With the election cycle being extended because of recalls, the rhetoric heating up over some stolen campaign yard signs, and a real scrutiny of attitudes and motives in our local and national politics lately, I thought it might be good to remind ourselves of what the founding fathers laid as a foundation for America. I'd like to do so, lest we depart so far from it we cease to resemble the blueprint any longer...at least on a local level anyway.

America was birthed by our founding fathers because they believed a nation’s government founded on the laws, social order, and values of the Bible would be better than the oppressive monarchy they were laboring under. Their understanding of these came from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, and are known as the Judeo-Christian Ethic. There are seven of them, and it's important you know them.

Whether each founding father was a Christian or not is neither the issue, nor the point I want to make today. It's a matter of record that their writings, statements, and voting all point to the fact that they embraced these principles as the basis for a civilized nation. Today we'll deal with the first three:

Principle #1: The Dignity of Human Life
Exodus 20:13 says: “You must not murder”
Matthew 22:39 says: “Love your neighbor as yourself”

Valuing human life isn’t just a principle of the Bible, it’s the chief principle for any civilized society.

If people and nations won’t protect the rights of both their born and their unborn, then any other values and morals are meaningless. In the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers wrote that everyone has “unalienable rights”, among them: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Life is first for a reason! When any nation loses sight of this, its moral compass is lost. Not only is their compass lost, but the sails of their national ship are shredded, the mast broken, and the rudder missing! This is my opinion, and it's a strong one... because we’ve chosen animal rights over human rights… because we’ve chosen convenience over responsibility… because we’ve valued our “choices” over children…life has become cheap and as a nation we're reaping the fruit of those poor choices.

It's not uncommon to see on the internet, or on the local news broadcast kids gunning down other kids over a jacket, or a pair of shoes. Children having children and abandoning them in dumpsters, or drive-by shootings out of revenge that end up with unintended victims. Life has become cheap. I contend that the Church and society had better stand for and support the dignity of human life if for no other reason than this: God Does.

Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” Jesus isn’t Democrat, Republican, nor is He Independent…He’s Life. It would be wise for us as a community and as a nation to remember that.

Principle #2: The Traditional Monogamous Family
Our society has been built upon the Biblical view of traditional marriage and family. Genesis 2:23-24 says: “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

The plan of God is marriage between one man and one woman, and out of that union, are to come children.

“But Pastor Mike, what about Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon…they all had more than one wife?”

That's true! But a closer look at each of their homes also reveals a lot of strife and difficulty. Nobody tops King Solomon though, he went viral with it: 700 wives...300 concubines... (not to mention a 1,000 mother-in-laws!) That's not marital bliss...that's insanity! It's clear that God's intent from the beginning for those that would get married, was one man plus one woman for life.

Our nation needs strong, lasting, covenant relationships. Solid marriages between one man and one woman. Our children deserve loving parents, committed to teaching their kids to become balanced, productive, and responsible citizens. And to all the single parents out there, I commend you. You're doing twice the work with half the help! You're amazing! I think we'd all agree that great families make great nations.

Principle #3: A National Work Ethic
As a nation, it's becoming more and more evident that we don’t thrive on government handouts, nor do we flourish by simply depending on the generosity of others. The American spirit derives power from this simple statement: ”An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay”

This past Friday, they released the current unemployment statistics: 9.2 percent - pretty dismal. Not the 25 percent experienced during the Great Depression, but still a daunting challenge. During the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s the nations watched as America worked our way out of the Depression, through WW II, and rose up to become both an economic, as well as military superpower. Are we up to the challenge? Can we do it again? Can it be done again? I believe so! I believe we’re going to make it through, but like you, I believe it won't be without some tough decisions!

Remember your first job? Remember how empowered you felt with that first paycheck? For those of you who are part of that 9.2% let me encourage you. As you remain diligent, that feeling is just ahead for you. For some, you'll relive that first paycheck moment, for others, it'll be your first time, and you'll never forget it.

For those of you who are currently employed, please count your blessings and never take it for granted. Work is a blessing, not a curse. It comes to us from before the Fall. And for all of us, it's good to remember this truth: God is our Source. Not ourselves, not the government, not our jobs, our abilities, or our talents... God is our source.

Deut. 8:18 says: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.  (NKJV)

This is true for us as individuals, as well as a nation. The Scriptures teach us that wealth and prosperity come in many forms - not just money. A thriving, life-giving nation, strong marriages and families, and gainful employment all define prosperity just to name a few. Three stones, three foundational truths. Next week, we'll inspect our foundation a bit further.