"...one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all."

I can recall the days of my youth when I would be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, "religiously," in elementary school. Back then it seemed like a formative nuisance - just one of those things that was part of the school day. I am not saying that I totally despised reciting the pledge. I just accepted the fact that every morning at the beginning of the school day, the entire school, as a unit, recited the pledge with no complaints or issues. Yes, there were students that did not have to stand and recite the pledge due to various religious beliefs. But this never became an issue that was totally blown out of proportion. I mean, we do live in a country that promotes liberty and freedom for all. Right?

One nation, Under God - In God we trust.

These are just a few phrases that have framed the existence of this great country, America, since its conception. The fingerprints of God are on this country, allowing the favor and anointing of God to rest and inhabit the land. Prosperity and favor have been the mantras of America because of its acknowledgement of the laws of God (Ten Commandments) and God Himself as the Supreme Being and source of all good things.

Times have changed drastically, however. In a land that once revered God and held the Holy Bible in high standards, there has arisen an Anti-God spirit in which is virtually responsible for the downward spiral of the nation as a whole. In a land that once respected various commandments such as "thou shalt not kill", or "thou shalt not commit adultery," secular opinion openly glorifies violence, murder and sexual perversion, as if these things are the new age "gospel" of America.

What has happened?

The children of Israel, as depicted throughout the entire old testament of the bible, is a great foreshadow, or mirror image of today's America. A people that were delivered from bondage and given freedom, the children of Israel habitually turned their backs on God and decided that their ways were better than God's ways. A God that brought them out of Egypt and Babylon did not receive the respect and love from His children that He rightfully deserved.

Hosea 4:1-6 1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the Land. 2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. 3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. 4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove, another: for thy people are as they that striv