A Unique Fourth of July

Am I ashamed of the United States of America? We have taken a lot of punches lately- and deservedly so! We've been exposed for our racism, our consumer mindset, and our division due to political beliefs. No, I'm not ashamed, but I am saddened. We should be so much more than we are.

We have our problems, no doubt. But so do those of every other countries. I've traveled enough of the world and made enough friends to tell you that racism, hatred, pride, selfishness, political division, and more exists everywhere. There's the murdering of innocent children (both inside and outside the womb), genocide, politically motivated famine, persecution and execution of religious minorities, greed, power struggles and more. Man is the same everywhere. Our sin nature guarantees it! We've fallen far from the honor God offers us.

Yet, in the midst of our problems, we too as Americans try to fix ourselves and do better. For that reason, I'm happy to call myself a citizen. My true home, my true citizenship, my first identification, is that of a Christian- but my temporary home is here, and I am blessed. Happy Independence Day, United States of America!

War and the Prophets

War shouldn't be chased after, but be assured, it is inevitable. Are you ready? The Greatest Prophet spoke of this 2,000 years ago:

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come.  For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.

 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Jesus' words recorded in the Bible's book of Matthew 24:6-14 include warnings for those who follow Him and warnings for those who don't. Want to see how it all ends? Read the Biblical book of Revelation...

(Photo copyright AP/Laura Rauch.)

Can We Please Be Unified and Thankful?

Today is American Independence Day. As we approach our 250th year in the next ten years or so, and given the current state of division and divisiveness in our country, I think it's time to stop and reflect on how good we actually have it. 

I travel all over the world for my work, and trust me- there is no country on earth where we are as free as we are in the United States of America! You can complain all you want about our government and our politicians. That's one of the great things about our country. You cannot do that everywhere. We have the wisdom of the founding fathers to thank for this, and we have the sacrifice of our military veterans to thank for keeping those liberties. 

To tie it all back to Disney, Imagineering great Herb Ryman created this incredible rendering for the American Adventure.  Back in 1979, EPCOT Center was coming to be realized, and the Disney suits needed pieces of concept art such as this one to excite the potential guests and to inspire corporations the world over to invest in the project.  As with all of Mr. Ryman's work, this piece brings out the dignity of the nation. 

So, today, July 4th, let us thank God Almighty for shedding His Grace on us!

(I wrote this last year, and it seems worth repeating...)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Ongoing American Adventure

Today is American Independence Day. As we approach our 250th year in the next ten years or so, and given the current state of division and divisiveness in our country, I think it's time to stop and reflect on how good we actually have it. 

I travel all over the world for my work, and trust me- there is no country on earth where we are as free as we are in the United States of America! You can complain all you want about our government and our politicians. That's one of the great things about our country. You cannot do that everywhere. We have the wisdom of the founding fathers to thank for this, and we have the sacrifice of our military veterans to thank for keeping those liberties. 

To tie it all back to Disney, Imagineering great Herb Ryman created this incredible rendering for the American Adventure.  Back in 1979, EPCOT Center was coming to be realized, and the Disney suits needed pieces of concept art such as this one to excite the potential guests and to inspire corporations the world over to invest in the project.  As with all of Mr. Ryman's work, this piece brings out the dignity of the nation. 

So, today, July 4th, let us thank God Almighty for shedding His Grace on us!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)