PrayingWithMyFingers

Dear God,

Last weekend, on Sunday, June 28, I had the honor and the privilege of attending a worship service at the First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale. Being a converted Catholic does not always lend itself to attending a Baptist church but, April was excited about a scheduled “patriotic” service. I went with trepidation. I am reporting back to You that I stand in awe and amazement at the beauty and power of what I saw and experienced.

The Rev. Larry Thompson began his 4th of July service with a salute to the U.S. military. One by one a member of each branch of the armed services marched in carrying the flag of their service. As each was introduced, Rev. Thompson invited veterans of each branch to rise and be acknowledged. This made me a little uncomfortable as I realized I was one of those veterans – Vietnam era at that — having served seven years in the U.S. Navy.

Rev. Thompson began his sermon with a reference to the Philadelphia Inquirer and an editorial by Chris Satullo. The piece, titled “A not-so-glorious Fourth: U.S. atrocities are unworthy of our heritage,” ran on July 1, 2008. Satullo said, “This year, America doesn’t deserve to celebrate its birthday. This Fourth of July should be a day of quiet and atonement. For we have sinned. Satullo then goes into a long tirade about America’s sins concluding with: “We have betrayed the July 4 creed. We trample the vows we make, hand to heart….So put out no flags. Sing no patriotic hymns. We deserve no Fourth this year. Let us atone, in quiet and humility.”

The church congregation (and I) listened in stunned silence. “Stunned” was a palpable feeling. My mind was churning and, I felt angry as I wondered why it has become so “politically correct” to criticize this country, this America, this land that I love. Simultaneously, I remembered my earlier discomfort and realized that somehow, someway without my having even noticed it, I had become embarrassed to think of myself as a patriot. “PCness” had infiltrated me.

But that was all about to change. Rev. Thompson then proceeded to give a most amazing history lesson. It is one thing to believe that our country was founded on Christian principles but, it is quite another to hear about the foundational material that supports that premise in one brief Sunday sermon!

He began with scriptural reference (and others sprinkled throughout) and then a reference to the Mayflower Compact. I decided to find the quote: “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten,”…………”Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another…” Bottom line: This country was founded on Christian principles for the glory of You, God.

Naturally, he included the oft quoted Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that 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.” Bottom line: Belief in You God, our Creator. Philippians 2:5: says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” When our founders operated from their belief in You, doesn’t that mean that Your mind, in fact, crafted the principles of our country as the founders “put on the mind of Christ?”

A quote I was not familiar with from George Washington’s farewell address: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” Bottom line: No one should claim to be a patriot if they failed to support the foundational principles of religion and morality. (Note that religion is not defined as Christian religion)

He used Thomas Jefferson as an example: “Religion, as well as reason, confirms the soundness of those principles on which our government has been founded and its rights asserted.” –Thomas Jefferson to P. H. Wendover, 1815. “The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.” –Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819. Bottom line: I like religion as well as reason – no far right, far left division here.

A surprising bit of information was that the U.S. House of Representatives used to conduct Sunday morning worship service. I did the research on the official web site to confirm this: “On Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809) and of James Madison (1809-1817) worship services were conducted in the U.S. House. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson’s example. Worship services in the House–a practice that continued until after the Civil War–were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) As early as January 1806 a female evangelist, Dorothy Ripley, delivered a camp meeting-style exhortation in the House to Jefferson, Vice President Aaron Burr, and a “crowded audience.” Throughout his administration Jefferson permitted church services in executive branch buildings. The Gospel was also preached in the Supreme Court chambers.” Bottom line: Politicians used to act on their beliefs instead of having their beliefs dictated to them.

God, there is no way I can do justice to the sermon that Rev. Thompson gave that Sunday morning. Nor can I convey the magnitude of the pride I felt at the conclusion of the service when there was an explosion of fireworks (real live fireworks – in a flag-draped church!), red, white and blue balloons, confetti and paratroopers (real live men) dropping from the ceiling of the church. Did I mention that people were standing up and cheering for their country as Rev. Thompson proclaimed his right and duty to speak out for and support his (our) country.

I was so glad to realize that this service was going out live overseas and that military men and women would be able to see other men and women who believe in America. How amazing to see a church stand up so proudly for America. I am sure that are many, many others doing the same this 4th of July weekend. My final thought was to wonder when America will start standing up again for its churches. Bottom line: Please, God, bless America!