George Washington's Stance on Religion and Morality

In my college writing class our first assignment is to write a paraphrase and precis on a selection from George Washington's Farewell Address.

Here is his wording:

27 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. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

28 It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric ?

(And a link to the full text http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/farewell/text.html ; excerpt from articles 27 and 28)

And my take on what the man is inferring:

In order to have a successful governmental system, there are many attitudes and actions that lead to it, but religion and morality are the most important fundamental building blocks for political richness. If one calls themselves a citizen, yet is given to attack religious morality-- the very substance of what allows us as citizens to fulfill our duty-- it is useless to call one’s self a lover of what this country stands for. Both, the spiritual and political man should relish and esteem such qualities as religion and morality. The bond between both religion and morality with both national and personal contentment cannot be traced. What protects basic human rights if the very system of government has no religious commitment? It is appropriate to consider with caution whether morality is possible without religion. Though education may yield morality in a select few, logic paired with practice lead to the conclusion that virtue on a national scale cannot be maintained without Biblical groundwork.

It is then safe to say ethics of righteousness in the people is the wellspring of a successful democratic government. This supposition reaches out to every other form of free government. How can one claim to support democracy, yet remain apathetic toward the attacks upon religion and morality, the very foundation of a profitable free government?

***I felt the need to share this based upon how enlightening it was to find one of the most influential founding fathers of this country took such a strong stand against separating the morals of the Bible from government. After all, the founding fathers are responsible for establishing such a powerful nation. Let us not stray.

Peace of God

I really wanna make this a habit because I have so much to say. Not that anyone will necessarily be listening, its just nice to get it off my chest.

There will be absolutely no theme to this post.. just some things I want the world to have the opportunity to hear my opinions on some controversial issues. Every voice counts, right?

First of all every view I have will come from a firmly Christian standing. God has had an amazing influence in my life, and I will never understand those who simply do not believe in His existence. That is just ludicrous to me! This God who has in every way blessed and led me in my life. There are not words to fulfill the magnitude of my thankfulness. I understand people only blind themselves to the truth, but I hate it for those who have not had the Peace of God which passeth all understanding. Those who have not been impacted by the Word of God which is sharper than any two edged sword. Because these words describe it perfectly, the acts of God's hand in my life is supernatural!

I came across something today that scared me. Someone I have known from the past posted something so... disgusting and disrespectful towards my SAVIOUR! It saddened me. How can you disrespect the very God who gave you LIFE! And you use that life to blaspheme His very Name and Word.

My opinion: People who choose to be mad at God, or to not believe in Him, are selfish.

They are not getting their way and they have to blame it on someone. Why not God?

News flash! God can save you from all your problems if you choose to walk in His way. But God is NOT a wishing well! Just because He has not answered every single one of your self centered prayers, does not mean He does not love you! The peace of God comes from having a servants heart. You find happiness in other's happiness. In bringing other's happiness. In bringing God glory, you find fulfillment. It is beyond our own understanding!

I wish others could see how He has saved me from myself in so many ways. But I regret not listening to Him earlier. For not submitting, and putting Him first earlier! Do not be stupid like I was. Lay it all down before the Lord. Yield to HIS Holy Spirit, truly SEEKING God from your heart! And see for yourselves His amazing Peace like a river!

Speaking with Kindness

"The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

Such a little member is what God calls the tongue, but great blessings and great evils flow therefrom. The virtuous woman speaks with kindness (Prov. 31:26).

What form of ministry are you using your words for? Are they for the teaching, admonition, and exhortation of your fellow man? Are you letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom? Whatsoever ye do, is it in the name of Lord Jesus Christ? (Col.3:16-17)

The Bible speaks multitudes on Godly wisdom. In the verse from Proverbs 16 it says "the heart of the wise teacheth his mouth" it also says pleasant words are sweet, they bring forth healing. Colossians 3:12&13 says to "put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved , bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

I have an earlier blog post on tale bearers. Another Proverb. It says words can be as wounds that cut to the innermost parts of the belly. There's a connection in this verse and the aforementioned verse in Colossians, bowels. The innermost part of the belly. The core of your being. How intricately interlaced our emotions are to who we are. This is the way God created us. Even those who do not believe in God cannot deny this simple humanistic truth. The Proverb speaks truth in the hurt words cause. Deep hurt. And the verse in Colossians is God's wisdom on the issue. If what we are made of (bowels) is mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, such deep hurt would not come about.

Kindness to one another is such a paramount attribute of Christians that has become TOO uncommon among us. We are no different than the children of this world. We don't even deserve to be known as Christians. It is important to separate ourselves from the the children of disobedience UNTO righteousness. We separate ourselves by obeying the commands God gave us, and if we cannot even be kind one to another what good are we?

What I am reading right now

Preparing to a Help Meet by Debi Pearl

A new addition to the well written Christ-based books, she and her husband Michael have written. It is sort of what you could call a prequal to Created to be His Help Meet, which is geared towards married women. This book is written to unmarried women.
I read Created to be His Help Meet first, not because I am married but it explains in great detail the manner of a conservative, Godly woman. God set of strict guide-lines for women, that are very diverse from that of men. Not in that men are superior, but because there is an order God set up, for good reason. It has given me great peace about the calling God has for me and every other woman. To be chaste, discreet, modest, virtuous, diligent. It is amazing to me how much focus and emphasis God has put on the role of women. The role of a mother, a sister, a daughter, is vital.
The description God gives us as a virtuous woman(Proverbs 31:10-31) is beautiful! It is inspiring, and just reading it gives me the desire to be better. It's amazing. God created woman to nuture, to care, to have emotion, to be beautiful in our chastity. I encourage any girl or woman to read, and get inspired!

My New Shoes :)

So my family and I went to Alabama this past weekend, and on our way there we stopped at the mall. I went into a place called Charming Charlie's and stumbled upon this GORGEOUS pair of pumps! So darling :)

Proverbs 26:20-27

So something that really causes some problems, especially in these parts: GOSSIP

And I really don't think people realize the true destruction our own tongues can cause, although the Bible makes it VERY clear! I was reading through some Proverbs and stumbled across these verses, and thought I'd share my thoughts on them:

"(20) Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. (21) As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife."

Talebearer? Someone who bears tales, or stories. Tales, or stories can be true but they are most likely known as fiction. Merriam-Webster defines the word as "a : a usually imaginative narrative of an event : story b : an intentionally untrue report : falsehood "

I wonder why the Bible uses the term "tale"? Probably because God knows that most gossip has its own twist to the story, misrepresenting the truth. Lies that cause strife. Who wants to be known as contentious? Not me. Someone known to have the tendency to cause quarrels and disputes. These characteristics do not exude the peace and love of Christ. So stop kindling the fire with your words of contension.

"(22) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (23) Burning lips and wicked hearts are like a potsherd covered with silver dross."

Words cuts deep. We all know that, based on the hurt other's words have caused us in the past. This verse talks about a pain that goes into the innermost parts of your being. That is deep pain, caused by you. What kind of hate does it take to cause another such pain? "(24) He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth upon deciet within him; (25) When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven aboninations in his heart." Verse 24 illustrates the destruction our words can have. Even if you think you're helping, it is not if it tears that person down.

What are the seven abominations you ask? Check out Proverbs 6:12-19, now that's some adjectives I would not want to come to mind when a person thinks of me. They do not act as a light for God, as far as I'm concerned.

There's not hiding from it once you've spoken. In other words you can't take it back. It will alter the opinion others have of you instantly. Just tiny little words spoken out of our tiny little mouths. Like tiny daggers, they still cut deep. "(26) Whose hatred is covered by deciet, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. (27) Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone it will return upon him."

The Bible says it loud and clear, what yous ay will come back and bite you in the rear end. It causes others pain, and will soon cause yourself pain.

The Beginning

I've never Blogged before... But I have so many thoughts I always wish I could share with everyone, I thought I'd give it a shot. This will probably be a random blog, just stuff I am interesed in at the moment or whatever. But it should be fun, and educational. I'll just post stuff when I feel the need :)