We’ve all heard, “Those who refuse to learn from history are destined to repeat it.”  It seems to me that if this adage is true, perhaps we are the most likely civilization in the world to confirm it in our lifetime.  With all of the modern advancements in science, technology and social economics, many believe that we don’t need the archaic ideas of our primitive fathers.

  I recently read an article entitled Remembering Independence Day.  Here is an excerpt:  Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?  Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.  The homes of twelve of them were ransacked and burned.  Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.  Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War… Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

  The article goes on to tell how several of these patriots died as a result of their unbending determination to establish a free and independent nation.  Some of their stories would bring tears to your eyes.

  So, what’s to learn from these die hard statesmen?  How about the price of freedom!  These men and women loved liberty more than life and paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we now hold so loosely.  Why loosely? Because, “Those who refuse to learn from history are destined to repeat it.”  Resolved: As we celebrate our independence, let’s take another look at that old price tag.

  You should also know that, in addition to our national independence, God offers freedom from sin and hell.  It was purchased for you by the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  This could be a double celebration of freedom, if you like!  The choice is yours–for now.

  It is utterly amazing to behold the wonders of modern technology and the pace at which new technology is introduced.  It hasn’t been so long since my new electric typewriter was replaced by my first new computer, etc.   Now it is possible to dictate to our cell phones and instantly beam the message to a friend on the other side of the world!  We are able to “enjoy” life in the middle of the Information Highway, while carrying all of our “friends” around in our hip pockets.  Wow!

  With the entrance of social networking, individuals who have an insatiable desire to divulge every intricate detail about themselves to the world, can now do so at the speed of light, while eating a hamburger and driving 50 miles per hour down a country road.  Amazing!

  But advancement has its hurdles.  With your information so readily available, Identity Theft has become a major issue.  But fear not; there are now companies who collect your information and, for a price, “watch it” for you.  Information collection has actually become big business.  Your good friends at Google, FaceBook, etc. have built massive depositories to hold all of your information just in case you ever need it.  It has been suggested that a little computer chip inserted under the skin on the back of your hand, might be the ultimate answer to security issues.

  Just think of it; if all of the information about you that is collected by your doctor, dentist, IRS, Google, Facebook, the military, the grocery store, etc. were merged into one massive database, whoever had access to it would know more about you than you are capable of remembering about yourself.

  The Bible speaks of such a time, a time when all of these niceties will become nightmares.  What’s the world coming to?  AN END!  Are you ready?  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

  Back in the days of the typewriter, (For those of you who are too young to know about typewriters, they were machines with keys like a computer, but without the…)  oh never mind!  As I was saying, when I was younger and learning to type, my father made me practice by repeatedly typing the sentence, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  I have since learned that a teacher, Charles Weller, introduced the sentence as a typing drill to increase the speed of young typists.  To this day, I can nearly double my typing speed if I type only that sentence, though I have found it makes a very boring letter and confuses my recipients.

  Surely Mr. Weller could not have known how apropos his little typing drill would be in 2018.  No, not to nimble the fingers of young typists, but as a statement of truth, a fitting call to action!  It is a fearful thing to gaze upon the weakening moral fiber of our nation, to examine the many spiritual, social, economic and political dividing lines that make us anything but, One Nation Under God.  Never has there been a greater need than today for good men to come to the aid of our country.

  But how does one become a good man?  I believe the answer can be found in the words of an old hymn, Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee.  A man can do very little himself, but when he becomes a tool in the hand of Omnipotence, the possibilities are limitless.  We need men who will give themselves wholly to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, who has purchased our forgiveness with His own blood.  By His death, burial and resurrection He has earned the right to declare us innocent and restore us to a right relationship with the Almighty!  All it requires on our part is personal faith, dependence upon the person of Jesus Christ.  We call it, getting saved.

  We celebrate our fathers this week.  We also remember the fathers of our nation who forged our beloved republic in hard times.  Many of them were possessed by the Spirit of God.  How about you?  Happy Father’s Day!

 Have you noticed that even in our beloved haven of central Maine, we are plagued with events that rival big city happenings?  It is not uncommon to be threatened on the highway by some hurried individual who has no regard for your life or the safety of your family.  We frequently hear news of shootings, drug deals that end in violence, rape, child molestation, thefts in broad daylight, incest, burglary, vandalism and even cold blooded murder of unsuspecting strangers.  Many are asking, WHY?

  Take a good look around and tell me what you see.  Both parents work while many children raise themselves under the tutelage of a hireling.  The few individuals who determine what airs on the television have filled our homes and minds with Hollywood’s larger than life portrayals of the unspeakable.  We are entertained by the very things that appall us in real life.  Video games allow gamers to look down the barrel and pull the trigger, or wield a blade to brutalize their supposed enemy or chosen victim.  The driving beat of today’s music, along with lyrics that promote immorality, crime and terror, is blasting away into the ears and minds of the unwary.  Pornography is displayed in “ads” on popular “family friendly” web sites.  

  God has been kicked out of schools, government offices and many–if not most–homes.  Churches have become entertainment centers and social clubs where one can hear sermonettes that are designed to boost self esteem rather than confront them with eternal, life changing truth.  Those who have the answer have grown weary and have ceased to speak out for fear of rejection or persecution.  AND WE DARE TO ASK WHY things are as they are?

  Man’s way of doing things is not working so well, but Jesus Christ came that we might have abundant, eternal life.  The solutions to our problems are not hidden; we need only look to Christ for the answers.  He said, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12).”