Leaning Forward

It's not the end of the world

Eastern sky watchers keep a tote board of signs  for the end of the age. The replacement ref crisis almost occasioned an apocalypse among rabid football fans. And, a group on the anti-Christ ID team are adding to the lists of possibilities, just in case the times are right. What is more, a few doom-sayers have written the election of 2012 into the parousia watch-list. Woe is me, the sky is falling, again.

Pridefulness elevates our place in world politics, economics, and government. We Americans can hardly stomach the idea that the whole world doesn't rise and fall on what happens here. Yes, history shoves us to the pinnacle of world power, military might, and effective governance. Somewhere in the heady stuff of prominence we named ourselves as God's Chosen people and sense the hand of God on us as on no other nation. This arrogance sees us as aiding Israel rather than God favoring us because they've been our ally in the Middle east. So, the rationale is that the God will call an end to all things if America continues its drift away from God.

Reading Scripture, the election of 2012 isn't mentioned as one of the end of times announcements written in the eastern sky. When the ballots are counted and the new government is announced, God will still reign. His sovereign rule doesn't depend on votes or elections, Congressional shifts, or POTUS appointments. IN fact, careful reading of Romans 13 reminds us mere humans, stated three times, that all rulers and authorities are servants of Jehovah God. 

So, what do we do? Well, certainly, we encourage the vote, help our congregations know the difference between trumped up political rhetoric, hot potato issues, and party platforms that either resonate or conflict with biblical values. Those of in the pulpit should don our black robes and speak truth as if we actually have confidence in it. All of the efforts to intimidate Christians and marginalize the voice of faith in the political arena has been successful to some degree. Many pastors are fearful of speaking to the times, especially in the message touches the edges of politics. so, we must help to activate the part of the constituency entrusted to our care. Then, we should be about His Kingdom agenda, until His Kingdom comes.

Through the process, God's people mustn't de-value Him by over-valuing human stuff, like elections. Many of the woe-is-me head shaking crowd act like the American general election of 2012 is a referendum about God. Well, the party platforms do lean in certain directions and our resolve as a moral nation with strong religious beliefs is questionable. The election may surely say something about us. But, not about Him. When it's done He will be where He's always been as creator and ruler of all things. We love and serve Him no matter the government He permits to serve.

"I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom none of mankind has seen or can see, to whom be honor and eternal might. Amen."
1 Timothy 6:13-16

 

God in the mess

You don't have to be a hoarder, an addict, or a totally unglued person to know that life is a mess. It's a by-line of contemporary culture that people live on the ragged edge, usually color outside the lines, and routinely muck things up. Even us OCD's, with our straight lines and bulleted lists and compartments understand the truth about life connected to a bunch of humans. Life is not a sterile lab.

When life assumes a particular degree of messiness we often wonder about God. The questions, asked so often, are therefore predictable: where is God? Why did this happen? How long must we endure it? Where is the end? Why me? Why now? What did I do to deserve this? And more. Our spiritual infancy prompts us to think we've been abandoned, or that He has removed His protective shield from around us. In tragedy or intensity our default setting is a works-based assumption that we are reaping what we sowed, receiving the just desserts of our sinful ways. You know, punishment! 

So, God does punish. He also disciplines those He loves and says "not yet" to many of our prayers. His ways are not our ways and we cannot fathom His mysteries. Yet, there are assurances that stay us in the mess. One is that He is there in the mess with us. My testimony isn't infallible so don't trust it completely, It is shaded by my own sinful nature. His Word, however, is truth, and is eternal. So, you don't have to take my word for the accuracy of His promise. Take His Word! In it we learn that He is always with us, even in the mess.

The Psalmist was right. "Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me" (Psalm 139:7-9). 

What is more, He is always working in the lives of His people, even in the messes. Jesus said, "My Father is still working, and I am working also" (John 5:17). Like the potter at the wheel He is shaping and forming us to the image of His Son Jesus. That is, as long as we remain malleable in His hands. Look back at redemptive history and see the times He worked in a real mess to prepare Israel for the Promised Land. See Jesus in the sloppy times of first century Palestine changing livesand securing faith in the people He called.

A buzz-phrase of the culture is "God can turn my mess into His message". Well, that is nice, warm and fuzzy, a t-shirt sentiment that reminds us of His abiding presence, even in the most dysfunctional realities we can imagine. Yes, our lives are a living breathing testimony of His grace and mercy, His redemption of our errors. But, His glory is not dependent on our mess or the way He cleans it up. God in the mess is about Him and not us. He is there all the time.

The mess has a magnetic attraction to human eyes. We stare at it long enough and comapre it to other messes it quickly becomes the focus. We are a culture that likes our messes. He is the One who redeems them and is glorified in them.

We must know God in the messes.  

Ears that hear

Jesus understood the selective hearing thing. Yes, when he spoke about having ears to hear He would have been speaking to a predominately male audience, the men of Israel, rulers of the religious sects. So, though a comic caraciture of the male species today, it really isn't contemporary at all. Humans have always displayed a genius for hearing only what we want to hear. A short survey of the Prophets and most of the New Testament confirm it. Even more, ask ten people to comment on the lessons from Sunday and see how many different interpretations you get. It's a fact, our personal tuning devices home in on different wave lengths. 

There are several different filters through which the spoken word passes before it registers in our minds. We do have particular interests and they permit a certain clarity because they resonate with what moves us. Too, we are gifted and talented in various ways, enabling a level of auto-attention that listens for distinct sounds or hums the tunes that play in our system most of the time. Also, just beyond our interests, we are wired with likes and dislikes that regulate the volume and tune out some frequencies that vibrate too strongly in us. So, the selective hearing thing has several components, some natural, others at a base level that is mainly choice.

If churches are an entity, then they possess the capacity for selective hearing too. Today we toss around langauge that segments us into categories and most of it involves what we choose to hear and what we choose to ignore. So, we are serving churches, missional churches, disciple-making churches, militant churches, New Testament churches, covenant churches, seeker sensitive churches, simple churhces, engaging churches, learning churches, viral churches, irresistible influence churches, aqua churches, yada, yada, yada, till death do us part, ad infinitum.

Sure, churches also have contexts, opportunities defined by their setting, and other pecularities that may send us on mission in a manner different than the guys up the street. But, whoaaa! There's also the selective hearing thing too! Sometimes church leaders prefers what they prefer! It's maybe dictated by their circumstances. At times, though, it may be determined by what we'd rather be doing. Often, we like what we hear and hear what we like. The selective hearing thing, again.

Speaking to the times means listening to the One who directs them. Even more, this discipline means listening to everything He speaks to the generation and not just those words that are convenient or preferred or give us all warm mission fuzzies. Choosing to ignore the more difficult sections of His counsel is just disobedience, no matter the fine veneer of excuses we may use to decorate it.

He still calls us to, "listen to what the spirit says to the churches" (Rev. 2:7, et.al.). Unless there's Biblical evidence to the contrary, He commands that we shine and season the world around us with the distinctive light and salt of our faith in Jesus.  This means speaking to societal issues that may place us at odds with the prevailing culture, and sometimes even the church culture as well.

The contemporary church cannot salve a troubled conscience by having conveninetly selective hearing.  "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion...where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works for 40 years. Therefore I was provoked with this generation and said, "They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways" (Hebrews 3:7ff).

If we have ears, we'd better listen.  

Remembering Brian Eliot Holmes

Today is the National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims. Many people around America will join us in remembering loved ones who have been murdered. A special memorial service will be held at the Lonnie Hamilton Public Service Center in North Charleston this evening.

We remember Brian every moment, every day. The pain of his tragic death will accompany us the remainder of our days. Offering comfort and and encouragement, many friends talk to us about closure and peace and moving through the grief process. We will never find this elusive closure thing. We have found peace over the last fifteen months and continue to make progress through our grief. But, we still miss him and the important place he held in our lives.

How people deal with the departed is another of life's mysteries. Some cultures worship their ancesters, seeking their guidance from the grave through life's journey. Others try to redeem their departed ones, believing you can be baptized for them and save them from an eternity separated from God. Many people erect shrines for the people they loved. Often their houses are memorial rooms to capture moments of their loved ones lives.

Paul's letter to the Philippians speaks about our proper Christian response to the precious people who have preceded us in death. He wrote, "I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you..." (Phil 1:3). Well, certainly we are all different and take different angles on life, and yes, death. Followers of Christ possess a hope that is the anchor of our soul, the promise of eternal life with Jesus in heaven. Harriet and I are greatly comforted to know Brian's heart for Christ. We also know his many issues and troubles. But, we are comforted to know that He belonged to Christ in life and that He belongs to Him in death as well.

So, today, we are remembering the totally shocking events of July 18, 2011, when he was needlessly murdered in downtown Charleston. We are also rehearsing December 17, 1977, the day of his birth, and celebrating the other important dates of his life. Over it all, however, is deeply felt thanks for the remembrance of him, and the special ways he touched our lives.

We are also praying for the many other families who are struggling through the crucible of grief. It is a hard road to travel, more so when our relatives and children are victims of a world like this. It is the continued tragedy of the de-valuation of human life.

But, He is with us, and provides what we need to navigate this path. And, throughout the day we'll be saying "thank you" God for the gift of our son's life and the wonderful ways he blessed us in it.

Thank you God!

The sin of the safe church

The picture of millions of silent believers sequestered inside the walls of the church seems totally out of sync with the New Testament. Well, yes, we may differ at times in the ways we engage culture and the noise we make seeking to influence it. But, few of us can argue that the New Testament portrays a church touching the many layers of need and service in the world around us.

The picture at left is all too familiar to me. A similar artists rendering hung in our grandparents den for many years. We always interpreted this picture to be Jesus standing at the door of our hearts asking us to let Him in. It is a visual work of Revelation 3:20, "Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me". This may, of course, be the artists intention, the warmth of fellowship with Jesus. Then again, maybe not.

My friend Reggie McNeal always put another spin on this picture. He suggested that this may be a picture of Jesus knocking on the door of the church, declaring to the frightened, intimidated people inside, "Come on out! The mission is out here. Don't be afraid. I am the light". In such a context, the invitation could be for the fortress church, steeled against the onslaught of an aggressive secularism, to get back out there is the world where it belongs. The mission is beyond the walls, and all of that.

It seems that the church, by and large, has opted for safe these days. Approaching the 2012 general election, for example, pulpits are basically silent, the black robe regiment that spurred the American Revolution is either in retirement or on an extended sabbatical, and the people on the fringes have elbowed the church and what it stands for away from the table of ideas. So, today, there is the disengaged church, the people of God finally silenced by the oddly secular times and the many bullies whose message couldn't hold a moment with the truth. Safety time!

So, it is a sinful church, the one paralyzed by culture, the one that has forgotten to trust God. Sure, we can talk prudence, understand how to reason with gentleness, and turn the other cheek while we're being shouted down in the public arena. But, somehwere in the New Testament there is the stuff of courage, the people who turned the world upside down, those pesky Christians who were sawed in half and burned at the stake, who were tortured and refused to be released, faced jeers and floggings, and wandered in deserts and mountains because the world wasn't worthy of them. Lost in our techie toys and smooth-sounding rhetoric is the church militant, the ones who stood for God regardless. 

The sin of the safe church is that the mission has been co-opted by busy-ness and do-your-own-thing attitudes. Safety is the controlling interest, insuring that the IRS isn't on our back, that the special interests haven't labeled us with their hate speech, or that we don't get boycotted by the fine citizens who abhor our narrow minded legalism. You just can't find that church in the Bible. Or, those leaders either!

The sin of the safe church is distrusting God. Might as well take the name "church" off the sign.  

Respecting the Presidency

Few of us who are long in the tooth can forget the Carter Presidency. There were long lines at the pump, Americans were held hostage by the thugs in Iran, and the economy was in a free-fall. There were few things about President Jimmy Carter's politics and even faith, though he was a Southern Baptist too, with which I could agree. But, I don't remember lacking respect for him. In my memory, he was sincere and operated from a deep well of personal values. Beyond a few essentials, they weren't values I shared. But, I did not disrespect him.

Then, there was President Richard Nixon. There was something about him I just could not respect. Maybe it was the way he would sweat on camera, like he was always hiding something. History will remember him as a brilliant tactician, perhaps the strongest modern day President in foreign policy, and a low-down dirty rat when recruiting staff, plumbers, and the rest of the Watergate conspirators. His courage in the resignation was admirable. But, in the final analysis he was hard to respect. 

Then, there's President Ronald Reagan. Here's a man most of us respected. Even many of the Democratic candidates these days invoke his name when describing their political positions or defining his leadership. His policies reflected down-home values and a strong belief in America and our role as international leaders. He talked about us being a city on a hill, about America as a guiding light of government and faith. He inspired us. We respected him.

Now, President Barack Obama. He has bankrupted the nation, down-sized the military, laid the ground work for killing more babies than in any time in American history, re-defined marriage, and put millions out of work. Suddenly, our embassies around the world, sovereign territory by the way, are under attack and our diplomats are being killed. Government is larger under his leadership, and the nanny state has become a predominate political faction. This President rules through Executive Order and has bullied the balance of powers out of governmental process. If re-elected, we may face a constitutional crisis as he assumes more power and authority to the executive branch. So, I'm asking. How can I respect this man when he represents so many of the ideas and principles that contradict the things I value?

Back to the Bible, I always say! So, Romans 13:1-7 may be the definitive Scripture regarding my relationship with government. There Paul writes, "...respect those you owe respect..." (Ro.13:7).  Now, this verse has caused me immense trouble. For years I labored under the belief that I was to respect people out of a sense of biblical obligation to them. But, that is not the sense of this verse.

The term "phobos", usually rendered "fear", is translated "respect" in this instance. In this case, the "respect" is given broadly to all authorities. Since no particular person or even office is mentioned, the "respect" commanded is honor for a position, and not blind homage to a person. Paul's commands here are theo-centric. We are to respect government position because "...government is God's servant..." (v. 4a, 4b, and 6). Honoring the authorities and positions of government are honoring God.

Today, we must not be silenced by a cultural interpretation of the Word. In forty nine days we'll be expressing the ultimate respect for the individuals who are running for the high office of President, by giving them our vote. My prayer till then is that we'll understand the respect thing, know what is important in our own personal value system, and vote accordingly. 

Know this: this blog is an expression of the personal opinions of Chester H. (Sonny) Holmes, Jr., and does not reflect the policies or opinions of Northwood Baptist Church, its leadership, or members.

 

 

The stuff of a constitutional republic

Today is the 225th anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. So, in a manner of speaking, it is a day to celebrate the brilliant constitutional republic colonial leaders envisioned when they wrote and approved it. If there is reservation about celebrating it, it isn't related to the document itself. No, it would be our ignorance of it. 

Constitutional law isn't for light weights. For this reason I tread lightly here. This is a  discipline far removed from the ninth grade civics or junior year Business Law 201 that comprise my legal education. Yes, I've read the document, have reviewed the articles and keep a pocket sized edition close to my desk for occasional reference. But, I'm not the least bit knowledgeable about it's contents or how legal scholars interpret it today. What I do know is this: most Americans know little about the Constitution. For the most part, painting with a very broad brush, our knowledge level is so scant we cannot discern when the Constitution is violated. 

Bridging the knowledge gap isn't easily accomplished. We can't all matriculate into Harvard Law, for goodness sake. Just the same, most of us cannot think like the pros who have learned to abridge the US Constitution and make it say what their special interests dictate. Because it is relatively short, we can all read the document and its amendments. Also, there are sites that explain the various ways to interpret the Constitution. Go here if you'd like to read one of the sites. For a more Christian and conservative view, go to the Wallbuilders site, here. If you want a liberal view, go to another blog and find it.

Of course, Constitution Day 2012 is just 50 days away from the general election. So, the constitution and how it is interpreted are significant issues this year. The current administration, and the court system, interpret the constitution as a living document that changes with culture and contemporary issues. So, the courts recently required the penal system to permit and pay for a sex change operation for an inmate because not to do so would have constituted cruel and unusual punishment. At the same time, when Congress doesn't enact law, the President rules by Executive Order to achieve his desires. It is a strange time and the interpretation of the Constitution is a notable campaign issue.

At the least, the voting population should listen to credible voices or read reliable material when making important election decisions. The main-line media are so aligned to one party platform and candidate that they cannot represent fair and unbiased analysis of the important factors facing the electorate this year.

The Constitution of the United States of America is a unique and valued document. Today, Google "Constitution of the United States" and just read something about the stuff of our constitutional republic. It is an amazing story, how this Constitution came to be, how it was ratified by the states, and what its writers envisioned when they shaped it.

Then, celebrate! The stuff of our government is strong and enduring stuff.We should work to preserve it for another generation too.

 

 

The tragedy of the empty chair

So, the empty chair is more than a clever speech prop! It also is more than political commentary, or partisan symbolism. When I watched Clint Eastwood talk to the empty chair I was immediately reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis. In The Abolition of Man he wrote,  "We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst." The empty chair, at least in my myopic view, is the lack of virtue in the ranks of American leaders. It may be realized in an empty desk, an empty board room, an empty pulpit, empty classrooms, an empty seat at the table, an empty house, or just about any other place a leader should occupy. The tragedy of the empty chair is that it is so real and true.  

The lack of virtue among leaders may actually be the American tragedy. Our history is peopled by individuals rich in truth, courage, integrity, honesty, fidelity, trust, wisdom, understanding, decisiveness, and fervor for an American ideal, among many others. Suddenly, our national psyche, softened by political correctness and minority politics, fears such absolutes. As a result, every institution in American life wavers, stoops, and bends to popular culture. The blazing firebrands of social or political commentary have eased into the backdrop of culture. What it means is that we are afflicted much deeper than the empty chair or even the empty chest. It is the empty heart and empty conscience and empty will and empty mind that haunts.

The tragedy of the empty chair is that the voices of right and truth and virtue have been silenced by the intimidating powers that be, whether government, the fourth estate, the fringes of society, or the extremists out on the edges of most issues. In the world today, common sense and truth and main-stream opinion is out-shouted because the microphones are controlled by someone else. Empty places are the final result of such maneuvering.

Even more, the population is dis-armed by a sense of futility that anything can be done to reverse the staging of emptiness. Joe Citizen often feels outnumbered to the point of believing that one single vote won't matter all that much. So, then, there's the empty voting booth. My vote can't reverse this avalanche of mindless liberalism, so I'll just stay home this time.

Somewhere, somehow, the empty chests must be inflated. Not with pride or avarice or hatred or envy or any other works of human nature. The heart of middle America must throb with a sense of right and recapture the national spirit that has ignited these chests in choice times in our history. This doesn't mean we have to wait on another Thomas Jefferson or Dwight David Eisenhower or Ronald Reagan to rally our citizens and challenge us to stand up.

No, you and I are the answer. If we do what we're supposed to do, we'll shed lots of light on this darkness, put some biting salt into this tasteless mush, and help implant some steel in the backs of our leaders at every level of American life. 

So that there's a clinching in the chest, and not an echo!   

 

Those pesky Christians

The Surgeon General of the United States reported a cootie infestation in the aftermath of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, last week. Evidently, welcome baskets prepared for DNC delegates by the Charlotte 714 Christian organization were refused by DNC leadership because they were provided by pro-life congregations. You know those pesky Christians, always trying to infect others with their rabid biblicism. 

Well, you know I'm kidding about the cooties and any pandemics of pro-life viruses. But, the DNC did actually refuse to receive the welcome baskets prepared by the coalition of churches because they represent a pro-life constituency opposite of the platform of the DNC. You can read the Fox News account of the story here. One DNC delegate complained to the leadership because a Muslim event was approved for the agenda and the move gave the impression of a double standard in the party. Well, duh! What else is new?

Charlotte 714 is a loose coalition of 100+ congregations in the Charlotte area who pray for their city. You can read the Charlotte 714 story here. Their plan in the welcome material was to offer an "adopt-a-delegation" plan to welcome delegates to the city, provide transportation and child care assistance, and give other needed help to the many out of town guests in the area for the convention. The baskets included a nice Carolina praline for the guests as well. Prior to the convention, more than 9,000 individuals gathered for a Charlotte 714 prayer meeting. The baskets did not include any political endorsements, comments, or pro-life material. They were presented by congregations from across the protestant spectrum. Leaders indicated only a desire to welcome the delegates, to serve them, and make their stay in the Charlotte area more enjoyable.

Of course, these activities have been little reported in the main-stream media. It's as if the cootie thing is a genuine threat, the fear that somehow the vibes of these pro- life Christians will rub off on everyone who even mentions it. Yet, when 200 Muslim worshipers gathered for a time of prayer, they received national coverage as if Charlotte was suddenly an Islamic revival state.

Commentary time! Every American voter should read the platforms of the two major political parties. This has been said and will be said again before the general election on November 6. Even more, we must not depend on the main-line media sources for our news. This would include NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, NPR, local and national news papers, and all of their affiliates, which are difficult to recognize at times because of complicated corporate organizations. Technology affords many opportunities to discover daily happenings through on-line sources---reputable blogs, news outlets, and syndicated columnists. I highly recommend The Blaze, Fox News, Cal Thomas, Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Times, and many others as providing reliable information and current news. They, of course, have their biases too. But, you will usually get the entire picture through them.

Already the electioneering is down and dirty. What we see on the news and read in the paper is just part of the story, the visible sound-bites and photo-ops that shape our thoughts and capture our votes. We must learn to go beyond the what the media wants us to know so we can be good steward of this great responsibility---our vote.

You know...innocent as doves, and wise as snakes (Matthew 10:16).

Then, there's the God thing

Faith doesn't happen because a confession is stamped on a coin, printed on currency, or recited in a pledge. The mottoes "In God we Trust" and "one nation under God", however, do reflect the spiritual tradition of our nation and the deeply held convictions of our people. Surveys continue to indicate a majority of Americans hold to the values expressed is these slogans.

Part of our national schizophrenia is the forked tongue of people who confess these values and then boo God in a nationally televised setting. It's another one of those "scratch your head" dilemmas that complicates our national psyche. Increasingly, party politics and platforms reflect a central tenet, a core value if you will, around the existence and rule of God. While the nation at large exhibits at least a modicum of spiritual sensitivity, candidates and parties generally function best on the fringes. They are politicians, by the way, and they know how to play the game. There are people of faith in the admixture of party faithful on both sides. Neither is what i would call a paradigm of faith. They aren't synods or congregations, for that matter. But, where they stand on the existence and rule of God is important, and should be to every believer. In short, Republicans acknowledge God, Democrats boo Him.

OK, this is painting with a broad brush and I confess to more than little prejudice here. I am not a yellow dog anything except Christ follower, husband to Harriet, a Bulldog. For many years my vote has depended in great part on how the parties and candidates treat God, and how that ideal expresses itself in platform planks. So, the entire pro-choice position seems so inconsistent to my understanding of personal faith, biblical values, and what such a stance says about Him. 

So yes, I know we're not electing a pope or cardinal to lead us. Ours isn't a theocracy and we're not trying to install a spiritual politburo to legislate goodness into our way of life. Religion and spiritual matters are intensely personal, are the work of His grace in us, and cannot be imposed through coinage, currency, banners, flags, or pledges. But, I at least want to know what the political candidates and their parties believe about God. Don't mention or acknowledge Him, A-OK with me. That will help me understand the God-less party planks at the least. If they suggest that He exists, the planks better line up. Don't boo him, though. Can't go there!

We can't force our faith on other humans. A the same time, there's no expectation that our slogans or mottoes or tag lines are violations of the establishment clause. Even last year the SCOTUS agreed, and the slogans will remain, at least for the time being. But, underneath all the poli-speak, spin, and positioning, is the truth about how people view God. And, that is an election issue for me.

A Bible text comes to mind. Do some homework and establish the context about it. The great leader Moses wrote, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would give you—a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build, houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, wells dug that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery" (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

"in God We Trust", and "one nation under God" are great confessions. They are also great reminders, let we forget.