I'm proud to be a citizen of this, The Greatest Nation on earth; the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Born in Africa and having lived almost half of my life in other countries, I have witnessed many startling things.

~ As a teenager I remember clearly the Soviet tanks rolling down the road past our house; the nighttime raids through communities to forcibly confiscate weapons from civilians, and many bodies lying in the streets - shot because of any perceived resistance to the socialist government being forced upon them.

~ I remember my own years living in a former soviet country through the 90's; the long bread lines and rations on most commodities.

~ I remember the day my wife and I visited the maternity hospital because we learned our 6^th child was on the way - only to find that they had no medications.  We also found an unstaffed neonatal unit dark and cold but housing an abandoned, dying infant - just because it was down-syndrome. 

~ I remember when we were victims of a brutal break-in and robbery; how the ambulance station two blocks from our apartment took three hours to respond because they didn't have any gasoline... and how when delivered to the trauma hospital in the middle of the night was dropped off at the curb and told to walk through the doors to get help - though I had been unconscious for about 2 hours and had experienced severe blood loss.  Socialized medicine at its best!

So, I'm reminded that our freedoms did not come by accident.  They never have and never will.  Freedom always comes at great sacrifice to those who love her.

In our country's earliest years pastors and politicians alike were committed to building a nation of God fearing citizens who understood that the daily practice of their Christian faith and all other freedoms were practically synonymous.   Families, churches, and schools worked in harmony to build citizens of Christian character who were educated, thoughtful, articulate, honest, productive, and service-oriented. That was the American way!

Our early leaders understood the statement in the Book of Wisdom (Proverbs) 1:7 which says: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge..."  Citizens were challenged to begin every quest for knowledge with an appreciation for the truths and principle of the bible.    

~ Our first president, George Washington declared, "What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ."

~ Noah Webster, the man who wrote the first English dictionary for American users and who is often referred to as the School Master to America declared, "Education is worthless without the Bible."

~ Theodore Roosevelt stated, "To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

This focus created a land of opportunity for all who chose the hard work required to succeed. 

America became the envy of the world and a coveted home for freedom loving souls from every continent.

But along the way other ideas began to be heard.  These ideas declared there should be a separation of Church and State. therefore nothing with state support should be able to promote values of the Christian faith. 

This agenda was most clearly focused on our children - through our schools.

Soon prayer and use of the scriptures were restricted in schools.  Doctrines of evolution and humanism quickly took their place. 

A generation later we saw growing disregard for personal dignity and piety and even human life. 

Now the culture openly scorns authority of any kind - until even the posting of The Ten Commandments in public places has become an issue.

Today we witness all the vices of a society committed to self-actualization. 

~ Teen pregnancies and fatherless families are common.  

~ We are filling prisons and jails faster than we can build them. 

~ Dishonesty is common in the workplace, in academia, in politics, and even in many pulpits across this country.

Is there any wonder why Patriotism seems to be waning?

Abraham Lincoln declared, "The philosophy of the classroom in this generation will be the philosophy of politics, government, and life in the next."  History has proven that to be true!  But let me share with you a closer look at the reality facing us today. 

Last week I ran across another blogger (this time on science.com) preaching to his audience or whoever would hear.  This is what he said:

"The place where this battle will be won is in the minds of young children. Religion survives because it infects minds while they are still young and plastic...  If we take the high road, we lose the battle. These people don't play nicely; they already have six year-olds reciting the pledge of allegiance with the God bit in. So let's not pretend that there's anything civilized about this war. If we want to create godless liberals, we have to go after the kiddies."

He is exactly right!  And if we intend to save our nation so must we!! 

Remember, every child counts and we are giving today's children the ideals of tomorrow.  Ideals are driven by values or the lack thereof. 

Do you have any values worth fighting for?

RENEWANATION is committed to the vision of offering every child a Christian worldview.  Some call us the New Old-School.  We are definitely rethinking education.  It's time to take America back to a whole new future of hope and faith and opportunity!

We invite you to join us with your prayers and support.  www.renewanation.org

God Bless America!