Special Guest: Stephen McDowell on Valley Radio This Weekend, Nov. 23-24
Words of Wisdom
“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” (George Washington, 1789)
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and of Citizens. (George Washington, Farewell Address.)
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (John Adams.)
“In God We Trust.” (The official motto of the United States, adopted by the United States Congress in 1956)
“If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” (Ronald Reagan.)
“When you have eaten and are full, and you have built big houses to live in, and when your flocks and herds have multiplied, along with your gold and silver and everything else, beware that you don’t forget to thank the Lord your God for your many blessings, for if you claim that you have gained all of this by your own power, forgetting that God has given you this power, and if you go after other Gods, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.” (Deuteronomy 6:10-19)
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“My Country ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, of Thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, Land of the Pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountain side, let freedom ring!
“Our fathers’ God to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee I sing:
Long may our land be bright, with Freedom’s holy light;
Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.”
(Written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831 and sung as one of America’s de facto National Anthems prior to approval of the Star Spangled Banner as our official anthem in 1931.)
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Thanksgiving: Does It Really Matter?
Why is it so important that we set aside time each year for a special celebration of “Thanksgiving”? To whom do we give thanks, and for what? Also, where does God come into the picture, if at all?
Does it matter that, like the children of Israel at various times in their history, we sometimes Edge God Out? (E.G.O) and take all the credit to ourselves for the power and wealth we have obtained, both as individuals and as a nation?
For example, is it important that Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln referred to God repeatedly in their Thanksgiving Proclamations as the source of all their blessings as a nation?
Or that former President Trump in like manner reflected the spirit of Washington and Lincoln when he gave thanks to God in his Proclamations for the many blessings we have received from Him.
America: An Exceptional Nation?
Is it important for us to recognize that America was founded as a Christian nation based on Judeo-Christian values that are enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and also embodied in our Constitution?
Does it matter that our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to defend these God-given rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, and that they believed the primary purpose of government was to secure these rights?
Is it important for us to recognize that numerous colonial pastors played an active role in this battle for independence and in forming a new government because their religious liberties were being threatened by King George? Should we be thankful for all of that?
A Shift in Worldview: From Biblical to Secular?
In contrast, why did former President Obama not refer to God at all in his last Thanksgiving Proclamation? Or that he poured out his praise instead on the “diversity” and “brotherhood” of man with an emphasis on “tolerance” and “inclusion” — rather than on giving thanks to God?
Or similarly, that President Biden in his Proclamation two years ago focused his thanksgiving on workers around the country who supply us with material goods and essential services and claimed to keep us safe and secure as a great nation because “we are a good people” – with little reference to God. (See the actual text of his Proclamation at the bottom of this summary.) We have not yet seen a Thanksgiving Proclamation from him for this year.
So, if our heritage as a Christian nation really does matter, then does it also matter that our freedom to follow God and to live in accordance with His Word is being threatened today by some political leaders and by government agencies at all levels, and in some cases even by self-identified “Christian” leaders and institutions?
Does it matter that a cultural shift seems to be taking place, led in some cases by people who believe that these time-honored values are outdated, that God is dead, and that we need to set new standards with a totally secular/humanist vision for America?
And does it matter that this conflict of worldviews is causing some people to believe we have passed the point of no return as a “Christian” nation and that the sun is setting on America today?
Praying for a New Great Awakening in America
To help answer these questions, we are repeating this weekend a program that we first aired several years ago featuring Stephen McDowell, President of the Providence Foundation in Charlottesville.
In that program, he offered some specific suggestions for what we can do to help ignite a new Great Awakening in America that reflects the Cultural Mandate that Jesus gave us as part of the Great Commission, and help restore America to its historic position as One Nation under God.
And yes, that includes getting involved in selecting Godly leaders at all levels of government who are committed to upholding the Judeo-Christian values and Constitutional principles on which America was founded and has prospered.
Therefore, this is a call to prayer this Thanksgiving season as we celebrate our Godly Heritage, and as we recommit ourselves to defending the many blessings that we have received from God, and which were achieved at great sacrifice by our forefathers! It is also a call to action as we work together to advance God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, and as instructed in Matthew 6:10.
Crossroads: Where Faith and Culture Meet at Thanksgiving
So, in case you missed it earlier, this is a summary of the Crossroads program that aired again on valley radio last year, and which we repeat this weekend, featuring host Rita Peters, Dr. John Sloop, guest Stephen McDowell, and me.
You can find it on one of the following stations, WBTX (1470 AM and 102.1 FM) Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., followed by WSVA (550 AM and 92.1 FM) at 8:30, ESPN (1360 AM and 106.9 FM) at 9:00. If you miss the program, or would like to listen to it again, you can find it on our web site at wwwvalleyfamilyforum.org, and click on the appropriate program label on the home page.
We deeply appreciate your prayers, your encouragement, and your financial support that help keep these programs on the air. All gifts are tax-deductible and can be sent by check to Crossroads at PO Box 881, Harrisonburg, 22803.
We also want to thank our generous sponsors at Blue Ridge Chimney Services; Blessings Christian Bookstore; Sonshine Ministries with Christian Radio; Wishing Well Florists and Travel Services, and our good friends at New Beginnings Church and Garber’s Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg.
Finally, if you would like to share a personal note with our Crossroads Team, you can send it to the same address noted above, or by email to family@valleyfamilyforum.org. We always enjoy hearing from you.
So, we extend to you our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, from Dean for the Crossroads Team during this special time of year.
Working and Walking Together, We Can Make a Difference for God and Country!
Proclamation Issued by President Biden on Thanksgiving Day, 11-23, 2022
“This Thanksgiving, as homes across America fill with laughter, favorite family foods, and the joy of friends and relatives reuniting, we give thanks for everything that is good in our lives and reflect on the many blessings of our Nation.
“This American spirit of gratitude dates back to our earliest days, when the Pilgrims celebrated a successful first harvest, thanks to the generosity and support of the Wampanoag people. It inspired George Washington to give his troops a day of prayer and thanks amid fierce fighting for American independence. It also moved Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday, honoring America’s bounty and asking God to bring us together to care for one another and heal our Nation.
“Today, Jill and I share that same gratitude for America’s promise and for the millions of heroes across our country whose selflessness and care for their communities represent the best of who we are.
“We are grateful for our family and friends and for all of our fellow Americans, even those whom we may never meet but rely upon nonetheless. We are thankful for the scientists, researchers, doctors, and nurses who have kept us safe through a pandemic, and for the frontline workers who have kept essential services going by growing and providing food for our tables. We are grateful to faith leaders for their counsel, comfort, and support. We thank our brave service members and veterans who sacrifice so much for our freedom, and the first responders who put so much on the line to keep us all safe.
“As Scripture says: “let us rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.” This is a special time in the greatest country on Earth, so let us be grateful. America is a great Nation because we are a good people. This holiday, we celebrate all that brings us together, grounded in history and our shared hopes for the future.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2022, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage the people of the United States of America to join together and give thanks for the friends, neighbors, family members, and strangers who have supported each other over the past year in a reflection of goodwill and unity.
“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.”
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.