Is it fate that my blog turn comes up on the Fourth of July? Whatever…I will go with it!

 I feel blessed and “Proud to Be An American”. If I had a dime for every time I had to play that in my 20-year Navy Music career…I do not apologize for being patriotic. I do not regret one second of my time in the military. For me, it is not either/or before/now. I was, and still am, a patriotic American and veteran. Now I am defined by another calling, one I have had since Holy Baptism. A different career, where my true faith and allegiance are.

Whatever happened to statesmanship? Respect among citizens? In the 1980’s Speaker of the House “Tip” O’Neill could spar with President Reagan, disagree vociferously about politics and how to lead the country, yet still remain friends. I DO hate the America we’ve become. Satan lurks, waiting to pounce. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was downright prophetic when it came to Nazi Germany and the danger of Christian Nationalism. If America becomes too arrogant and puffed up, we may be easy prey for the same fate. The church must never allow itself to be co-opted by partisan politics. The very label “Christian Nationalism” indicates the NON-separation of church and state!

By all means, love this country, this daring enterprise to “form a more perfect union.” Our democracy has outlived its “shelf life”. We cannot let ourselves think that what happened to every great society and nation could never happen to us. God is only too willing to allow us to feel a comeuppance if necessary. Jesus came NOT to establish religion or to overthrow the evil Roman Empire. Let us be political in the Jesus sense.

By all means, celebrate our Independence Day. Give thanks for this great land. Be grateful that we can worship freely, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, or Buddhist. Give God the glory for His provision, His unconditional love, our goodly heritage.

Pastor Art