An Encouraging Word from Karen & Summer Study Info
Dear ladies,
I pray you had a blessed 4th of July as you celebrated the great freedoms we have in this country. May we never forget the Judeo-Christian values that this nation was founded upon, and may we stand for truth and freedom as we continue to pray for our pastors and churches, that the Word of God would go forth, which is the only hope for our country! As Abraham Lincoln said, “A Bible believing people will never be enslaved.”
For more on the celebration of our nation’s freedom, please click here.
Please see below for more information on the upcoming Ocean Grove Bible study and other ways to stay encouraged this summer!
I pray these brief reflections bless you as much as they did me!
The Nation's Strength
I know three things must always be
To keep a nation strong and free.
One is a hearthstone bright and dear,
With busy, happy loved ones near.
One is a ready heart and hand
To love, and serve, and keep the land.
One is a worn and beaten way
To where the people go to pray.
So long as these are kept alive,
Nation and people will survive.
God keep them always, everywhere:
The hearth, the flag, the place of prayer.
-Unknown
"If They Slip Too Far, the Light Will Go Out of America!"
“The ‘New Order,’ ‘New Freedom,’ ‘New Day,’ ‘New Outlook,’ ‘New Epoch,’ 'New Economy,’ 'New Deal,’ ‘New Religion,’ ‘New Liberalism,’ ‘New War,’ 'New Policy.' We have overworked this word ‘NEW' in trying to get out of misery from our 37 years of hot and cold wars, with intervals of hot and cold peace. The practical thing, if we want to make the world over, is to try out the word 'OLD' for awhile. Some OLD THINGS made this country. Some OLD THINGS are slipping. If they slip THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT OF AMERICA. OLD virtues, religions, faith, whole truth, integrity, honor in public office, economy in government, individual liberty, willingness to sacrifice. We have a CANCEROUS GROWTH of intellectual dishonesty in public life mostly beyond law. Our great danger is suicide by complaisance with evil!"
-Herbert Hoover
Why Washington Succeeded
You may read in your United States history how George Washington found rest and relief in prayer during the trying times he and his soldiers passed through at Valley Forge. With all the cares and anxieties of that time upon him, he used to have recourse to prayer. One day a farmer approaching the camp heard an earnest voice. On coming nearer, he saw George Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying to God. The farmer returned home and said to his wife: “George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence!” "What makes you think so, Isaac?” asked his wife. The farmer replied: "I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will, Hannah; thee may rest assured He will.”
-Sunday School Times
The Greatness of America
De Tocqueville of France, over a hundred years ago, visited America. Upon his return home he wrote: “I sought for the greatness of America in her harbors and rivers and fertile fields, and her mines and commerce. It was not there. Not until I went into the churches and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness of her power. America is great because she is good; and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
-Unknown
We Would See Jesus,
Karen Pulley
Stay connected this summer! All women are invited to the Ocean Grove Summer Study with Karen Pulley - "The Romance of Redemption” - beginning Tuesday, July 12. Click here for more information!
Stay encouraged this summer!
Follow along with Karen’s weekly messages on Youtube, Facebook, or Instagram.
Follow along with Cara Blondo’s blog and podcast on Instagram, Apple podcasts (or online), and her latest YouVersion reading plan.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming Fall Study, Finding God Faithful: Living a Life of Triumph (A Study on the Life of Joseph), beginning September 13. Registration will begin soon!