Perspective...

Someone said to me today, "...it's all about your perspective..."

And I thought, huh really, so exactly what does that mean? Perspective...in today's world.

So, I decided to look up what "perspective" meant... here were the basic definations:

A view or vista.
A mental view or outlook: “It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present” (Fabian Linden).


Okay - look to the past to gain a perspective on the present. That sounds reasonable. Again, I asked myself, so just how does that apply to us here in today's world... Quite honestly, from the way things are going lately in Washington, Hollywood, and the average American's lifestyle, I'd say we actually LACK perspective. Why? Well, when I think about it, I don't see much 'looking at the past to gain perspective on the present' do you?

I mean, seriously, in Washington I have yet to really hear "Wow, look at (this president, administration, ecomonic depression, etc.) did (this thing) and here's how we can learn from them and move forward carefully sidestepping what was done before AND/OR better than that even, "This is what (that president, administration, economic depression) did and how it worked for them - so let's duplicate that part of what they did right." Nope, all I hear is, "Well, they were of this particular party, so we certainly can't admit they did anything right".


As the 'ol saying goes, "History repeats itself". And do you know why it does? History repeats itself because no one was listening the first time". Ouch. We tend to think our ideas are new, fresh, or that THIS TIME it will be different, because it's us, we are in control - I mean really now -don't we?


Instead of Hollywood learning from so many stars that have gone before them - that have crashed and burned - either through drug use, burn out, anexoria, pressure, corruption, divorce or just pick another situation, a deaf ear is turned and Hollywood continues marching on to their own drum beat of selffishness, pride, greed, lust, disgust and mistrust. Tell me I am wrong. After all, one just needs to turn on the tv for 5 minutes to prove my point. Wow.


And what about the average American? The one who is up to their eyeballs in high mortgage payments because they overextended themselves on a house that was "not only huge, but a good buy" at the time - and after all, they could afford it because their job was safe, secure and paid great... not to mention our maxed out credit cards spent on...what? Can't remember...well, that's all right, we had fun, didn't we? And that's what it is all about, FUN, right? Besides - it was cool, there was money, for all of the 'stuff' right?


Sigh. How do we get so off course when the voices of our past - yes, our perspective - are screaming loudly throughout the pages of time and history? The recent unrest in Iran is bringing back memories for those who were there for the chaos 30-years ago, a time that changed Iran's history. People need to be alerted to the probability that if society ignores the past, someone will get hurt.

For example, an examination of the famous 1929 Stock Market crash shows that the conditions and the depression are similar to those of today. However, time represses painful memories and allows historians and others to distort the truth and act as if the 1920s never happened and the depression was an aberration. In today's world, very few Americans remember the depression or for that matter care. EXCEPT when it starts to affect their pocketbook. But, then again - the government will assist us, right? (Will we ever learn!!??)


What about Hitler and the oppression of the Jews? No one would have dreamed such a nightmare could have happened before - and many don't believe it could ever happen again. We need to be watchful. So many countries hate the America's with a passion, and although I am all for diplomacty, sometimes more is needed.. We are foolish to think that if we play nice - so will the rest of the world. It would be wonderful if that was the case, but unfortunately it just is not the way human nature is. And we would be ignorant to think so. And it is even more ridiculous to believe (like some are now claiming) that the Holocost never even happened! (are you kidding me!?)

Then couple all of these things with the fact that we have removed God from just about every American business, our government, schools, most recently our currency, and sadly our family life - and even some churches. So where does that leave us?

Singer, Carman, has a song that sums it up well, "We need God in America again":

Here is a link to a video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW_l55MTpqI

Here are the lyrics:

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson Samuel Adams, First Chief Justice John Jay -
Names synonymous with the spirit of our country, Founding fathers of the U.S.A. Over 200 years ago they shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain by divine call. Citing 27 biblical violations they wrote the Declaration of Independence With liberty and justice for all.

But something happened since Jefferson called the 'Bible' the cornerstone for American liberty then put it in our schools as a light, or since "Give me liberty or give me death...", Patrick Henry said, "...Our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

We eliminated God from the equation of American life, thus eliminating the reason this nation first began. From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead, "You need God in America again!"

Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution, Fifty-two were active members of their church. Founding fathers like, Noah Webster, who wrote the first dictionary - could literally quote the Bible chapter and verse. James Madison said, "We've staked our future on our ability to follow The Ten Commandments with all our heart..." These men believed you couldn't even call yourself an American - If you subvert the Word of God.

In his farewell address, Washington said, "You can't have National morality apart from religious principle," and it's true. 'Cause right now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns to these war zones we call 'public schools'. In the '40's and '50's student problems were chewing gum and talking - In the '90's, rape and murder are the trend. The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade is to put God in America again!

The only hope for America is Jesus, the only hope for America is him, If we repent of our ways stand firm, and say, "We need God in America again!"

Abe Lincoln said, "The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation, will be the philosophy of the government of the next" So when you eliminate the Word of God from the classroom and politics, you eliminate the nation that Word protects.

America is now number one in teen pregnancy and violent crime, number one in illiteracy, drug use, and divorce. Every day, a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die, while pornography floods our streets like open sewers. It's time to send the alarm from the Church house to The White House And say, "We want God in America again."

My prayer is that we will hear the voices of the history and have true perspective. A biblical perspective like our HEAVENLY FATHER and our earthly founding father's intended.

Your thoughts welcomed and encouraged.

May God Bless America!