February 22, 2025
"When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability." - Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)
For a government or nation to survive, prosper, and endure it needs wise, informed, godly, honest leaders. These seem increasingly hard to find. A man such as this was George Washington, the "Father of His Country" whose birthday we celebrate today. General Washington was born today on Feb. 22, 1732 and became commander of the Continental Army in 1775. He fought a long arduous war for freedom from British rule. The war finally ended in 1781, when the Continental Army forced a British surrender at Yorktown. In 1787, Washington was unanimously elected president. He took the oath of office in 1789 and served two terms from 1789 until 1797. He could have become king but refused because of his character and deep faith in God. Without his leadership, America would probably not exist today. However he felt his real strength was in God and prayer. He wrote many prayers including "Washington's Prayer For America":
"Almighty God, We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
After the presidency, Washington retired in Virginia and died a hero in 1799. However, if people live selfishly for themselves with no concern how their actions affect others; the resulting moral rot harms the entire country. Fortunately, you can choose today to be part of the problem, or part of a Godly solution just as Washington was. Your choice can change the future of your country!
Prayer:
Holy Spirit,
Grant us Godly leaders today.
Amen.
Meditation For The Day:
False leaders destroy. True leaders build.
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal
by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson | Nov 25, 2017
Used with permission of the family of the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson.
Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson, D.Min., (1942-2018)
Mary was Ordained in 1975.
She served both as a Parish Pastor and in multiple Specialized Ministry Settings.
She worked on the Clinical Staff of New England Memorial Hospital and Middleton Pastoral
Counseling Center in Massachusetts and was a Director of Green Pastures Counseling Centers in N.H.
She was a state Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,
Nationally Board-Certified Counselor (N.C.C.), and Nationally Certified Pastoral Counselor (AAPC)
and held certification as a Clinical Member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (A.C.P.E.).
She received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Psychology and Clinical Studies
from Andover Newton in Newton, MA.
Dr. Johnson also founded Good News Specialized Ministries, Inc.
This unique ministry provided education and Clinical Christian Counseling to thousands of people over the decades and trained numerous Clinical Counselors and Counseling Ministers while offering weekly non-denominational worship services to the community for more than 20 years.
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I had the honor and privilege of working with Pastor Arnie Johnson
when I served as the pastor for the Richmond Community United Methodist Church in Richmond, NH from 2019 - 2022.
I personally have been deeply touched by Mary's writings. Her family has graciously allowed me to share them with you. - Pastor Sharon Sargent
"I always considered my ministry at Richmond as a shared ministry. Mary had the expertise that helped me function as well as I did. I received critiques on the way home after the services. I finally realized that I may have “arrived” when one day she was pleased with my performance with no critique! That took several years! So, I would love it if you would use the picture of the two of us and mention Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson as my spouse and partner in ministry, and she continued to be until the day she died, four days before the end of my appointment at Richmond." - Pastor Arnie Johnson
Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson is the author of eight other published books including:
"Activating The Power Of Pastoral Care: A Team Approach";
"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Renewal"(Vol.1-4);
"Flying Free: Transforming Grief and Loss into Renewal";
Following The Angel Trail: In The Steps Of Jesus";
"Love In Action: The Healing Heritage Of The Counseling Ministry Of The Church";
"Visions Of Hope: Voices Of Americana";
"Healing Streams: Journeys Of Healing".
She has also been published in the AAPC professional Journal "Journeys" and in the Keene Sentinel.