You don’t have to be a rocket scientist, or a whiz in political science to figure out that the upcoming election is an important one. The debt crisis, out of control spending, weakening economy, and joblessness, (just to name a few of the publicly known issues!) all loom over our nation like a dark cloud, threatening to overtake it. Whoever gets into the White House will have a real mess on their hands, and what they do with it will very well determine whether America will gain any traction in its run for survival, or if it falls, losing the race altogether.

Here in America, the officials determine the government, our votes determine the officials, and our beliefs largely determine our votes. Therefore, with the majority of Americans voting based upon the belief that situations such as the debt crisis, unemployment, and economic collapse are threats to our nation’s survival, how then do the problems still remain, vote after vote after vote?

If we all have the same simple beliefs, that there are problems in our country that need to be fixed, and our votes as a whole are not electing officials that are correcting the problem, then one can conclude that something in the process between the belief and the election has been throwing off the effectiveness of our vote in electing officials that can correct the issues that we believe need to be corrected.

If you really think about it, there are only two types of voters; people who vote based on what they believe, and people who don’t. The two major reasons for our voting as a nation not effectively correcting the problems we believe need correcting is that one; we all believe the same things need correcting but have different ideas as to how to correct them. Or two; there are those of us who have our beliefs, but are not voting in a way that would reflect the beliefs that we claim to have.

Last week I was speaking with a friend of mine through Facebook, and we began talking about the upcoming presidential elections. And when she told me which candidate she planned on voting for, it totally surprised me. Not because of any beliefs I had concerning the candidate, or who I would vote for, but rather because I knew what her views were, and where she stood. She could go on in length and detail about different things this candidate had done that would make anyone who believed it never want him even involved in politics again!…and yet, here she was so very firmly stating that she would be voting for him in the upcoming elections.

When I asked her what caused her to make such a decision concerning her vote, I received an answer that gave me an even greater surprise than the initial; she simply said that she was making the vote not for him, but simply because of his wife!

Apparently, my friend’s great dislike for the candidate’s actions was countered only by her greater like for those of his wife, mostly concerning charitable and community work. As I read through all of her reasons for liking the candidate’s wife, my memory replayed everything she had believed, and still did, concerning the candidate himself, and why she believed that he should never have been in office to begin with. Her feelings had overshadowed her beliefs!

This is when I realized that even more dangerous than believing wrong is believing what is right and choosing to disregard it.

If you know abortion is wrong, do not vote for a candidate who believes it is right. If you want to see our economy restored, vote for the candidate with the best record of doing so. Let the foundation of your beliefs outweigh the swaying of your feelings, vote accordingly, and you will begin to see the foundation of your beliefs make an impact in the society around you.

Many times, when working to restore the Biblical foundations upon which theUnited Stateswas founded, you won’t see results right away. After putting your everything into this cause, you may find yourself asking, “Why isn’t this working? Why can’t I see change happening?” During the 2011 session ofPatriotAcademy, Rick Green told a story about someone who was put in this exact situation, and it went like this:

Even though the Founding Fathers intended The United States of America to be a nation without slavery, this didn’t happen right away. In the beginning years of our nation’s history, the majority of Congress was opposed to the emancipation of slaves. Despite this fact, one man fought tirelessly for the freedom ofAmerica’s slaves. This man was John Quincy Adams. For 28 consecutive years, he consistently fought for this cause- even when it seemed that he was making no progress at all. One day, while he was leaving the Capitol building, a reporter stopped him and asked why he kept pushing for the emancipation of slaves when it seemed hopeless?Adamsturned, looked at the reporter, and said simply, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.” He then walked on.

In 1847, a man who looked up toAdamscame to serve in Congress as freshman legislator. Soon,Adamstook this man under his wing and became his mentor- they grew so close that this man was a pallbearer atAdams’ funeral. After one term in the legislature this man went home, andAdamslater died after serving 28 years in the legislature- seeing none of the fruits of his labor. Now some time afterAdams’ protégé returned home, he ended up running again for office, and again, and again. In fact, he lost multiple elections, but one of the elections he did win was the most important one- the race for the seat of the President of theUnited States. This man’s name was Abraham Lincoln. He went on to be one the most important Presidents in our nation’s history- and the one who ended up freeingAmerica’s slaves.

Adams’ response to the reporter’s question was an extremely wise one. He understood that you cannot be distracted by what you see when working towards a goal; you have to live by faith and trust that God will bring out the fruits of your labor. While we are leading the change, we must always remember to keep our eyes upon the goal up ahead likeAdamsdid. We must always remember that “Duty is ours, results are God’s.” The Lord knows what He is doing, and He knows when the day will come in which Americans will once again recognize His hand in the affairs of men.

Around Christmastime of 2002, the Parliament of the United Kingdom was working on passing a ban on Fox hunting. For those who don’t know, Fox hunting in Britain is a major pastime and a highly popular activity with the people living in the English countryside. Naturally, the English people who hunted foxes would not put up with the government suppressing their right to hunt, so they stormed into London in protest. My dad, being a missionary to Europe, happened to be doing an outreach in London at the time of the protests, and unknowingly walked into the tens of thousands of protesters’ and their vehement march on London. He described the protesters as an army marching onto Parliament. The streets were filled with civil unrest. It seemed like a war was about to erupt. Police helicopters flew above the chaos below. Police cars were everywhere, and mounted policeman even barricaded the streets. However, the enraged protestors managed to break through their barricades and continue their march into the heart of London. It’s hard for one to imagine that all of this was over a ban on fox hunting! However, this is not the amazing thing.

A couple years later, Parliament began to pass “hate-crime” laws. These laws restricted speech that could be perceived as “harmful” to people such as gays and minorities. Pastors would be limited on what they could say from the pulpit. This caused a stir in the Christian community, for it was ultimately a restriction on their freedom of speech. Given my last paragraph, it would be easy to assume that the Christians held their own protests that garnered the attention of Parliament towards their legitimate claim, but that was not so. They did protest, but instead of showing up in crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 like the fox hunt protesters, only about 1500 Christians showed up to protest. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to notice that something is wrong here. When the government placed a ban on fox hunting, the protestors poured into London to voice their dissent, but when the Christian’s freedom of speech was being taken away from them, they did practically nothing. Take note: I am not at all glad of how the fox hunters acted, violent protests are not the answer. I am showing these scenarios to beg the question: Where were the Christians?

Even today I am asking the same question: Where are the Christians? It seems even at church being a Christian teenage conservative who is politically active is becoming dangerously rare nowadays. The problem is that many Christians don’t seem to care about politics and our nation. Wake up, people! We are on the verge of losing America, and if we stay silent like the people in England did, she will be gone. Charles Finney stated the importance of the Church in our nation by stating, “Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours in a great degree….If Satan rules in our halls of legislation, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact, my dear brethren; but let us lay it to heart, and be thoroughly awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.” I am not going to end this article on a happy note, for if we as Christians do not wake up to the realization that we are the ones responsible for saving this nation and bringing it back to God, the history of this nation will not end on a happy note either.

As evil rears its head in America, I ask you this: Where are the Christians?

“…December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”  On that day, America changed forever.  Millions of people would lose their lives over the course of the next few years.  Thousands of surviving WWII veterans die every day.  If these men had stayed home and neglected their duty, this post would probably be written in German or Japanese.  We must never forget their sacrifice or miss a chance to honor them.

In order to meet the few remaining members of the “Greatest Generation”, my family and I traveled to Pearl Harbor on the 70^th anniversary of the attack, Dec, 7^th, 2011.  We had the great honor to meet and shake hands with dozens of Pearl Harbor survivors, ranging from 86-99 years of age.  Nations forget the providences of God so easily, and it is my duty to be able to tell my children and grandchildren what God has done for America.  It was shocking to see the flippancy that most Americans have for that day.  Conspicuous by its absence at the ceremony on Dec 7^th at 7:55 am, was an official comment from President Obama on the anniversary.  Long gone are the days of President Reagan’s eloquent speech to the “boys of Pointe Du Hoc”.  But things changed when Pearl Harbor survivor Mal Middlesworth rose and addressed his comrades and thousands watching on television.  “Let no author, historian or politician attempt to rewrite the history of what happened here 70 years ago. Let no one disturb the sacred water in the harbor. They hold the watery graves of that date in infamy… You sitting in the audience must be the guardians of our truth.”

Thank a veteran the next time you see one.  Hold fast to the truth, and never allow the torch of freedom to be extinguished.  We owe it to those men and their sacrifice.  And remember, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Edmund Burke

We as patriots should be looking for opportunities to create change in our country. However, change cannot occur without motivation from something. We need some reason to push forward. Some reason to overcome the daunting obstacles. Some reason to do that which is not easy. What kind of motivation is right, though? We all may have motivation for different reasons, but we must make sure we have the right motivation behind our change. We should ask ourselves, “Am I doing this to glorify myself or to glorify the Lord and help my fellow man?”

We’ve all seen politicians who, because of their selfish motives, do whatever it will take to bring themselves power and prominence. In contrast, however, we as patriots must be committed to principles and doing right. Unless we are first motivated for the right reasons, we will have a very hard time producing principled results. As true patriots, our motivation and drive should not be for prominence, power, or wealth. Instead, our motivation should come from a desire to return this nation back to its’ founding principles, a desire to be the change we want to see in this country, and a desire to carry the torch of freedom honorably until we pass it on to the next generation.

Having honorable motivation is a simple message, but is ineffective until genuinely implemented in each one of our lives. Why will you become motivated? Are you looking for your own glory? Or, does your motivation come from a deep desire to carry that torch of freedom? Let each of us make sure that we are not only motivated but that we are driven to create change from selfless, humble motives.

Decades ago, a great undertaking was commenced. Men put their fortunes on the line for this great new venture, while the world looked on in awe and wonder. I’m not talking about the birth of America. No, nothing quite that extraordinary. I’m talking about the 1912 ocean voyage of the RMS Titanic. Built by master craftsman, sparing no expense, the Titanic was a remarkable accomplishment of extravagance and engineering. In spite of the high hopes held for the ship, it’s maiden voyage ended disastrously.

If you were aboard the Titanic those one-hundred-years ago, and you knew the fate of the vessel, what would you have done? I for one, would have attempted to take the helm. To redirect the mighty ship away from certain destruction. The Titanic bears many similarities to our nation. The eyes of the world are on us, as they were on the Titanic. The economic and social waters are hazardous now as they were for the Titanic. But the most eerie similarity, is that those who sit at the helm are painfully unaware of the tragedy that awaits us, if we do not change course. By looking at nations past, as well as the promises of scripture, we can see America’s course with perfect clarity. Many naysayers declare that we are unquestionably doomed for destruction; that it’s too late to save this ship.

There is one distinct difference between America and the Titanic; a difference that sets the tone for the years to come. The Titanic, unlike most of the ships of that era, was never christened. Never given the commencement ceremonies and prayers of a ship dedicated to the Lord. America was christened by the blood of patriots and pastors who knew without question that if America were to survive even for a few decades, it would be solely by the hand of God.

While the men who built the Titanic boasted, “God himself could not sink this ship,” those men who founded America felt very differently. In 1787, Benjamin Franklin stood before his fellow framers of the Constitution and declared, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel…”

Patriots, we must turn this Titanic from her fatal course. Every day, leaders and thinkers around the country wrestle for the helm of this nation. That helm tilted a little each day, this way or that, in the hearts and minds of the next generation of Americans. You and I are the helm. We have the freedom, as well as the duty that accompanies the freedom, to make a difference. While others debate and protest and holler, you can start forging relationships and taking action. You can run for office, you can play a role in campaigning for a candidate, you can go start a business and donate to the God-fearing men who dare to stand in office! There’s a lot of rhetoric from doomsday prophets and political naysayers filling the airwaves. It is important to be informed, but please, don’t just inform yourself about the course of this ship- Change it. 

The founding fathers of the United States were so committed to promoting the principles of life, liberty, and property that they were willing to give everything they had, even their lives, for the cause of those principles.  As modern day patriots let’s work to preserve the torch of freedom that was passed down to us by our founding fathers!

Being a patriot is not simply one dramatic “last words” moment from a Mel Gibson movie.  Patriotism is constantly living for your principles, teaching them to others, and, when necessary, giving everything for what is right.

View Governor Clark on "I am Leading the Change"

Be on the lookout for more videos like this as we launch our new project I am Leading the Change!

The news reports have been full of recent stories of young people who have been bullied, teased, or embarrassed about their behavior. The tragic response that some young people have chosen has been suicide.

As a graduate of Patriot Academy, you know my emphasis on holding onto your golf ball – maintaining your integrity. We spend the entire week of PA discussing the importance of protecting your character and avoiding the negative consequences of doing ill-advised things. Many of you have even been required to earn the return of your golf ball through the public humiliation of singing a Veggie Tale song.

I will continue to hold you to the highest standards of behavior. That’s my job. I’m a mom. It’s what we do. Better to have you sing at PA for your golf ball than to read about an indiscretion that the entire world gets to be in on.

But, there is another side. Some of you will drop your golf ball in the future. Or, you will be ridiculed for something that is not funny. Or, you will have something come out that is so embarrassing that you have no idea how you will survive the humiliation of the exposure. It happens. Some of God’s greatest biblical characters dropped their golf balls from time to time. Moses was a murderer. David was both a murderer and an adulterer. Their sins caused them great distress.

Should you find yourself in this unsavory circumstance I want you to understand something. There is no sin or circumstance that the Lord cannot redeem. You will not die of embarrassment, even though you may wish you could just sink into a hole in the ground. If the thought crosses your mind that the only way out of a situation is by taking your own life, you need to seek immediate help.

When my children were teenagers, we had a rule. If they were ever in a situation where they should not be, they had a “get out of grounding free” card if they would call home and ask us to come and get them. The idea was that we never wanted them to be so afraid of the punishment that they put themselves into greater danger by getting in a car with a drunk friend, or worse.

So, listen up. Here is a new Mama Seay rule: If you find that you are in a situation where you feel you cannot handle the consequences, tell me or someone you know you can trust. I promise a “get out of singing free” card. I will not ask you what you were thinking. I will not tell you I told you so. I will hug you, tell you how precious you are to me, cry with you, and remind you that the Lord is bigger than your circumstances. I may even throw in some stories about stupid stuff I have done myself, just to remind you that you really are not alone.

Suicide is a very permanent solution to a temporary problem. If the thought crosses your mind, get help immediately.

You are loved,

Mama Seay

Patriot Academy – A week in political training…

My father came home from work and told us (my family) about this thing in Texas about politics. He said it would be a great training for my brother and some other young boys we know. Yet, they aren’t old enough. I asked if I could go. He said yes! So, I looked up the application and filled it out. Dad and I worked for what felt like weeks and weeks getting my essay right. In the end I wrote my final draft, and took it to get Daddy’s approval…it was a rather tense time as I waited while he read it…finally, very impressed, he looked at me, it passed with flying colors, so we sent it in. Now, we had to wait…and wait…and wait…finally one night I got THE e-mail, it would say if I had been accepted or not. I WAS!!!! Needless to say, I was soooo excited!

So, I had to fund raise. That really pushed me out of my comfort zone. But, I got it all done! And before I realized it, I was in Austin Texas!!

The plane arrived, I went to the rendezvous point, and met with two other Patriots. We got in the van and quickly became acquainted. Where we were from, our names, were we Representatives or Senators, what was our bills, how old were we, what did we do, hobbies, etc. We had PLENTY to talk about on the short drive. We arrived at the hotel got registered and went out to eat! (We were starving…)

Meeting all the Alumni and the rest of the freshmen was just amazing! Over the week we had some of the most amazing conversations, debates, and heart to hearts at PA!
I learned some efficient ways to debate, and learned public speaking skills. The skills we learned at Patriot Academy we will draw from for life!

I made friends with some young ladies whom I will be friends with for a lifetime!

The Mentor program really helped me to succeed and learn the most in the time I had! My mentor took time out of her own pressed-for-time schedule to teach me how everything works. She also took the time to explain what bills meant and what they would do, and if they complied with or violated the LIFT principles.

Patriot Academy changed my life! My faith was strengthened!
I recommend anyone who wants to learn about the legislative process, wants to see the godly heritage of America restored, or has a heart for government to attend Patriot Academy.

Thanks to the training I received at Patriot Academy I am able to be more confident when I speak in public. PA has also equipped me to participate very actively in the local and state level government affairs. Due to my father’s encouragement and guidance and Patriot Academy’s training I am leading the change in my area by serving my community as a committee member on a campaign for State Senate.

God has blessed not only me and my family through Patriot Academy, but also blessed many, many other people in many other states because of my going. May God continue to Bless Patriot Academy as long as she serves Him!!

Jessica Blomgren

Do you have a testimonial you’d like to share? Send it to judith@rickgreen.com and we’ll make sure it gets on the blog!