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Read Psalm 150

When I was 7 years old, my parents took me to Washington D.C. It was a very memorable experience. I got to see all the Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Mount Vernon, and many other places of interest. I almost met President Kennedy, but we were told he was called away at the last moment on "important" business. But of all the experiences I had while visiting in our nation's capitol, I think the most memorable was going up in the Washington Monument and being allowed to take the stairway all the way down.

To me, that was absolutely amazing! There I was, only 7 years old, up higher than I'd ever been before, looking over this vast, sprawling metropolis, unlike anything I'd ever seen before, and then getting permission to follow my 13 year old brother all the way down those stairs, unattended by any adults, no security officers, or anyone else for that matter, until at long last we reached the bottom where we just stepped out and stared upward in amazement at the incredible height from which we had just descended. I thought: Only in America! Only in America!

Ever since that time, I have been impressed with the Washington Monument and have learned more about its significance. For instance, I never knew that Congress passed a law stating no building ever built in the Capitol area could exceed the height of the Washington Monument out of respect for the founder of our nation. I was also unaware that there is an aluminum cap at the top of the towering obelisk upon which are inscribed two words. The words are: LAUS DEO. No one can see the words from the ground up. Most people have never heard they are even there. But they have been there since 1888 when the monument was dedicated, strategically located at the highest point over what has become the most powerful city in the most successful nation on the face of the earth.

But what do these four syllables and seven letters mean? Very simply they are Latin for: PRAISE BE TO GOD! Think of it: Towering over our nation's capitol at this very moment are words of praise and faith. Back in 1962 at such a very young age, I never realized how important it was that our nation was founded on Christian principles and that evidence of faith was etched in every corner of our nation's capitol by its founders and builders.

For instance, I never knew that the capitol city itself is laid out in four major segments by the original plan of the French designer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant in the form of a perfect cross. It is imposed upon the very landscape of the city with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol Building to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

But why a cross? What about separation of church and state? What about the American Civil Liberties Union? (I don't think they even had one in those days!). What many people in our country fail to realize is that separation of church and state, was not, and is not, in the Constitution. Laus Deo: Praise be to God! The worship of God and the tenets of the Christian faith were simply considered foundational pillars by those who formed and created this fledgling, new democracy.

But there's more: Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. And I stepped on every single one of them! But even then, in my excitement and haste, I failed to notice that the stairway contained memorials inscribed or placed at each of the various landings: At the 12^th landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore. On the 20^th landing is a plaque presented by a group of Chinese Christians. On the 24^th landing is a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16, and Proverbs 22:6. I never noticed any of that when I was seven. But now that I know about it, I want to exclaim: Laus Deo: Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Monument was laid on July 4^th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible. Such was the spiritual conviction and the moral underpinnings of our unique democracy which was said to be, "One nation, UNDER GOD, with liberty and justice for all. Laus Deo: Praise be to God!"

Now, if you went to Washington D.C. today, you would see evidence of the faith that built our nation everywhere you turn. You would find the Ten Commandments etched in the two massive oak doors that lead to the chambers of the Supreme Court. Verses from the Holy Bible are inscribed in stone on almost every Federal building and National Monument. Patrick Henry, the great patriot and one of the founding fathers declared:

Here's something else you should know. Did you realize that every session of Congress begins with a prayer by an ordained minister whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777? Laus Deo! Perhaps you may forget the location of the words or the architects that put them there, but I hope you will never forget their meaning: Praise be to God!

During the month of July as we celebrate the Independence of our Nation, I thought it would be well for all of us to know these facts concerning the origins of our nation and the principles that have made it great.

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As I was reading the Psalms this week, I was reminded that we should always give thanks and praise to God in all circumstances. If you have been reading one Psalm and one Proverb a day throughout 2006, you will notice that the Psalms consistently remind us, that no matter what happens to us in life, you and I, as believers in the Almighty God, will always stand as beloved children of our Heavenly King. Nothing can change that fact. And furthermore, we are privileged, as God's people, to live in a country where we are free to serve our God and worship our Lord in the manner that we choose without fear of reprisal, or persecution, or of bodily harm. Ours is the privilege of living in a land where freedom is our greatest gift and where many have sacrificed dear so that you and I might enjoy it. Therefore, we should never take it for granted!

Reading the Psalms reminds me that none of us should ever minimize the blessings we have been so freely given by our Lord; for as believers in Jesus Christ, we have been honored, blessed, wonderfully saved, and given the hope of everlasting life. For that reason, how could we ever refrain from giving God the praise in all circumstances? Laus Deo: Praise be to God! I don't ever want to forget that. I hope you won't either.

~ Pastor Norm

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