I thought this post was published years ago but it was not. So on this occasion of Pentacost 2020 – (May 31st) It is only appropriate this post finally be published.
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
I believe You are a person but have another form of existence other than matter.
I believe You are our advocate and praying for us when we do not have the words to pray.
I believe You work boldly, mightily and powerfully in our lives either through a gentle voice whispering “Widow’s Website” or whipping through our lives like a white tornado.
I believe You were at work in the lives of the men and women who had a role in the founding of this country. From Reverend Johnathan Mayhew’s 1750 sermon based on Romans 13 justifying the right of rebellion against tyrants, to the American Revolution, to the writing of the Constitution and the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and so on through out every event in our history.
I believe You can come today like a mighty rushing wind and descend upon We the People just as you descended upon the disciples in the upper room thousands of years ago.
I pray You do that today and come into people’s hearts that are protesting and rioting. Come into the hearts of police officers, mayors and governors. Come into them so mightily and powerfully that they know it is You and they kneel in thanksgiving.
Thank You Holy Spirit for the work you will do in the hearts of We the People today and every day.
12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
Dear American worker, I. Believe. In. You.
This is your day.
A day to rest, relax and spend time with family and friends at a beach, a backyard barbecue, or a local park’s picnic shelter.
I believe in you because you are not afraid to do the dirty and dangerous work such as steel mill, road construction, electrical lineman etc. You do these jobs because dirty jobs built and keeps America rolling on and on from generation to generation.
I believe you in because you do the thankless repetitive jobs such as waitress, store clerk, fulfillment center worker, and call center representative. You are the foundation of the company. Without you waiting on people, processing t-shirt orders, or answering customers questions, the company would not exist.
I believe in you because your work ethic keeps you faithfully showing up every day, even on the days when you wonder if it is worth it. Deep inside you know that even on the messy days, God is with you.
I believe in you and your willingness to serve others even after a long hard day. You understand that people sometimes need a helping hand after stumbling or falling down. Your job may bring you happiness but volunteering brings you joy.
Rush Limbaugh is not the only one with a golden microphone. 😉
I believe in you because I am one of you.
This non-morning person gets out of bed every day, stumbles across the hall and sits for 8+ hours listening to customers vent and helping delivery drivers find their way.
To all my fellow workers – enjoy your day of rest and relaxation. For tomorrow you rise again to the challenge of toiling at the dirty, routine and dangerous jobs that are the trademark of American exceptionalism.
Thank you for being the backbone of this country and a carrying the weight like a rock. May you always believe in your dreams, stand firm in your beliefs and stand tall and proud.
watching 4 hours of angry Democrats saying “This Country Sucks!” (Those are not there exact words but they easily could have been.)
Rush Limbaugh’s recent rant about how the left is anti-American and wants to rip this country to shreds. (I take my cell phone and sit on the deck or the front steps and listen to the replay on the app after work.)
Dear America,
I. Believe. In. You.
Galveston Bay
Despite being made up of flawed humans, you are the most unique and exceptional country on earth.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23
There is no other country like you. God has richly blessed you.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33:12 ESV
Your founding was a political event but it brings out the patriotism in all citizens.
I also believe they knew what they were doing when they set up the Electoral College so the voice of us citizens in fly-over country would be heard. (Hmmm..not sure Ohio counts as fly-over country.)
I believe in the faith the founding fathers had and lived.
Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
I believe the prayers they prayed for you at the founding are still being answered by God today.
…look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give.
You are the land of opportunity for those who are willing to work for it, those who understand that you get what you get only when you are bold enough go for it.
A land where anything is possible, whereanyone can be elected President not just some career politician in Washington D. C. who is out of touch with the reality of his constituent’s everyday life.
You are a land who welcomes immigrants seeking a better life and believe America is the best place to build that life. People like my great, great grandfather Augustus who immigrated from Germany through the port of Baltimore, Maryland.
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
Just as the church consists of people and not a building, you too, America are made up of people young and old, rich and poor, the employed and the unemployed, the fat and happy and the skinny and miserable.
People whose careers are:
trash men
waitresses
politicians
bus drivers
contractors
seamstresses
dairy farmers
talk show hosts
gas station clerks
call center representatives
stay at home moms and dads
butchers, bakers and candlestick makers
It takes all these people and so many more to make and keep this country the greatest one on earth.
Either Chiniak or Kodiak, AK 1952 Taken by my father while he was in the Navy.
I. Believe. In. You., America!
Therefore, I commit to pray for you at 7:14 a.m. and 7:14 p.m. every day in hopes that God will answer all my prayers for you now and for centuries to come.
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.