Paul Revere and the 21st Century

I am angry. My heart pounds, my fists shake, and I sputter and cough out objections and exclamations. Why am I here, and not there? I ought to be running through the streets of Washington with my panting horse, crying “Congress is coming! Congress is coming!” for our foe is on their way, and will one day be parading into our homes. How can I help but be excited? Apathy only stirs me up, and were that this battle one beyond words and documents, and I a ready soldier, I would gladly take up arms to defend liberty.

My youthful frustration tells me there is nothing I can do and that it's out of my hands. My head tells me to go make some phone calls; write some letters. My heart tells me to rely on a sovereign God, and trust Him for the outcome. Which call is hardest to live out?

“What a historic time for our nation...” “What an honor for you, Mr. Speaker, in such a time...” “Today we will make history...” The Democrats are speaking on the floor. History? As the nation that once was founded on God-given rights and freedoms, and then abused and usurped those same freedoms in one big, record-breaking sweep?

I am an American girl of the past. My patriotic pride is based on those men who fought in the name of the Lord to protect the innocent, guard their families, and preserve the way of liberty for their future generations. When I place my hand over my heart, I gaze at the stripes on the flag; remembering not the personal and pure sacrifice of so many politicians today, but of the blood shed by men not so long ago during the forming of our nation. Will I and my family have the courage to show such sacrifice and dedication when the time comes?

This post may mean nothing to you. Maybe you found my blog through a random Google search, or happened to click a link from another blog. Maybe you don't care about the life and ramblings of a simple girl in Nebraska. But I ask you this: how much do you care about your freedom? Are you willing to pay fines, heavy taxes and penalties, and even spend time in jail if you refuse to purchase something you don't want? And even more importantly, how ardently will you oppose Satan's forces in our society, and proclaim the cross of Christ?

Sometimes my anger over injustice, and my eagerness to be a part of the action gets the best of me... and causes me to despair over my lack of control and influence. Tonight would be the opportune moment to let loose, as our Representatives vote on H.R. 3962, “Health Care for All of America”. Yes, we've written letters, we've called our Congressman, we've met with staff members and shared our concern over this very hot bill. Tonight we will pray. And then we will sleep, trusting our passions, concerns, anger, frustrations, and fears to Someone completely in control, and unconcerned.

Will you sleep tonight?

About Patriot Undeserving

American girl...

When I started my original blog “Jennifer's Musings” in 2004, my intentions were to strengthen my writing skills and share some silly ideas with various friends. What took me by surprise was the response I received from complete strangers who read, commented, encouraged, as well as criticized my writings. I was motivated by both the encouragement and opposition, and quickly found myself growing more familiar with the Christian Teen Blogosphere, with much admiration for the cause of the Rebelution. Since then I have continued to grow in controversial blogging with a vision to be a part of the rebellion against feminism, secularism and more sins growing rampant in our culture.

Currently I am a stay-at-home daughter residing in the red state of Nebraska with my family of 9. Home schooled all my life, I graduated in 2008 and have not pursued college as many would expect. This is yet another controversial subject which I am not afraid to touch on as I instead pursue various dreams and ministries; including teaching dance, working with a Political Action Committee, taking part in Church ministries and continuing to study at home.

Saved by Grace...

If I were to write on this blog, and publish posts under my name with no mention of Jesus Christ, I would be claiming praise and recognition stolen from the one who created it. I live and breath each day solely because my Lord is a gracious God, and all I do is because of His amazing mercy, even down to each post on this blog. My writings, I pray, reflect a biblical outlook on culture as I seek to bring to light the reason for living and searching for reform.

I am completely undeserving of God's special grace towards me for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I am fallen and helpless, and so it is only through His power that my errant writings may be of any worth. It is my prayer that the verses below would come to light in my readers' lives;

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Ephes. 2:4-10

As I seek to seek to pursue excellence in my writing I pray that you, my reader, would be enlightened and edified not by my works but by the power of the gospel transforming my feeble words.

Undeserving of Freedom...

Many conservatives today are becoming increasingly pessimistic and bitter about the secular turn our nation has taken since the days of our founding fathers. There is no doubt that the liberals have wreaked havoc upon our constitution and biblical foundations, but this is in no way a call to abandon our nation. If our government and society can be called away by the devil in a mere 200 years, how much quicker can it be claimed by the Almighty God?

I have much hope for America not only for the many freedoms we have the spiritual weapons to reclaim, but also for the many blessings we continue to enjoy. Having been spoiled by our liberty and wealth, we forget nations bloodstained by mass killings of Christians who must run from their lives and struggle to care for their families in poverty. We forget the horrendous economic situations, the ongoing civil wars, the poverty and complete government control in nations such as China, India, the Middle East and much of Africa.

We as fallen sinners are completely undeserving of our liberty, privileges and prosperity in a nation such as America. What a sin it is to bewail our easy situations, and even more so of a failure and sin against God to give up this country we have inherited. While I endeavor to be a culture-changer and bring reform to our nation, I am without hesitation thankful to be an American girl living in the United States.

Why a Patriot? I love this country that the Lord has placed me in and have not given up on it. As Noah Webster described it, so I want to be

“A person who loves her country, and zealously supports and defends it and its interests.”

A young patriot from rural Nebraska can do nothing to save a nation. A perfect God willing use his many imperfect children can do it all.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

-Romans 8:18-21

I quote...

“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.”

-Cesare Beccaria, On Crimes and Punishment, quoted by Thomas Jefferson in Commonplace Book, 1774-1776

Duty Calls

Our country was founded on the principle of duty, by men who knew their responsibilities, and were willing to risk everything to carry them out. In 1620, fathers and husbands left England with their families in order to escape a controlling government and tyrannical King. It had nothing to do with money or personal gain. More was lost than homes and possessions as the Mayflower carried 100 pilgrims across the ocean; in the first year at Plymouth half of those that landed had died, and many were sick and weak.

The men on the Mayflower must have had a pretty good reason, and strong resolve to leave their homes and all they had known to find themselves blown off course, until they landed at Plymouth Rock. With lives lost and those landed sick and weary, and without a home, one is caused to wonder how these pilgrims could fall on their knees in thanks to the Creator of all. What was it that drove the men to abandon their homes, and find themselves starting all over again with very little provision or possessions? Certainly leaving one's homeland was the last measure taken in the pursuit of freedom.

The encroachment upon civil liberty and freedom of religion was the reason for coming to the Americas, and the duty to lead their families in truth gave them courage to take action. Imagine the hardship of taming a wild and untamed land, the loneliness of family who died or were left behind, the struggle to start life all over again with nothing. Ease and security were abandoned at the call to duty, and so began the colonies in the Americas.

A Revolution

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another...” The control of King George extended beyond the seas, restraining the people from the passing of laws, the populating of the land, and also by cutting off trade, imposing taxes, and quartering troops in the Americas in times of peace. He had “plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”

Was it a desire for power and money that caused the forefathers to proclaim freedom from England, and establish a government? Francis Lewis lost his wife when the British captured her, and she died of sickness not long after being released. Many of the signers, even prior to declaring independence, found themselves living in poverty as they were robbed and their homes destroyed.

A lesser man would have surrendered. Many in our day do; under the pressure to conform to secular political ideas and philosophies. A man's life today does not even have to be threatened for him to collapse under the pressure of a seemingly much larger and stronger foe. But fortunately for those who now call themselves citizens of the United States, the founders stood strong in the face of death and persecution, to fulfill a duty harder than any of us will ever know in our lifetime.

Passion and patriotism were in full display as the founders debated, discussed, and finally came to a mutual decision to declare independence from England. Clergyman spoke on the matters of politics without reservation in the pulpit. Reverend Peter Muhlenberg, in January of 1776, displayed without a doubt that Christians have a duty to fight for freedom; in our Churches, our capitols, and in our battlefields, as he took off his robe one Sunday to display the continental uniform underneath declaring “Now is the time to fight!”. Patrick Henry held nothing back in his address in 1775 when he said “Give me liberty, or give me death!”. They are words that hold more passion in that day than we can understand.

The war we fight

It is 2008. A mere 232 years has passed since the momentous decision was made to declare freedom from foreign countries, and establish a government based on biblical principles. The duty to protect their families and preserve a Christian heritage for their children was clear; the call without question. Today, Christians in America are lacking the conviction and resolve shown in the 1770's. Those who stand against us seem many, and are determined to ruin us and take away our freedoms.

Is our duty too fight and strive for truth in government any less than of those who went before us? Are we in any way less bound to preserve liberty for our future generations, to insure their safety and freedom? That we should have to raise such a question is dishonoring to the sacrifice of the men who gave their lives that we also might fight for the Cross. That we would neglect our calling to pave the way for our children to grow in holiness is a misuse of our God-given rights, and a curse upon our heads.

Friends, we live in fallen world. Freedom is never free. Evil will always wage war against truth. Getting a politician elected to office is hard; taking a stand amongst the jeers and the pressure is humbling, and proclaiming the Word in every area of our lives will arouse the hatred of Satan. Just as a life without proclaiming the word of God is not Christianity, so a freedom without speaking our rights is not free.

Two hundred and thirty two years ago this day, on July 4^th, 1776, a group of ordinary fathers with an extraordinary duty lived out their call to lead in truth. Much was lost, and yet the gain that we enjoy many generations later is a testimony to the providence of God and the wisdom and foresight our founding fathers had as they led their families to do something so hard, and yet so necessary to the preservation and growth of Christianity. May we do no less today, but instead take up the baton passed down to us, and stand even taller upon the shoulders of those who have gone before us, and never fail to give God all the glory.

Happy Independence Day

Lessons from a King

King Alfred was ruler of England during the 9th century, and a remarkably good one at that. While reading a biography on his life I was impressed by the deep desire he had to learn from history and those who had gone before him. As a child his education and especially reading abilities was delayed in light of his royalty; and yet in his old age during his rule he felt strongly the lack of study he had done as a child and very passionately determined to gain knowledge of history as an adult. Below are the ending quotes from his biography by the Bishop of Sherborne on how King Alfred handled the lawmaking and ruling by his Earls and Precepts;

“For he (the King’s earl or prefect) knew, that in the king's presence no part of his wrong would be hidden; and no wonder, for the king was a most acute investigator in passing sentence, as he was in all other things. He inquired into almost all the judgments which were given in his own absence, throughout all his dominion, whether they were just or unjust. If he perceived there was iniquity in those judgments, he summoned the judges, either through his own agency, or through others of his faithful servants, and asked them mildly, why they had judged so unjustly; whether through ignorance or malevolence; i.e., whether for the love or fear of any one, or hatred of others; or also for the desire of money.”

Acute Investigating

How often are passing laws acutely investigated and examined nowadays? Despite the insane numbers of laws passed every year, I believe there is great folly in letting laws be so easily passed without a question. Therefore we should

Inquire

Or at least attempt to watch and be aware of what is being passed. We need a President who will not be content to let things slide as they have for years but keep a close watch on what goes on in our Senate.

Why judged so unjustly

The why of things passed and ruled is very important but is sadly ever brought up. Too often our Senators act as unquestioning leaders who allow those around them to pass the most outrageous laws man could create. Why do our leaders do the things they do? Is it for the love (of fame) or fear (of scrutiny or disapproval) of the people, or hatred (President, Christians, conservatives, homeschoolers, troops, etc.) of others, or the desire of money (power, etc.)? Questions challenging the why are hard to ask when for our leaders, who would much rather turn away and not see the truth about those around them.

“At length, if the judges acknowledged they had given judgment because they knew no better, he discreetly and moderately reproved their inexperience and folly in such terms as these: "I wonder truly at your insolence, that, whereas by God's favour and mine, you have occupied the rank and office of the wise, you have neglected the studies and labours of the wise. Either, therefore, at once give up the discharge of the temporal duties which you hold, or endeavour more zealously to study the lessons of wisdom.’”

Discreetly and moderately reprove

Corrections and reproof, though seldom given in our Senate and Courts, are not meant for humiliation or show of disdain. When corrections are made or authority challenged, I believe our President and those in authority to correct need to be very careful how they choose to communicate their displeasure.

To give up or zealously endeavor

These need to be the two options for those in leadership in our country. There should be no in between, no gray for those who don’t want to work to find the truth or do their research. We need leaders with guts enough to confront and threaten those who repeatedly and without shame fall short of justice and truth.

To study the lessons of wisdom

Proverbs 9:10 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” Apart from the word of God there is no wisdom, and this is where the folly of our leadership in America begins.

“At these words the earls and prefects would tremble and endeavour to turn all their thoughts to the study of justice, so that, wonderful to say, almost all his earls, prefects, and officers, though unlearned from their cradles, were sedulously bent upon acquiring learning, choosing rather laboriously to acquire the knowledge of a new discipline than to resign their functions; but if any one of them from old age or slowness of talent was unable to make progress in liberal studies, he commanded his son, if he had one, or one of his kinsmen, or, if there was no other person to be had, his own freedman or servant, whom he had some time before advanced to the office of reading, to recite Saxon books before him night and day, whenever he had any leisure, and they lamented with deep sighs, in their inmost hearts, that in their youth they had never attended to such studies; and they blessed the young men of our days, who happily could be instructed in the liberal arts, whilst they execrated their own lot, that they had not learned these things in their youth, and now, when they are old, though wishing to learn them, they are unable.”

To acquire knowledge or resign

When given a clear choice between knowledge or resignation, how many of our Senators or Governors would choose to study with great discipline the truth? Deception is widespread in our nation and I fear the numbers of leaders who would be willing to work for the truth are very few. Personally, the above is a choice I would love to see set before our leaders today.

To study night and day, whenever any leisure

The study and recitation of our fathers and leaders in history is really taken for granted and let to rest in our nation today. If we can’t even teach kids to like to study in our public schools, how far do you think our future leaders will go to find the truth? My guess is their priorities during leisure time will not be near what King Alfred had in mind.

Blessed the young men of our days

The Earls and Prefects centuries ago saw the great setbacks that a delayed or watered down education could cause, and I know they very deeply wanted to impart to our generations the importance of a strong and deep study and knowledge at a young age. Must we put ourselves through the same struggles our fathers went through, when we have the needed tools, abilities, and instruction right here in front of us?

…When they are old, though wishing to learn them, they are unable

Fellow rebelutionaries, I urge you not to take your high school and college educations for granted. It is true that our minds can take in and retain information better than when we are old. In this my last year of High School I have been suddenly hit with the realization that this step in my education is coming to a close, and I find it almost sad (and undoubtedly a little scary) in looking back at all the things that can be learned especially during the special years at home. You will never be this young again, you will never be at this stage in your life again. Whatever you do, don’t settle for what the world expects of you. Fight to learn; foster a desire to grow in knowledge, and maybe someday our country will not suffer the effects of a generation so greatly lacking in a vision to expand in knowledge and understanding of a world so fallen, and a God so just.

Blessed is the nation...

Why I continue to be astonished at the weak, fallen acts of our leaders in Senate I don’t know. Despite the clear and such detailed foundations laid for us by our founding fathers, many leaders of our nation today obviously have no respect for or faith in the values and wishes of those who enabled us to live freely.

On Thursday, July 12^th a senate hearing was opened for the first time with a Hindu prayer, which, thankfully, was not acceptable to all who attended. Three people were outraged by the act of “peace” in promoting other religions, and prayed out loud while the Hindu prayer was being said, praying "Lord Jesus forgive us Father for allowing a prayer which is an abomination in your sight. You are the one, true living God".

The three people who, in my opinion, were also exercising their own religious rights, were handcuffed and arrested on charges of unlawful disruption of Congress. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said “I think it speaks well of our country that someone representing the faith of about a billion people comes here and can speak in communication with our heavenly Father regarding peace”. (Emphasis mine.)

Doubtless the question of what our nation was in the beginning and what we are causing it to become now is to be considered; a lot has changed and it cannot be overlooked when such dramatic changes take place in our Senate. And while some people see this move as one that will unite citizens of this religiously free country, many others will see it as a direct rebellious act against our leaders, fathers and ultimately against the one true God.

So here’s the question: what would you have done had you been present when the prayer was being read?