Ancient Words: Heroes of
Renown,
President George
Washington
Valley Forge National Historical Park is the site of the third winter encampment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. This encampment extended from December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778. During this period of time, an inconspicuous, yet important, event occurred that is part of the many strands that compose the Christian tapestry of America’s origin as a nation.
Contrary to contemporary claims that America’s Founding Fathers were secular in their outlook and founding of America, George Washington and the overwhelming majority of Founding Fathers were Christian in both principle and practice. Secularists and the irreligious who attempt to continue to suppress the public Christian expression and origin of America do so against the facts of history. When speaking of the lives of America’s Founding Fathers, secularists always relate minimal information convenient to their cause without allowing these small fragmented pieces to be properly placed within the context of the entire picture. The fact is that a careful study of the lives of the signers of the Declaration of Independence will demonstrate that not one of them was a Deist, as claimed by secularists. A brief study of an important moment in the life of America’s Founding Father—George Washington—will demonstrate what is generally true concerning the overwhelming majority of the rest of the Founding Fathers.
The inhabitants at Valley Forge, knowing the sad state of the army, were very uneasy; one of them left home, one day, and as he was passing the edge of a wood near Washington’s army hut-camp, he heard low sounds of a voice. He stopped to listen, and looking between the trunks of the large trees he saw Gen. Washington engaged in prayer. He passed quietly on, that he might not disturb him. On returning home, he told his family that he knew the Americans would succeed, for their leader, General Washington, did not trust in his own strength, but sought aid from the Hearer of prayer. A female, who lived at the Valley Forge while the army was encamped there, told a friend that she had discovered that it was the habit of Washington to retire to a short distance from the camp to worship God in prayer. It was his constant custom as one of his nephews related: “One morning, at daybreak, an officer came to the general’s quarters with dispatches. As such communications usually passed through my hands, I took the papers from the messenger and directed my steps towards the general’s room. Walking along the passage which led to his door, I heard a voice within. I paused, and distinctly recognized the voice of the general. Listening for a moment, when all was silent around, I found that he was earnestly engaged in prayer. I knew this to be his habit, and therefore retired, with the papers in my hand, till such time as I supposed he had finished the exercise, when I returned, knocked at his door, and was admitted.”
In recent years, many Americans have forgotten the Christian origin of the greatest nation the world has ever known. Intimidated by secularist, atheists, agnostics, and every form of irreligion, many Americans have disregarded the example set by the Father of America, George Washington. Let us understand his first set of general orders was a command to the men serving under him not to neglect attendance at worship Christian worship, even while manning their post for battle (Info from Christian Heritage Fellowship)! Separation of church and state is fake news!! America was born in Christ-like service, sacrifice, and prayer! Thank you— President and General George Washington—Hero of Renown!
(Scott and Jane Johnson minister with ast Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].)
• • •
The Family
Some children were playing at school, teasing each other as children do. They began to pick on a child who was adopted. “You don’t have real parents,” they taunted. “You don’t even know who your real parents are! You’re just adopted.” To that the adopted child responded,” When you were born, your parents didn’t have a choice. They had to keep you. My parents didn’t just have me. They chose me!” Friends, you are a child of God because God wanted you. Before you were born, , God chose you to be a member of his family. He this possible by carrying out a plan of salvation through his Son, Jesus. God makes his choice and his adoption real by sending his Spirit into your hearts and making you his own.
My dad died last year. I miss him. I wish that I could sit and talk with him and share my joys and frustrations. My family lives in Virginia so I don’t get to see them much. With that being said, I am so blessed to know that God is faithful and has adopted me into His family. I am blessed that I have a loving church family. If you are not a part of the family of God, invite Him into your heart today!
1See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 1-3
Peace and Blessings,
(Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.)
