Blogging through the alphabet- A

Hello friends!

 I have decided to attempt a series, and the one I have chosen is Blogging Through the Alphabet. Ta-daaa!

A is for...

America.

Being American is entirely different from being a citizen of almost any other country for three (main) reasons:

*note- I will take a fairly Republican view in this post for the sake of my Republican friends. you can ask me later if you want.

1. Freedom

This is basically the reason America was established in 1776- freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Today, freedom often means the absence of control- of boundaries- of oppression- of slavery. This sounds all well and good- until the implications sink in. Freedom of this kind carries a huge responsibility...do we all want to be solely responsible for ourselves with no guidance or perimeter whatsoever? No! The problem with the modern interpretation of freedom is that it leaves no room for moral considerations, adopting instead a "I live for myself" attitude which is extremely dangerous to others and to self. This contemporary definition of freedom is very different from the noble ideas which birthed our country. Then, it was freedom from oppression, freedom to rule ourselves, and most importantly, freedom to follow God's laws.

1 Peter 2:16

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

Galatians 5:13

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

God's law clearly states that man's "freedom" can be perilous, and I believe the founders of our country recognized that fully. Our forefathers made provisions for man's freedom of speech, freedom of living, freedom of most choices, yet left boundaries in place to prevent us harming ourselves or one another. Though prohibiting drugs may seem like a violation of freedom, by God's definition this is freedom: freedom to follow God's laws uninhibitedly. 

However, it makes me very sad to see this freedom encroached on in recent years. Laws which attribute the care of widows and orphans to the State, not the church. Abortion legalized. And we have no say. Regardless of our policy of...

2. Democracy

The ability to rule ourselves. This is what the revolutionaries fought for 200 years ago- to slip from under the thumb of a faraway king and make our own decisions, as a country. This most definitely sets us apart from many other nations around the world, which are ruled, not governed, by dictators and kings. We, however, have the chance to vote and make a difference (*note- problems with the voting system- email)  

3. Founded on Christian principles

This is the biggie. Why is "under God" in our pledge? Why did the original laws of the country mirror the ten commandments? Why is there a prayer at the inauguration? Because America was founded of Christian principles. Why, then, are children compulsorily taught the opposite of God's word in schools? Why are teachers not allowed to pray? Why can home churches be "zoned" away?

Because America has fallen. Hard. Along with the rest of Creation. We need God to come in and rule our people once more. The corruption and hardship will cease when Jesus returns. I fear lately that this is the only hope for our freedom. But I know that God is in the room, and God is in control, and God will bring us home.

This is what it means to be an American.

Jared Anderson – Hear Us From Heaven