September 12, 2024 – America and Jesus Take 2

America, oh America.

Ribbons of diamonds

flow across your land.

Between the shining seas

and the shores of sand.

Blue Ridge mountains rise

and kiss the skies;

while golden grains 

grace the plains

and wave in the wind.

As ranchers to their cattle tend,

and farmer's sow seed

to the seasons, wise.

In the spring your crops grow.

The harvest in the summer

'fore the snow

when fall brings winter's short demise.

The eastern woodlands

turn to red, and 

gold and brown leaves 

float to the ground

The trees turn bare,

the geese fly down

and no one knows when 

spring will come back around,

but what is dead never really dies.

American, oh America.

Your cities twinkle in the night.

Like radiant stars across the land;

like blazing torches burning bright.

You shine like the sun 

when you sleep.

Your glow graces the moon

whose light reflects back to 

those you safely keep.

In mansions where bridge and groom

rock a baby to sleep,

and as of yet doesn't know 

of the empty tomb.

America, oh America

your people go to and fro

in a waking vivid dream

from east to west

and north to south

in an endless quest, 

so it seems to figure out

this short, but beautiful life.

And across the seas, your people hear of 

poverty, death, and disease,

but pastures of plenty and

purple mountains majesty

rise before the people's eyes.

America, oh America.

Land of the brave and

land of the free.

Let freedom ring

in your land and across

the great blue seas

to lands unknown

here at home,

but filled with God's people

just like you and me.

Pilgrim's freedom is just a scar

and ancient relics of the mind.

But Jesus died and was crucified

to fulfill the Law and save from the fall

and bring about your kingdom's crimson tide.

America, oh America.

Take a stand for the sake of your fellow man;

let God's glory fill the earth and skies.

Let your freedom ring and replace 

the sound of wailing cries.

Give of your harvest and of your hands.

To God's holy Word be wise.

Let God's kingdom come 

and God's will be done.

May God open your heart's eyes.

Strive for good, brotherhood, 

and set your heart on the prize.

America, oh America

Victory is only found in Jesus,

the author of your life;

and like the boundless beauty of your lands

may the fruit of your folk

be shared to ease mankind's woes and strife.

America, oh America

take a stand for your fellow man;

let your freedom ring; and let 

God's glory fill the earth and skies.

America and Jesus.

This is our victory; Christ is the key.

Love one another, or with the winter

we shall slowly die.