“The American dream.” I am sure a dozen people would define that in a couple of dozen ways, but surely there is some basic agreement.

Only an unthinking person would believe that, however it may be defined, it is not a retreating reverie. It is going to be a virtual impossibility for the next generation to reach the heights of economic success you and I have enjoyed.

I have to respectfully disagree with one of the statements about “the American Dream” made last night by our President -

“The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important,” Obama declared. “We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them.” (Yahoo News)

I believe the defining issue of our time is not “how to keep that promise alive,” rather, whether we are going to embrace, as individuals, as a people, as a society, as a Nation, the Spiritual values of Scripture embraced by our founding Fathers; whether we are or are not going to bring this Nation, under God, to a Nation whose God is the LORD JEHOVAH. “No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important.” Without His blessing and divine protection, we will not continue as we are.

I only pray it is not already too late.

It’s time for another (I am writing this the day before you receive it) State of the Union address. . .and of course, the rebuttal from the opposition party. I suspect the speeches will be “more of the same” with little comment on the reality that our Nation is close to economic collapse, divided by constant “class warfare,” and without significant change in the fundamental operation of Government, may find itself unable to survive as we have known it.

ABC News reports – The President intends to unveil a fresh blueprint for “an America built to last,” with a strong emphasis on education, innovation, creating more high-quality jobs and making working Americans feel more optimistic about the future. If your are a wagering person, odds are the rebuttal will offer the same concepts in different words. . .so don’t bet on the outcome. Government is broken and I don’t hear any radical rhetoric (at least from the two major parties) about getting it fixed.

The supreme flaw lies in trying to build a Nation, or anything else, that will “last.” If the Scripture is correct (and believe me IT IS) it appears that nothing on Earth, except the people, will survive the coming disaster – “But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day, the Heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be destroyed, and the Earth and the works on it will be dissolved.” (2 Peter 3:10)

The Apostle Peter tells us that the most important factor in life is that we be a people who live “in holy conduct and Godliness.” Prior to the coming destruction, Christ is returning to take all those who have received God’s redeeming grace to His eternal home. All the rest will spend eternity without hope of redemption.

Now is a great time to consider the Truth of the llove of God. It will provide for you what Government never can.