This subject has come up recently concerning young teens who are willing to sit down and ignore the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance at their school. Now first, I want to say that we live in a more or less still free country. Those teens are able to do that because of the country they live in. We do have free speech in this country regardless of what it may look like during Presidential trips through the streets.
But it saddens me to see that those teens have not seen the whole picture, from what I can see. Growing up, I learned that our country was founded by people of faith on the principle that our country would be governed by that faith. God was an important part of this country’s beginning. Through the years, as is usually the case, we have forgotten that this country and it’s beginnings were bound in the Christianity that the signers of the Declaration of Independence believed.
Dwight Eisenhower authorized the final change that was made to the Pledge of Allegiance on Flag Day in 1954. His reason was this:
“In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource in peace and war.” ….President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Though the Pledge did not originally contain the words “under God”, this pledge has reflected the beliefs of most Americans then and now. And although I was very young at the time, in school we learned the Pledge of Allegiance just as it was changed to read. I was proud to say it then and I am proud to say it now just as it is.
What we seem to have forgotten is that God was a part of this country’s beginnings. People now choose to leave God out of the whole thing. They choose to change history to read it as they want it. This is not a new tactic. It was done during the time Jesus had died on the cross and those who led the Temple at the time did not want their people to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. The story was that the disciples stole the body and ran away with it. That story still goes through Israel today.
But Jesus did rise from the dead and is our Savior and Lord. Our country was born on that belief. People choose not to believe that the words “separation of church and state” mean something totally different than what most people like to portray. Those words were so that the government would be kept from interfering with the church so that it would not become a state religion like it had previously been in England. It does NOT mean that the church is completely separated from the government so they cannot have the manger scene at a courthouse.
What needs to happen now is that those of us who are born again believers should pray for the sovereignty of our country, for the government to become what it used to be and for the leaders of our country to lean on the Lord for all of their wisdom. We must all live by seeking the Lord’s wisdom and knowledge. If we do not, the country and we ourselves will pay dearly for it.
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It has taken a few days for the dust to settle on the move we made. I am certain that you won’t see too much that is different, the most visible is the name of the blog, God’s Topshelf. We are rather proud of the new name and url for this blog. We thank God that He is interested in the big things and the little things in our lives.
That was one of the biggest things that drew me to God in the first place. He was interested in all aspects of our lives, big and small. In fact, the tiny little details that we worry wart over so often are the ones that God wants us to give to Him, lay them at His Feet. Of course, we tend to go to God over the big things, usually something that should have been given to Him ages ago when it was a tiny detail instead of a life altering situation.
God wants us to trust Him enough to do just that, bring all your troubles and woes to Him, lay them at the foot of the cross and walk away. What a blessing it is to know that. Usually, however, we tend to give things to God and then rip them away from Him, grab them back and being the worry warting all over again. Why? Because we are so used to shouldering the load ourselves that we have a hard time allowing anyone, let alone God, help us with our problems.
It’s really all about trust and ego, isn’t it? We do not trust God, our Creator, to do the right thing for us. Well, we really want to have what we want, isn’t that more like it? As far as the ego part, that’s what comes up when it’s obvious that we have to make the choice, the decision to do “the right thing” for ME!! God, Who is a Gentleman and will not make you do anything, will stand back and wait patiently until you fall on your backside from doing all those things that you knew were right for you. He patiently waits for you to ask Him to help. And, of course, by this time it’s so messed up that only God COULD fix it.
Isn’t it time to trust God and give Him all your problems and worries? Of course it is. Take the time right now to go to God and lay those problems and troubles right there with God.
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The blog, Topshelf, is moving to a new webhost and is getting a new name! But you won’t notice much of a change except the name and, of course, the url. Isn’t that great! Because the name I gave this blog is taken, we decided to change the name to “God’s Topshelf”. I really like that! I pray that God likes it too!!
When it gets up and running again, we….God and I…will be back talking again. Do I hear voices? Well, yes. There is, of course, God’s Voice which does not come in loud and clear but in a small, very gentle Voice that I have learned is also very powerful. Then there is my own voice inside which is constantly trying to get things I want. LOL! And the third voice is sometimes very loud, very intrusive and always wanting it’s own way. You know who that belongs to? The enemy.
So, I will be seeking my Father’s Voice and be back when the blog is once again up and running. God bless you richly!!!
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Today, I am sharing my blog with a friend of mine who lives in Texas (I live in Arkansas). She has been a good friend of mine for over 33 years and she is an amazing prayer warrior in her own right. Her name is Pat G. She sent me this by mail since she is not online. I am giving it to you because the message is important and comes through loud and clear. Here is her message:
Limits, Chains or Freedom
*Don’t walk under a ladder
*Do not let a black cat cross your path.
*Don’t thank someone for the gift of a plant or you will die.
*Don’t just give a knife to a friend unless the friend gives back a penny or it will cut out the friendship.
*If you spill salt, you have to throw a pinch over your shoulder or have bad luck.
*If you break a mirror you will have seven years of bad luck.
*You can’t eat fish and drink milk in the same meal or you will die.
*You can’t have a cat in the house when you have a baby because the cat will suck the baby’s breath and it will die.
*Don’t step on a crack or it will break your mother’s back.
I think I have a headache! Those were some superstitions that I’ve heard at various times in my life. I have no idea where they’ve come from. I can understand the one about not walking under a ladder. Someone could be standing on it painting or fixing something. If you walk under it, you might get paint on your head or get a tool dropped on you.
Why do people believe those things? Why do they accept being chained down? Why do people accept limits in their lives that don’t make sense? Where in the Bible does it say that we have to accept and superstitions?
John 8:32–And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36–If therefore, the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
The Bible mentions freedom and liberty, especially freedom in Jesus:
2 Corinthians 3:17–Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
The Lord came to set us free. Free from sin, free from all condemnation. I don’t have the words that are needed to express what I’m thinking. I will let God’s Holy Scriptures say what needs to be said:
Romans 8:1-2–There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are now in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit, of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Please accept that the Lord wants us free from of condemnation. He doesn’t want us chained and limited. Superstitions are chains. Unnecessary chains on our daily lives, on our spirits.
John 8:36–If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!!
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I wanted to wish you all a blessed and happy new year for this brand new time. This is a fantastic time to be alive and a frightening one as well, depending on how you see things going. God was quite clear that the times would become extremely dangerous for the believer as things progress in the history in the making before your eyes.
This is an amazing time to get closer to the Lord, make the determination that you need to rededicate your life to Him and bring out that dusty Bible. The scriptures are there to help you! When you get into the Word of God and really study it, you will find the answers to many of your most pressing problems. I have found this to be so…even if the scripture at the time did not really sound like it fit the situation. Eventually, I would see that it did, indeed, fit like a glove.
At times, we are veiled and do not see spiritually what is happening or about to happen. That, too, is part of the test from our Lord and a blessing as well. Did you really want to know how long you had to live? How long anyone had? It would create a pressure that you cannot imagine until you try it out. I would not want that information. I would be trying to run my life like that and failing miserably.
So, today, take the time to reflect on your role in what you can do for the Lord. The first thing would be to read your Bible and study with prayer. When you have that under your belt (and I am talking about reading, studying and prayer daily), the Lord will guide you to someone who desperately needs Him and you are His witness. It is an awesome thing to be a servant of the Most High God!!! Awesome!!!
Happy New Year to all!!!!
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