Sent: Friday, 5 December, 2008 8:52:10
Subject: Letter from America
Dear...
'And I will also be diligent to cause you to always have memory of these things after my departure..'
2 Peter 1:15
It is now my 9th day in the United States and while a few swallows(or more like days) do not make a season, God is good and it has been certainly an insightful time for me, having traversed 3 major centres of Americana, ie New York(where the financial gnomes grease the faltering but still important US economy), Boston( the hub of the Ivy League and American intellect and cradle of Amercan liberty from their British masters) and now Washington(the centre of our present earthly Universe, where USA resides as the sole superpower for now).
'..to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts....'
2 Peter 1:18-19
Having seen enough museums, there is no doubt that the Americans are truly deserving of their pre-eminent role in the world the past two century. We were also blessed to be amongst the first few visitors to the new Visitor Centre at Capitol Hill, the seat of US power and democracy. Notwithstanding a politician's comment that the USD600mio plus Centre was to alleviate the problems of 'stinking tourists,' it was in my personal mind money well spent, for besides the comforts for dog-tired visitors after a day of walking, for Washington is a walking town, the Centre has organized a very well documented history of the great men and women, many of whom were God fearing and whose faith upon the unseen but very visible God, formed the basis for the free land that have come to epitomise America and its attraction to the many who are in bondage in their own lands. The present generation must know their spiritual history and not forget that their blessings were
from God.
God works in wonderful ways and like many, I have been blessed to witness His handiwork in my life. To complete these thoughts, for my trip started with an intent to witness the worse of USA, and while indeed, it looks like America and indirectly the world will have to pay for their profligate ways, as deflation and severe unemployment picks up speed as we cross year 2008, God brought me to the days of an America which with all its imperfections, was a place where God had a place in the hearts of many.
A book I picked up, complimentary of the hotel I stayed in, a book written in 1957 by Conrad Hilton, the famous late hotelier whose chain now bears his name. Most of us are familiar with his one famous or infamous descendant, Paris, where lusts seems to epitomise a significant part of American society but the book on Conrad was an eye-opener. A product of rural America, who fought in the great World War 1 and whose sons fought in World War 2, when America was truly a benign superpower, whose sacrifices ensured the world did not succumb to facism nor communism, Conrad like many of his generation, was also a godly man.
The Lord inspired Conrad to inspire Americans and the world to truly place God as the bedrock of their lives. Conrad himself was led by God to print a poster of Uncle Sam down on his knees in prayer and Conrad penned an inspiring prayer to our Lord. To let God and be led by God.
A large part of America has lost its way. Self and materialism have now replaced our Almighty God in the hearts of many. But all is not lost. America is the New World. The faithful men of this great country was just a couple of generations back. Unlike the Old World, Europe, where many generations have long moved to the secular way from a God centred life of their forefathers a few hundred years back. Even for Europe, it is not too late to go on their knees and repent.
In the same book by Conrad Hilton, there was a photo of him with then President Dwight Eisenhower and many men of power, both civil and military coming together for their regular prayer meetings.
This must be our prayers for not just America, but for the world, that men and women will come back unto the presence of the Lord our God and prayer from a humble and contrite heart is not just a good but an important step towards the healing of the woes of the world.
'But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction and many will follow their pernicioius ways....'
2 Peter 1:1-2
To continue to differ and dither, to continue to rely on our own understanding is to bring us all into greater grief, for God wants to bring us back, and how many more shaking does one need, to remember the faith of our forefathers to a faithful God?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
5 Dec 08
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