George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln.

These Presidents were chosen to be depicted in the edifice that is Mount Rushmore. All four played important roles in American history through the greatest possible purposes for our nation.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Yet another President challenged us as Americans to one of the greatest possible endeavors we as individuals could aspire:  

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.  

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help but knowing that here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”  —John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Above The Noise

Current turmoil and destruction in our country offer little in the way of solutions. Above the noise that has us questioning what we are to do, consider 3 of the greatest possible purposes at hand. 

1. Stop Making Excuses 

At the end of the day, he said and she said are pitiful excuses.

Pitiful excuses leave us grieving outcomes we could have prevented.

“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”  ― George Washington

2. Start With Yourself 

We are broken, and we need fixing.

Intolerance of injustice is a powerful beginning. 

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on.” ― Theodore Roosevelt

3. Continue In Love

Look around you. It’s a solemn scene. What’s the fight? 

“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” —Abraham Lincoln

The four Presidents we see in the Mount Rushmore monument represented you and me in the process of building our great nation. We are free men and women because of others who earned our freedom when we were not there to do so.

To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead. 1 Peter 3: 8-9

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