Land that I Love

Yesterday, well over 1 million Christians nationwide gathered to repent, invoke Almighty God's mercy upon this land that we love.   You can read more about that here.   We asked God for forgiveness for breaking His Holy laws, for mercy upon ourselves and our countrymen.   We prayed for our government officials, church leaders, ourselves and our children.   I felt a great joy and a deep, heartfelt almost bittersweet satisfaction and  gripping conviction  that we had done God's will, but also that we needed to continue to do more, more, and even more of the same.  To do this every single day, united, all over this nation, until we see real, lasting, and effective change.
Our pastor spoke about the need for reformation, awakening and revival in this nation.  If you would care to listen to the audio portion, you can do so here.  Yesterday's audio will probably be uploaded to the server tomorrow, when regular office hours resume.


Today, my soul is reflective and peaceful, but solemn.   How could we have strayed so far from the truth?   I began to reflect upon our beautiful flag, and it's significance which is a constant reminder not only of our destiny as a nation, but our former roots and resolve to be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.  


What do the colors of Our Flag mean?  


The following text all credits to:  http://www.usflag.org/colors.html

From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...

"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

I just wanted to add that; dear reader, in case you may not know, or may have forgotten.  


So, from deep inside me on this day, rise the words of the Song;  God Bless America.


Maybe as a family we could sing the words of this prayer/song before we partake of our festivities today?    


Source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Bless_America

"God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938, as sung by Kate Smith (becoming her signature song).^{[citation needed]}

"God Bless America" takes the form of a prayer (intro lyrics "as we raise our voices, in a solemn prayer") for God's blessing and peace for the nation ("...stand beside her and guide her through the night..."). 

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

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.

Fair reader, wherever you are, whatever you do today, may you be filled with the knowledge of His will and great abiding love for you!  May you be drawn into His heart, and may you wholeheartedly believe Him who died for you!

Happy Birthday, America.  

God shed His Grace on Thee!