God Bless America!

July 1, 2026

Leadership Notes

     Sometimes I think about what a blessing it was to be born in America. Is our country perfect? Of course not. I love these two quotes:

> Thomas Jefferson: “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever."

>  Abraham Lincoln: "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." 

My parents weren’t perfect. My family wasn’t perfect. Where I grew up {Orange County, California} wasn’t perfect. I’m definitely not perfect. Would never expect anything to be perfect. What an undeserving grace for an unworthy person to be born in the greatest country ever. This fact alone should drive us to do all we imperfect people can to make our little corner of God’s world a better place. Amen?

     This verse captures it perfectly:

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control,

Thy liberty in law!

Another “Amen!”

     Only in America could a guy who calls himself a socialist get elected to office. Only in America can an elected socialist official build a net worth of millions of dollars whilst also owning at least three properties, flying in private jets to give speeches about global warming. Sounds kinda “oligarchy” to me. Oh, well.

     A democratically elected system maintained by free-market capitalism is the recipe for success. I can think of no other place I’d rather live. That’s what my family will be celebrating on Saturday.

     Here’s a simple and appropriate prayer for July 4, by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:

Dear Father:

Thank you for this new week and the gift of life.

Bless our country with wisdom, unity, & justice.

Grant us good health in body & mind, & hearts full of gratitude.

Guide our steps, protect our families, & let Your light shine

through us.

Amen.

     And now your Moment of Spurgeon:

Charles Spurgeon was an advocate of classical liberal principles –

such as free speech and limited government. He valued the

concept of the individual and believed that moral and societal

improvements would come through individual conversions and

hard work, not through large-scale government intervention.

Praise God for Charles Spurgeon…God bless Covenant Church…and God bless America.

     With Much Love and Affection,

                     Richard