In God We Trust

I wrote this awhile back for an online class I was taking...thought today a good day to share it.

IN GOD WE TRUST

Our country is founded on religious values. Not many people know that the basis for our constitution and founding documents come from the Bible and religious motivations.  Many school textbooks gloss right over any mention of the roots from which our country grew. Look around and you will see many examples of religion. As close as the dollar bill in your pocket you will see “In God We Trust” on the bill. The Ten Commandments are posted in courthouses. The Commandments are also the basis of many of our laws. The founding fathers wrote documents based on their beliefs and relied on guidance from God as they worked diligently to form our country.

President Woodrow Wilson said:

A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do.  We are trying to do a futile thing if we don’t know where we have come from or what we have been about.

Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence signed because they were pursuing religious liberty. The King would not allow them to have a Bible society, a missionary society, or church. Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were deeply religious. By looking at what they wrote in correspondence or official business one can see the threads of religion and faith woven in. Many of their activities promoted Christianity. Several signers of the Declaration of Independence started the Sunday School movement, along with Bible and missionary societies.

Ben Franklin, one of the least religious of the founding fathers still recommended teaching Christianity in the public schools in Pennsylvania, and worked to increase church attendance across the country.  In 1800 when the leaders moved into the capital, one of the first things they did was to approve the capital to be used as a church.  Jefferson even had the US Marine core band play at a church service at the capital. It does not appear that the founders had any intention of keeping religion out of public life. John Hancock called for prayer for those to come know Jesus Christ. The founding fathers displayed numerous religious writings and activities promoting Christianity. Ninety-five percent of the signers of the Declaration were strong Christians and have writings to prove it.

American history was taught including this information until about 1900. School children would learn about each of the signers of the Declaration. Children would know who each signer was and what they stood for. In the early days of our country, the Bible was the text school children used to learn to read.  Since the early 1900’s we have been slowly moving away from teaching the religious roots of our country. In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s we started looking at history in a way that left God out of the picture. By the 1960’s all that was taught was an economic, or money related, history. The reasons our current history books give for the birth of our country are purely economic. If we pay attention to history we know that there were economic reasons for coming to America, but they were not as important as religious freedom. Colonists came to promote the gospel, not to search for gold.

George Bancroft was called the father of American history. He taught that God’s providence in history is as important as the events that happened. Thirty-four quotes the Founders made were taken directly from the Bible. Congress oversaw and approved the first printing of the Bible in America. The Liberty Bell has its name because of the verse inscribed on it; Leviticus 25:10, “Proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.” The New England Primer from 1777 uses Bible stories and examples from the Bible to teach children. Do these sound like examples of a country founded on non-religious beliefs? Or one that seeks to separate itself from any influence of religion?

It’s important to understand where we came from and the intentions that the founders had for our country. Our country is unique to others around the world. We started with a ragtag band of patriots, an army of farmers and merchants, and birthed a country that became a super power.  The founders had good reasons for designing our country the way they did. They knew we needed balance in government as well as a moral compass to guide them. Now, it’s up to the citizens today to honor what they created.

John Adams, second president of the U.S. and co-author of the Declaration, said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other”.

Bibliography

Kaufman, Matt. "Founding Documents: Shaped In and By Faith." Citizen Nov.     2011: 4-5.

The American Heritage Series. Perf. David Barton. Wallbuilders, 2007. DVD.

Independence Day

In spite of the fact our America looks very different than the one our founders built, we still are a free and quite exceptional nation. I know our freedoms are slowly slipping away, but if you look at the core of America and Americans, most of us still believe in the ideals of the founders and hold true to the constitution. The media portrays conservative ideals as a minority when it's more of a majority.  It's sad to see how the minority has become so anti-American, how uninformed people are of basic American history.
When people are offended by things like the flying of the American Flag there is something deeply wrong with the world. Avoiding offending someone seems to take precedence over freedom of speech and expression. We are in America, there's no reason not to fly the flag and be proud of our country. We shouldn't have to accommodate to other cultures to the point of squelching our own American ideals and freedoms.
People think saying America is exceptional means we are cocky or think we are better than the rest of the world. This is far from the case. We are exceptional because of of the type of government we have is unique in the world. The method we were founded is unique in the world. Our past is far from perfect but overall we have sought to make the world a better place.
Despite what many progressives would like to believe, America was founded as a Christian nation. Those leaders put God first and I think that is a main reason that this country works...or worked. Truly what's happening now is a spiritual battle for the hearts of Americans more than any political agenda or politician.  I am seeing a glimmer of hope with more and more people getting fed up with the state of our nation and fighting back. The Bible says in the end times what's good is considered bad and what's bad is considered good. I don't know if it's the end times or not but I do know that's what's happening now. But we need not give up hope because nothing is impossible with God. We can turn this country back to it's roots but it won't be an easy task. It has been a long slow infiltration and it will take diligent persistence to change course.

So today I do celebrate America...what America stands for....her rich history...freedom. At the same time I feel a hint of somber from the struggle we are in now. Our forefathers built America once..we can bring it back again.  We owe it to all those who fought and sacrificed to make America great.

Freedom is not Free

Freedom is not free is a phrase most of us have heard many times, but as we honor those who fought for us this Memorial Day we need to remember the sacrifices they gave. We enjoy our many freedoms but many of us take these for granted. We can go where we want, be who we want, say what we want, worship how we choose.  If we were born in America, freedom is all we have ever known. We have no idea what it's like to live without freedom. At the same time we need to be careful not to abuse our freedoms and be responsible citizens of this great nation.
There was a time when America wasn't free and a world around us that still does not enjoy that freedom. It was a risky and terrifying concept for those Revolutionary warriors to attempt the journey that brought US that very freedom. Countless soldiers through the centuries risked life and limb and a future so that we could live as we do. I would imagine that if given the choice they would do it all over again. These brave men thought not of themselves but of their love of our country and the honor and privilege to serve.
Each generation has had to fight to keep that freedom. Let us not drop that ball and loose all they have gained. We thank them by being grateful for what we have and working hard to keep it. There is a untold cost to what we have. Freedom is not free, let's remember that in how we live.

Voter ID

This is one topic I can seem to wrap my head around how blatently full of hypocracy the liberal view is on this. They claim that we shouldn't have voter ID because minorities or poor people might not have one or know how to get one. Yet one can hardly check out at the grocery store without one. Just about anything else people do an ID is required. Obviously poor people or minorities go to the store or even to get food stamps or help they need an ID. Are they saying that minorities aren't smart enough to get an ID? That's hardly encouraging equality as they trumpet or giving others credit for being able to do things for themselves. The ONLY reason to block voter ID is so dishonest voting can go on..in the form of dead people voting, multiple votes by the same person and more. I fail to see how they can continue with this arguement and stay sane. I have complete confidence in any citizen being able to get an ID to vote, and that's the key word citizen. You need to be a citizen to vote and only vote once. That's about all I have to say about that.

Thank you

Thank you to our veterans. Those words seem small for all that they have done to preserve American values and way of life. Starting back with the Revolutionary War, all the way to today, countless people have sacrificed their lives for America and Americans. We are all connected. America is an exceptional country, built in ways no other nation in history was built. The founding fathers got together and hammered out our governing documents. Out of the early American's desire to be independent of tyranny and have freedom to worship came a great nation. Without those willing to sacrifice for what they believe in America would be no more. Right now we face a reality of loosing what we have worked so hard to keep. As true patriots we need to dig deep and fight for our country, stand together and bring America back to its founding principles, lest all the past sacrifice be in vain.
So thank you to those who fight bravely for America, let's join together and remember what makes America great.

I'm back

It's been way too long, so hopefully I'll get back in the groove. There has been almost too much to write about that it's overwhelming to know where to begin. Everytime I turn on the tv or radio it seems there is yet another scandal in the news about this corrupt government we have leading us (if you can call what they do leading). I guess it's somewhat encouraging that some in the media are finally taking their blinders off and seeing the lies and corruption for what they are, but they have a long way to go. Americans need to wake up and take our country back, I just hope we can elect true leaders before too much damage is done. Personally Obamacare had raised our health insurance to almost $900 a month, which is frustrating considering it's just a high deductible plan so only helpful for major stuff. We actually have a plan that was grandfathered, but what good is that when the price skyrockets. I hate how the government thinks they know what's best for us. Forcing Americans to buy a product or pay a fine is glaringly unconstitutional. This administration has trampled the constitution and spit on the founding fathers sacrifices more times than I can count. America is an exceptional nation and I want it back.

A Good Read

I'm reading a book right now that I highly recommend. Actually I wish it could be a standard supplement text for all high school history classes. It's called "Under God" by Toby Mac and Michael Tait. I actually purchased it years ago, but just getting to it now. (wish I wouldn't have waited so long) It's a collection of true stories of America's rich heritage. These are stories you rarely read about in you history classes. There was a fascinating one about George Washington from the French Indian War. Basically he was shot at multiple times by the Indians who were specifically aiming at him and never miss, till now, and he later discovered holes in his uniform but he was unhurt. The chief realized that it was divine protection and that this man would go on to do great things, which we know he did.

The story that I read today prompted me to write about that book. It was about a man named John Prentiss "Print" Matthews. He was a known Union sympathizer and worked for the cause of equality during the reformation. He lived in Mississippi, so this was a dangerous position to take. They had formed a Fusion Independent Party comprised of blacks and whites. They had been successful in other elections but in 1883 things changed. Militant white Democrats basically waged war on them, intimidating blacks, doing night riding to black homes, whipping and threatening, and even killing one man who fought back. These militants where respected and successful business men in the community. Matthews party had successfully proved that whites and blacks could work together. They went against the all white power philosophy of many in the south, but had a large following of both white and black families. In 1881 Matthews lost the vote for sheriff by only 84 votes, most likely due to the fact that the Democrats "claimed" a horse ate the ballots in a mostly black precinct. Back to 1883, voters of the Independent Party were terrified to vote. Matthews had been given written warnings not to vote, which he ignored. He went to the polls, was verbally warned, and when he handed in his ballot was shot to death. An all white jury declared the shooter Ras Wheeler, innocent. He went on to a successful Democratic political career. The Democrats passed a resolution that no one could organize blacks against the whites in their county without personal harm. Many Southern states followed suit and Mississippi Constitution in 1890 prevented blacks from voting.

We know through history that Democrats are known to stand in the way of racial equality at every turn, yet today tout that they are the ones looking out for black families or any minority. In essence they still are doing all they can to keep black families poor and dependent. If they truly wanted to help, they would step out of the way and let black families become strong and prosperous. We know that's not what they want. They want power and control of blacks and anyone who disagrees with them. One of their biggest problems is that they still see blacks as "different" when they are not. We are all human, we all descended from Adam and Eve, thus all sharing basic genetics. There really is only one race..human. It just contains a wide variety of traits, none being better than the other, just different. I'm beyond sick of "race" games. We are all just people of one big family...move on.

I'm not even a quarter of the way through the book and each story is eye opening...find it and read it :)

Independence Day

I can't have a blog titled America IS Beautiful without writing something for the 4th of July. Many people will celebrate for lots of reasons and it lots of ways. To some it's just another day for a party or barbecue, or maybe some time off work. Those who truly understand the magnitude of what happened over 230 years ago may take time to reflect, especially in our present culture, what July 4th stands for.

America is an exceptional country unlike any other. It was a radical concept at the time and a miracle that our founders accomplished what they did. Many people do not know the extreme risks the signers of the Declaration took, their lives, their families, their occupations were sometimes lost. Stepping out against the King was not a popular...politically correct...thing to do. They had to be secretive, working behind closed doors. Actually writing and signing the Declaration was only just the beginning. Putting your name on that document made you an instant treasonous enemy to King George. Yet, these humble men had such depth of conviction that what they were doing was right, that they were willing to risk it all. The freedoms we gained and the style of government they built was unlike any other. They won against all odds and birthed a nation.

True and knowledgeable patriots today are heartbroken at what is happening to this unique and exceptional nation, a Christian centered nation. We are a nation where "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Take some time to remember what it took to establish and build this great nation. If you've never sat down and actually read the entire Declaration of Independence, I didn't until a few years ago, I would encourage you to do it this year.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

I don't know

Today was just another arrow into the heart of the founders of America. It doesn't matter how people try to rewrite history, the fact remains that we are and have always been a Christian nation. Our ancestors came here for religious freedom, a freedom we have been slowly loosing. Even other countries around the world can see the hypocrisy and treason rampant in our government. It's hard to even keep up with the constant barrage of scandal upon scandal. Now even the Supreme Court is getting in the game of fundamentally changing America. Not enough Americans truly know our history and the extensiveness of Christianity woven through the fabric of our country. The attacks on our constitution and values are disheartening.

English Please

I'm tired of America catering to everyone and everything. At some point the melting pot is so diluted it is no longer what it was meant to be. I saw a commercial for a nationwide store the other day in Spanish. Last I checked English was the language of the land. What other country caters to every culture and language like America does. It's great that people come to America (legally) and that they keep their traditions and language alive in their families and communities. What I don't like is people trying to change our culture and core values. In the previous centuries immigrants came to America, assimilated into American culture and ideals, learned English and became Americans. If someone doesn't like our culture our language our values our way of life then why come? I would not expect to go to a foreign country and have them cater their society to me and my values. If I don't like their culture or society then I don't have to go there. I've seen kids here learn the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish..really..if I'm going to pledge my Allegiance to America I would think I should at least have the decency to say it in English. There are certain things that make America great, things that built our nation, and many are trying erase that from existence. Those who seek to divide us and pit Americans against each other on the basis of skin or ethnic background or other divisions should be ashamed. There is a reason people flock here. We are free, or least we were. Someone we all know stated that he was going to fundamentally change America, well sadly, he is well on his way. When it's practically a crime to be a true patriotic American we need to stand up and defend America, the one that was meant to be.

Regs Regs and more Regs

So much scandal has been uncovered since I last wrote. The magnitude of it all I guess has left me speechless...for a time. So much needed to be said but unable to formulate it onto a page. But no better time than the present to get back at it.
For the moment though, I have something more general on my mind. Regulations. I've had enough. Don't get me wrong, there needs to be regulations, but in our society we've gone beyond overboard. Those in charge, be it government local or federal, employers, leaders, activists or you name it are trying to control every aspect of our daily lives.

Regulating how much pop we can buy--sure it may be bad for you and people make bad choices, but they should have that choice
Regulating where you can build a house so as not to kill off a bug--where is the value of the human being and their need
Regulating what you can and can't say--heaven forbid we offend anyone (except of course Christians they are apparently fair game)
Regulating guns--ever hear of the 2nd amendment

Licences permits rules and bans for multitudes of things

Stories daily of peoples rights being taken away

Starting or maintaining a small business is made extremely difficult

What happened to America the Land of the Free? We are being squelched, controlled and regulated to death. When a little kid can't sell lemonade on the street without fear of getting in trouble or you can't sell milk from YOUR cow to YOUR neighbor and on and on...something is desperately wrong.

Boston

Ok....really? Bombs go off on Patriots day at the Boston Marathon and the media soon start blaming right-wing terrorists, calling people on the far right domestic terrorists or that republicans are responsible because they have been blocking the appointment of a new ATF director. That must be in the job description to go right to attack talking points whenever tragedy happens. It's sad to say that one of my initial reactions, after how horrible and crazy this was, was wondering how the media and politicians will jump to use this for political gain or attack, what freedoms will they aim at taking now? Sadly, I was right in thinking that. The upside down crazy of what's happening to America is so frustrating. You don't have to look far to find liberal contradictions. I was listening to one report where the person talking said within moments of each other that we will see lots of people taking credit for this etc. and then a few sentences later said no one might claim credit for this. They can't even stay consistent in the same breath. This is just one more political opportunity for them. They need to step back and have some respect for those victims involved. Good Grief!

Freedoms

Enough already. This discussion on gun control is growing old. Some of us "get it" and the rest of America that doesn't, need to wake up. No society that has had their gun rights taken from them has survived in tact. Taking away guns from the citizens will only bring more violence to the streets. It's not like criminals and thugs will hand over their weapons.(Truthfully I'm more concerned with the government having weapons against us than criminals, although lately, what's the difference) The illogical reasons of the the liberal argument is almost laughable if the consequences weren't so devastating. Maybe we should take away knives and baseball bats, how about ropes too. I love the satire comic of someone leaving their gun on the porch alone and surprised when they get home how lazy their gun was to not have shot anything all day. The lack of morals in a society is the problem not the weapon used.

Once again the founders had it right. We have the right to bear arms and they knew that was in part for protection against tyranny. They clearly made that a priority for a reason. One of the first things governments do to get control is take away our ability to defend ourselves. They can call it whatever they want, use any excuse in the book why guns should be limited, but it all comes down to control and their insane desire to have total control of the people. Let's not kid ourselves with thinking their desire will end with this one control or that, each law or restriction is just one more step in the path to changing America. It's been happening little by little, but it seems lately those seeking power are trying to grab it a little faster. The American frog in the pot is starting to notice, and I can only hope, jumps out soon.

Like I said before...society in America is turning upside down. Christians and patriots are treated like terrorists and terrorists are treated like friENDs.

Upside Down

The other day I was at my niece's birthday party. A comment was made about how different the parties are now. Gone are the big packages, toys, and barbies. All the four cousins are now teenagers and their birthday parties are cards and gift cards. Instead of playing with toys they go in the basement and curl each other's hair or watch clips on youtube. It made me think how fast things change and usually change is good. In essence they are still the same girls just more mature and interested in the things teens are interested in. Their core values haven't changed.

It's not quite the same story for America. We are a young country as countries go, but if you look over the last century of change, there has been good things and bad things. We have grown and matured but we are loosing the essence of what makes America America. We were born as a Christian nation (despite how the liberals and progressives try to rewrite history). We have our faults and struggles but the base foundation of America has been families and churches. We didn't suddenly flip upside down, it was a slow and deliberate process led by those who don't like what our country stands for. We are unique in the world in many ways, with our freedoms, our pioneer spirit, our caring for fellow man. When we have God and families we are able to stand strong against atrocities and attacks from any enemy. Without strong families, it's difficult to raise strong people.

Slowly over the last century there has been a calculated attempt to remove those two foundations of America because they understand that without God and strong nuclear families we as America are weak. Just to name some examples; Darwin--trying to take God out of the picture of how humankind came to be, prayer out of school, making divorce easier and more common, women's lib movement-devaluing the role of wife and mother, abortions, gay marriage-to destroy the definition of marriage, over used social programs like welfare--nanny state, BIG government and victim mentality. All of these seek to remove God, destroy the family and devalue human life. Without the guiding hand of God and strong families our nation will fall victim to control by those who seek only control and not the welfare of it's people. The more people that think they can only be taken care of by the government or only want the government to take care of them, the faster this country will fail. It degrades America's strong work ethic that helped build our nation. It's disheartening to see this happening and how blinded so many are to the reality.

The separation of church and state is a myth that so many tout to remove God from America. It's a myth because it's not in the constitution as they say, nor was it even close to the intentions the founders had. The constitution protects the people from a government run religion and protects religion from being infringed upon by government. They had no intention to keep God out of government and actually leaned heavily on the Bible in forming the constitution and other founding documents. (Although in today's society, most religions are readily accepted by liberals EXCEPT Christianity which is vilified at every turn..hmmm something to ponder why)

The only true statement I've ever heard uttered from the current president has been that he wants to FUNDAMENTALLY change America and that's exactly what he's trying to do; and take as many rights and freedoms away as he can while burying us under heavy government induced burdens. Any high and lofty sounding goals he utters are lies and hypocritical. Those "progressives" that came before him have laid the foundation for this degradation of America making it possible for him to deceive. We need to wake up and smell the evil.

My hope is that we can pull together to stop from being turned totally upside down and return to the foundations America was built on. Go back to when our constitution meant something to the leaders and not a bendable thing to be changed by their whim. Our kids deserve to have the American dream as much as our ancestors enjoyed it.

Tattered Flag

The other day at work I looked out the classroom window at the flags flapping in the snowy wind. The edges of the American flag were frayed and tattered. I just stared. I stared because the the image there so exemplifies what our country is going through right now. Even the flag is worn out and sad. It's a vivid picture of the state of our union. The founding fathers tried to worn us, yet we have not heeded.


It seems we are coming apart at the seams. If we are not careful we will irrevocably unravel completely. We are slowly loosing our freedom, our selves. It seems so many have lost what it means to be America, the ideals we were founded on. It's hard to understand how people cannot see the deception, lies, and corruption that leads this nation. Attempts to bring to light the wrongs leads to being banished by the very ones who fear the light. I feel like we could shout from the mountaintops the truth and yet no one hears. Many are so blinded that they may believe the most outrageous lie told to their face. I keep thinking this will get better, America will wake up to this disguised and deceptive takeover of our constitution and liberties, but I'm not so sure. I still hope. The Bible does say that what is wrong will be viewed right, what's good will be viewed bad. I can see that being true in our world today. Just like the the flag I saw, we as a country are a torn and tattered nation right now; but the one thing I can be sure of is, God is in control. No matter how much this world tries to erase God from existence, they will never succeed. America IS Beautiful...who do you think made it that way!

It's been Awhile

Seems like ages since I last wrote. So much has happened since October. I was amazed beyond words that we the Americans voted to keep someone, so inept at leading, in office. The more I watch news and talk, the more disheartened I get. Some people truly believe that our country is doing well, going in the right direction. As misguided as that is,they are entitled to their opinions. What is frustrating are those who vote blindly without knowing anything about any candidate. They vote merely on the wave of popularity or political correctness. I've seen people asked if they agree with certain views, which they do, and in actuality those views are the opposite of the person they support. Mind boggling. Something I heard over Christmas was...it's hard to defeat Santa Claus. That couldn't be more true. America is in for a rude awakening if we continue on the path we are on. We are creating a society of entitlement seekers. People want something for nothing. They want others to work hard so they can get handouts. That is a path that leads to destruction of our country, the coffers will eventually become empty. We can't go on spending without creating ways and incentives for people to excel and grow business.

The latest bandwagon now is gun control. Our freedoms are slowly being chipped away. The Second Amendment is there to protect us, but it is being attacked.It was one of the basic rights our founders saw as a need to keep us free. Guns don't kill people. It's the decay of society that lead people to kill, and with many methods besides guns. I would hazard to guess that more people had guns in the home in the last centuries than now. Most boys would get one growing up, more families depended on hunting, or just to have for security. We didn't have mass shootings and murders then to the extent we do now. Why is that? It's not the amount of guns, or the kind of guns, it's the society devaluing life and demonizing traditional family values. Each freedom they keep trying to slowly slide under the rug, the closer we are to loosing our republic.

Our country was founded on Biblical values and set up to protect our religious rights and freedoms. It is slowly and systematically being fundamentally changed.

October

I love fall and October is one of my favorite months. This year has been an interesting one with all that's going on. I have been wanting to comment on the election, but it's hard to know where to start. Watching the debates is truly an interesting and frustrating experience. One thing for sure, I'm glad they are done. The amount of delusion in the media is disheartening. The lying that goes on and lack of professionalism is depressing. I don't know how this president can say we are stronger and better than 4 years ago. He is in complete denial. I sure hope America has enough sense to vote to save America with a new leader who knows how to get things done and bring honor and freedom back to America. It's not worth getting into details now and far more effort than I have to give at the moment. Looking forward to the election and being done with all this!
All in all no matter what happens, the only stabilizing comforting fact to hang on to is the fact...God is in control. Nothing that happens here in politics matters to eternity. What's really important is people and relationships..with each other and with God. We know who wins in the end.

October also signals the nearing of the end of bike season for me. It's been a good year biking and I'm sad to be close to hanging up the bike. I'm trying to squeeze in any last little rides when the weather is cooperative. I know some ride into the freezing weather but I'm not quite that hardcore.
This summer I aimed for 500 miles and went over 1000. I biked in and through 8 cities, seen countless beautiful sights and sadly numerous roadkill things from tiny frogs and turtles to birds, squirrels, raccoon, and even one HUGE turtle. I've seen many deer and a wolf (or coyote, not sure) cross my path, and screamed out at almost running over several snakes. (Did you know squirrels like to dart in front of bikes as well as cars?...no wonder they get hit so much! so surprised at squirrels darting in front of me) I've gotten dusty, wet feet, sun beaten and rained on. Battled winds and energy draining humidity and collapsed once barely making it to shade on the side of the road. Listened to volumes of music and come across scores of friendly bikers, runners, walkers, and horseback riders. Gone on dirt roads, side roads, busy roads and lonely roads. My longest single trip was 51 miles and I wouldn't trade all the riding for anything. I'll try to find a way to get through the winter exercising inside and look forward to dusting off the bike next spring. I'm glad to have rediscovered the joy of biking. It's such a freeing experience and turns ho hum to yee haa. I have my special little buddy to thank for that...getting me biking at the end of last summer, and liking car rides so much that I ended up using those routes on many of my rides.
I plan to soak in all the remaining fall before we get buried in snow. Winter's not sooo bad..just lasts too long :)

Scouts

I'm a little behind in reading some of my magazines, so today I was reading an old Citizen magazine from last October. The article was about the Girl Scouts. Now I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout growing up and had fun doing it. As an adult I have learned that the Girl Scouts have drastically departed from their roots. I gathered the following information from the article. The Girl Scouts began in the early part of the 20th Century. According to the first handbook it was meant to help girls develop "honor, duty, loyalty, kindness, comradeship, purity, cheerfulness and thrift." Former Girl Scout Jane Chastain says now "the Girl Scouts have become a training ground for the left-wing feminist agenda." In 1974 the co-founder of the National Organization for Women was asked to join the board. She transformed the Girl Scouts to a liberal organization that connects itself to the ERA and Planned Parenthood among others. It's become more of a political movement that has lost the focus of it's original intent. Some local troops don't follow the leadership of the national group, but are still associated with them. Basically they still do their own thing without stuffing liberal agenda into the girls. As for cookie sales, only a small amount actually goes to the troop that does the work of selling them.

I recently bought some popcorn to support a local Boy Scout troop. I'm proud of the Boy Scouts for standing up to the liberal attacks and attempts to change them and disintegrate their core values. The Girl Scouts on the other hand have caved to the pressure and changes and no longer stand by the values with which the Girl Scouts were intended. I haven't bought cookies in years because the money goes to support women's rights movements and a pro-choice agenda. Sure there are good things in the Girl Scouts, but it's unfortunate that the pot has been spoiled by politics.

Some have started a new group for girls called American Heritage Girls, founded in 1995. I heard about them years ago, but there weren't any local chapters. It sounds like a great group, seeking to build integrity and values in girls. It's still small compared to the Girl Scouts, but I think they have the right idea.

What's Beautiful in America

I'm switching gears a little bit today. I want to draw attention some people in this world that are very beautiful. I see them everyday. Our lives and, specifically, my life would be so much less without them. Special needs kids, disabled kids, delayed...whatever you want to call them...to me they are just kids. I can't imagine an America..a world.. without them. There are those who would like to push them aside, or claim they don't have quality of life. I say...who are they to judge what someone's quality of life is. You could have all the skills and abilities, a boatload of money or fame and have no quality of life. Quality is much more than what the standards of the world may be. The kids in my life mean the world to me. Whenever I hear a story about accomplishments, achievements of any kind, it fills my heart with joy.
I don't see a kid in a wheelchair, I see a superstar.
I don't see a boy struggling to write his name, I see a fighter pushing the limits.
I don't see a girl garbling her words, I see a song being sung.
I don't see a child with a deformity, I see a beautiful creation of God.
I see a blessing in each one.

These kids, that some like to pass by, have SO much to give, so much to teach, and so much joy to give others. My life is much richer from all the cherubs I know. I'm grateful for the privilege to know each one, no matter their abilities or difficulties. Sure there are good days and bad days, but who among us doesn't have both as well. They can play baseball, sing a song; wrestle with their brothers; gobble down a pizza...not so different, just different ways.

Sometimes it's hard for them to communicate, so take the time to try to understand. Someone may not be able to talk but if you take the time to look, you'll see a multitude of communication in other ways. I wouldn't trade my experience with these awesome kids for anything. They are each a blessing.
One little guy I know can't talk, but he fills the lives around him with such joy. He has a great sense of humor and loves to giggle and tease. He has so much inside to share, but just has a hard time getting it out. If you take the time to try, it's awesome when he gets his point across to you. I'm amazed at his ingenuity in communicating. I see what he Can do, and help him with the things he can't. We teach him, but almost more so, he teaches us.
It doesn't matter how much someone can do, or what they can do, they contribute in their own special way. Each of us does. See the ability, not a disability. In many ways we are all the same. We all have value and importance in this world.

Having people with all levels of skills and abilities is one of the things I think makes America Beautiful.

AmeriCANs

It seems that whenever I bike it puts me in a nostalgic mood. There is something about cruising through cornfields and neighborhoods that makes me think of America. I listen to many styles of music as I ride, from 1940's big bands, oldies from the 50's to moving praise songs and upbeat Christian pop. As this wide variety randomly plays through my travels it takes me back to another time or place. There is so much great about our country, but in our crazy busy lives we sometimes forget. I love the different sites I come across; horseback riders, kids playing outside, people hard at work in their yard or farm; splashing in a pool, even a cute dog hanging out the window of a car at a stoplight (and the driver even saying hello), a baseball field being built, a soccer game being played, families of all ages on a walk or bike ride together, and the list goes on.

Sometimes I long for the the days before my time..pioneer days, or the 1940's, 1950's when life was simpler. I love all the advances in technology and practical everyday inventions we have now, but sometimes they get in the way. We don't have the leisure and patience of old, nor sometimes the creativity kids had when they had to make up their own fun.

American's are can do people. We started this country with a strong pioneer spirit and to some extent that ethic is still with us. The immigrants that arrived on Ellis Island with nothing but a few belongings and their family, then go on to build a life, a business, a legacy. The young boy in the slums works hard at school and life and pulls himself out of poverty and builds a life for himself and his family. A single parent working hard to better the life for her children. If we stop watching the news and just watch our neighborhoods we see America. People working hard, taking care of their kids, helping their neighbor on a project, bringing a meal to someone in need, that's what America is. I love how when people are in need, the churches and communities jump right in to help.

The 11th anniversary of 911 is tomorrow. Do you remember how we all came together as one nation? Nothing mattered but standing up for our nation and taking care of each other. The things that really matter in life are right here in our schools and churches and towns; the people in our lives. At times we seem to lose our way, some times longer than others, but we always seem to fight back to where we belong. Everyday life in America is a precious thing.
Our country was founded as a great experiment. We are one of a kind, and I hope and pray we can keep what was built over 200 years ago. We can do it, if we remember what this country means and stand true to our founding fathers dreams. We need more patriots and patriotism in America. We need not apologize for our place in the world and all the good we have done. (yes I know there are dark days in our past, but we are human and far from perfect) We need to teach our kids history so they know where they come from. It's good to keep ethnic traditions and identities, but we need to remember we are one nation..together...not divided. We are people, created by God, and it matters not what color or size we are, culture, beliefs,or background we come from, we're just people. Americans. This country was founded by faithful men seeking to honor God and give rights and freedoms to the people. I'm thankful they sacrificed so much for our sake.

President Woodrow Wilson said,
"A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we don’t know where we have come from or what we have been about."