This day in time history books will note
the chaos and destruction reigned down
on a country rife with hate, bigotry and strife,
when a unified spirit formed
to move things forward in a new direction
cannot stand with discord ripping factions apart,
weakening its statutes and laws enforced,
laws made to protect and preserve a sacred constitution
written for a nation that came together
birthed by patriots who firmly believed
that a country made strong
was a country destined never to fall,
and the song, “God Bless America” should include, “God Help America!”
Will we make it through tough times
together as one body, or apart, divided in the quest?
Or will it be a pivoting moment in time
when we watch with despair at its further decline?
Will we only stand and sing?
“America. land of the free and home of the brave”?
Or will we fall to our knees and pray
that those are not just words to a song,
but seek our creator who forgives us our wrong?
In spite of our misgivings and mistakes
will He not still bless and keep His word?
Will He not cry also, tears of heartache and pain
because He was not invited in,
to guide us through these times
when our country teeters on a precipice to survive?
Have we become just a country
trying to hold it together, hurting on this pivoting day?
What kind of legacy will we leave behind to make it great again?
Will we welcome God back in?
__________________
Joyce E. Mannhalter © July 2020
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In freedom, I come
with my heart lifted in song
I sing
for unto Him, who sits on the throne I come
without shame, into His presence and bring
myself, an offering I give
that He may bless
all that I have, all that I am,
all that I ask of Him, and confess.
Let it be unto Him and none other
I lift up my voice
in praise, in worship, rejoice,
and may my freedom, like the flags held high
be forever, and lifted up towards the sky.
________________
Joyce E. Johnson © 2017
I’ve always considered myself patriotic. A flag hung where a slight breeze could send it waving a humble salute up to the sky. Parades and picnics, hamburgers and hot dogs, sweet corn, ice cream and watermelon always seemed the standard, typical fare I enjoyed in celebrating a holiday that pays tribute to the freedoms we share in this great country. All of the day’s events and festivities climaxed and culminated in the final grand display of fireworks and sky show after the sun went down and the sky lit up with color and boom.
But, it is the privilege of walking into a church to worship that I count as perhaps the greatest and most important of freedoms we have in the U.S. as we near the July 4th holiday on Tuesday. More and more now we are seeing less and less of those freedoms we hold dear as the threat becomes greater all the time with those who want to destroy our rights and freedoms as a believer, a Christian, an American, a Patriot, or one who chooses not to worship any. This is not meant to be a political statement of any kind, or to proclaim which side I stand with, but instead to just proclaim my right as a Christian believer to exercise my freedom to worship and serve my God where I choose. However and wherever you celebrate the July 4th this year as an American or even a new immigrant into this country I wish you a happy July 4th. JEJ
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