Replies

Both of my grandfathers were self employed, had a strong sense of community, loved America, and worked until physically unable to do so. During the Great Depression, my mother's father refused to allow her to work in his company because she would be taking the job of someone who really needed it. He could support her, thus she had to remain at home and be active in church functions. As a side note, there were many years that his company had a profit of only $1 and he took out no salary. He felt he had to show a profit so the bank wouldn't call his loan. Quite a contrast to today's society where the “smart thing” is to declare bankruptcy and start over. My other grandfather was Secretary of a family business (long since disbanded) who felt it was an obligation to provide for employees. They never made much money but were able to provide steady jobs through hard times for their employees. That gives you a little idea of the background that influenced me.

Your section above is great inspiration. Next to the first generation of rebels, I think any generation that endured great crisis seemed to have among them those that yearned for the good and even strove for it. The Civil War generation, the depression generation, the WWII generation would be examples.

One thing that strikes me is that the Great Spiritual Awakenings always seem to precede crises rather than prevent them, and are even causes of them. The first great awakening led into the Revolution, those people coming to understand freedom. The 2nd great awakening led into the westward expansion in a rush for individual ownership, property, and independence in religion and community. The 3rd awakening led to abolitionists, the Civil War, and "a new rebirth of freedom".

Some say the post-WWII Evangelical revival (Billy Graham the exemplar) coupled with the Viet era generation, the Jesus "Freak" Movement, was a 4th awakening. We see a crisis engulfing us, but we have yet to see how the response to it will explode into a "burned over district" ablaze with faith and freedom.

Strongly agree that a spiritual revival is needed within America. Those who lost the ability to worship (Russia), are now embracing it. I am a supporter of Big Life and their model for spreading the gospel. However, I feel many organizations are overlooking America at a time when the government is trying to oppress religion. Separation of church and state was not to rule out religion, simply to prevent government sponsorship of one religion as England had embraced the Anglican Church. But then I’m preaching to the choir.