TERRE HAUTE —
Way back when (I’m talking waaaay back: Kennedy was president!) my family and I took a trip to Washington, D.C. We visited the museums and monuments and even the Capital and the White House. While touring the White House, I think my father must have thought I was going to sneak home one of Mary Lincoln’s vases or that great painting of Dolley Madison saving George Washington’s half-finished portrait during the War of 1812. All I know is that when we entered the State Dining Room, Dad was holding onto my hand so tightly I was about to lose circulation in my fingers.
Then, Dad pointed to the mantel and whispered to me, “See that? We need to pray that, too.” Then I read those words of John Adams: “I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”
That is an appropriate prayer for these upcoming weeks. Neither should we forget, nor let anyone else forget, things that were said by some of those who were ruling under the White House roof.
Theodore Roosevelt said: “Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and intertwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be, literally, I do not mean figuratively, but literally impossible for us to figure what the loss would be if these teachings were removed. We would lose all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals; all the standards toward which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “Without God, there could be no American form of government, no American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic expression of Americanism.”
And on Aug. 23, 1984, Ronald Reagan said: “Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what our senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
Romans 13:1 says: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
This is all food for thought (and prayer) in the upcoming days and weeks. Let us remember the words of Abraham Lincoln: “I have been driven many times to my knees with the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
In this confusing election, there is nowhere else for us to go but to our God, the Savior of us all. Let us fall to our knees, asking for God’s guidance and leading.
And may God continue to bless America.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Let us fall to our knees, asking for God’s guidance
- Religion
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
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- Church briefs: June 15, 2013
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
It’s that time of year again — Vacation Bible School time. Frazzled VBS directors are begging for teachers, song leaders and kitchen helpers. For VBS directors everywhere, let me offer some words of truth and encouragement.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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