God In America: October 2014

(This article was taken from the book “Rediscovering God in America” by Newt Gingrich featuring the photography of Callista Gingrich. This article is the eleventh and the last one based on that book)

The World War II Memorial

“The real fire within the builders of America was faith – faith in a Provident God whose hand supported and guided them: faith in themselves as the children of God … faith in their country and its principles that proclaimed man’s right to freedom and justice.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower
Thirty-fourth President of the United States

During World War II, the government issued seventeen million Bibles to the soldiers with a message in them from Generals Eisenhower and Marshall. In addition, many of the government printed World War II posters contained religious imagery.

The World War II Memorial was officially dedicated May 32, 2004, Memorial Day. In his proclamation for a day of prayer for permanent peace, President George W. Bush offered these words on behalf of a grateful nation.

“Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front lines of freedom. As we continue to fight terrorism and promote peace and freedom, let us pray for the safety and strength of our troops, and for God’s blessing on them and their families, and for those that have lost love ones.”

Arlington National Cemetery

The inscription on the Tomb of the Unknowns reads, “Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God.”

John F. Kennedy

“The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”

John F. Kennedy
Thirty-fifth President of the United States

Kennedy’s inaugural address concluded:

“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help but knowing that here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”

For a very insightful conclusion to this book, pick up a copy of "Rediscovering God in America" by Newt Gingrich featuring the photography of Callista Gingrich.

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(This article was taken from the book “Rediscovering God in America” by Newt Gingrich featuring the photography of Callista Gingrich. This article is the tenth of many based on that book)

THE DIVINE AUTHOR OF EVERY GOOD GIFT

“And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.”

  James Madison
  Fourth President of the United States
  Chief Architect of the Constitution

RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES IN THE WHITE HOUSE

The White House is perhaps the most recognizable Washington, D.C., landmark, but it also plays seasonal host for many religious observances. As you approach the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, look just ahead to the left. In front of the White House and adjacent to the National Mall is the Ellipse, the site of the National Christmas Tree and the National Hanukkah Menorah. Despite a number of legal challenges, the Pageant of Peace takes place each year on the Ellipse. In addition to the National Christmas Tree and Hanukkah Menorah, it features Christmas trees from each of the states, a nativity scene, and nightly musical performances.

The tradition of placing a decorated Christmas tree in the White House began in 1889. While it started as a gathering for President Harrison's family and friends, the lighting of the White House Christmas tree has become a national tradition. In 1929, First Lady Lou Henry Hoover started the unbroken custom of first ladies trimming the "official" White House Christmas tree. In 1961 First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy began the tradition of selecting a theme for decorations, modeling it after Peter Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite ballet. First Lady Laura Bush selected themes such as "Home for the Holidays" and "All Creatures Great and Small" to adorn the tree.

Since 1878, American presidents and their families have celebrated Easter Monday by hosting an "egg roll" party on the White Houses lawn, one of the oldest events in White House history. The original site for this tradition was the grounds of the U.S. Capitol until Congress passed a legislation forbidding it. In response, President Rutherford B. Hayes officially opened the south lawn of the White House to local children and families to continue the tradition of egg rolling on Easter. Successive presidents have sustained this custom, canceling it only for occasional poor weather and two world wars.

Through the years, the White House has also been the site of prayer services and other religiously themed gatherings. After the Civil War, First Lady Lucy Hayes and President Rutherford B.Hayes hosted prayer services and hymn singing for members of the Cabinet, the Congress, and their families. They also renewed their vows before a Methodist minister in the Executive Mansion on their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

President William McKinley also hosted gatherings in the Blue Room of the Executive Mansion on Sunday evenings in which he and visiting clergy would lead the group in hymn singing. If you get the chance to go on the White House tour, be sure to visit the State Dining Room. The fireplace mantel contains a prayer by President John Adams:

“I pray to heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that hereafter inhabit it.
May none but the honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

Adams wrote these words to his wife, Abigail, after first moving into the residence in November 1800. President Franklin Roosevelt subsequently discovered Adams' words in the later years of World War II and had them carved into the stone fireplace below a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

In 1953, President Dwight David Eisenhower hosted the National Prayer Breakfast out of a desire to meet with the House and Senate prayer groups and unite the nation's leaders under the common bond of faith. Over the years, the annual tradition has grown to include, by personal invitation, friends from all the fifty states and over one hundred countries throughout the world.

God In America

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Faith in a Provident God

Saturday, October 4, 2014

The White House