C A R L B. G A R N E R

THIS IS MY COUNTRY

"This is my country; land of my birth;
This is my country; grandest on earth..."
These words are part of a song familiar to many of us. It declares a powerful confidence in our country. Perhaps we should lay aside, if just for a moment, slavery, Teapot-Dome, Watergate, Vietnam, McVeigh, even Clinton and Lewinski. Ponder the principles upon which this nation was founded and has prospered. Consider the millions who long to come to America, thinking of it as a "paradise on earth." In spite of our weaknesses, try to think of the great things this nation still can achieve. Think what makes our country great. Think what the church of Christ can contribute to making America great.

FOCUS ON OUR PURPOSE
In your tool box you have several tools, most of which are intended for a specific purpose. Usually when you try to make one tool fit the uses of another, failure results. A wrench seldom makes a very good hammer. Jesus purchased His church with His own "precious blood," 1 Peter 1:18-19. Don¹t you think He should have the preeminence in that church? The world assigns all kinds of responsibilities to "the church": feed the homeless, oppose war, provide activities for youth, build hospitals...you name it, someone has decided the church should do it.
But when you read of the church in the Bible, they had another and grander purpose than the here-and-now emphasis of so many. Christ¹s church is to "glorify God," Romans 15:6, Ephesians 3:21. The church Jesus built was told to "go into all the world and preach the gospel," Mark 16:16. They followed Jesus¹ example by seeking and saving the lost, Luke 19:10. In the process of doing these things, many good and benevolent works were done. However, if our energies are side-tracked by man¹s assignments, we will be like that wrench trying to be a hammer. We might get some things done, but not accomplish the tasks God gave us. If we truly love this country, we will find out what God intends for us, and then do it.

CALL AMERICA BACK TO MORALITY
Few will quarrel with our need to get back to values that emphasize honesty, responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of human life and the sanctity of our homes. Too often we get so caught up in numbers, budgets, programs and "church buildings" that we forget our land needs someone to call them back to its roots. That someone is us. We are told, individually and collectively, to be the "salt of the earth," Matthew 5:13. We must be examples to our neighbors in "word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity,"
1 Timothy 4:12, and "shine as lights in the world," Philippians 2:15.
Surveys reveal that 60% of high school students drink alcohol regularly. Over 1,500,000 abortions are performed annually in America. Rape, child abuse, incest, murder and and assault is so commonplace that we are no longer shocked by them in the local newscasts. It is obvious that something must be done. Unfortunately, we have fallen down on the job. We have left the task of opposing abortion and other violations of biblical morality to the denominational world. We let our neighbors write to their congressmen about moral problems instead of getting involved ourselves. Divorce, once almost unheard of in Christ¹s church, now damages our reputation in the community. Isn¹t it time for us to be involved in the effort to call our nation back to morality and decency? Will you do it? Will I?

PRODUCE STABLE, BIBLICAL HOMES
Divorce now ends one marriage out of every three. While rates often fluctuate, teen pregnancies have reached alarming numbers. Parents are portrayed as fools in movies and on TV. Fornication is the rule rather than the exception in major segments of our society. Many fathers are abandoning their families, refusing to provide either the financial or emotional needs of their children. The world is in desperate need of homes; homes that are stable; homes that rise above the immorality now running rampant nationally; homes that produce children who are honest, who are diligent students, dependable employees. Mothers are needed who will teach their daughters modesty and righteousness. Fathers are needed who will protect and provide for their family, teaching their sons the value of a good name and a good work ethic. These responsibilities have already been given to Christian parents. And if we love our country and respect our heritage, we will do more this weekend than shoot firecrackers and make flowery speeches. We will do more than give lip-service to Bible principles. We will get busy making this nation what it can and should be: a light in the darkness of prejudice, injustice, war, materialism, fear and hunger.
People have heard false teachers and seen fake religions for so long that they will have a hard time recognizing the real thing. We can and must show it to them so they can make an intelligent choice.
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people," Proverbs 14:34. Recall the words of Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville in 1831 as he sought the strength of this country: "America is great because America is good. If she ever ceases to be good she will cease to be great." Is it too late for America to be great again? Will you help with the task of reintroducing America to the righteousness of God?