It's the end of June already. Time is moving so very fast. I think I told you I had been re-elected President of our condo community. Back in May 2010, I had resigned from the condo Board to allow myself time to write the book, They Call Me Blessed! At that time, the condo community was self-managed. Last year, we became a property managed community and I wanted to learn how that worked. I ran for the Board again and am back in the seat of president. Being on The Board has always been a source of stimulation and it is no less now.
In addition, I am writing and editing short stories of past experiences that I think will bring laughter and, perhaps, tears to my nieces and nephews as they read about my remembrances of years past. Some stories involve members of our family in its early years. Others are more up-to-date and only involve my daughter and me. All are being written as encouragement to our offspring to be diligent, forthright, upstanding, Godly citizens.
As I sit here at my computer, I hear thunder starting to roll outside and it makes me think of rain somewhere in the offing. Although I don't see any rain, I know it could start any minute. It brings to me thoughts of what is perhaps about to occur in the next few days as we celebrate the anniversary of our country. We all know this is the time for the outdoor barbecue picnics and fireworks; but what is on my mind now is the songs of America: My Country 'tis of Thee, The Star Spangled Banner (especially the 3rd verse), God Bless America, and God of our Fathers Whose Almighty Hand. Some of my neighbors and friends think that is weird, but citizens my age remember when there were parades with U.S. flags flying from flag poles and citizens standing with their hands over their heart. Uniformed marchers from different military services caused tears to come to people's eyes as citizens remembered what the country had gone through.
We were proud to be Americans and for good reason. Many people had worked themselves up from nowhere to wonderful heights because of the freedoms afforded to us. Most came from other countries to get better lives for themselves and their families. They arrived with nothing, worked hard and became good middle-class citizens who, because of our Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights, were able to provide for themselves without fear of reprisal or repression. Some became outstanding leaders who trumpeted those rights.
In today's climate in our country, and with that in mind, I have sent the following to my relatives. I am sharing it in this blog simply as a means to give my readers something to think about as they celebrate July 4, 2015:
Today, I pray for my president and those in authority over me that their hearts are in the hands of God and He turns them whither so ever He will. (Prov. 21:1) Our nation, pastors, and churches are blessed because our God is the Lord and we are the people He has chosen for His inheritance (Psalm. 33:12) The Body of Christ -- all those who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord -- are the righteousness of God; therefore I exalt this nation and bind principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness and render them ineffective against my nation, my church, my family and myself, in the Name of Jesus (II Cor. 5:12; Prov. 14:34; Eph. 6:12)
This July 4, 2015, the most important activity you can engage in is to gather your children around you, sing patriotic songs like the ones mentioned above, and tell them of how our country came to be and by whom it was made and preserved. Tell them how the men who wrote our Constitution gave up their fortunes and their lives to propose and promote this great nation. In short, teach them about America’s history.
So here I am in the middle of July. So much has happened since I last came to this site it makes me wonder where to begin. I guess I will end it this way. When people ask me what I think about most things today, I simply say, "There is one thing I know for sure. Jesus Is Lord!"