January of 1776 in Woodstock, Virginia that is. Not Woodstock, NY of 1969. Back in the day, we learned about this in school. Not now. We need to pay attention, else our freedoms die a death of benign neglect.
Standing to preach on Sunday, January 23, 1776, Lutheran
pastor Peter Muhlenberg opened the Scriptures to Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 and read verse 1: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…" He closed the Bible and preached, concluding with this statement: "There is a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. There is a time to fight, and that time has come."
Pastor Peter Muhlenberg (from Lutheran sermon, Woodstock, Virginia, 1776) Removing his clerical robe to reveal the uniform of a Continental, soldier, Muhlenberg left the church to lead the 8th Virginia to join the fight for freedom from tyranny. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and by war's end had seen action in 11 major engagements, eventually brevetted to Major General. He was but the most famous of many men of God who did the same.
What about today? Where are the Peter Muhlenberg's? Do our pulpits ring across the land with the bold message of righteousness? Do we shout a voice for "the least of these" who have no voice? Having done all to stand, do we stand unmoved for the sanctity of life, liberty, marriage and family? Or are we silent but for safe and secure topics that won't divide, mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren in the process? Are we reaping the crop of a generation steeped in the Woodstock of 1969, including our politicians and pulpiteers? Will anyone pray with me that we awaken to the Woodstock of 1776? Because what's coming may ultimately make King George look like a novice.
January of 1776 in Woodstock, Virginia that is. Not Woodstock, NY of 1969. Back in the day, we learned about this in school. Not now. We need to pay attention, else our freedoms die a death of benign neglect.
Standing to preach on Sunday, January 23, 1776, Lutheran pastor Peter Muhlenberg opened the Scriptures to Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 and read verse 1: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…" He closed the Bible and preached, concluding with this statement: "There is a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. There is a time to fight, and that time has come."
Pastor Peter Muhlenberg (from Lutheran sermon, Woodstock, Virginia, 1776) Removing his clerical robe to reveal the uniform of a Continental, soldier, Muhlenberg left the church to lead the 8th Virginia to join the fight for freedom from tyranny. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and by war's end had seen action in 11 major engagements, eventually brevetted to Major General. He was but the most famous of many men of God who did the same.
What about today? Where are the Peter Muhlenberg's? Do our pulpits ring across the land with the bold message of righteousness? Do we shout a voice for "the least of these" who have no voice? Having done all to stand, do we stand unmoved for the sanctity of life, liberty, marriage and family? Or are we silent but for safe and secure topics that won't divide, mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren in the process? Are we reaping the crop of a generation steeped in the Woodstock of 1969, including our politicians and pulpiteers? Will anyone pray with me that we awaken to the Woodstock of 1776? Because what's coming may ultimately make King George look like a novice.