"This Flag Has Hurt So Many Of Us..." A Tale Of Two Countries

This past 4th of July revealed a country at war with itself. More of America's history "canceled"---at least in the mind of the radical far-left--- Independence Day was mocked and our US flag desecrated in front of the White House and burned in front of Trump Tower in New York City...with thousands screaming, marching, looting and burning.

But it is also the best of times. So much is right in America and tens of millions celebrated the goodness in America on July 4.

It could be said of this year's Independence Day: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Be informed, not misled.

President Trump announced this Independence Day weekend, both on the 3rd at Mount Rushmore and on the 4th at the "Salute America" event in Washington DC, he has signed an executive order that will lead to up to 10 years prison for those destroying America's statues and monuments.

The worst of times.

Protesters take down the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore’s Little Italy. (📹@louiskraussnews) #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Ywjdhht0tr

— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) July 5, 2020

In Baltimore, a statue of Christopher Columbus was dragged down and thrown into the harbor on the 4th.

In New York City, the US Flag was burned in front of Trump Tower, while thousands crowded the streets.

In Portland and Seattle, domestic terrorists continued to march, scream, break and burn things to vent both anger and ignorance. Many in those crowds don't even know why they're doing what they're doing, they are simply following the crowd.

However, many of the leaders know exactly what they are doing---and it isn't really about Black Lives, it's about trying to destroy a country they hate and bringing down a President they hate even more.

In Washington DC, in front of the White House, activists were seen stomping and dancing on the US flag, encouraging other protesters to join in the desecrating of the flag. On the video you can hear them shouting:

"This flag has hurt so many of us, so come step on the flag"---with one saying, "Get this dirty, that's what this flag is, it's dirty, it represents filth, greed, crime."

Joe Biden is hiding in the basement of his home under the pretense of "self-isolation," doing a few carefully scripted press conferences where he has been given the "nothing questions" in advance. We know this because he asked last week where the CBS question was---it had not yet been asked.

His answers are highly edited, removing his increasing inability to even string two sentences together coherently.

However, Biden is currently leading Trump in most polls, including the Real Clear polling averages. In some cases by as much as 10 or more points.

Most observers are convinced it's not likely that Biden would even be able to complete one term, due to his increasing difficulties with dementia. This, of course, sets the stage for his vice-presidential choice to become president, should he be unable to function.

It's said that Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Susan Rice are his top choices at this time, with an announcement now said to be coming by August 1.

Can any good come from all this?

The best of times.

Charles Dickens, in his novel "A Tale Of Two Cities," sets his story in the cities of London and Paris during the French Revolution. The novel begins with the oft-quoted words,

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity , it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way---in short, the period was so far like the present period..."

With a Tale of Two Cities, Dickens asserts his belief in the possibility of resurrection and renewal both on a personal level and on a societal level.

The deep divide in our country continues to be affirmed daily in the streets of our cities. And the halls of our government, and even the pulpits of our Christian churches.

Our nation, our communities, and even our families are divided over the issues that face us. Our churches are divided, with some standing for biblical justice through righteousness, while others bow to the demands of an unrighteous, non-biblical social justice gospel that replaces the Great Commission with a virtue-signaling measurement of one's compassion.

In addition, a virus has shut down the world and our personal lives. Everything has changed. In a matter of days, everything was disrupted---everything that can be shaken is being shaken.

Can any good come from this?

Yes. Resurrection and renewal are the hallmarks of the Gospel of Christ.

When the things that can be shaken have been shaken, those things that cannot be shaken will remain stronger than ever.

More shaking is coming. God is doing something unusual in our country, and in the lives of Christians in our country.

Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians that is filled with expressions of joy. Sixteen times in just 4 chapters Paul uses words like "rejoice" or " joy" to describe his state of mind or his general attitude.

Interestingly, he wrote this letter in very dark, troubling circumstances. He was under house arrest in Rome chained to a different Roman soldier every few hours. This on top of the fact that he had spent three years previously in prison in Caesarea.

By the time he wrote the letter to the Philippians, he had been in prison at least 5, maybe 6 years. The charge? Preaching the Gospel.

Instead of allowing his circumstances to drive him into despair, he experienced deep joy and pleaded with the Phillippians to experience it as well.

Here's how that is possible.

Let me reduce a 45 minute Bible study into 2 sentences.

1. Unshakable joy is rooted in Christ and what He has done for you---not what someone else may or may not be doing.

2. Unshakable joy is rooted in the progress of spreading the gospel because that is the Great Commission of Christ.

Read Paul's letter with those two things in mind. Look at our current circumstances with those two things in mind.

God is doing something big. He is in control. You are safe in His arms.

Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be not afraid. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.