June is Here

via TJC

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The older you get the faster the pages of the calendar seem to speed by, making it all the more important to be present and intentional now. 

Celebrating the 250th birthday of America this year, we are discussing key eras of our nation, and this month pause to reflect on the early 1800s. As a nation we expand rapidly with the Louisiana purchase, Lewis and Clark exploration. We end up fighting the British again in 1812. The concept of Manifest Destiny starts to emerge - that our nation would expand spreading democracy and capitalism with a divine mission, operated with a moral virtue and would inevitably succeed. 

Expansion would be the driving force, with increasing immigrants seeking opportunity, the displacement of indigenous populations, and sectional conflicts laying the groundwork for the American civil war. 

June has many events and celebrations that TJC will reflect upon as opportunities for us to be present each day and honor God. June starts the 101 critical days of summer and the focus of National Safety Month.  June includes cancer survivor day, cake day, d-day, best friends day, flag day, fly a kite day, Juneteenth, Father’s day, American kids day, Rose day and the festival of utter confusion. 

Dear Father - we thank you for your clarity that we are not confused. We praise you and lift you up. We remember the resolve of early American’s to explore our nation. We know that we have often lost our way and mistreated others and the opportunities you provide for us. We pray that as a nation we seek you. We pray that this month you keep us, our families, our nation safe and healthy. We thank you for today in the name of our savior Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.