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INDEPENDENCE DAY 2019

Some History


Here in the United States, we once again remember and celebrate our Independence Day. Below is some interesting history of how our country’s Constitution came about. Sadly, many of these important details are no longer taught in schools. Since every elected official swears to support and defend the Constitution, I thought a little history might be refreshing.

Did you know….
“The Constitution of the United States might never have been ratified if the framers hadn’t promised to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today’s Americans most valued freedoms.” (article)

“The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution. It was approved, after much debate (between July 1776 and November 1777), by the Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, and sent to the states for ratification. The Articles of Confederation came into force on March 1, 1781, after being ratified by all 13 states. A guiding principle of the Articles was to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the states.”

12 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a Grand Convention of state delegates gathered to work on revising the Articles of Confederation.

From another article from archives.gov:
“The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May of 1787. The delegates shuttered the windows of the State House and swore secrecy so they could speak freely. Although they had gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, by mid-June they had decided to completely redesign the government. There was little agreement about what form it would take.

One of the fiercest arguments was over congressional representation—should it be based on population or divided equally among the states? The framers compromised by giving each state one representative for every 40,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate. They agreed to count enslaved Africans as three-fifths of a person. Slavery itself was a thorny question that threatened to derail the Union. It was temporarily resolved when the delegates agreed that the slave trade could continue until 1808.

Writing the Constitution

After three hot summer months of equally heated debate, the delegates appointed a Committee of Detail to put its decisions in writing. Near the end of the convention, a Committee of Style and Arrangement kneaded it into its final form, condensing 23 articles into seven in less than four days.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution. George Reed signed for John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. It was an extraordinary achievement. Tasked with revising the existing government, the delegates came up with a completely new one. Wary about centralized power and loyal to their states, they created a powerful central government. Representing wildly different interests and views, they crafted compromises. It stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.”

If you haven’t read The Bill of Rights lately, check out last year’s Independence Day post.
If you haven’t read The Declaration of Independence lately, see it here.

The elected representatives of The United States of America, those who swore to support and defend the Constitution, need our prayers!

________________________

Check out my YouTube Channel; over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living. “Like” them! Subscribe! Share! Thank you!

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean? Click Here

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WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

There are lots of things in life that are important. Some more than others. But what is most important to you?

The video below is from my YouTube channel.

Check out my YouTube Channel; over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living. “Like” them! Subscribe! Share! Thank you!

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean? Click Here

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FATHER’S DAY 2019

 

Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

For Father’s Day this year, I recommend some past posts from this blog:

This one has some great quotes –  Father’s Day.

Do take a few minutes to watch these two very cool Andy Andrews videos, from, Father’s Day 2012

And finally, a number of years ago I recorded an interesting and perhaps insightful podcast, titled, Who’s Your Daddy, and What Does He Do? (In the gospel of John there’s a pretty intense discussion about, “Who’s your daddy,” between Jesus Christ and the religious leaders!)

Happy Father’s Day Weekend to all you Dad’s!

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my YouTube channel;  over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

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WHAT IS PENTECOST?

The Events In Acts 2 Are Monumental!

On Sunday, June 9, many Christians will celebrate Pentecost, remembering the events recorded in Chapter 2 of the book of Acts.  But what is it really all about?

Some Christians do not see the great significance of Pentecost. In fact, it’s hard to find it included on a printed calendar.  And yet,  just 8 days before it happened,  Jesus specifically spoke about about it right before he ascended.

Below is an article I posted last year and in 2017, entitled, “What Is Pentecost All About.” This article gives great insight about that momentous event in Acts 2. Perhaps after reading it you might consider that Pentecost is a really big deal!

What Is Pentecost All About?

There are a number of popular celebrations on the Church calendar. The biggest and most popular of course, is Christmas. People understand they are celebrating the birth of Christ. This Sunday, June 4th, is Pentecost, but many wonder what it’s really all about.

When it comes to Pentecost, what exactly are we remembering?  We hear it’s all about commemorating the descent of the holy spirit upon the Apostles. That event, along with details of what followed is recorded in Acts Chapter 2.

But was that original Day of Pentecost of even greater importance and significance than the birth of Christ? Is it possible it was the greatest event to date in the history of mankind? What’s the real significance

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MEMORIAL DAY 2019

3:00 P.M. Local Time

 

Once again for Memorial Day, I’m posting 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

Did you know Congress established an exact minute of remembrance? The National Moment of Remembrance Act,which was adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country. In addition to any federal observances, Major League Baseball games usually come to a stop during the Moment of Remembrance, and for the past several years, Amtrak engineers have taken up the practice of sounding their horns in unison at precisely 3:00 p.m.

Formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States. It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. Later, it was extended, after World War I, to honor all American military who died in all wars.

Take a little time to pause and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could have freedom. Pause and thank God for the freedom we still have, freedom  given to us here in the United States at such a very high price.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how thankful we are for the ultimate sacrifice made by our Lord Jesus Christ – bringing us eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

 

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BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE!

Is your life in a slump?

I recorded the video below a few years ago, because I love baseball. One of the things I love about the game is there are many analogies to life itself. In this video I mention what Arizona D-backs 3rd baseman, Matt Williams, told me in an interview about getting out of a slump. Just like in baseball, in life you can find yourself in a slump.

Note: I’m almost finished re-formatting a number of videos I recorded a few years ago. You can find them on my Youtube channel – Michael A Verdicchio – over 150 short inspiring videos like this one! Most of them are under 2 minutes.

Soon, I plan to begin recording some new videos that will go directly to my channel. So, check it out – go my my Youtube channel, and subscribe for free. Enjoy the dozens and dozens of videos that are already there, and, coming soon, more videos!

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MOTHER’S DAY 2019

Moms are more than special

rose - 1Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms!

My mother fell and broke her leg getting off a bus one month before I was due. The bus driver just drove away, and she lay on the sidewalk for half an hour before some kind soul rendered help.

In the hospital, they told her they could not hear the baby’s heartbeat. They informed her as a result of the fall, she was going to lose the child.  But, before they began the procedure, a heartbeat was heard (my heartbeat!), and my mother was told all was well! She spent the next month, in the hospital, with a cast on her leg. She endured all that before I even arrived! Thanks, Mom!

 I’m posting the following for Mother’s Day, because
Mom’s are very, very special!  If you like it, share it with someone!

MOM

Some governments use the word “ministry” to describe various functions, like ministry of finance, or ministry of education. The word “ministry” means service. Therefore, the minister of education would be one who serves the country with regards to education.

I believe being a mom is a ministry, a very, very unique service.

No woman can ever study hard enough or prepare long enough to be ready to be a mom. Moms surely need God’s gracious help and encouragement with the responsibilities and challenges.

It actually begins nine months before she is

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NO MATTER WHAT

You Can’t Erase His Love

The song below, No Matter What, was released last year. It was the third single from Ryan Stevenson’s second studio album. Here’s what he said in an interview about the inspiration for this song.

“Over the course of the last several years, I’ve continued to ask the Lord to give me songs that exist for a reason. As we were working on this new record, a reoccurring theme I felt the Lord continually whisper to my heart was ‘beloved identity.’ I, like many of us, grew up in the church- a religious environment, where we weren’t necessarily nurtured and taught about God’s grace, patience and compassion. As I continue to grow and experience life, the truth I continue to encounter is ‘I am His son, no matter what.’ It is easy to fall into the trap of performance-based relationship with God when we’ve been taught in religious environments that He’s mostly disappointed with us. This song hopefully will encourage all of us…”

NO MATTER WHAT
Ryan Stevenson

A lot of us grew up believing
At any moment we could lose it all
And at the drop of a hat
God might turn His back and move on
A lot of us feel like we blew it
Thinking that we’re just too far gone
But I want you to know
There’s still a hope for you now

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter what

There’s never been a better time to get honest
There’s never been a better time to get clean
So come as you are
Run to the cross and be free
Oh, be free

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter where you run
He’s always holding on
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son
No matter what

I don’t know what you’ve been taught
Don’t know what you’ve been told
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you, no
And I don’t know what you’ve seen
Don’t know what you’ve been through
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you
He’ll never let go!
He’ll never, never, never let you go

No matter what you’ve done
You can’t erase His love
Nothing can change it
You’re not separated
No matter where you run
He’s always holding on
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son
No matter what
You’re still a daughter, you’re still a son!
No matter what

__________________________

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my YouTube channel;  over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

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WHO IS JESUS?

Two Unique Truths About Jesus

For the last 1900+ years, more has been written about him than any other person. Who is Jesus?

He never taught at or established an institution of higher learning, yet all the schools of all times could never measure even close to his number of students. Who is Jesus?

All the rulers who ever reigned, all the government bodies that ever sat, and all the military campaigns ever engaged, have not affected the life of mankind as powerfully and dynamically as Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus was the most unique human being who ever walked the face of the earth. His birth and

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IS IT TRUE?

What You Can Do In These Troubled Times

Growing up my dad read the morning paper and watched the 6 o’clock evening news on TV. When the radio was on during the day, there was always a newscast at the top of the hour. That’s how almost everyone stayed up to date on events going on in the world.

Today, there are hundreds and hundreds of sources disseminating what is called “news and information,” 24/7. We often gladly boast this is the “information age.” Sadly, this has come to us at a great cost.

It is commonplace today for so called “news outlets” to proclaim a person has been a victim of a crime, or that someone else has committed a crime, without a judge, trial, jury or verdict. Is it true simply because they said it is true? Far too often we hear many so called news reporters justifying their reports with the qualifier, “according to unnamed sources.” But, is it really true?

Breaking News

In an effort to be the “first” to get the story out there, many once reputable news outlets have been wrong, time and time again. The long standard practice of, “get it out first, but, get it right first,” has been almost totally abandoned. As a result, their lack of responsibility fuels fears and in many cases promotes hysteria.

A number of entertainers have freely put aside their entertainment to be spokespeople for certain popular opinions, confidently telling their audiences what is “true,” often with no proof, as they simply run with the talking points of the day.

Add social media to the mix, a gigantic platform promoting even more fear, hatred and hysteria. And far too many of our elected officials, using every outlet possible, concerned with their own power, and their own political party lines, continue to fuel the fires of discord and uncertainty ravaging our country.

As morals continue to erode in this country, many Christians feel discouraged and helpless. Those with seemingly louder and uninterrupted voices quickly shut down anyone and everyone who dares to speak up for what they believe is true.

What Can You Do?

There is, however, great encouragement in God’s Word, written in the pages of the Bible. Rightly understood, those words are true. God does not lie. We can trust His Words to be the truth.

There are a number of biblical references of individuals and groups of ungodly people, who, by their words and their actions, endeavored to sway public opinion. God does not look favorably on those who sow discord.

Meanwhile, the blessings of God on the United States of America are undeniably obvious. As a result of His blessings, this country has rendered humanitarian aid and protection to countless other countries around the world, more than any other country in the history of the world combined.

Add to that the great missionary work spreading the gospel to all parts of the world from this country of ours.

As Bible believing Christians, we must never forget the real battle is not with flesh and blood, political parties, or ideologies, but it is indeed a spiritual fight. Jesus said the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.

Examples We Can Follow

We can take the example of Ezra and others, and pray, asking God to forgive the sins of our country. We can go to God in prayer like Hezekiah and others, asking for God’s help in situations we have no idea of how to solve.

We are encouraged by God in His Word to pray for those in charge of our government. We can pray for godly solutions to our problems. We can pray that those who oppose and desire to alter our constitutional republic can be thwarted. We can pray that evil people in our government, whoever they may be, can be exposed.

May we Christians remember the motto of the United States of America is still, “In God we trust!”

It isn’t necessarily true because you heard an entertainer, politician, newsperson, or your best friend say it. It isn’t true because you saw it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. It isn’t true because you Googled it. And, it isn’t necessarily true because a lot of people think it is true.

Be encouraged knowing God’s Word, rightly understood, is true. Jesus said, “Thy Word is truth.”

__________________

If you’d like a signed copy of my new book, “What Does It Mean?  Click Here

Check out my YouTube channel;  over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!