"Perception is Reality" is a Very Foolish Statement

How many times have you heard someone say "perception is reality?" The fact is that "perception" is merely a lens through which we see the world, ourselves and others; BUT "reality" is the true state of things. The statement "perception is reality" is just NOT true and is actually very foolish! Truth is truth, no matter what one's perception may be!

Consider a few examples: A building may be perceived as structurally sound; but in reality, it may have a weak foundation. A sports car may be perceived as fast, but what if there were no engine under the hood? A stone may be perceived as a diamond, but it may be a cubic zirconia. Handguns are often perceived to empty, but there is often a round in the chamber. On April 10, 1912, the Titanic was perceived to be unsinkable; but on April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank! A person may be perceived as religious, but his heart may be wicked. There is no question that perception is NOT always the reality, unless the truth has been properly perceived.

Consider these biblical illustrations: Perception initially kept the Israelites from conquering the Promised Land, because they didn't believe the reality (truth) that God would defeat the giants. Perception could have kept David from battling Goliath, but he knew the reality; that God gives the victory. Perception caused Gideon to want a big army, but the reality; was that that his small army easily defeated the Midianites. Perception almost kept Jesse from presenting David to be anointed King, but Samuel made clear the reality that...man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7.

Jesus also addressed this idea of "perception vs. reality" as He called-out the Pharisees in Matthew 23,"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." My wife and I have seen those huge, ornate sepulchers (tombs) in Israel. They perception is that they are ornate and beautiful; but the reality is they are filled with the stench of death!

The concept of "real vs. fake" or "perception vs. reality" was a lesson that Jesus drove home repeatedly. In Matt. 13:24-30, He taught this lesson with the parable of the Wheat and the Tares. In Matt. 7:15, He said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira lied and they died. They wanted people to believe something about them that was not true... they were giving a false perception. The culmination of Jesus' warnings of "real vs. fake" comes in Matt. 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” The Bible warns over and over and over again, that many are not what they seem to be on the outside. Take comfort or warning that the day of judgment is coming and the truth will be revealed.

If these passages haven't convinced you that "perception is NOT reality," then let me close with a few final thoughts. The religious crowds (the church folks of the day), perceived Jesus to be the son of Mary & Joseph, but Jesus was the Son of God. They perceived Jesus to be a knowledgeable religious teacher; but He was omniscient. They perceived Jesus to be a simple human, but He was the Creator Who took on the form of His creation. They perceived Jesus to be a blasphemer, but He was the Great I AM! They perceived there are many ways to heaven; but Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father except through Me."

So, is your relationship with Jesus Christ merely a perception, or a reality? Man may look on the outward appearance, but God knows our true heart. Let's make sure our heart is right with God.

Rejoice When Your Faith is Tested

I love the Book of James, and especially the first chapter.  Everyone will experience trials of some kind during their lifetime. For some, the trials will knock them out of church and sideline them from serving. For others, they will use the trial as a stepping stone to help them reach the greater things that God is trying to prepare them for.  James instructs us to "...count it all joy when we fall into various trials." That statement sounds ridiculous; but James realized that trials strengthen our dependence upon the Lord. Someone once said that "Without a great test, there can never be a great testimony." The key word here is "test." It is important to realize that God will test our faith, but God will never tempt us to sin as James explains in James 1:13.

James also teaches us that the testing of our faith works patience or endurance. It is through these times of growth that our faith matures and we see God in a whole different perspective. It's one thing to trust God when everything is going well; but it's another to trust Him on our difficult days and in the middle of difficult circumstances. Bible stories like Joseph, who was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten; will bring great joy when we see that it was through his testing that God positioned and prepared him to be a great leader. Abraham's faith was tested when he laid Isaac on the altar and raised the dagger. Job's faith was tested when he lost all that he had, but he refused to curse God. Daniel's faith was tested when he refused to bow down and was tossed into the lions' den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had their faith tested when the door of the furnace was opened and the guards prepared to throw them into the fire. In each of these tests, the individuals passed the test and God poured out His blessings upon them. 

I will quickly admit that I've not passed every test. In fact, no one has. Life is full of adversity and we can either quit when we fail or learn from, rise up and build after a failure.  John Maxwell appropriately titled one of his books, "Failing Forward."  I encourage you to begin recognizing life's trials as tests of your faith. In addition, begin to realize that others are watching how you respond and your response will reveal what you really believe about Christ. My goal is to continue growing and maturing to the point that when others see me, they see a clear representation of Jesus in both the good times and in the difficult times. I don't like to be tested, but I sure do like to know God is pleased with me when I pass the test!

One of my favorite "old" songs about trials and times of testing is titled "REJOICE IN THE LORD" by Ron Hamilton. If you did not initially recognize the name, Ron Hamilton, you may recognize his alias - "Patch the Pirate." It was through the trial of losing his eye to cancer that God tested Ron and prepared him for an amazing ministry that would be launched by using his new eye patch. Click to hear Ron's testimony & the song. "REJOICE IN THE LORD" by Ron Hamilton. 

Don't Let Past Mistakes Define You

I am a guy who always pulls for the "underdog" and I believe in second chances. Recently, my heart just about came out of my chest as I had a conversation with a man who many "wrote-off," but God did not. The man is a good man, a godly man, a family man, and a humbled man. He was the rising star in two previous church settings, before he made a mistake that nearly cost him his family. He stepped out of ministry for a few years in order to regroup, and then God opened the door for him to serve as a pastor, again. He is doing a great job revitalizing a church, his marriage is strong, his children are serving the Lord and he is a trophy of God's grace! My heart goes out to people like this, because "Christians" can be so critical and judgmental. I remember meeting with this man several years ago for breakfast at the local Shoney's. I wanted to encourage him, but instead he encouraged me.  He made a statement that I think might be an encouragement to you. He said, "I can't let a mistake in my past define who I am or the future I will have." What a great thought!

What about you, are you allowing your past mistakes to define you? Are you still believing the cruel father who called you "stupid?" Are you allowing yourself to be defined by a past addiction? Are you going to quit, because someone says you're finished? Well, if so, you haven't read the Bible. God is the God of the second chance! David had an affair with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, but God calls him a man after his own heart. Rahab was a prostitute, but she also saved the spies and had a rich lineage. Samson spilled his guts to Delilah, but he also spilled the guts of many Philistines.

We will all make mistakes, but what will we do with our mistakes? Some fools will choose to repeat their mistakes (2nd time it is a choice!). Some will use their mistake as their "excuse" for the rest of their lives. Others will get up, dust themselves off, learn from the mistakes, and go make a difference that will impact eternity. So, what about you? Don't let your mistakes define who you are, or limit the future God wants you to have. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I leave you with the promise found in 1 John 1:9 - " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Ask God to forgive your past mistakes... forgive yourself for your past mistakes... and get moving toward the plans and dreams God has in store for your future.

Are We In the Last Days?

So many questions are being asked as a result of the world being flipped upside-down by COVID-19. Some of the most common questions include: “Is COVID-19 the result of biological warfare?” “ Is this the beginning of the end?”  “Are these the last days before Christ’s return?” “Will this crisis commence use of a universal currency, a one-world government or the mark of the beast?”

My answer to these sorts of questions has been and will continue to be, “I don’t think so;” but it does set in perspective just how easy it will be for those events predicted in the Book of Revelation to come to fruition. Just consider that the world’s economy crumbled in a matter of weeks; businesses shuttered their doors; grocery store shelves emptied; people world-wide were confined to home; and oil traded in the negative! The interdependence of world markets, supply chains and data sharing is a topic of discussion in the daily press briefings.

For the first time, we are hearing terms like:
- “Immunity Passport” (certificate/card) to restrict travel and access, unless a person has been vaccinated or identified to have the antibodies.
- “Contact tracking,” which is being “sold” as a way to see if those infected with COVID-19 stay home or who they have contact with. Many smartphone apps, along with the new 5G network, already make this possible. Apple and Google are joining efforts to release a new COVID-19 tracking option built into the operating system for everyone with an iOS or Android phone. By the way, it was announced yesterday that the states of NY, CA & WA are building "armies of contact tracers" raising civil liberties & privacy concerns.

We are seeing individuals and businesses embracing “touchless” currency:
- Touchless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap to pay, mobile payment apps, and mobile banking are now being embraced by those who shunned it only months ago.
- Distribution of Government funds is being done via direct deposit, by accessing people’s personal bank accounts.
- Conversations about improving cyber security and guarding against identity theft are including thoughts of microchip technology, retina scans, finger prints, etc. 

Revelation 13:17 tells us that no one will be able to buy or sell goods, without the mark (of the beast). You can see it coming!

We are seeing an increase in data gathering:
- Saudi Arabia, India and even the USA are now using or planning to use drones to monitor people’s body temperatures, coughing and even to measure social distancing.
- A forehead scan is being used to measure body temperature as employees check-in to work, tourists enter our state and in many other capacities. It would be easy to implant a micro-chip under the skin or a tattooed barcode to retrieve personal data, medical records, travel records, employee information, etc. all in one quick scan.
- You discuss a product in the privacy of your home and the product shows up on your feed in Facebook or on the web, the next time you open your browser.
- Dr. Stephen Hahn, FDA Commissioner, told Maria Bartiromo. “Really good thing that is going to come out of this, that we are going to be able to expand our capacity to collect data and analyze it.” Collecting data is becoming a Government specialty!

We are hearing new Government rhetoric against religious entities:
- NYC Mayor, Bill DeBlasio, on March 27 ordered police to shut-down church services consisting of more than 10 people; he promised fines for violators, and threatened to shut down churches permanently.
- Gov. Cuomo’s statement about the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing, “God did not do that. Faith did not do that…It’s math.”
- Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of the River Church in Tampa, FL was arrested for holding church services, in spite of witness testimony and pictures showing that they encouraged social distancing. Similar situations have taken place with other pastors and churches.
- KS Gov. Laura Kelly ordered that churches limit all worship gatherings to 10 or less.
- Liberty University is now pressing charges against journalists who allegedly printed  inaccurate stories about LU reopening to students in spite of Coronavirus cases reported on the campus.
- The list of allegations, charges, challenges, and threats toward religious institutions is growing at an unprecedented rate; as "some" Government agencies are beginning to overreach into the Church. (I will pause here to thank the POTUS and Gov. DeSantis for their support for freedom of worship.) 

So, whether you believe we are in the last days or not, we are definitely in different days that reveal just how easy it will be for the events of Revelation to come to fruition. Data collection, immunity certificates, tracking devices, touchless currency, media influence and Government reach into churches are just a few things that align us closer to the events described in Revelation.

As I close, let me be very clear; I write this article not to “scare” anyone, but rather to raise awareness to the events of our day. We live in a time where there should be an excitement about Christ’s return, not a fear of a virus!  These events should raise an urgency in our soul to share the Gospel with others! Finally, these events should cause us to make sure that we are prepared for eternity and to echo the words of John in Revelation 22:20, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Look to Jesus for Healing

This whole situation with COVID-19, the Coronavirus, reminds me of the story told in Numbers 21:4-9. "Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” 6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived."

What a story! I am NOT in any way suggesting that COVID-19 is God's judgment on the world, but I do see some similarities between modern culture and the Children of Israel:

1) Europe was the birthplace to some of the world's greatest revivals, but now is a post-Christian society;

2) I believe the USA is moving toward, if not already become a "post-Christian" society;

3) A nation founded on Christianity (that was the religion of the Pilgrims & forefathers) is now accepting worship to any god;

4) Americans have pushed God to #2 position, and replaced Him with other gods (i.e. - the stock market, sports, shopping, work, electronics, etc.);

5) Many Americans have placed their trust in big government to supply their needs, rather than depending on God;

6) Americans have become self-absorbed, while Jesus was others-oriented (consider the TP & hand sanitizer hoarders during this crisis);

7) Many have come to see God as a cosmic vending machine and will quickly turn against Him, if they do not get their way;

8) Many have replaced Sunday, the Lord's Day, with the worship of recreational hobbies;

9) Many have deteriorated to the place at which they consider God as an option, as long as He does not impose on their schedule or lifestyle;

10) Too many proclaim to know God; but in their works, they deny Him.

So what is the answer to stop this spiritual decline and departure from the only true God, Jehovah? Where can we find real healing? We must follow the example found in Numbers 21 and exalt the Lord, fix our eyes on Jesus, repent of our sin, and live in light of eternity! As a nation, we are praying for healing from a disease and God does want to heal our land, but He also desires to heal our soul. Healing will come when the Church gets back to basics, as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

COVID-19 Helpful Resources

I am sure that you (like me) are being inundated with information regarding COVID-19. I can only put-up with hearing this stuff and the apocalyptic comments for so long, and then I start hitting "delete" whenever I see an email that starts with "Coronavirus." Below, I have tried to sort through the clutter and provide resources that you might find helpful:

1) FLORIDA CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE & WEBSITE - 24-hour hotline that is dedicated to answer your questions or concerns. The number is 1-866-779-6121. The call center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Florida Health website can be found at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

2) SoFlo TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
A. As of today, 3/20/20, Coronavirus screeing is now available in Pompano Beach. To schedule a time, Broward Health asks that patients first get a written prescription from a physician and then call (954) 320-5730 to register. Those who qualify will be required to present a photo ID, the written prescription and the registration confirmation number
B. In Weston, Cleveland Clinic Florida is scheduling appointments for drive-through testing at their Weston Krupa Center, located at 3250 Meridian Parkway.
C. Community Health of South Florida, Inc. is testing its patients through a drive-through set-up at the Doris Ison Health Center, located at 10300 SW 216 Street, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
D. CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, also has a drive-through test site. Testing is limited to healthcare workers & those age 65+ with obvious signs. Be prepared for a wait time of 2 hours and to be asked to exit, if you do not meet the criteria for testing.

3) BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA
- Baptist Health is making Care on Demand available through a phone app. Download the app and use the the code CARE19 for free access.

4) CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL - CDC Website

5) GRACECHURCHSFL.COM - We will try to keep our website updated whenever useful information is available.

Using Technology to Share the Never Changing Message with an Ever Changing World

Last month, the stock market was enjoy an 11 year bull market, housing prices were trending up, families were planning spring break, workers were considering retirement, workers were enjoying their jobs, and churches were doing business as usual. (I am not implying that "business as usual" is a good thing at any time for any church.) Everyone was enjoying life and saw only blue skies on the horizon... then entered COVID-19 / Coronavirus.

The world changed seemingly overnight; paralyzed with fear due to uncertainty. Where do people go when then are afraid? Often, they seek solace in God and return to the Church. For example, immediately following the attacks of 9-11, church attendance increased drastically. But, this time it is different. We are being told not to gather in groups of more than 10, so where do people go this time to seek God?

The answer is - they go to the Church. The Church has never been a building, although many mistakenly call it such. The Church is a "called out assembly" of those people who have accepted God's gift of salvation through the sacrificial and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The Church spans the globe! It includes people of all nations, tribes, and tongues. We meet at various times, speak different languages, worship according to our culture, and meet in different places. Some services are held outside; others inside. Some in beautiful buildings; some in huts. Some in houses, basements, coffee shops, hotels, public schools, and so forth. The place of gathering does not matter, but obedience to the command found in Hebrews 10:25, "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...;" that does matter!

With the recent precautionary efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the Church is using a new method to meet - online. This method certainly should not replace the physical gathering of worshipers, after this health threat is over; but it is a good option for now. People will be able to worship together (virtually) from the safety of their own homes, until this pandemic passes. Technology can be a great tool, when used properly.

I can hear the critics now, "Bless God, that's not church!" They are right, the Church is not limited to a service (physical or virtual), the Church is the people... the called out assembly.

For the sake of protecting those in our congregation who are at high risk, as well as, letting our community know that we care about them enough to help protect them; Grace Church is moving our services online-only this week. Our method is changing, BUT our message is NOT! This cutting edge technology will allow us to continue to deliver the message of the Gospel and I am excited about that! We get to proclaim Christ to the nations as quarantined people tune in from around the world. That's exciting! So, if you do not usally attend a worship service, I invite you to join with us this Sunday at 10:45am via Facebook Live. Yep, we're using new technology to worship together, learn from the Scriptures, and introduce people to an "ALL IN" faith in Jesus Christ.

2020 Vision

Have you ever left for a trip and not known your destination? Have you ever tried to put together a jig-saw puzzle without ever having looked at the picture on the box? Have you ever tried to assemble a piece of Sauderwood furniture without glancing at the instructions? Packing for a trip is easier when we know where we are going. Puzzles & projects are easier, when we know what we are assembling. The same is true for the local church.

At Grace, we want people to see the big picture and know where we are going as a church. We've found that people often do not "buy-in," until they understand the goal and objectives. Well, we want total buy-in, so we are repeating and focusing on several specific things this year:

1) Our Mission is to "Exalt the Lord, Equip Believers & Evangelize the World."
2) Our Vision is focused on evangelistic growth. We are not interested in growing our congregation by stealing sheep; rather we want to see people experience new birth through salvation and follow in baptism.
3) Our Strategy is to engage in a variety of efforts to help our people discover forms of evangelism that fit their individual personalities. (i.e. - Hanging info bags on doors, feeding the homeless, participating in crusades, hosting block parties, servant evangelism, special days, hobbies, hanging-out evangelism, and so forth.)

The bottom-line is that we want our church family to engage in the Great Commission! We feel that having a clear understanding of our mission, vision and strategy will draw people together and help us stay on track. We want our church family to know why we exist and where we are going in 2020. We pray that by clarifying and explaining these things, that people will more willingly "buy-in" and embrace the vision. To this point, we are celebrating the response of our church family and what God is doing through them. There is a renewed excitement as individuals are participating and seeing God use them to accomplish HIS purpose.

So, pray for our Grace family as we strive to stay focused on our mission to fulfill the Great Commission this year!

The Gift of Forgiveness at Christmas

Christmas is in the air here in South Florida. It is true that we do not have snow covered roofs, freezing temperatures, or a toboggan on every child’s head. In South Florida, we know it is Christmas time in other ways – the traffic increases as the snowbirds arrive, parking spaces are difficult to find at the malls, the temperatures have fallen into the 70’s, the humidity has decreased, and people are busy wrapping Christmas lights around their palm trees. The chaos will continue to increase as we draw closer to December 25 and people search for those last minute gifts. Every year, in the midst of the chaos, I stop to wonder how many take the time to reflect on a quiet night in Bethlehem... you know... that first Christmas night.

My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Israel. Each time, we have had the privilege of standing in the Shepherd's Field, which is small and very quiet. Standing in that field at night, you see nothing but the dark, star-filled sky... oh, and the lights of Bethlehem in the distance. I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to see and hear the angels announcing the birth of Jesus! I always laugh when I read Luke 2:10, and think of the angel saying, "Do not be afraid..." Yeah, right! Who would not be afraid when an angel appears in the darkness! The good news the angel pronounced was the birth of our Savior!

On that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, we see the greatest Giver was God... the greatest Gift was His Son... and the greatest example was God's act of forgiveness. Jesus did not come to pay the penalty for His sins, but rather to forgive and pay for ours. God gave His Son so that our sin could be forgiven and so that we could be reconciled to Him. Jesus did not do anything wrong, but He willingly laid down His life to pay our sin debt and purchase a place in heaven for us. That is an amazing act of love and forgiveness, which sets an example or us to follow.

Sadly, “churchgoers” are often the most unforgiving of people. I have worked in secular environments where people cuss at each other, lose their temper, and say some rotten things; but those same people let it roll off their backs and the next day they have forgiven each other, reconciled and moved forward. I do not often see that same effort toward forgiveness and reconciliation among those who claim to be “Christians.”

Christmas is a reminder that God forgives our faults and failures, and we should do likewise (Eph. 4:32). "Peace on earth and good will toward men" should start in the church. John 3:16 reminds us of God's position, "For God SO LOVED the world (those who had turned their backs on Him) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Eternal life through Jesus Christ is God's gift to all humanity and it reveals His heart of love… His example of forgiveness!

We, too, have the opportunity to claim or share in the gift of forgiveness this Christmas. If you have never confessed your sinful condition before God and personally received His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, this Christmas season is a great time to do so. If you are holding a grudge against someone, Christmas is a great time of year to extend forgiveness and initiate the steps toward reconciliation. Being right with God and right with others could make this the greatest Christmas that you have ever experienced! I close by encouraging all Christ-followers to promote peace on earth and good will toward all men by following God’s example of forgiveness.

Remembering the First Thanksgiving

In this day, in which efforts are being made to rewrite history, the real meaning of Thanksgiving is fading quickly. For many, Thanksgiving correlates with nothing more than a day off work, downing a turkey, and watching football. For that reason, I want to start with a brief history of Thanksgiving.

In September 1620, the Mayflower left England, carrying 102 passengers seeking a new home where the Pilgrims could freely practice their faith and find opportunities for prosperity. The difficult journey eventually took them to Plymouth, where winter and disease were so brutal that only half of the original passengers and crew survived.

The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate corn, to extract sap, and to fish. In November 1621, the Pilgrims organized a feast to celebrate their successful harvest and invited their Indian friends to enjoy a meal of celebration with them. This feast is remembered as the “First Thanksgiving.” On October 3, 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to be celebrated each November.

Too many want to act like this event never happened, but a little known national monument, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, pays a great tribute to our Forefathers, those first English settlers who landed at Plymouth. The 81’ tall solid-granite monument is located in state park at 72 Allerton Street in Plymouth, MA. The cornerstone was laid in 1859 and the monument was completed in 1889. The monument was originally planned to be approx. 150’ tall, but was reduced during the Civil War due to lack of funding.

The placard on the northeast side of the monument reads, “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.” The sculptures on the monument represent the virtues that the Pilgrims brought with them when they arrived in 1620. The largest and tallest sculpture is Faith. Other figures include Morality represented by a woman holding a tablet symbolic of the Ten Commandments which reads, “I am the Lord thy God...” Seen in Morality’s throne are references to Prophecy and Evangelism.

On the west side are figures representing Law, Justice and Mercy. On the south side is Education flanked by Wisdom and Youth. On the east side is Liberty flanked by Peace. Along with these figures, the monument also includes smaller sculptures telling the story of the Pilgrims’ leaving England, landing at Plymouth and interacting with Native Americans. The Pilgrims are also honored with a monument in Provincetown, MA that was completed in 1910.

There is no question regarding the Christian faith that the Pilgrims brought with them. Their quest was to find a place where they could worship God freely. In a day when people are rewriting history, let us pause to remember the Pilgrims who risked their lives to pursue religious freedom. Let’s pause to remember their sacrifices, which laid the groundwork for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Sure, eat the turkey, enjoy the family and watch some football this Thanksgiving; but also take time to count your blessings and to thank God for faith, family, friends and freedom!