Just thought I'd splash a little red, white and blue on the palette today as I am thinking of our nation.  I almost daily feel an urge to pray for the country that I have lived in and loved.  It seems it has become very needy and very far from the God who has so blessed it.  So many parts are out of joint.  So much disfunction, injustice, heartache and hurt.  It is as if it has become "un-glued".  Life this side of eternity will always have pain - and it will always have injustice.  However, I believe when a country is not bowed to it's Maker, it loses the very sinew and ligaments that hold it together.

We are at risk of losing that which we have worked and fought for in this hour.  As a country, we have squandered finances and owe beyond what we could ever repay.  Generally, we have not upheld God's righteous ways and listened to His quiet voice.  We have not allowed Him control, nor paid attention to His standards of love and righteousness both in our personal lives and in our government, work places and educational systems.

I believe there is hope - contingent upon our willingness to bow our knees once again to God, the One who has blessed the men and women who's hearts were poised to serve Him when this nation began.

Like America, our humanity often takes us far from the one who both created and offers us that great hope.  Like America, it is easy for us to gravitate to the things that feed our flesh and desires.  Like America, we find ourselves straying from our first Love and Provider because we are subject to greed and earthly gain.

I say that to say this:  Like America, we can choose to turn back to obedience to our gracious and loving Father who simply wants our heart and trust.  He has promised firstly to forgive, and secondly to help in the time of need, if we simply surrender!  We do not need to fear for our tomorrow when we allow Him control of our lives.  When we decide that it is God who will be our guide, and allow Jesus (who paid the ultimate price for us) to be in control, then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!

May we give Him charge and allow Him to "glue" this nation back together - one willing heart at a time. 

"If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14