[Nell]

"... Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: ..." George Washington's First Inaugural Address, 1789

Was George Washington a "deist"? Maybe. Regardless, that's beyond the scope of this post. For sake of argument, lets assume that for GW, this was the single moment of clarity in his life when he spoke this sentence, and he spoke the truth.

What is he saying? What does that mean? It means, you can't have it both ways. You can't expect His blessing while disregarding the eternal rules of order and right which God Himself ordained.

You can't "...make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ..." then prohibit the free exercise of religion.

**You can't put IN GOD WE TRUST on your currency and murder the children He created.

**You can't pledge allegiance to ONE NATION, UNDER GOD and ban prayer in schools.

**You can't end the oath of office with SO HELP ME GOD and redefine marriage as ordained by the God whose help you seek.

You can't say "America was not founded on Christian principles" when its currency, its allegiance and its oath clearly state otherwise.

You can't have it both ways.

In the following scripture, God was compelled to set Job straight about a few things:

Job 38:1-7 (NIV)
The Lord Speaks
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
The whole, long, chapter is like this. God makes His point with Job.

Of the things that Cahn has written, this is the one I appreciate the most. I see it as a kinder, gentler reminder of what God had to say to Job.

The Last Shemitah
Even when it comes in the form of judgment, the Shemitah is ultimately a manifestation of mercy in that it reminds, calls back, and warns----in view of a greater Shemitah yet to come. This greater Shemitah concerns not so much nations, but every individual, every life. It is the last Shemitah.

The last Shemitah declares that all things---our lives, our beings, our breath---come as gifts from God. Of ourselves we have nothing. All our notions of ownership are an illusion; all our pride, a deception. We are not sovereign but completely dependent. Everything we have---our possessions, our money, our riches, every moment of our lives---everything has been given to us. Every heartbeat is borrowed. … “
The Mystery of the Shemitah, Jonathan Cahn, pp. 247-248

I don't know everything, but I'm thankful for the warning. I don't know where I was when God put everything together, but I pray for His mercy on us. This country is His to bless and/or judge as He sees fit. I want to be completely dependent on Him. Everything I have is a gift from Him. Thank you Lord.

As people and as a nation, we have offended You greatly and I am so sorry.

Nell

In God we Trust; One Nation, Under God; So help me God