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MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE

Independence Day 2024

Independence Day 2024!

This year, as we once again celebrate Independence Day, this post has a song,
an article,
and some quotes. 

The words for the song “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) were written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831, but the melody is much older and has been used for songs in many countries.

It was first sung in public on July 4, 1831, at a children’s concert at the Park Street Church, Boston, and published in 1832. In the video below, the song is sung by the United States Army Field Band. The words to the song are below this video. Enjoy!

America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee
My country, ’tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.

Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom’s song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.

Our fathers’ God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.

 

We Need God’s Help

Our country more than ever needs a lot of prayer. In these deeply divided and troubling days, we need help from God Almighty. I join many other Christians who continue to ask Him for His help. 

At the end of this short article you will find some quotes from our Founding Fathers. There are some haters of America that diligently seek to find any of their shortcomings, and then, denounce them as evil people, ignoring their love of God and their sacrifices.  

None of us, including the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, are without faults. And who among us, at the end of our lives, or in future days, would like for people to shout out our faults or shortcomings, having only those  define us?  That’s why I’ve included a few quotes after this article.

This Thursday, we here in the United States of America, celebrate our freedom. Independence was formally declared on July 2, 1776, On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final text of the Declaration of Indepedence.

It is a time for celebration! John Adams wrote, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

What followed was a brutal 8 ½ year war with England. After the Revolutionary War ended, in 1783, before the official Constitution was finally ratified in 1791, The Bill of Rights was added – the first ten amendments. This was adopted to place specific limits on government power. It was seen as very necessary to safeguard individual liberty.

In later years, John Adams would write, “Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”

The United States is not and has not been a “perfect country.” We can, and we are still improving, “in order to form a perfect union.” With God’s help, and only with His help, the rampant ungodly ideologies permeating our society can be stopped. I encourage you to pray every day for our beloved country. With God’s help, we can get through all the problems facing our nation.
Mike Verdicchio 2024

Some quotes you may have not read…

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.  George Washington

God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.  Thomas Jefferson

Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.  John Adams

Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.
John Hancock

Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshiped.
Benjamin Franklin

And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace.
Samuel Adams

I do declare to the whole world that we believe the Scriptures to contain a declaration of the mind and will of God in and to those ages in which they were written; being given forth by the Holy Ghost moving in the hearts of holy men of God; that they ought also to be read, believed, and fulfilled in our day; being used for reproof and instruction, that the man of God may be perfect. They are a declaration and testimony of heavenly things themselves, and, as such, we carry a high respect for them. We accept them as the words of God Himself.
William Penn

The Bible … is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed.
Patrick Henry

By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced. The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement ‘for the sins of the whole world,’ and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.
John Jay

And here’s one from a Founding Father’s son, who was the sixth president of the United States.

The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made ‘bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God’ (Isaiah 52:10).
John Quincy Adams

 

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FATHER’S DAY 2024

Happy Father's Day Dads!

Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

Here is both the and the transcript from a His Word podcast, titled, “Who Is The Father?”

Some people say we are all God’s children. Is that true?  In this short podcast (4:03), I shared a tremendous truth about who “the Father” is.


Transcript:
Welcome to His Word – short podcasts about what God has to say about topics you might be interested in – not my words, but His Word.  Today’s podcast: Who is the Father?

If you’re even a little bit familiar with His Word,  the Bible, you probably notice that in the Old Testament, God almighty is referred to as God, or the Lord God. Like in the very first verse of the Bible, in the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.

However in the New Testament we see God many many times referred to as Father. That is something you don’t see in the Old Testament but you do see quite often in the New Testament.

In reading the Gospels, Jesus Christ many times referred to God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, as Father. He said things like, “my Father, the Father, your Father” and so on. He introduced to the world that God almighty could be called Father.

In the New Testament, for those who are born again,  His Word often speaks of God being our Father. Now one might ask, is this figurative, or is it literal? Is God really our Father, literally?

There are some who teach that we are all God’s children, all the people on earth are God’s children and therefore God is Father to all of us.  But His Word does not agree with that.

In a previous podcast, #4, I mentioned a discussion Jesus had with a religious leader named Nicodemus.  Jesus told him plainly that unless a person gets born again they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, “you must be born again.”

In the Epistles of Peter, His Word speaks of the believers as being begotten of God, and, being born again of incorruptible seed. When a person gets saved, or born again, at that moment, God becomes your Father, literally – you are saved, you are born again.  And God made that so easy – confess or acknowledge the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and His Word says, you shall be saved!  You have eternal life, you are born again and God is now literally your Father.

That’s why in a number of places in the New Testament, His Word speaks about those who believe in Jesus, those who are born again, that God is our Father.  And His Word also says, obviously,  we in turn are His children, children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High God!  What an awesome privilege!

So, who is the Father?  For those who are born again, the Creator of the heavens and the earth is literally our Father.  And His Word says we, His children, now have access to the Father.

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For more His Word podcasts, Click Here. From that page you can access all of them, and find links to share individual ones with someone else.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free. Please note: Due to my recent move, I’m still in the process of getting my recording area situated. Hopefully more new His Word podcasts will be coming soon.

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MEMORIAL DAY 2024

Today is Memorial Day. I am reposting 3 very moving videos.

Sometimes people get confused. Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember every military person who served our country, at any time, in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” commemorates the men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor both Union and Confederate soldiers following the devastating and bloody American Civil War.  After World War I it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars; we remember those who gave their life in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, 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.

Thank God for the freedoms and liberty we still have in this country, because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.  Pray for our country, for those in government positions, to make godly decisions that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very, very thankful we are for the greatest ultimate sacrifice ever;  our Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!

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PENTECOST 2024

The Significance of that Momentous Occasion!

This year, on Sunday, May 19, Christians around the world celebrate Pentecost, remembering the events recorded in Chapter 2 of the book of Acts.

Jesus specifically spoke about this momentous occasion right before he ascended.   Yet, many Christians don’t understand the great significance of what took place eight days later.

But with a right understanding of God’s Word it becomes clear that event was the greatest event to date in the history of mankind! What happened on that day, recorded in Acts Chapter 2, is a not just a big deal; it’s a really, really big deal!

What Happened In The Garden?

In order to gain a greater appreciation of what occurred on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2, one needs to understand what happened with Adam and Eve in the Garden. God had told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and if he did, he would surely die. If you’re familiar with the record in Genesis 2 and 3 then you know both Adam and Eve ate of that fruit.

God had said, “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” meaning that very day. Yet, if you continue reading, they both lived for many, many years. Was God wrong?

Genesis 1 and 2 describe how God

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IT WOULD HAVE BEEN #53

Remembering My Kathy

Today, May 8th, would have been our 53rd wedding anniversary. 

On this occasion, I am spending some quiet time. But I thought it might be a blessing for you to hear a teaching my Kathy did a number of years ago at a Women’s Advance in 2007.

 


I Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

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JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE!

God Raised Jesus Christ From the Dead and He's Coming Back!

Jesus Christ is alive! God raised him from the dead! And he is coming back!

This Sunday, March 31, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  God raised him from the dead.  The Bible is very clear that after his resurrection, he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God – he is God’s right hand man!

God has put all things (Himself excluded of course) under Jesus Christ. He is the head of the Body. He is lord of all people who have lived. He is our Lord and Savior!  It is only through believing in Jesus Christ that a person can gain salvation.

Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

I Timothy 2:4 and 5
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

It is stunning and remarkable when you consider that Jesus Christ did not establish an institution of higher learning, and yet all the schools of all times could never measure even close to his number of students. 

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 Christ.

The Bible declares he was the Son of God who always did the Father’s will.  In his earthly life he carried out and completed God’s great plan of redemption and salvation.  One of the last things he said before laying down his life for all of mankind was, “It is finished!” 

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WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Reposting a Short Video I Did Awhile Back

Here’s a “blast from the past.”  I did this video a number of years ago.  It’s still true for me, and I hope for you too!

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: Full length teachings, plus 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 book, “What Does It Mean? Click Here

Check out His Word podcasts, all under 5 minutes!  You can access all of them right here. And, you’ll find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

At the beginning of each New Year, most people are looking forward to a good year ahead. Many have “resolutions” or goals in hopes that doing certain activities will help them achieve a good or better year.  And we all cheer each other on by saying, “Happy New Year!”

As the New Year arrives, an old habit of mine is to look back on the past year and remember God’s blessings.  But sitting here today, on January 1, it is a bit more difficult for me to do that this year, in light of losing my wife just one month ago.

But, as I moved the sadness ever so slightly aside. I began reflecting on a number of things from this past year to tell God, “Thank You.”  It was indeed heartwarming and encouraging for me remembering some blessings I had forgotten.

Regardless of what kind of year you had, I would encourage you to take some time to reflect and then give God the thanks He deserves for His blessings to you in 2023.

And by the way, after pausing my recording of the His Word podcast for a few weeks, I’m back.  Below are links to the two most recent.

149 This Is Very Personal

150 Looking Back

Have A Wonderfully Blessed New Year!

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THE MAGI

Have A Wonderful Holiday Season!

Below are the links to a series I did on His Word podcast about the Magi (each under 5 minutes).
And a beautiful rendition of O Holy Night.

Enjoy!


Episode 85 The Magi – Part 1

Episode 86 The Magi – Part 2

Episode 87 – Part 3

Episode 88 The Magi – Part 4

Episode 89 The Magi – Part 5

Episode 90 The Magi – Part 6

God promised to send a savior, and He kept that promise.
God also promised to send Jesus Christ back to gather together all those who are born again, and He will keep that promise too.
The Lord Jesus Christ IS coming back!

Have a wonderful holiday season!

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I WILL SEE HER WHEN WE SEE HIM

My heart is shattered.  On December 2, my best friend and companion of 53 years passed away. My dear Kathy is asleep, awaiting the Return of Jesus Christ.

Years ago, I was out of town at a memorial service, and Kathy texted me the following: “There is no service that could ever be long enough, or good enough, to adequately and properly pay tribute to any person’s life. There’s no obituary or eulogy that could ever come close.  But you’re all there today because of the impact their life had on each one of you.”

Those words are so true, and that’s why this post is really more of an announcement.  

Kathryn Lynne Verdicchio was born January 21, 1953 in Columbus, Ohio. Kathy leaves behind her husband Mike, her children Emery Pace Archer and Michael (Jacey) Verdicchio, her grandchildren Ava, Betsy, and Ezra, five siblings, and nieces and nephews.

She married Michael Anthony Verdicchio in May of 1971. During their 52 and a half years of marriage, Mike and Kathy lived in 12 different states. They have been living in Arizona for the second time, since 1992. They traveled abroad to Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and other places.

Kathy graduated from The Way College in 1981 with an associate’s degree in theology. Over the past 50 years, Kathy worked a number of part-time jobs, but her whole life was devoted to her family and to serving God’s people. Her love for God and His book, The Bible, was the most important thing to her in her life.

She was a most excellent cook, and many people over the years have enjoyed her food. She loved making food for people. She has been with mothers about to give birth, and with people in their final days, as well as everything in between.

Her favorite expression was, “God is good, always!” One of her favorite songs was, “Never Give Up.” She was a great example of trusting God in all situations, serving others with love, and practicing what she preached.

Her favorite verse was Ephesians 3:20 and 21: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held 3:00 pm, December 15, 2023 at Chapel of the Chimes Garden Venue 7924 North 59th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona, with Rev. Steve Armstrong officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, do what Kathy would do – take someone out to lunch or bless them in another way in honor of Kathy.

God’s Word, the Bible, clearly declares that when someone dies, they neither go anywhere, nor know anything, nor do anything, until the Return of Jesus Christ.  That’s why God refers to those born again ones who have died as “asleep.”  When Jesus Christ returns, all born again ones will meet Jesus Christ in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the lord.

Farewell, my beloved Kathy.  I will see you again when we all see him in the clouds.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I Corinthians 15:51-58:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.