MEET THE AMERICANS

   Meet the Americans:  we ARE America!
   The American people are children of immigrants, who came to this land in search of freedom---freedom from the tyranny of governments and freedom from the tyranny of religions---and on this land they found that freedom!
       "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."  (Matthew 6: 33)
   The American people have built America.
   The American people are responsible for this "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all".
   We cleared the land and built farms to feed our families.  But because of the abundance of God's blessings, the American people have always produced more than enough food to help feed other nations.
   The American people have built companies and corporations that have produced jobs for people to work, to earn wages, and not to live in poverty, nor as slaves to the state. 
   Because of this freedom to build and achieve, America became the wealthiest nation in human history.  Because we are caring and sharing people, we have shared this abundance of wealth by giving foreign aid for many decades to many nations.
   The American people have built our strong national defense, not only to protect and defend our own freedom, but our military has helped to defend other nations so that they can also be free.
   We have built schools, not only to educate our own people, but we have helped to educate the world. 
   We have built churches, not only as places to worship God in our own nation, but we have helped to built churches all over the world, which has helped to fulfill the commandment of Christ:
      "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world."  (Matthew 28: 19)
   Lest we forget, the United States became the first nation in human history where people can be free:  free to worship, but also free not to worship; free to vote, or free not to vote; free to remain in this land, but also free to leave this place.
   In the words of President John Kennedy, the United States became that place where:
      "Man will be what he was born to be:  free and independent."
   Lest we forget, the United States is a special place on planet earth.  Let us not take this freedom for granted.  Let us not assume that this nation will always be free.  We must continue to work to keep this treasure.  And we must continue to stand up and let our voices be heard.  For the blood that is shed for our freedom cries out from the ground as a reminder that freedom is not free.
   Neither let us forget God.  For if a nation forgets God, God will forget that nation.
      "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man."  (Ecclesiastes 12: 13)