Faith of our Fathers

Well I'm up way to late because I found the most fascinating web site. The American Colonist's Library. As I was browsing around I found this beautiful prayer from George Washington and just had to share it. This site could be habit forming, there is just way to much good stuff here to read, enjoy

George Washington's Prayer Journal

1) Sunday Morning

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated ot thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me, and since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draww near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God & guide this day and for ever for his sake, who ay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

From William J. Johnson George Washington, the Christian(New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35.

Pick me please

With the presidential campaign in full swing, I have two thoughts. I'm glad we don't run campaigns like some do around the world. Picture if you will this headline; radical supporters of Hillary Clinton bombed a public gathering injuring dozens today. Her campaign headquarters endorsed the action, saying vote for Hillary or we'll bomb you too. But I'm a little, ok a lot, worried about how we do it here. We tend to fall off the other side of the horse and be to casual about it and not give it much thought. How did the people in Iowa and New Hampshire decide so quickly? Which brings me to my point. What is it that we should look for in a candidate? Some would argue that it is their position on a particular issue. Others would say that it is what the candidate promises they will do or not do once in office. But I and others would say it is something else. I don't think those first two options are good for several reasons. Let's use Obama and Ron Paul as examples here. Both men are on opposite ends of the spectrum here, but appeal to the same thing; promise. One promises what he will do, solve all our problems by government intervention, Obama. The other promises that he will solve all our problems by limiting government, Paul. So what is wrong with promises? One word, Congress. You may have all the good intentions in the world but you have to work with other people who disagree with you. And these people probably don't think your idea is a good one. Which is the beauty of our government. So basing your decision on promises that most likely will not see the light of day is not a good plan. And what's wrong with issues or values? same thing. Ideally our government works on the art of persuasion, the best idea wins, as opposed to coercion. It is a system of checks and balances designed to keep all parties in check. We have a plethora of agendas and ideas in the political field and all are competing for a place at the table. So we have to make it fair for all parties involved, equal under the law. That is the American way. However, that is not to say all ideas or agendas are equally valid. A mistake that is to easily made. We must debate the ideas and views and let the best idea win. Which is why I and others look for character in a candidate. I like to put myself across the table, if you will, and imagine what it would be like to negotiate with this person. How would they come across and would I be able to work with them. Is it their way or the highway? If I was a foreign leader, how would the exchange be? would it be like working with Homer Simpson? The fact is we all have to work with people and the better we do it, the better results we get. We need someone who is a statesman, a diplomat and a leader. Someone who knows the limits of his office and works within them. A candidate like this is more likely to actually accomplish something. What about the issues and values? These things naturally flow from a good character. So a candidate who has good character will get their job done and be right on the main issues. However, this is a little harder to judge than promises or issues. I can look at a candidates claims but I can't see their heart. This requires that I actually know the person and have worked with them. Voting records give us a limited view in this area. I think the best measure we have is what their colleagues say about them. Which takes work and time. Here is a great article I came across this morning on townhall.com that sheds some light on this. Click here to read it .

Say something to them would you

What do you say when you don't have the time to type out whats on your mind and it's been over a month since you said anything?

Well, let's not reinvent the wheel, there is a lot of people smarter than me, so I'll just quote them.
I found these quotes on Wall builders website, enjoy.

Robert Winthrop

Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet.

(Source: Robert Winthrop, Addresses and Speeches on Various Occasions (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1852), p. 172 from his "Either by the Bible or the Bayonet.")

Noah Webster

Founding Educator

The most perfect maxims and examples for regulating your social conduct and domestic economy, as well as the best rules of morality and religion, are to be found in the Bible. . . . The moral principles and precepts found in the scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws. These principles and precepts have truth, immutable truth, for their foundation. . . . All the evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible. . . . For instruction then in social, religious and civil duties resort to the scriptures for the best precepts.

(Source: Noah Webster, History of the United States, "Advice to the Young" (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 338-340, par. 51, 53, 56.)