PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

there are some that may read the statement above and find it to be an arrogant comment. there are some that may read the comment above to suggest that other countries are not as great as the u.s. still, there are some of you that may read these five simple words as some kind of political "hammer" that's suppose to hurt those who feel differently about this country. it's the fourth of july. a reminder of america's journey that is celebrated every year. the comment is to simple mean this: i am proud of my birth place. it has nothing to do with the rights and wrongs of what this country has done or is in the process of doing. i can love my birth place and hate any injustice that has happened in the name of "AMERICA". no country is perfect because "impeople" run countries. it appears like some americans need a tragedy like the horrible murder of so many lives on 9/11/2001-to unite as one country. i don't know why some lose sight of the "big picture" that there are many haters of america that would love to burn america down to the ground and we can't afford to waist time complaining on issues that cause divisions. i don't want and don't need another 9/11 to feel proud of this country. i don't need a talented performer to remind me of who i am and where i am. i know God uses tragedies and the artistic gifts of men to move our souls to remind us who is really in control of this world. so, maybe instead of being "proud" i would like to say "i'm thankful to be an american". there are many many things that make this country great. and i'm well aware of the problems and corruption that exist in this country. neither am i blind to the how far we have strayed from what our forefathers had in minded in writing the declaration of independence. but we will always be a nation "in progress". a nation that is growing. a nation that needs to become a seed to our world neighbors. a nation that should never forget how america became america. God bless america (may she never forget who You are).

FINAL THOUGHT: it's easy to complain and see faults in our government and our country. i have live long enough to have experienced several presidents come into power.....and everyone was voted into the white house.....and later was found to be "not to be the perfect canidate" for the job. america is still a great nation. we can only do our best with what we got and from what we know. let's not throw the baby out with the bath water.

QUESTION:what can you do to make living in this country (or your own country) a better place to live?

WHEN YOUTH ARE SPIRITUAL

i use to work with high school kids in ministry. these were great kids to be around, teach spiritual lessons from the bible, help develop a relationship with God, and see them change as they would grow spiritually. we took yearly trips to mexico to work at an orphanage during the summer. what an awesome time to see these american kids reach out to kids from another culture who was less fortunate than themselves. to hug and love on these kids. and more than that...to reach out to each other. the best times were at night when we sat around the camp fire. i would play guitar with some other leaders and lead them into worship songs. there would be sharing around the camp fire, personal thoughts spoken, testimonies of what God was doing in theirs lives, and there were always tears. not from wanting attention, but from a real sense of God being in our presence. sometimes adults can be so "stuffy" and fearful to open up and show a side of themselves that is truly real and revealing. we all know how youth goes through times of rebellion, they think they know everything and parents know nothing. their world is sometimes wrap up too much around fashion, friends, dating, technology, and just having fun. but when you are around teens who are in the mindset of worship.....it's an awesome place to be. a very humbling place that causes grown ups to reevaluate their own hearts and walk with God. we all have our youth still somewhere deep within us. don't be afraid to allow yourself to celebrate that "inner child" or whatever you want to call it (being a kid again) in a different way to connect to God. the bible mentions to "not look down on the youth". i say especially when they are looking "UP" to God.

FINAL THOUGHT: i don't know why or how we, as grown ups, allow ourselves to lose that freedom of being young and celebrating life in a more festive manner. i guess we get so caught up on allowing society and others put us into these boxes, and we get stuck in them. i'm not suggesting you go do something that a teenager would do-just to feel young again. but i am encouraging you to regain those memories of your youth (that energy you had....not the memories of bad behavior) and use it to celebrate life every now and then. to celebrate God with the eyes of a child.

QUESTION: do you have a favorite song that makes you feel young and puts you into a joyful mood?