On This Memorial Day

I am grateful today for our armed forces, past and present, who have given their lives to protect America and the great freedoms she has enjoyed.  Today we memorialize their sacrifice for the cause of liberty. Memorials are good, but just remembering is not sufficient. Gratitude is good, although gratitude is still not enough. So, then, what is it that fulfills our responsibility as grateful citizens? It is the  personal and individual expression of our citizenship in dedication to those same principles and protected freedoms for which our servicemen have given their lives. As citizens of the freest nation on earth, as we memorialize our heroes, we must also dedicate ourselves to the preservation and continuation of our American ideals–ideals that reach back into time immemorial, past God’s finger applied to stone tablets, on to the earliest  of days as God created man in His own image. Liberty in law was given birth even as Adam’s nostrils were filled with the Breath of Life. Freedom is not just to be appreciated, freedom is to be lived. All mankind yearns to breathe free.

Nearly 150 years ago, Lincoln’s immortal and inspired words rang across the bloody battlefield  and burial grounds of Gettysburg during his brief dedicatory address. He began with what have become familiar words to us recalling the birth of a nation “conceived in liberty” and dedicated to individual equality. He moved quickly to make an extremely personal application of the purpose for which they had gathered.  Lincoln’s memorial address concluded as he resolutely commissioned his audience to dedicate themselves by taking up freedom’s battle cry:

It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

On this Memorial Day, America once again needs our dedication and devotion. There is great resolve and dedication to fundamentally change our way of life.  We are all soldiers on that battlefield. We fight for truth, but it is a truth that is greater than our own; it is God’s truth. And with God’s strength and direction, freedom can ring once again from sea to shining sea. This is my Memorial Day prayer and resolution, and I hope and pray it is yours also.

Sincerely in Christ,
Daniel Hite
President

America is an idea

America is an idea.  To be American is more than an espousal of citizenship, but it is the embrace and espousal of the ideals that form America’s fabric.  America is an idea…an idea that is founded on bedrock principles that lay at her foundation, just like the rebar in concrete highways.  Without the rebar (short for reinforcement bar), the concrete will crumble and disconnect. The highway will not stand the test of time without the reinforced steel strengthening and connecting  its span.  America must return to her rebar–her founding principles.  We hold these truths! They must be held, protected, defended.  If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3)

Christian Civic Responsibility: A Biblical Imperative

Christians have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the civil arena.  Jesus teaches us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As citizens of heaven and America as well, we carry a “dual citizenship,” as it were.  We play a unique role in our government as “We the People.” One question that needs asking and answering, as we try to understand Jesus’ teaching on rendering to Caesar, is this:  Who is Caesar? “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people” (in Lincoln’s words) informs our answer to the Caesar question.  Whatever the nature of the institution, we are admonished in Scripture to submit to it. In America, we also have the responsibility to shape it into a reflection of Biblical justice, freedom, and order. Christian self-government is at the foundation of our Republic. To be individually self-governed is the only way to “keep” the Republic going, as B. Franklin put it. This sort of self-governance is exactly what the Apostle Peter had in mind when he penned the inspired words:

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against your soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God.
Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:11-17 (NASB)

Prayer in the MO Capitol Rotunda

A GREAT SUCCESS!

Hundreds Pray in the Capitol
Standing Room Only 3 Rotunda Levels

Monday, March 29, 12 noon

Launching Forty Days of Prayer & Fasting.

Calling on the Lord to show Missouri His glory
as we demonstrate our dependence upon Him.

Beginning with a special prayer program with guest speaker Ann Graham Lotz

Monday, March 29, 2010 at 12 noon
Rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol.

USA & Canada: A Lyrical Comparison

If you have been watching the Olympics, you have once again heard the national anthems of gold-laden athletes, some accompanied by robust singing and some not.  You know, I really didn’t think we had much in common with our northern neighbor, Canada, but when it comes to the lyrics, you might find it interesting that our national anthems parallel somewhat in the content of their several verses.  (But, I will have to give the French credit…their version of “O Canada” has more Christian references than the many Canadian revisions.)  Of course, I am certainly partial to America’s national anthem – especially the rest of the lyrics not typically sung, nor widely known, for that matter. I thought you might enjoy this short, interesting commentary on the subject from Focus on the Family’s Stuart Shepard:

http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000012077.cfm

Merry Christmas from CCF!

The prophet Isaiah has given us a hope-filled word:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them…For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.   (Isaiah 9:2,6,7)

This is the good news of Christmas! May you and your family experience the love and care of our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace–Jesus. O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

The American Vision » We Need Watchmen to Sound the Alarm

In recent months, author Gary DeMar has been noticing how young families are taking action within their own circles of influence to return our nation to its founding principles. They’re learning that the place to start is in the home. They understand that to rebuild a nation a proper foundation must be laid. The leadership we have in Washington and in our state houses is a reflection of what we have in our homes. Change the family and you will change the nation. Read what the Head family is doing…(click on link)

The American Vision » We Need Watchmen to Sound the Alarm

A Courageous State Leader

The national news all too often highlights political leaders who do not represent the values of people of faith; consequently, many God-fearing citizens wrongly believe that few elected officials share our moral and religious convictions. But such a conclusion is wrong. There are literally hundreds of elected officials at the state level (and even scores in Congress) who do not only share but are outspoken about our Judeo-Christian values.

One such official is Rep. Sally Kern of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  Rep. Kern recently introduced a Proclamation on Morality that was signed at the State Capitol by numerous elected officials and religious leaders.  Read it here from her website:

http://repsallykern.com/html/news_details.php?id=36

Pray for elected officials like Rep. Kern who will take a stand for morality and not be ashamed to quote our nation’s Christian heritage.

How To Take Back America Conference

September 25-26, 2009 in St. Louis, MO

What a successful and stimulating conference!  With distinctively spiritual overtones, prayer and action were the marching orders for over 600 attenders and 100,000 webcast viewers.  Eagle Forum, Faith2Action, American Family Association, and Liberty Counsel are to be commended for a practical, faith-affirming, and activating weekend. The church must now respond to the call to active duty in the civil arena.  “One nation under God” must now be lived out, shouted out, voted out, and planned out.  A new birth of freedom-loving Christian citizenship must spread throughout the land.  We must pray and work to that end.  It is now or never for this generation.  The spiritual battle lines have been drawn and the march is on.  It is not enough to stop tyrannical aggression, we must recover lost ground, strengthen the foundation, and rebuild the walls.  May the spirit of Nehemiah grip America’s spiritual leadership with sword and trowel in hand (Nehemiah 4:17) to lead the work that must be done.

Obama Says America is not a Christian Nation? Right or Wrong?

David Barton of WallBuilders writes a wonderful historical overview of America’s Christian roots.  Is America a Christian Nation?  What does that mean? Is there any evidence? You will be enlightened, encouraged, and empowered as you read the documented truth from the lips of our past presidents, legislators, and justices.

“Is President Obama Correct: Is America No Longer a Christian Nation?” By David Barton  (click on link)

http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=23909#FN24

Take the 2-Minute Vacation

Spend a couple of minutes contemplating the beauty of God’s creation and also the beautiful expression and sentiment of one of our country’s most beloved patriotic and sacred songs. Click here for a refreshing and inspiring 2-minute vacation:

http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000010256.cfm

A Courageous Voice in Congress

Randy Forbes (R-VA), one of our few courageous congressmen, is not afraid to express our rich Judeo-Christian history on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Listen to his 4-minute speech:

CCF Website Under Construction

Christian Civic Foundation welcomes you to this inaugural website.  CCF is a division of FreeWay Foundation, a Missouri educational institution since 1955.  You will find pertinent and helpful resources and information to assist you.

MISSION STATEMENT

Christian Civic Foundation exists
to promote responsible Christian citizenship
through building coalitions and networks
of churches and Christian leaders
who are equipped to speak, from a Biblical perspective,
to the issues of our day and
to be the conscience of their community.