully grasp yet where God wants to take me with it. But there are a few verses that have caught my eye that I believe relates to us as a nation.

“For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13

"...'Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your backslidings will rebuke you.
Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing
That you have forsaken the Lord your God,
And the fear of Me is not in you,'
Says the Lord God of hosts."  Jeremiah 2:19

" 'Your ways and your doings
Have procured these things for you.
This is your wickedness,
Because it is bitter,
Because it reaches to your heart.' "  Jeremiah 4:18

Like I said I am still learning more about this and God is guiding me to something but this is something I want to challenge myself with too. What stops me from making a difference in this world where people see God and not themselves?