It’s funny how everything looks the same and normal as I drive along Hwy 69 going into Tyler. The trees are lush and green, the sky is blue, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. Looks are very deceiving. What has always been considered normal is now not normal. There has been a dramatic shift in the atmosphere. As a nation we are now entering a time of challenge and opportunity. Neither of which is within our comfort zone.

Why is everything different when it looks the same? As a nation we have turned from the biblical principles that have created a nation like no other. Individual Liberty and opportunity have allowed the United States to prosper, to embrace all religious groups that have come here and been able to maintain a peaceful transition of leadership every four to eight years. Unlike the majority of nations that see revolution and civil war every three or four decades. We are unique in the world and that is what makes us exceptional.

Our first one hundred years we, citizens, appreciated and embraced our uniqueness but with each passing generation we started taking what we have for granted. And the enemies of liberty began to gradually take ground in their attempt to remake our peaceful and successful system into one of their choosing where “we the people” have no say, no voice, no independent thinking because of years of being dumbed down by our failing education system.

Yes, this has been a sad week for America but we are not without hope because, as Christians, our hope comes from the Lord. He alone has the final word. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood that will step up to be all that we are called to be in these times. Destiny is on each one of us and it is up to us to seek Him like never before, study His word, and listen for His plan and strategy to awaken the nation to His great love and purpose for America.

I challenge every patriotic American to reread our history in order to see the many similarities between the colonies struggles and our current struggles. They were willing to give up everything for the cause of liberty because they understood that God’s principles of governing and free enterprise would allow greater opportunity for all people. They knew that sustainable peace, prosperity and security could only be provided by citizens who took an active part in governing and embraced personal responsibility and duty. Most importantly they understood that our individual rights came from God and not civil government or a monarch.

My book, if you haven’t read it, is a good place to start to fall in love with America and the Lord’s hand in its establishment. What Were They Thinking? On Truth, Liberty & Legacy is available on Amazon.

Now is the time for the silent majority to step up, speak up and speak out when we are confronted with the lies that are abounding in the culture. Jesus gave us the example when Satan confronted him, “It is written…” We need to be relentless in our support of truth and the rule of law, learning to articulate lovingly why it is more important than governing subjectively by feelings that change daily. We are now at the place where we will have to decide whether to follow God’s law or man’s.

May we grow together in unity and love. Speaking truth in love and power, letting the youth of America hear and understand that there are standards for truth and they are there to protect us and prosper us in every area of our lives. And that the never ending search for acceptance, significance, peace and joy can only be filled by God.

Happy Fourth of July! May this day of celebration be far more meaningful as we commit our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor to the preservation of the principals that have made America great.