07/03/2026
As you are aware, I normally write my own articles. However, my Pastor has written what has been on my mind so succinctly that in no way could I add to his thoughts. I hope that you too enjoy my Pastors salute to this most high of American holidays.
“It is July 4th weekend and a good time to reflect and rejoice in the blessing of living in this great nation.
God has been good to our country over the past 250 years. The early founders understood the heavy responsibility of forming a new nation and they desired to do so with a commitment to human dignity and political liberty. But they also knew that liberty can only survive if people have a moral foundation that leads to self-restraint, responsibility to others, and humility before God. Thus, America would only continue to be great as long as it was good, committed to the principles of a Judeo-Christian worldview.
President John Adams (1735-1826) said it best:
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other."
No government law can substitute for an inner law that governs one's behavior. Without self-restraint, the only restraints left are the very things that destroy freedom and liberty.
Thus, we are to pray for our nation and pray for our leaders. We are to pray for the conversion of minds to the truth of God's Word and for the conversion of hearts to the grace of Jesus Christ.
America's hope has always been in its commitment to God, not in its political parties, leaders, or structures.
As Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-59) observed:
"Only God can be all-powerful without danger, because his wisdom and justice are always equal to his power. Thus there is no authority on earth so inherently worthy of respect, or invested with a right so sacred, that I would want to let it act without oversight or rule without impediment."
Or as Scripture says:
"It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118:8-9)
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God!" (Psalm 20:7)
So happy 250th birthday, America! And may in God we truly trust!”
Pastor Steve Foster wrote the above article.
Just an FYI- from Community Bible Church (CBC) of Baton Rouge Pastor Steve also extends an invitation to join us as we continue our study in Exodus. In my opinion Pastor Steve is the most scholarly Pastor I’ve ever heard teach. He leaves not one paragraph or word out of scripture, and he follows the chapters in an organized way; first to last. Last year we spent the entire year studying Genesis. This year we have been studying Exodus for 19 weeks thus far. It’s all fascinating history, and he presents in the most interesting ways with supporting materials by other ancient scholars and maps. The following article that he has written is an example of how he takes this material and makes it so plain and so interesting you don’t want the teaching (preaching) to end.
From Pastor Steve:
“This week we will be exploring Exodus 20:1-6 together, Worshiping God Alone.
It is appropriate that in this season of celebrating America's 250th birthday, we are also examining the book of Exodus and the journey to true freedom. It is also appropriate that we are beginning our study in the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments were the "constitution" of the people of Israel as they were birthed as a new nation. They formed the backbone of how they were to live, how they were to think, how they were to relate to others, and how they were to worship God alone.
The first two commandments are the first two commandments for a reason.
You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol.
For many people, these two commands make no sense. Why not just start with the "ethical demands"? Don't murder. Don't steal. Don't lie. These are what really matter in human behavior, right?
But the Ten Commandments give us a foundational truth right at the start. Eliminate God and you have no basis for any ethical demands. Worship the wrong God and you will live in the wrong way. Reduce God to an idol that you can control and you will reduce everyone down to a level that you can control.
Unless we submit to God...unless we worship Him alone...unless we are governed by a love for Him above all else...then we will not live the way that we were created to live.
It is that simple.
Worshiping God is not an addendum to life. It is its very foundation.
May God enlarge our vision of Who He is. May He correct our vision of Who He is. And may He captivate our hearts so that we truly love Him with all of our heart, with all of our soul, with all of our mind, and with all of our strength.”- Pastor Steve Foster
From Kathryn- I’m not sure where I got my love and passion for preserving history, but I sure got “the bug”. I feel God blessed me immensely when doors opened so that I could own my own document imaging (preservation) company. I’ve been blessed with many wonderful customers and projects through these last 28 years, and I am thankful to God for this journey.
Lastly, let me not forget to be thankful to God for our wonderful hardworking employees! Rose, we couldn’t have done these 28 years without you! I love you! To maintenance manager, Pat, and to all of the others present and past that have helped make our company successful I say thank you; may God bless you all!
Wishing you a God blessed 4th of July weekend!
Kathryn Smith, CDIA+
www.advanced imaging solutions.com- since 1998
Document scanning, book scanning, map scanning, oversized (drawing and map) scanning, and microfilm scanning services. We also offer Microfilm and document scanning equipment and maintenance services. Our trained professionals can work anywhere that you need us to go.
[email protected]
225-216-1999
504-888-7415
