Message: Echoes of Power and Paradox: The Great America (06/21/'24) -Message

Message: Echoes of Power and Paradox: The Great America Dear Friends, I hope this message finds you well. As we reflect on our nation's history and identity, I am compelled to share some thoughts on what it means to live in "The Great America." Is this the great America? A land where the sacred and the violent coexist beneath the feet of the president. The Bible and Cross stand resolute, yet they share their ground with the cold steel of cannon and cannonball, rifle and pistol, dynamites poised to ignite. This land, it mounts up with wings like an eagle, soaring high on the winds of destiny, proclaiming a modern theocracy for the world. President McKinley, once a beloved figure, greeted with mounds of flowers, spoke from the heart of St. James Park, his words resonating through the halls of justice. His life, tragically cut short in New York, left behind a silent statue, a guardian of his legacy in San Jose, where once his voice had filled the air. The 25th president, victorious in 1896 and again in 1900, McKinley defeated Bryan's cries for silver, securing the Republican stronghold. He led the nation through the turbulent tides of imperialism in the Philippines, high tariffs, and economic struggles, molding the GOP into the nation's majority party, and shaping the evolution of the modern presidency. In this paradoxical land, ideals and iron clash. The eagle's wings bear heavy loads as it soars over a nation built on dreams and conflicts. As we stand in the shadow of McKinley's statue in St. James Park, we are left to ponder, is this the great America? A place where power and piety intertwine, where the echoes of history and the cries of progress resonate through the ages. In this garden of paradox and pride, the question lingers, challenging us to reflect on the true nature of greatness, and the path that leads us there. The echoes of McKinley's voice, the silent testimony of the statue, and the wings of the eagle continue to remind us of the complex tapestry that weaves together the fabric of this great, yet flawed, America. Let us ponder these reflections and seek to understand the intricate layers that define our nation. Warm regards, Pastor Steven G. Lee (June 21, 2024)