Figured I'd share it for what it is worth. I know some will love it, some will hate it and others will just go "eh, whatever...better than working for the last 5 minutes." However, for what it is worth here are my thoughts from this past 4th of July and why they cannot be categorized as happy...at least not entirely. Sad Feelings on the 4th of July <<<click for write up on blog or I've pasted it below... The title may have turned you off to this post, but it is the truth for me. This year I couldn't help but have a sad feeling down deep inside of me. While I have immense pride that I was blessed to have been brought into this world in one of the (if not the) most free countries there is there is also a growing sense of sadness sweeping through that pride. Allow me to first disclose a few things: I am so happy that I still live in a country which claims to allow freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom of religion and the pursuit of happiness. I cannot express to you the sense of pride when I think of all the women and men that fought to give me those rights, especially those who found themselves involved in true defense of the safety of the US (Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII and to an extent the Afghanistan war on terror). These men and women deserve much more respect and honor than shall ever be given to them. I am also happy that every Sunday morning I can get up and drive to my church which doesn't have to hide in a basement or sewer like some churches do across the world. I feel blessed to know that if God blesses me with children they too will experience this freedom. God and my relationship with Him is the #1 thing in my life above my wife, my family and myself; which is why I cannot express the value of this ability to freely follow and worship my Lord in my country. I am also proud of the fact that although it seemingly is getting harder one can still pursue the idea of hard work will provide a better life. As I start a new job in the private sector with a partner I cannot help but feel excited at the possibility to build something amazingly successful if God would so choose to bless it...in some countries this dream wouldn't even be possible or even illegal to attempt. I could go on and on about what makes me proud to live here in America, the United States, One Nation Under God...or is it? Perhaps the biggest sadness sweeping through to my core is the lack of God and family in America. Galatians 6:7 describes how I feel when I think of the state of America: "7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." What are we as a nation sowing? This nation was founded for many reasons, but it was a point by our founding fathers to make it very clear this would be One Nation Under God and that "In God We Trust" to be our way of life. Sadly though as we "progress" towards as some describe "modern" thinking we are leaving all which is of God and seeking to be that of which man is. The odd thing though is that over the history of this Earth man has proven just one mere thing 100% consistently: WE ARE GOOD AT FAILING. Look over history when you get a chance, some of the greatest highs of mankind were always followed by extreme lows and wickedness. Even in thriving "fiscal" cities we had slavery, debauchery and adultery rampant in both temples and courts. We have proven we fail friendships, relationships and where there are commitments and vows we find loopholes and annulments. Even our own American history is riddled with failure; slavery, civil war and corruption. However, for many years God was always on the American mind, money and way of life. He dictated to some extent how this country operated...but slowly God became less of a cornerstone and more of a gorgeous stain glass window in our lives. Something which was to be viewed for it's beauty and to reflect upon something which WAS gorgeous and HAD it's place at one time. We are now choosing to attempt to put a human definition on marriage which just cannot be done. Marriage isn't a man given thing, God provided it and defined it. If marriage was a gift or idea granted by man, let man define it...however if we as a nation still claim any allegiance to God how can we let man define which He created? Perhaps though that's the real issue, it's that God is falling faster out of America than husbands and wives are falling out of marriage (which is ridiculously fast!) here in America. Is it sheer coincidence that the unraveling of God in America and the idea of what a family and marriage is coincides with some of the darkest things we find here? Have you seen the statistics for murderers and especially mass murderers that come from broken homes that have been split by divorce...the idea of marriage even beyond redefining as man and woman is also being shredded from it's intended purpose. Marriage isn't suppose to be two people positioning themselves better socially, fiscally or emotionally. It isn't designed to show our status through the beauty of the other. It also isn't to be something we fall into because we have an "oops baby". Marriage was designed for us to have on Earth what we have in heaven. A relationship of love and support which should be the best example we humans can produce of how God's love is for us. It's not about two people trying to make it through this life, IT'S ABOUT TWO PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE IT TO ETERNAL LIFE. Maybe that is all we need here in America. Maybe instead of focusing on whether I can carry a 9mm on my hip or share my thoughts freely or even be able to afford health insurance....maybe we should focus on simply bringing God back into the forefront. Maybe we should lift Him up and out of that stained glass window, put there for our viewing and re-establish Him as a cornerstone in our Nation...one which without would surely crumble. That's what I desire more than anything. Not for me, not for my family, not for my community but for my United States of America which I pray will turn back to being One Nation Under God.
I don't understand how someone can claim that they are happy they live in a country with freedom of religion, then in the next sentence claim they are sad because not everyone believes in the same religion as them..?
I see where you're coming from. While I don't agree with any religion outside of the Christian one I do respect others ability of free will to choose to not believe in it, which is why I'm fine with (despite contrary to mine) people worshiping as they wish whether that be Christianity, Muslim or Jewish. It is with that mindset I meant I love to be able to worship freely in my country the God I do, and then I went on to describe how it does sadden me that a country once driven by that same God has seemingly been fighting to put him behind them.
The biggest problem is people caring too much about what other people do. Whether you're Christian, Jewis, Muslim, Agnostic, Pagan, Hindu, Buddist, Scientologist, Satanic or whatever other religion you may be, why do you care so much about what others are doing and not just worry about yourself? Do your thing, if you think its right and quit worrying about what anyone else is doing, as long as it doesn't harm you. And that goes way beyond religion, its everything in life. Live your own life, be happy and quit worrying about what I'm doing. Because I surely don't give a **** about what you're doing.
Dan I'll admit the last sentence made me laugh a little, I do care though and from my opinion should. Christianity isn't about watching out for just yourself or those immediately around you...it should instill in people the desire to make neighborhoods, communities, states and nations better. I'm not saying Christianity is something to be forced down people's throats, it 99.9% will not work like that anyways. But in order to expect to be blessed by God we must follow God, I'd almost be happier if the United States 100% removed any ounce or fleck of God/Christianity from our nation's image. We shouldn't allow the pursuit of mankind's own desires while still "claiming" God at the same moment. I would also venture to say you don't have to be Christian to realize only caring about oneself isn't the best way to think of life. I mean for one, what does it gain you? I'm not talking about what you may get property wise but truly what does that mindset do for oneself? It won't make anything better outside of your own little bubble of self, right? If that is fine with someone, that's up to them...for me I'll make every attempt to leave the world better (if only by one small thing do I accomplish it) place outside of my life. FYI I love your honesty Dan, seriously.
Because in Christianity and most other religions you are taught to love and care for your fellow man. Regardless if that man cares for you or not.
And I can respect that. I cannot respect, however, the "condemn and judge" attitude of many Christians that seems to be prevalent these days.
Ty, FYI, I wasn't directing that at you. It was a general statement about our society. Way too many people believe what they do is right and if you don't do the same thing, you're wrong. Again, whether we're talking about religion or not. I don't understand how people are getting so worked up about this marriage thing, or how you can be sad about it. It doesn't affect your directly. For anyone who lets this marriage thing affect them emotionally is crazy. Hell, its as crazy as getting worked up over and emotionally involved professional sports. See, you totally misunderstood what I said Rich. You think I'm only talking about religion and I'm not. Because I don't care what other people do, when it doesn't affect me, that means I don't love others? Believe me, I love people. I love others enough not to try to force my ideas down their throats. (again, I'm not talking about religion.) A very wise man once told me, "No matter what, we all **** the same color."
Those are the ones that want to shove it down your throat. I will tell you my thoughts and beliefs and let you make your own mind up while I pray for you. If you don't like what I have to say then I will agree to disagree and still pray for you. You have the right to disagree with my views and I have the same right but neither of us has the right to force those views on the other.
The key is believing someone is wrong but still respecting them. It's an art that no one does 100% of the time but is what we should do. My sadness is driven more so out of the fact that this nation proclaimed allegiance to God...but now we proclaim ourselves too good for Him...from my personal perspective that is very sad. As for the marriage thing, no it doesn't affect me "personally" as in it is going to influence my life in a day to day sense...but it does trodden upon what I believe is the second greatest gift ever given to us. The whole marriage thing is an animal in and of itself, we could talk about all the things same sex relationships are cheated from as far as rights in the US, and yes I feel there are some (example: if someone's life partner dies while serving...shouldn't their loved one be contacted just as a husband or wife would be?!). As for the quote you said it's true but I look at like this from my personal stance: "No matter what, our sin is all blood red and no one has more or less opportunity at salvation"
Hooker, see my other reply but the whole same sex marriage thing to me is shaky at best as to what we're voting for a lot of times. Do I feel same sex relationship should share in the same notification and "legal" rights we seem to only grant to heterosexual relationships? Sure I do...however marriage to myself cannot be redefined by man, when man didn't create it. So yeah depending on how the bill is worded I will vote against any gay marriage proposal I am able to vote for legally and accept in the political sense whatever the results are (doesn't mean I'll agree or like them).
