America's Words of Freedom

As we left Washington D.C. during vacation, we decided to take the kids to Mt. Vernon. I must admit that visiting the home place of George Washington turned out to be one of the most inspirational moments of our adventure. Before leaving we decided to go through the gift shop to pick up some memorabilia. I came across a book called "America's Words of Freedom" that contains speeches, documents, and writings that moved our country.

The very first entry is "The Mayflower Compact" from William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" 1602-1647. As I read these words, God reminded me of the significance of America and her founding fathers.

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia..."

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard it said that the pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. However, what I have found is that these men and women came for the advancement of the Christian faith or more importantly the Kingdom of God.

I have also found it interesting that the plan was to plant a colony in the Northern parts of Virginia for this advancement. WOW!!! God had moved upon the hearts of men to advance the faith of Jesus Christ by moving them out of their homeland to start a new country. Where is that in the history books? Where is that in the speeches of our new president? America was founded upon the principles of the Christian faith AND for the advancement of the Gospel.

Why do you think God has blessed America? Why do you think that God allowed this nation to defeat a nation that had never lost a war? Why do you think that God's sovereign hand was upon men like George Washington to ensure America's liberty and freedom? I believe it was because of the very thing stated in the Mayflower Compact. God wanted a nation separated for His glory and the Gospel's advancement in the world.

I encourage all of you to take a journey to our nation's capitol. I encourage you to rediscover the principles surrounding our nation's independence. Read the writings of our founding fathers, look into their legacy, appreciate their vision. There is no doubt that God was instrumental in our nation's founding and her security. God's hand has been upon us for His glory. And I truly believe that if we will continue to preserve the principles and practice these mandates that God will continue to bless and use this nation for His good.

I will tell you that this adventure enforced my beliefs in the great ideals of America. It reminded me that this nation can overcome oppression from without and within as long as we have men and women who are willing to lay it all on the line for God's glory and the good of America.

May the words of the "Declaration of Independence" ring true in our hearts today: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

May God continue to bless America for His glory. Amen.