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posted by Donald on 07/4/08

Before reading too much further, grab a pen or pencil and some note paper. As you think back to one of history’s most climactic days, jot down your best guess for the following 20 questions. Check back next week for the answers and have a memorable Fourth!

1. July 4 became an official national holiday in what year?
A. 1641 B. 1741 C. 1841 D.1941
2. True or False: July 4 is the date on which new stars were added to the flag for new states entering the Union.
3. Which of the following are flag-flying days?
A. Christmas B. Memorial Day C. Thanksgiving D. New Year’s Day
4. Who had the honor of celebrating the first Fourth of July west of the Mississippi River?
A. Wild Bill Hitchcok B. Meriwether Lewis & William Clark C. Davy Crockett
5. Almost all the fireworks on sale for July 4 in the United States come from what country?
6. In the production of fireworks, sodium is used to create what color?
7. Which state, this year, will be responsible for producing most of the hot dogs and sausages consumed on the fourth of July?
A. Alaska B. Missouri C. Iowa D. North Carolina
8. Which state, in 2007, produced 75% of the country’s lettuce and 96% of the country’s processed tomato products including ketchup?
9. True or False: According to tradition, the Liberty Bell cracked in 1835 when it tolled the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.
10. True or False: The Bald Eagle lives only on the North American continent.
11. At what approximate age does the Bald Eagle acquire it’s “bald” white head?
A. While fledging B. At two years C. At 5 years D. At 10 years
12. Since 1776 the US population has increase from about 2.5 million to ______ million.
A. 100 B. 200 C. 300 D. Over 300
13. True or False: Seven of the first twelve presidents were born in Virginia.
14. True or False: Three of our presidents passed away on July 4th.
15. The weather during July 4, 1776 was …
A. Unseasonably cold? B. Hot and muggy? C. In the 70’s?
16. Do you know the first word in the Declaration of Independence? ((Hint: It is not ‘We’))
17. Two Founding Fathers openly denied the Christianity of the Bible. Who were they?
18. What recent president said “We are a nation under God”?
19. What nation has become our 6th-closest partner in international trade?
20. Which two nations have the most tourists in the United States?
Bonus
The iron frame of the Statue of Liberty was designed but what famous engineer?

2 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by James on 02/5/08

Is it enough for a leader to have experience without character? Is it enough for him to have factual intelligence without Christian morality? Are his "private" beliefs inconsequential when contrasted with his public prowess? Many of our Founding Fathers stated very clearly how they answered these important questions. One of them was John Jay.

Elected President of the Continental Congress and appointed the first Chief-Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Jay was known for helping to secure favorable foreign relations in the early stages of the United States. He realized that the "wise or virtuous" qualities of a Christian leader were essential for maintaining good foreign relations with other nations:

"Real Christians will abstain from violating the rights of others, and therefore will not provoke war. Almost all nations have peace or war
at the will and pleasure of rulers whom they do not elect,
and who are not always wise or virtuous.
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers,
and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation
to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

In 1853, President Franklin Pierce also recognized in his inaugural address that our national security does not rest upon the brilliant policy of man’s wisdom:

"It must be felt that there is no national security
but in the nation’s humble, acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence."

So what would be the consequences of subtle compromise in allowing one who does not fear God to hold a position of leadership? Matthias Burnett, the politically informed pastor of the First Church in Norwalk, eloquently declared during an election sermon:

"Look well to the characters and qualifications
of those you elect and raise to office and places of trust…
Think not that men who acknowledge not the providence of God
nor regard His laws will be uncorrupt in office,
firm in defense of the righteous cause against the oppressor,
or resolutely oppose the torrent of iniquity."

Patrick Henry boldly stated that the reason our nation espoused freedom of religion was because it was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often
that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

In other words, Patrick Henry is saying that freedom of religion is a Christian idea. If our nation were to leave the Christian beliefs that established freedom of religion, would that freedom remain?

The Christian religion is the basis of a moral society. George Washington said, "And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

According to Washington, morality in turn is an indispensable support of political prosperity. "It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government."

6 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses, Politics

posted by James on 02/2/08

Last Monday night, I was able to listen to President  Bush’s seventh and final State of the Union Address. Just in case you missed it, here are a few excerpts that I thought summed it up pretty well:

1. "All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. It remains our charge to keep." With our country in the perilous time that it now is, this statement reminded me of Lincoln’s concluding words of his Gettysburg Address: "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us …that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
2. "In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. Let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results at the same time." The President is open to working together; is Congress?
3. On taxes, "…American families should not have to worry about the federal government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There is only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: make the tax relief permanent."
4. "We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not government control." The standing applause came only from Republicans, I believe.
5. "…I call on Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting or cloning of human life." Bush is still a conservative.
6. "On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. I’ve submitted judicial nominees who will rule by the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel."
7. In addition to toughening border security, "…we must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved, and it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals." Again, Bush shows his support for the original intent of the Constitution.
8. "One year ago, our enemies were succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into chaos, so we reviewed our strategy and changed course…. While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year ago."
9. "American troops are shifting from leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces. … [As a result] more than 20,000 of our troops are coming home."
10. "So tonight, with confidence in freedom’s power and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business! God bless America."

These are hopeful statements. The upcoming presidential elections can become a great distraction from what God is already doing with the government He has given us. President Bush will be president for another full year; keep praying that he would make wise and bold decisions as he finishes up his last term.

4 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by James on 10/30/07

While doing some research today, I came across an interesting fact: in the process of electing a new president, only two states, Maine and Nebraska, assign electoral votes by congressional district. Every other state has a winner-take-all system. Upon looking into this a little deeper, a ran across a very recent yet concealed and heated topic concerning California’s method of electoral votes. Democrats vehemently oppose the initiative by claiming it as partisan and trickery. However Republicans attest to creating a more accurate way of reflecting the votes of Californians.

This article gives detail on the development as well as the pros and cons of the proposed legislation. And here is a recent update. I like this post on the subject.

I do not know the intentions on either side, but I do believe that whatever is decided should reflect the votes of the people. With California now generating nearly one fifth of the entire electoral college needed to win, it seems as though something needs to be changed. As the 2008 elections may very well hinge on this decision, we must seek God’s perspective on the issue by making it a matter of fervent prayer.

4 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses

posted by Esther on 10/18/07

Imagine you were George Washington or any of the other Founding Fathers and it was up to you to get the United States off to a good start. You want to found it on God’s principles but wonder exactly how. Where would you turn? Yes, the Bible itself; but high on the list of the second most-quoted sources is the name of William Blackstone.

This man’s goal was not to assist our founding fathers but that was the side-effect of fulfilling what God led him to do.

12 year old William was orphaned in London in 1735. His uncle took him in and provided for his education at Oxford which he began at the age of 15. Through the next decade and a half his progress was slow and when he did begin practicing law he was not considered a talented advocate. On top of this he also struggled with his health.

But William had a burden from God. He saw a need. English laws were taught poorly if at all at this time so he began classes on the topic. This teaching is what later led to the writing of his priceless Commentaries on the Laws of England. These works would one day be a guiding light to the founders of our nation giving insight on the separation of powers and prompting many phrases such as “the laws of nature and nature’s God”. He wrote: “This law of nature dictated by God Himself is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times: no huan laws are of any validity if contrary to this…” He knew that God’s way works! No wonder our forefathers regarded Blackstone’s Commentaries as the foremost leal authority of the day. By 1775 there were more copies of his Commentaries sold in America than in England! Once Abraham Lincoln was asked what the best mode of obtaining a thorough knowledge of the law was. The first recommendation out of his mouth was “Begin with Blackstone’s Commentaries…” Blackstone didn’t know God would use his writings to guide a new nation in the forming of there law system, he was simply meeting a need he saw and had passion for.

Following his 6 years of lecturing, William Blackstone successfully held many positions in England including not only lawyer but judge, serving as the King’s Counselor and being elected to the House of Commons. He was also knighted and for the last 10 years of his life served as Justice of Common Pleas.

I write this example of William Blackstone to encourage you to also give 100% of yourself to what God has called you to do and trust Him to use it in many great, unexpected ways in His time.

5 Comments » | posted in Historical Glimpses