Happy Independence Day, America!

Freedom Built on Faith

Long ago and far away deep in the misty and forgotten memory of our nation there was born a dream of a sovereign state where people would be free and only God would be their king. This dream of “One Nation Under God” meant freedom from the rule of human monarchs and tyrants. Across the ocean the mightiest empire in the world scoffed at the dream and sought to crush the dreamers, and so, a great Revolutionary War ensued. Like David facing Goliath the dreamers stood before the giant foe. After a long and bloody war, to the amazement of the watching world, the ragtag defenders of the dream prevailed and the new nation came to be. The United States grew . . . guided, protected, and strengthened by God’s benevolent hand. Over time there came other threats that sought to crush the dream. There was a terrible Civil War, two world wars, and several smaller ones, but the dream lived on.”

Slowly, inexorably, a long season of spiritual apathy crept over the land like a fog. The fire of the dream was extinguished and the nation forgot. Where would we be today if not for the courage and convictions of the dreamers of yesteryear whose words and deeds inspire us now to reawaken the dream? Throughout our history many of our greatest leaders believed that America’s future was inextricably linked to America’s faith. Let these
notable quotes from past leaders inspire you today:

George Washington stated, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.”

Abraham Lincoln declared, “All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated through this book. But for the Bible we could not know right from wrong.”

John Quincy Adams wrote, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil
government with the principles of Christianity.”

John Adams stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”

James Madison said, “We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government according to The Ten Commandments of God.”

Thomas Jefferson asked, “Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

Andrew Jackson urged, “Go to the Scriptures! The joyful promises it contains will be a balm to all your troubles.”

Christopher Columbus admitted, “For the execution of the journey to The Indies I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps. It was The Lord who put it into my mind.”

Patrick Henry stated, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not be religionists but by Christians. Not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Woodrow Wilson proclaimed, “The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and need of men. It is the only guide of life that really leads the spirit in the way of peace an salvation.”

Except from the book: One Nation Under God: America’s Lost Dream from New Leaf Press: http://www.nlpg.com/