I love the nation in which I live and was born. I love America.
From the rugged oceans of Northern California to the majestic mountains of Montana, from the Freedom Trail in Boston to the battlegrounds of the Civil War. From the Florida Keys to the plains of Iowa to the hill country of Texas. Small town football, inner city soccer camps, baseball little leagues … the blues festivals in Chicago and the food of New Orleans … I love it all.
And I love the spirit of this nation, how we come together facing a true crisis. People stop to help someone in need; others show up to volunteer for months in disasters, floods, and fires – we are a nation of neighbors.
This week, the USA celebrates the founding of a republic whose pledge of allegiance declares, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS! July 4, 2026. Celebrating freedom and the blessing of Almighty God.
One of America’s founding heroes was the statesman Patrick Henry; he famously said, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” But Henry also declared this, “It cannot be emphasized too often or too strongly that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
President Ronald Reagan said, "It's the American vision of creating a new nation of free people, a country that would be a light unto the nations, and a shining city upon a hill... I know that you each will keep faith with that great American dream that burns within our souls and within the soul of every American.”
The strength of America is not based on economic prowess or military might – the true strength of America is based on its generosity. Generosity is always the product of love, and love comes from men and women who are willing to follow truth.
Truth isn’t a philosophy – truth is a person – Jesus Christ. That is the core that will keep America strong – and the rejection of that core will hasten its decline.
Against a rising tide of men’s issues, cultural chaos and the amplification of division, the pastors and men’s leaders of CMN are calling for men to rise up to their God-given calling – to bring light to the darkness, peace to the places of unrest, joy to those who mourn, unity where there is hate, freedom where there is bondage.
We celebrate the United States of America on the remembrance of July Fourth. But what has made America great is what my dad said years ago – “nations are great not by virtue of their wealth but the wealth of their virtue.”
True of nations, true of men.
May we all, as Americans, again commit to love for all men. That all are created equal by their Creator. That no man has rights over another man … that we are truly brothers.
May we hold fast to this word from Peter: “Honor all men, love the brotherhood, reverence God, respect the king.” 1 Peter 2:17
May God bless our brothers in every nation of the world, and may God bless America.
Paul Louis Cole
