When I think of America …

When I think of America …

To the editor:
    I think of a nation that started out as a colony and became a light and hope for millions of people around the world — a nation with a government of the people, by the people and for the people. 

    I see a group of men who wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
    I see Patrick Henry stating, “Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
    I see Francis Scott Key writing the words to “The Star Spangled Banner” in 1814, which became our national anthem in 1931.
    I see the Liberty Bell, which bore an inscription from the Holy Bible, Leviticus, chapter 25, verse 10; “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
    Our forefathers believed in God the Creator and our currency has the inscription, “In God We Trust”. “In God We Trust” was designed as the U.S. national motto by Congress in 1956.
    I see the flag, often referred to as “Old Glory”, waving in the breeze and think of the many men and women who gave their lives to keep America the home of the free and brave.
    I see the Statue of Liberty that has brought hope for a new and better life in America for millions.
    I see the Lincoln Memorial, which reminds me of what hate and division can do to a nation.
    I see Lincoln’s address at Gettysburg in 1863 that ended in the following, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
    I see the waterfalls of Yosemite National Park; I see Niagara Falls in New York; I see Mt. McKinley in Alaska; I see the mighty Mississippi; I see the Golden Gate Bridge in California; I see the Grand Canyon in Arizona; I see Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; and the list goes on, making what we call “America the Beautiful.”
    However, as I see and remember all of these things, I also see a nation of people so engrossed with the material things of life, they are getting away from the belief that God created the universe and sent his Son to earth to die so that mankind might one day have eternal life with Him.
    Some people have forgotten how love, respect, honesty and compassion affects their lives as well as those around them. Is America on the road of self-destruction? It seems our leaders have learned nothing from past history — the rise and fall of great nations and empires. I pray each night that our leaders and the people of America will return to thinking and acting like our founding fathers did. May God bless our President and America.
    I see a nation of people that has become addicted to the electronic devices we now have, a nation corrupt with greed, deceit, lying, cheating, fraud, stealing and the list goes on. I see a nation who has forgotten God, who will someday bring judgement on the world.
    As I compare the good with the bad, I ask the question — is there a way out for America? In the Holy Bible, II Chronicles 7:14, God states, “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 sins and will heal their land.
    There is a way out for a world out of control. God is the way.