During my summer vacation with my family I was able to visit 
two great cities, New York City and Philadelphia. Two of the 
best things we did while in those cities were 1) taking a NY 
Harbor cruise that went by the Statue of Liberty and 
2) touring the Liberty Bell/ Constitution Hall in 
Philadelphia.

Although it was not the first time I had seen either one of 
these sites, touring with my family gave me a new appreciation 
for our country. Peering up from the New York Harbor at the 
beautiful Statue of Liberty and seeing Ellis Island just off 
to the right where 1/3 of Americans can trace their lineage 
placed a new image of Freedom and Liberty in my brain and 
helped me understand the history and diversity of this great 
land. In a new way, I saw the stark contrast between the 
symbol of the Statue of Liberty and memorial site of the 
Twin Towers (in lower Manhattan) less than a mile away.
 
The second site on my list was the Liberty Bell/ Constitution 
Hall in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell was removed from atop 
the Pennsylvania Statehouse where it stood in 1776, but both 
were united as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson 
and Ben Franklin and others debated and forged the ideals and 
principles on which this great nation founded. To hear again 
about the wisdom and faith of George Washington, John Adams 
and other founders, about their pursuit of Liberty and Justice 
for all, was so inspiring, and visiting the place where they 
debated and forged this great country is something every 
American should experience if at all possible. 


These two experiences put a new vigor in my soul about this 
great country in which we live. But I am not so arrogant an 
American as to think that we are without fault or to neglect 
to realize that we can be persuaded to turn from our 
principles and our God who has allowed us to be used to 
advance His Kingdom. We, like every country, must remain 
steadfast to God first and His ideals, truth and righteousness, 
not forgetting from whence we have come while seeking 
direction for where we are going. 


My prayer is that we, like our forefathers and mothers, will 
pursue liberty and justice for all of our land, that we will
not become preoccupied with me-ism and materialism, but rather 
seek to be instruments in His Hand and His will for our young 
country. 


May God continue to Bless and Keep this great nation, the 
United States of America, in His Grace and Mercy.  
                                Joy and Peace ~Rev. Tommy Wilkes



P.S. All are invited to Planning Day, scheduled for 
September 8th from 9-3pm at Camp Kinard in Leesville. This is 
a great privilege to be a part of and your presence is 
requested.