America, Still Beautiful!

In 1893 a Wellesley College professor climbed to the top of Colorado's Pike's Peak. Two years later (1895), she wrote and published a poem inspired by the grandeur of that climb. It appeared in a weekly journal called The Congregationalist on July 4th. Katherine Lee Bates would later revise her poem's lyrics in 1904 and again in 1913. Aside from the Star Spangled Banner, no other national song seems to have captured the geographic splendor, our formative quest for liberty, the gracious blessings of God and the subsequent responsibilities that come wih them than America the Beautiful. It wasn't until 1910, the song was published to the tune Materna, which we sing today.

I know there's a lot wrong with America. As a native citizen and voting, taxpayer I have the right to constructively criticize my country's political, social and government ills. However, despite our shortcomings, and there are many, I still believe it is a blessing and privilege to be born and live in these United States. America the Beautiful is an awesome song. Not only does it focus on the blessings of our great country, but it also humbly points to the price paid to obtain the freedoms we enjoy. Happy Birthday America! In the words of Katherine Lee Bates may, "ev'ry gain {be} divine," so God receives the glory, not us.

Ray Charles' rendition of this song is my favorite. Just click his name to watch him singing it on You Tube from a concert in 1991. Happy July 4th! May God bless America, so we indeed can and continue to be a blessing to the needy, wounded, weak, impoverished, hurting, and oppressed!

Special thanks and recognition to our Veterans and active military who have sacrificed much to secure and insure our freedoms. We can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe you!