During the 1950s, our houses tended to be more modest in size, automobiles were generally larger, clothing was typically more formal, radios became family outings as we gathered around to listen to news and our favorite sitcom shows.
Black and white TVs began to become popular. A sense of order prevailed. Neighbors watched out for everyone’s kids. There was no need to lock our cars or houses. The bible, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was in our public schools. Kids behaved in school. Teachers were respected and kids feared authority due to consequences of their behavior. Most accepted responsibility for their actions.
If you hurt yourself doing something stupid, you never thought of suing a company that made the thing you hurt yourself on. We went to church every weekend, learning biblical principles and values of right from wrong, and we were accountable to God.
We cannot go back in time. However, we can return to God because he is the only constant of the past, present and future. The past shapes who we are, but it does not define our future. It is always good to look back at our history, not with regret but with gratitude. We can always learn from the past because it reminds us that we serve a God who fulfills our dreams.
It is unnecessary to experience harm firsthand, such as touching a hot stove, or playing with a rattlesnake to understand its risks. This illustrates the importance of history, which enables us to learn from the errors of others. History is God’s answer to man’s questions.
Nations that have turned away from God and disregarded His principles often experience moral decline and societal chaos, which can lead to their downfall. This pattern is observed throughout history, where spiritual deterioration is linked to the decline of civilizations.
What has our history taught us? How did we lose our belief in our creator? What is the future of America?
God is being removed from our lives, homes, schools, and our children are growing up without knowledge of the one true God. We have become a nation that is dishonoring our bodies, exchanging natural relations, and approving of those contrary to nature, failing to align with God’s blueprint. We worship the creation instead of the creator. We have come to believe we are God ourselves. God created life, and rather than preserving life, we sometimes engage in actions due to convenience that disregards its value, treating it with unnecessary violence and a lack of respect. Celebrate calling evil good and good evil. We take pleasure in doing harm to others. Rather than being honest, we choose to deceive and manipulate each other on purpose. All of these forms of defiance of God’s authority have led to our state of chaos in America today, and they will have dire consequences.
In times of chaos, God often calls His people not to choose between the lesser of two evils but to seek His righteousness, not to political desperation but moral faithfulness. The future of American democracy may depend less on choosing between imperfect options and more on reaffirming ethical principles rooted in Godly standards that extend beyond political expediency.
Our past was shaped by what we did, and influenced who we are today, and the decisions we make now will determine our future. A belief in the one true God gave us freedom and liberty however, when we turn from God he will turn from us.
It is important for us to reflect on the ideals established by our nation’s founders and reaffirm our commitment to upholding liberty and prosperity, while honoring God as our creator, is the answer to our future.
May God continue to bless America. Keep freedom alive.
Jim Coonrod is a Marine Corps veteran and an avid gardener. He lives in Collinsville.