These two oft-circulated emails crossed my desk on the same day. That was a very big hint I should do something with them, so I put them together and I am sending them to you. I hope they will strike a chord in your heart as our nation's leaders once again haul us over yet another cliff this week. The first is attributed (correctly) to Rev. Joe Wright of Wichita, Kansas, based on an earlier composition by Rev. Bob Russell of Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. It seems to me that things were bad then and are worse now. Here's the prayer:
Almighty God and Father,
We confess:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the Name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
~Reverend Joe Wright, Kansas House Opening Session, January 1996
Based somewhat on this prayer is a speech by Principal Jody Mcloud at a football game at Roan County High School in Kingston, Tennessee September 1, 2000.
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.
“It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.
“Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it ‘an alternate lifestyle,’ and if someone is offended, that’s OK.
“I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, ‘safe sex.’ If someone is offended, that’s OK.
“I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a ‘viable means of birth control.’ If someone is offended, no problem…
“I can designate a school day as ‘Earth Day’ and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess ‘Mother Earth’ and call it ‘ecology.’
“I can use literature, videos, and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as ‘simple minded’ and ‘ignorant’ and call it ‘enlightenment.’
“However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
“This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
“Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical
“I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
“For this reason, I shall ‘Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s,’ and refrain from praying at this time.
“However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that’s not against the law … yet.”
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand, and they prayed in the Announcer’s Box!
The only place they didn’t pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America – the Seat of “Justice” in the “one nation, under GOD.”
Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!
It has been said that for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing.
Apparently evil’s purpose it about to be accomplished – again.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved.
These two oft-circulated emails crossed my desk on the same day. That was a very big hint I should do something with them, so I put them together and I am sending them to you. I hope they will strike a chord in your heart as our nation's leaders once again haul us over yet another cliff this week. The first is attributed (correctly) to Rev. Joe Wright of Wichita, Kansas, based on an earlier composition by Rev. Bob Russell of Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. It seems to me that things were bad then and are worse now. Here's the prayer:
Almighty God and Father,
We confess:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the Name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
~Reverend Joe Wright, Kansas House Opening Session, January 1996
Based somewhat on this prayer is a speech by Principal Jody Mcloud at a football game at Roan County High School in Kingston, Tennessee September 1, 2000.
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.
“It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country.
“Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it ‘an alternate lifestyle,’ and if someone is offended, that’s OK.
“I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, ‘safe sex.’ If someone is offended, that’s OK.
“I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a ‘viable means of birth control.’ If someone is offended, no problem…
“I can designate a school day as ‘Earth Day’ and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess ‘Mother Earth’ and call it ‘ecology.’
“I can use literature, videos, and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as ‘simple minded’ and ‘ignorant’ and call it ‘enlightenment.’
“However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
“This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
“Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical
“I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
“For this reason, I shall ‘Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s,’ and refrain from praying at this time.
“However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that’s not against the law … yet.”
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand, and they prayed in the Announcer’s Box!
The only place they didn’t pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America – the Seat of “Justice” in the “one nation, under GOD.”
Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!
It has been said that for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing.
Apparently evil’s purpose it about to be accomplished – again.
Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved.
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
