Life Lessons on Faith and Patriotism
By Doug Harrell
Mitchell County
As I write this Life Lessons my mind is going back over some of the life experiences over the past eighty-one years. I am thankful for a childhood that was filled with good memories, fun times, also a work ethic that was instilled at an early age. I am thankful for being brought up in a church setting that taught me the values of a strong faith in God with Christian values that have stood me in good stead over the many years of my life. I dream about days when the vast majority of people I knew or heard of were in church on Sunday, who believed in the teachings of the Bible, and there was not even a question about the sex of a child. That marriage was not even thought of unless it was a man and a woman. There were grades A through F in school and you received what you worked for.
I have just been reading about the latest vote purchases that are taking place in our country. Folks who borrowed money to go to school are having the debt wiped away. What about all those all through the years who have worked hard and repaid a debt owed? How does this action affect them? Where has the pride of being independent and taking care of yourself and your family gone? Granted, we need some social programs to help those that are in real need. Have we crossed the threshold of socialism to the degree that we are doomed as a result of movement?
Have we reached a point where having pride in America and pride in being an American is taboo? Are we just sitting on our butts and waiting for China or some other country to come to take us over? Is there no longer pride in doing a good day’s work and getting paid, having the resources to pay our bills and pay them promptly?
I know this has been a series of questions rather than really writing about life experiences but we are truly at a crossroads in our country that is going to determine if that great country is going to remain one nation, under God’s guidance and direction, that has enabled this to be the greatest nation to ever existed. If we want to remain a free people that can provide and protect ourselves we sure need to get out and vote in mass this fall. If we fail to do this and fail to make substantial changes in our government we are doomed to cease to exist as you and I have known over the years.
I guess the moral of the story for this life lesson is that if it is to be, it is up to me, and that is you and me. We can sit on our Christian haunches and do nothing and we are doomed. We can wake up, put on the armor of God, take up the sword of faith, and prepare for victory in Jesus by being soldiers of the cross. It is time to not expect someone else to do it, we must prepare to build one hand and have our sword in the other hand. The enemies will not be silent nor will they cease to push their agenda down our throats if we allow it. As Paul Revere is said to have called out years ago, the British are coming, the British are coming, it is now, evil is coming, evil is already here! Pray for God’s guidance as we fight to maintain our Christian heritage and values.
Ezekiel the prophet talks about being a watchman for Israel and I wonder if each of us that proclaim to be Christians are not also called to be watchmen for this great country. If we who are Christians actually stood firm on the teachings of the Bible, stand with love, but nevertheless, stand strong for God’s word would it not be a different situation?
“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-21 KJV
Will our children’s blood be on our hands because we did not cry out to them and teach them the value of a life lived for Christ and also the danger of eternal hell if they failed to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior? Pray continuously for God’s grace and forgiveness for this country, let His words guide your thoughts and steps each day.
“if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
As we go into this election cycle study the platforms of the different people and truly measure their direction with the words of the Lord, Choose wisely who you want to be leading this great nation.
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Doug Harrell is a lifelong resident of Mitchell County, Owner of Harrell Hill Farms, a member of Pine Branch Baptist Church and former publisher of Blue Ridge Christian News. You can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/doug.harrell.77
You can read more good Christian News from Doug Harrell HERE
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