Birthdays of heroic leaders give us powerful opportunities to introduce our children to some of the wonderful men and women who helped make America great.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12th, 1809, 210 years ago today. 

As a young boy he enjoyed walking, running, wrestling, reading, and doing math.   

Rising from the humblest of beginnings, he was elected President of the United States at a time of extraordinary national turmoil and division. His leadership was a key factor in the eventual unity and restoration that took place. He was a man with a mission, and that made all the difference.
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WARNING: For parents with young children, the History Channel video immediately below has a dramatic reenactment of President Lincoln's assassination between about 3:00 and 3:14. You might want to preview the video to see if it's appropriate for your children. ​
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Abraham Lincoln’s Life

• Timeline of Lincoln’s Life
• Young Abe Lincoln
• Mini Biography  (3:54)
• The Story of Abraham Lincoln
• Abraham Lincoln’s Autobiography 
• Lincoln and Depression
• Quotations of Abraham Lincoln

Stories

• Lincoln and the Little Girl
• Training for the Presidency
• Honest Abe
• The Wisdom of Solomon
• George Pickett's Friend
• Lincoln the Lawyer
• Mr. Lincoln and the Bible
• The Springfield Farewell Address

Speeches

• First Inaugural Address
• The Gettysburg Address (2:49, 2:32, 5:53)
• “House Divided” Speech
• Second Inaugural Address
• Lincoln's Most Important Speech  (3:02)

Proclamations

• Proclamation of a Day of Fasting
• Emancipation Proclamation
• Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Possible Activities to Enjoy on President Lincoln's Birthday
(Choose the activity, or activities, that you think could be fun and meaningful for your family.)

• Young Abe enjoyed wrestling, walking, running, and an early form of baseball. Spend some time enjoying one of these, or another sports activity your family enjoys. Talk about the importance of wholesome recreation.

 

• Abe loved cats.  He adopted orphaned kittens, and enjoyed playing with them.  He also enjoyed dogs and horses, and his family had two goats when they lived in the White House. You could spend some time enjoying your family pet(s), get a kitten for your family, spend some time with horses, or visit a local pet store. 

 

• Abraham Lincoln loved collecting and telling jokes and stories. Each family member could find one or more  stories or jokes to share with each other.

 

• Abe's favorite hobby was to read and learn. Have a family read-a-thon complete with fun snacks and soft pillows to relax. Abe loved to read so much that he sometimes borrowed books from others. You could go to the library and "borrow" some fun books to read -- maybe something about Lincoln -- or read some of the stories above.  

 

• Abe's favorite foods were fruit salad, cheese, and crackers. You could enjoy these for a fun snack while you participate in your activities.

 

• Abraham Lincoln had more than his share of  struggles and failures. You could watch "Famous Failures" and talk about how our failures can help teach us what we need to know to succeed. Or you could tell a couple of experiences Lincoln had when he struggled with depression, and discuss how our struggles can help us grow.

 

• When he was president, Abraham Lincoln wrote a number of speeches and addresses that expressed his feelings. You could memorize or recite one of his speeches, like The Gettysburg Address, or The Emancipation Proclamation, or you could write something that expresses your feelings about America.

 

• One of the great accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln's life was helping to bring freedom to the slaves. You could watch this short video and talk about why that was so important.

 

• As an adult, President Lincoln enjoyed going to plays. You could go to a play together, or enjoy a modern day variation -- go to a movie, or watch a good video at home.  You could include this one minute summary of President Lincoln's life.

 

• Abe enjoyed people and loved to visit with friends and neighbors. You could visit some friends or invite them to join you for some activities in your home.  You could even bake a birthday cake and have a birthday party for Abraham Lincoln where you tell a little about him (see above), enjoy a few activities, sing Happy Birthday, and have cake and ice cream.​

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Tony Dungy expressed the feelings of many fans today when he tweeted, "Gladys Knight rocked the National Anthem with style and grace. An awesome way to start the game!"

For Gladys, often praised as the Empress of Soul, her goal was more than just to sing a song. In a recent statement she explained why she was deeply honored to sing the National Anthem for Super Bowl LIII:

"I am here...to give the Anthem back its voice, to stand for that historic choice of words, the way it unites us when we hear it and to free it from the same prejudices and struggles I have fought long and hard for all my life, from walking back hallways, from marching with our social leaders, from using my voice for good.

"I have been in the forefront of this battle longer than most of those voicing their opinions to win the right to sing our country's Anthem on a stage as large as the Super Bowl LIII. No matter who chooses to deflect with this narrative and continue to mix these two in the same message, it is not so and cannot be made so by anyone speaking it.
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"I pray that this National Anthem will bring us all together in a way never before witnessed and we can move forward and untangle these truths which mean so much to all of us."

​Did you know that the United States has a National Religious Freedom Day? It's January 16th!

Few people are aware of this important day because, unlike people in many other parts of the world, we have long been blessed with abundant freedom to live and worship as we desire.

It's a day when we celebrate religious freedom and the adoption of Thomas Jefferson's historic Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. 

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, says about Thomas Jefferson's legacy:

"If you've ever toured Monticello, then you know that Thomas Jefferson had very strong opinions about what his legacy should be. 

"He wanted to be remembered as the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence and as the 'father' of the University of Virginia. 

"Both are inscribed on his tombstone, along with his second proudest achievement--authoring the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom.

"That might surprise Americans today, who wrongly believe that our third President wanted to divorce the government of all religious expression. On the contrary, what Jefferson wrote in Fredericksburg some 230 years ago was such a groundbreaking defense of freedom that the men who drafted our Constitution relied on it for the framework of the First Amendment. 

"'No nation,' Thomas Jefferson said years later, 'has ever existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be.' He understood then, as we do now, that religious freedom is fundamental to every other freedom on earth. Maybe that's why, despite all of his other accomplishments, Jefferson considered the statute one of his greatest legislative feats."

But today, many of us take our legacy of religious liberty for granted -- like the air we breathe, it has always been a part of our lives.  

Thanks to the faith, vision, wisdom, and courage of the Pilgrims, our Founding Fathers, and others, America is a beacon of hope for countless immigrants who have fled to her shores because they longed for the freedom to worship God as they believed was best.

Lately, as our rights have been questioned, it's more important than ever for us to appreciate the sacrifices so many have made to preserve religious freedom in America, and to take our turn to protect and pass on this noble heritage.

In the words of President Trump, "The free exercise of religion is a source of personal and national stability, and its preservation is essential to protecting human dignity.  Religious diversity strengthens our communities and promotes tolerance, respect, understanding, and equality.  Faith breathes life and hope into our world.  We must diligently guard, preserve, and cherish this unalienable right....

"I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that remind us of our shared heritage of religious liberty and teach us to secure this blessing both at home and abroad." 

Learn More

• Text of the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom
• Religion is Essential for Freedom  (Clayton Christensen - 1:39)
• The Importance of Religion in America  (Ronald Reagan - 15:17)
• The Genius of Thomas Jefferson  (David McCullough - 9:20)
• Goodness and Religion Are Essential for Liberty (Quotes)

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"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.”  ~George Washington
 

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.  The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our people, in a greater measure, than they have it now, they may change their rulers, and the forms of government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty.”  ~John Adams
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​Fires of Faith

Fires of Faith is the story of the coming forth of the King James Bible. As we pause to give thanks for our rich legacy of religious liberty, we would be wise to remember the heroic men and women who made the Bible available to us in language we can understand. May their devotion to God, courage, and sacrifice inspire us to do our part to preserve the great legacy of religious freedom we have received.
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"This intriguing three-part documentary series features more than 130 reenactments filmed in eight countries, with great care taken to represent the scenes with visual and historical accuracy. Commentary from 18 international scholars and religious leaders tells the story of one of the greatest committee efforts in history, resulting in the most influential and enduring book the Western world has ever seen."


Yearning for the Word  (51:55)
Discover the history of the English Reformation and learn about the roles Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and King Henry VIII had in its development.

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Martyrs for a Book  (51:57)
Gutenberg's revolutionary printing press aided the Protestant Reformation and sped up the printing of illegal Bibles being smuggled to England.
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The King James Bible  (53:15)
In 1604, England's King James orders a new translation of the Bible. Seven years, 54 scholars, and one of the greatest committee efforts in history result in the most widely used book ever written.
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 Have you ever intentionally given an extra special gift that you knew would last for years to come?  
Have you had the joy of using your best talents and energy to create or preserve a lasting legacy?

Arnold Friberg has. His masterful painting, “The Prayer at Valley Forge” was created as a tribute to George Washington, and as a gift for us to better understand the incredible suffering the early patriots were willing to endure as they were famished and exhausted in the bitter cold of winter.  

In the movie below, Friberg explains how the light had almost gone out for the American army. Everyone had failed them. There was no where to turn. Only by their steadfast reliance on God, that “all wise and powerful being on whom alone our success depends,” were they able to overcome the insurmountable challenges they faced.

Arnold Friberg tells the moving story of the winter at Valley Forge, and his own personal journey as he paid the price to create this wonderful masterpiece. What a treat to hear him describe the symbolism and significance of key details of the painting.

This is a great movie to watch with your kids. You might talk about:

• What gifts, talents, and opportunities has God given us?
• How can we use our gifts and opportunities to make a difference for America?
• What new talents could we develop for the benefit of America?
• The early patriots pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for the cause of liberty. What sacrifices can we make to further the cause of liberty? 

The early patriots passed through the coldest of winters without adequate food, shelter, clothing, or shoes. You might want to spend a little time outdoors (maybe around a campfire) as you talk about what it must have been like at Valley Forge. Be sure to express your feelings about the great gift of liberty and our responsibility to preserve it and pass it on. Take some pictures, then come in for some nice hot chocolate or warm spiced cider as a fun finish to a memorable evening! ​


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"I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commanding the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those Who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping." ~George Washington
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"The sense of purpose of the original Pilgrims left a permanent imprint on the national character. They maintained unshakable confidence that God protected them—not to grant special privileges, but to impose special responsibilities. They saw themselves as instruments, not authors, of a mysterious master plan.

"Today, with our continued blessings so obvious and so overwhelming, the only reason to treat this beloved national holiday as 'a time of mourning' is that some...actually think that’s a good idea. The Pilgrims knew better: they understood that people of every culture and every era can gain more from gratitude than from guilt."

Click Here for Helpful Free Resources for a
Happy, Meaningful Thanksgiving Celebration
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As Americans, we live in abundant freedom, peace, and prosperity. Few people in all the history of the world have enjoyed the blessings we often take for granted.  

But there is a price attached to freedom. Our men and women in the military sacrifice every day. Many live in hell, some fight and are wounded, others pay the ultimate price.  

Each one sacrifices much they hold dear to keep us free. 

Here are some great ways to honor our veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day.  

• Read the 2018 Presidential Proclamation on National Veterans and Military Families Month

 

• Attend your local Veterans Day Parade. Wear red, white, and blue. Take pictures. Express appreciation to any veterans you may see. Invite your kids to look for opportunities to say thank-you too. Usually, even teens come home happy that they went.

 

• Visit with a veteran. Whether you take advantage of Veterans Day specials and take them out to eat, or call and visit with them, or invite a vet into your home, this can become a favorite family tradition. My dad and father-in-law both served in World War II. Every year we called them for Veterans Day and invited them to tell us about their experiences.  Of course, we heard some stories many times, but we never get tired of them. We hope our kids tell them to our grandkids so our family legacy is passed from one generation to the next.

 

• Thank a military family. You could make them a card or a poster and take them a treat. Tell them how grateful you are for the sacrifices they are making (or have made) for our country.  Be sure to make extra treats so your family can have some when you return home. 

 

• Pray for those who are serving and their families. Talk about some of the sacrifices military families make, and ask God to bless them.  

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• Watch films that show the sacrifices made by those who have defended our freedom, like:        * Sergeant York (WW I)
        * Taking Chance (Iraq War)
        * The Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)
        * Hallowed Grounds (Overseas Military Cemeteries) 
        * Soldiers Reunited with Families ​(Iraq War)

 ​                * The Price of Freedom (World War II)
                 * 10 Life Lessons from Top Navy SEAL

• Serve. Not everyone serves in the military, but we can all do something to lighten the burdens of those who do and their families. Talk with your family about the best way you can help. The happy glow that comes from serving others may be your favorite part of the holiday. 

 

• Keep a family history book. Include in it stories of grandpas, uncles, and other family members who have served in the military. Share inspirational experiences and include plenty of pictures. A family history book can become a favorite source for bedtime stories! 

 

• Set up a tent. Talk about what the life of a soldier is like. If it's too cold outside, you could set up a tent in the house, complete with sleeping bags, snacks, and great stories.

 

• Read or tell a patriotic story. 

              * A Story from One of My Favorite Veterans
              * I Knew You Would Come
​              * Our Father
              * The Wall
​              * The Poppy Lady
              * Veterans -- Heroes in Our Neighborhood
              * H Is For Honor


​"If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. 

"Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. 

"The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price." ~Ronald Reagan

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​"Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom." ~ John Adams


"Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country." ~ Noah Webster


“A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government.  In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important?  And what duty more pressing…than…communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
 ~ George Washington


“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people…They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” ~ Thomas Jefferson


“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”
 ~ James Madison


"A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that  tyranny begins." 
~ Benjamin Franklin


“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. ~ Thomas Jefferson


"It is in the interest of tyrants to reduce the people to ignorance and vice. For they cannot live in any country where virtue and knowledge prevail." ~ Samuel Adams


“…a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” ~ James Madison


"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power." ~ Thomas Jefferson


“The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.” ~  Abraham Lincoln

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As John Adams contemplated the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence, and all it meant for citizens of our fledgling country, and for generations yet to come, he expressed his feelings to his wife Abigail in an immortal letter:

"I believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

John Adams' vision of future celebrations has proven prophetic. Generations have remembered the "Day of Deliverance" with prayers of thanks to God, parades, fireworks (illuminations), and a variety of patriotic activities so glorious that when President Reagan recalled memories of his early Fourth of July experiences, describing a "special kind of nostalgia" and "a day almost as long-anticipated as Christmas," he was expressing the feelings of millions of patriotic Americans.

While Christmas is pretty hard to compete with these days, Independence Day can still be a special day full of happy memories. Here are some ideas. Select a few that will be meaningful for your family. Keeping it simple will help you and your loved ones have a fun time together and keep your focus on the things that matter most. 

• Invite your family to dress in red, white, and blue (fun for pictures).    

 

• Play patriotic music as your family is waking up and during the day.  

 

• Learn about the Declaration of Independence:

          *  Read or listen to the Declaration of Independence.
          *  Learn about the key concepts in the Declaration.
          *  Talk about the importance of the Declaration of Independence.
          *  Learn about Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration.
          *  Learn how John Adams created support for the Declaration.
          *  Learn about the signers of the Declaration.
          *  Remember the price paid by the signers of the Declaration.
          

• Learn about George Washington.  (Congress had made Washington commanding general of the Continental Army, so he was unable to sign the Declaration of Independence. Yet his leadership and service in the founding of the United States is so significant that he is known as the "Father of Our Country.")

 

• Attend a parade. (Google "4th of July parade" with your zip code to find one near you.)

 

• Hold a Fourth of July Declaration Ceremony or create a simple patriotic program of your own. Select a few activities that would be most meaningful and enjoyable for you: 

          * Sing or listen to patriotic songs
          *  Read or recite patriotic quotes.
​          *  Tell stories about the sacrifices early patriots made for us.
          *  Tell why you love America.
          *  Discuss what your family can do to help preserve our heritage.

• Make and enjoy delicious red, white, and blue food.   

 

• Make patriotic crafts with your kids.  

 

• Go camping or on a picnic.  If allowed, you could build a campfire, cook a campfire dinner,  sing patriotic songs around the fire, then talk about the things that make America great. 

          

• Watch a fireworks display with your family.  Light your own fireworks if permitted.

   

• Take pictures of your family and record all the family fun.

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"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means."  ~John Adams 

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Born in Shadwell, Virginia on April 13, 1743, very few people have given as much as Thomas Jefferson to the unique history and heritage of America.  

Jefferson was a man of unusual intelligence, ability, and accomplishment. In fact, as President John F. Kennedy once welcomed forty-nine Nobel laureates to the White House, he said, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Jefferson had a great respect for education and was an active advocate for quality education. His love of learning and ability to work diligently prepared him to make many significant contributions to his country, starting at a very young age. Among other achievements, Thomas Jefferson was the:

• Author of the Declaration of Independence 
• Author of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom 
• Third President of the United States (good short video for youngsters)
• Father of the University of Virginia

​In the inspiring video below, historian David McCullough reflects on the life and legacy of Jefferson. Such important achievements rarely, if ever, come without corresponding sacrifice. As we pause to remember the life and work of Thomas Jefferson, may we reflect on the sacrifices we can make to preserve the legacy of liberty he helped create.
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George Washington, the father of our country, is a man many believe to be the greatest president America has ever had.

President's Day, Washington's birthday (January 22), the days leading up to Independence Day, and Constitution Week are all wonderful opportunities to teach our children about Washington. Actually, any time is a great time to study the life of this great hero!

Understanding the character of President Washington and how he grew into the challenges he faced can help us, and our children, rise to the difficult challenges of our day.  

George Washington can be our hero and friend as we study his life and seek to follow his example.
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Books about George Washington

• The Real George Washington by Parry, Allison, and Skousen
• George Washington's Sacred Fire by Peter A. Lillback
• Founding Fathers Uncommon Heroes  by Steven W. Allen
• 1776 by David McCullough
• Being George Washington by Glenn Beck

Free Resources, Activities, and Ideas

1)  Learn about Washington.  

• Take a virtual tour of his life.  
• Read a short biography for children.  
• Invite family members to tell a story or give a report about what made Washington great. 

Watch historical videos about President Washington's life.  (These last about 12 minutes each.)      
     George Washington - Part 1: The Early Years      
     George Washington - Part 2: The Military Commander      
     George Washington - Part 3: Guiding the New Nation

Listen to David McCullough telling about Washington and the early patriots.

Watch as Arnold Friberg shows how he painted the masterpiece "The Prayer at Valley Forge and tells what he learned about General Washington.

Watch "A More Perfect Union" to learn about Washington's pivotal role in crafting the United States Constitution, the inspired document that has laid the foundation for our liberty, peace, and prosperity for over 200 years.

2)  As a young man, George Washington worked as a surveyor and map maker. This experience helped him when he was a general fighting in unfamiliar territory. If you have young children, you might want to teach them some simple map skills. Or you could talk about the importance of learning geography and sing "Fifty Nifty United States."  

You could also discuss how the talents and skills we learn as young people can help prepare us for our life's work. The Mapmaker of Mount Vernon explains how important Washington's experiences as a surveyor were to his success.

3)  Washington's work required that he be an excellent horseman. If you have access to horses, it might be fun to go horseback riding and talk about the importance of the animals in our life. 
 
4)  You could tell the story about how General Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River, and take your family on a boat ride.  

Or you could watch this video about what it was like to cross the icy Delaware river at night in a snow storm when many soldiers lacked coats, and even shoes. Discuss the great sacrifices George Washington and his men made. Talk about the sacrifices we can make today.

5)  Washington was a competent marksman and a courageous leader. You could have a friendly target shooting activity with whatever toys you might have. Over the years we've used toy guns, BB guns, squirt guns, slingshots, bows and arrows, darts, horseshoes, balls of all shapes and sizes, etc. (Be sure to talk about any safety rules that apply.)

You could tell the ​story of when George Washington was colonel of the Virginia Militia and fought in the French and Indian War. After one battle was over, it was discovered he had four bullet holes in his jacket. He later gratefully acknowledged: "By the all powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation." You could talk about times when you felt God  has blessed, protected, or prepared you.

6)  George Washington was a gentleman farmer. He loved his home life at Mount Vernon and he enjoyed cultivating the land. You could take a virtual tour of Mount Vernon. Or you could plant an indoor herb garden or prepare a small outdoor garden.

7)  George Washington experienced sorrow and adversity in his early years that prepared him for later challenges. For example, when Washington was 19, he went with his brother Lawrence to the island of Barbados to help Lawrence recover from a serious case of tuberculosis. While there, George became very ill with smallpox. It must have been a trial at the time, and left George with unsightly scars on his face. But later, when he was general of the colonial army, George and his men were exposed to smallpox. Many became very sick and were unable to perform their duties. Due to his prior exposure, George was immune and able to carry out his heavy responsibilities.

Challenges helped to strengthen Washington's faith, develop his virtuous character, and increase his ​capacity to endure the indescribable hardships he and his men suffered during the Revolutionary War. Telling stories about George Washington's trials could be an opportunity to discuss any difficult experiences your family may have had, and to talk about how adversity can plant the seeds of later opportunities and blessings.

8)  Explain to your children that George Washington was not always a great leader. He was once a boy, not too different from other boys.  But he prepared himself, did his best when he was faced with new challenges and opportunities, and relied on God to help him. Remind your children that they can prepare themselves, do their best, and rely on God too.

Hope you enjoy celebrating the life of this great hero! His example can be an inspiration for us and our children as we seek to preserve and pass on the great gift of liberty we have received.

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12th, 1809.  When he was born, there was nothing to distinguish him from other babies.  

As a young boy he enjoyed walking, running, wrestling, reading, and doing math.   

Rising from the humblest of beginnings, he was elected President of the United States at a time of great national turmoil and division.  His leadership was a key factor in the eventual unity and restoration that took place.   He was a man with a mission, and that made all the difference.

WARNING: For parents with young children, the History Channel video below has a dramatic reenactment of President Lincoln's assassination between about 3:00 and 3:14. You might want to preview the video to see if it's appropriate for your children. 
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Abraham Lincoln’s Life

• Timeline of Lincoln’s Life
• Young Abe Lincoln
• Mini Biography  (3:54)
• The Story of Abraham Lincoln
• Abraham Lincoln’s Autobiography 
• Lincoln and Depression
• Quotations of Abraham Lincoln

Stories

• Lincoln and the Little Girl
• Training for the Presidency
• Honest Abe
• The Wisdom of Solomon
• George Pickett's Friend
• Lincoln the Lawyer
• Mr. Lincoln and the Bible
• The Springfield Farewell Address

Speeches

• First Inaugural Address
• The Gettysburg Address (2:49, 2:32, 5:53)
• “House Divided” Speech
• Second Inaugural Address
• Lincoln's Most Important Speech  (3:02)

Proclamations

• Proclamation of a Day of Fasting
• Emancipation Proclamation
• Proclamation of Thanksgiving

Possible Activities to Enjoy on President Lincoln's Birthday
(Choose the activity, or activities, that you think could be fun and meaningful for your family.)

• Young Abe enjoyed wrestling, walking, running, and an early form of baseball.  Spend some time enjoying one of these, or another sports activity your family enjoys.  Talk about the importance of wholesome recreation.

 

• Abe loved cats.  He adopted orphaned kittens, and enjoyed playing with them.  He also enjoyed dogs and horses, and his family had two goats when they lived in the White House.  You could spend some time enjoying your family pet(s), get a kitten for your family, spend some time with horses, or visit a local pet store. 

 

• Abraham Lincoln loved collecting and telling jokes and stories.  Each family member could find one or more  stories or jokes to share with each other.

 

• Abe's favorite hobby was to read and learn..  Have a family read-a-thon complete with fun snacks and soft pillows to relax on.  Abe loved to read so much that he sometimes borrowed books from others.  You could go to the library and "borrow" some fun books to read -- maybe something about Lincoln -- or read some of the stories above.  

 

• Abe's favorite foods were fruit salad, cheese, and crackers.  You could enjoy these for a fun snack while you participate in your activities.

 

• Abraham Lincoln had more than his share of  struggles and failures.  You could watch "Famous Failures" and talk about how our failures can help teach us what we need to know to succeed.  Or you could tell a couple of experiences Lincoln had when he struggled with depression, and discuss how our struggles can help us grow.

 

• When he was president, Abraham Lincoln wrote a number of speeches and addresses that expressed his feelings.  You could memorize or recite one of his speeches, like The Gettysburg Address, or The Emancipation Proclamation, or you could write something that expresses your feelings about America.

 

• One of the great accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln's life was helping to bring freedom to the slaves.  You could watch this short video and talk about why that was so important.

 

• As an adult, President Lincoln enjoyed going to plays.  You could go to a play together, or enjoy a modern day variation -- go to a movie, or watch a good video at home.  You could include this one minute summary of President Lincoln's life.

 

• Abe enjoyed people and loved to visit with friends and neighbors.  You could visit some friends or invite them to join you for some activities in your home.  You could even bake a birthday cake and have a birthday party for Abraham Lincoln where you tell a little about him (see above), enjoy a few activities, sing Happy Birthday, and have cake and ice cream.​

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January is a great time to learn about Benjamin Franklin.  He was born on January 17, 1706 and was one of the most influential of our Founding Fathers.

You could spend a year studying his amazing life and not do him justice.  

He loved to learn, work, create, and serve. He developed an ingenious system for self improvement that he said was the secret of his success.  

Here's a one minute overview of his life, with other resources listed below. There's so much to learn from this great patriot! 

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For Adults and Older Kids

• Biography of Benjamin Franklin
• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
• Founders Fridays: Benjamin Franklin  (39:40)
• ​Benjamin Franklin Quotes

For Younger Kids

• Benjamin Franklin For Kids
• ​Ben and Me  (21:05)
• The Animated Hero Classics: Benjamin Franklin, Scientist and Inventor  (2:28)

For All

• Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World  (Great bio and wonderful activities)
• The Miracle in Philadelphia  (3:52)

Possible Activities

• Ben learned to read at a very young age and loved reading! Read together.
• As a boy, Ben worked in his dad's candle shop. Make a candle or read a story by candle light.
• Ben loved to swim and created his own fins.  Go swimming.  Use fins if you have them.
• Ben kept a personal journal all his life.  Keep a journal.
• Ben helped publish a newspaper.  Publish a family newsletter.
• Ben set goals for self improvement. Set a goal for self improvement and work to accomplish it.
• Ben made kites to perform his experiments. Make a kite and fly it when the weather permits.  (Don't use your kite to experiment with electricity. It can be dangerous.)
• Ben created the first lending library in America. Visit a public library.
• Ben made inventions that solved problems. Create something that solves a problem.
• Ben wrote his autobiography and epitaph.  Write your autobiography or epitaph.

“If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism, if to be loved for philanthropy, can gratify the human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation that you have not lived in vain.”  ~George Washington to Benjamin Franklin  


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 Have you ever intentionally given an extra special gift that you knew would last for years to come?  
Have you had the joy of using your best talents and energy to create or preserve a lasting legacy?

Arnold Friberg has. His masterful painting, “The Prayer at Valley Forge” was created as a tribute to George Washington, and as a gift for us to better understand the incredible suffering the early patriots were willing to endure as they were famished and exhausted in the bitter cold of winter.  

In the movie below, Friberg explains how the light had almost gone out for the American army. Everyone had failed them. There was no where to turn. Only by their steadfast reliance on God, that “all wise and powerful being on whom alone our success depends,” were they able to overcome the insurmountable challenges they faced.

Arnold Friberg tells the moving story of the winter at Valley Forge, and his own personal journey as he paid the price to create this wonderful masterpiece. What a treat to hear him describe the symbolism and significance of key details of the painting.

This is a great movie to watch with your kids. You might talk about:

• What gifts, talents, and opportunities has God given us?
• How can we use our gifts and opportunities to make a difference for America?
• What new talents could we develop for the benefit of America?
• The early patriots pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for the cause of liberty. What sacrifices can we make to further the cause of liberty? 

The early patriots passed through the coldest of winters without adequate food, shelter, clothing, or shoes. You might want to spend a little time outdoors (maybe around a campfire) as you talk about what it must have been like at Valley Forge. Be sure to express your feelings about the great gift of liberty and our responsibility to preserve it and pass it on. Take some pictures, then come in for some nice hot chocolate or warm spiced cider as a fun finish to a memorable evening! ​

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"I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commanding the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those Who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping." ~George Washington

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​Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen, twice voted the most influential business thinker in the world, explains why religion is essential in America in the video below.

Our Founding Fathers also boldly declared the essential role of religion and virtue in America, and warned us that without goodness in the people, liberty will be lost.  

We have reached a critical moment in the history of our nation. Faith and family, two vital pillars of freedom, are being attacked by government, educational institutions, entertainment and sports  industries, the news media, and even by big business. 

As religion loses its influence in the lives of American families, who will teach the next generation to voluntarily live good lives and obey the laws? Without the power that comes from strong families teaching their children the knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills necessary to value and preserve faith and freedom, our country, liberty, peace, and prosperity are in peril. 

"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.”  ~George Washington


"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."  ~John Adams


"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."  ~Benjamin Franklin 

Learn More​

• Goodness and Religion Are Essential for Liberty​​ (Founding Father quotes)
• The Importance of Religion in America 
• Remembering Our Heritage of Religious Freedom
• Text of the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom

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By the time they reached the shores of America, the Pilgrims had sacrificed much of what they held dear to worship God. They left their native country, family, friends, home, livelihood and many of the comforts of life, and landed in a cold and hostile wilderness.  

William Bradford tells us, “Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet  on the firm and stable earth, their proper element.”

But their troubles were far from over. Bradford recounts, “It pleased God to visit us then with death daily, and with so general a disease that the living were scarce able to bury the dead.” More than half of the Pilgrims died the first winter.

And yet, when spring arrived and the captain of their ship offered to return them to England for free, not one Pilgrim accepted his invitation. Their faith in God gave them the strength to persevere.

Governor William Bradford declared, “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have grown by His hand. Who made all things out of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light enkindled here has shone to many, yea, in a sense, to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.”

The Pilgrims were willing to sacrifice everything for the freedom to worship God as they believed. In so doing, they laid the foundation for the creation of the greatest nation in the history of the world.

At this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, let’s take time to give thanks to God, to retell the story of the Pilgrims and the incredible price they paid to be faithful, and to recommit ourselves to pay the price to be true in our day. 


Watch

• The Mayflower Compact (4:25)
• The Mayflower Story (36:26)
• Plimoth Plantation Virtual Field Trips

          - Mayflower (19:52)
          - Pilgrim Village (17:54)
          - Wampanoag Homesite (16:51)
          - Plimoth Plantation (30:23)

• ​The Thanksgiving Story for Children - animated (24:35)
• William Bradford for Children - animated (27:16)
• Pocahontas for Children - animated (33:58)
• Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims for Children (7:09)
• Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving - Drive Thru History (5:20)  
• History of Thanksgiving with David Barton - Glenn Beck TV (6:42)
• True Story of Thanksgiving - Rush Limbaugh (14:21)
• What's the Truth About the First Thanksgiving? - Prager University (5:58)

Do

• Read George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation with your family. It could be on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving morning, at your Thanksgiving dinner table, or any time that works for your family. In fact you could read a quote, story, or any other meaningful Thanksgiving message together every day of Thanksgiving week. 
• Work together to prepare your Thanksgiving feast and to clean up afterwards.
• Do something nice for a military family and tell them how thankful you are for them.
• Help refugees or other immigrants in your community.
• Make or draw "We Are Thankful for You" posters or pictures and deliver them to friends and neighbors. Kids love to make it an anonymous surprise. Tape the picture to the front door or on the windshield of a car, ring the doorbell, and run.
• Take pictures of things you are thankful for and make a "Gratitude Scrapbook."
• The Pilgrims and Indians had friendly competitions.  You could participate in the local Turkey Trot, play games like catch, football, horseshoes, or frisbee golf.  
• Make Pilgrim Hats and Indian Headdresses for the kids.
• Do the Five Kernels of Corn activity.
• Make a Gratitude Craft.
• Do some Plimoth.org: Just for Kids activities.

Read

• Here's Why We Should Still Celebrate the Pilgrims at Thanksgiving
• The Pilgrims Depart from the Old World
• Pilgrims Arrive in the New World
• Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
• The Story of Thanksgiving
• Stories of the Pilgrims 
• Paying the Price to Be True
• George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
• Abraham LIncoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
• A Thanksgiving Message from Ronald Reagan
• Thanksgiving Quotations
• Remembering Our Heritage of Religious Freedom

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As Americans, we live in abundant freedom, peace, and prosperity. Few people in all the history of the world have enjoyed the blessings we often take for granted.  

But there is a price attached to freedom. Our men and women in the military sacrifice every day. Many live in hell, some fight and are wounded, others pay the ultimate price.  

Each one sacrifices much they hold dear to keep us free. 

Here are some great ways to honor our veterans as we celebrate Veterans Day.  

• Read the 2017 Veterans Day Presidential Proclamation. Or read the 2018 Presidential Proclamation on National Veterans and Military Families Month

 

• Attend your local Veterans Day Parade. Wear red, white, and blue. Take pictures. Express appreciation to any veterans you may see. Invite your kids to look for opportunities to say thank-you too. Usually, even teens come home happy that they went.

 

• Visit with a veteran. Whether you take advantage of Veterans Day specials and take them out to eat, or call and visit with them, or invite a vet into your home, this can become a favorite family tradition. My dad and father-in-law both served in World War II. Every year we called them for Veterans Day and invited them to tell us about their experiences.  Of course, we heard some stories many times, but we never get tired of them. We hope our kids tell them to our grandkids so our family legacy is passed from one generation to the next.

 

• Thank a military family. You could make them a card or a poster and take them a treat. Tell them how grateful you are for the sacrifices they are making (or have made) for our country.  Be sure to make extra treats so your family can have some when you return home. 

 

• Pray for those who are serving and their families. Talk about some of the sacrifices military families make, and ask God to bless them.  

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• Watch films that show the sacrifices made by those who have defended our freedom, like:        * Sergeant York (WW I)
        * Taking Chance (Iraq War)
        * The Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)
        * Hallowed Grounds (Overseas Military Cemeteries) 
        * Soldiers Reunited with Families ​(Iraq War)

 ​                * The Price of Freedom (World War II)
                 * 10 Life Lessons from Top Navy SEAL

• Serve. Not everyone serves in the military, but we can all do something to lighten the burdens of those who do and their families. Talk with your family about the best way you can help. The happy glow that comes from serving others may be your favorite part of the holiday. 

 

• Keep a family history book. Include in it stories of grandpas, uncles, and other family members who have served in the military. Share inspirational experiences and include plenty of pictures. A family history book can become a favorite source for bedtime stories! 

 

• Set up a tent. Talk about what the life of a soldier is like. If it's too cold outside, you could set up a tent in the house, complete with sleeping bags, snacks, and great stories.

 

• Read or tell a patriotic story. 

              * A Story from One of My Favorite Veterans
              * I Knew You Would Come
​              * Our Father
              * The Wall
​              * The Poppy Lady
              * Veterans -- Heroes in Our Neighborhood
              * H Is For Honor

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​"If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. 

"Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. 

"The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price." ~Ronald Reagan

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The courage and sacrifice of our veterans cannot be overstated.
When you see them, thank them for their service.
​You never know how powerful those words may be.

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On an autumn day much like this one, in November of 1861, Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to a song that encouraged the Union soldiers, influenced the course of the Civil War, and perhaps changed the course of history. 

This is the inspiring story behind that song, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” as told by Julia's great-great-great grandson.

It's a story we can share with our children to give them inspiration and confidence as they face the challenges of our day.

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​"I awoke in the grey of the morn­ing, and as I lay wait­ing for dawn, the long lines of the de­sired poem be­gan to en­twine them­selves in my mind. Having thought out all the stanzas, I said to my­self, 'I must get up and write these vers­es, lest I fall asleep again and for­get them!' So I sprang out of bed and in the dim­ness found an old stump of a pen, which I re­mem­bered us­ing the day be­fore. I scrawled the vers­es al­most with­out look­ing at the p­aper."

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Battle Hymn of the Republic

Lyrics: Julia Ward Howe

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence in the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

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"Ken Stern watched the increasing polarization of our country with growing concern. As a longtime partisan Democrat himself, he felt forced to acknowledge that his own views were too parochial, too absent of any exposure to the 'other side' In fact, his urban neighborhood is so liberal, he couldn’t find a single Republican--even by asking around.

So for one year, he crossed the aisle to spend time listening, talking, and praying with Republicans of all stripes. With his mind open and his dial tuned to the right, he went to evangelical churches, shot a hog in Texas, stood in pit row at a NASCAR race, hung out at Tea Party meetings and sat in on Steve Bannon’s radio show. He also read up on conservative wonkery and consulted with the smartest people the right has to offer.

What happens when a liberal sets out to look at issues from a conservative perspective? Some of his dearly cherished assumptions about the right slipped away. Republican Like Me reveals what lead him to change his mind, and his view of an increasingly polarized America."

~Book Description from Amazon

Oklahoma Wesleyan University President Everett Piper has a gift for sharing politically incorrect messages that resonate with many Americans. Here is one of my favorites:

"This past week, I actually had a student come forward after a university chapel service and complain because he felt 'victimized' by a sermon on the topic of 1 Corinthians 13. It appears this young scholar felt offended because a homily on love made him feel bad for not showing love. In his mind, the speaker was wrong for making him, and his peers, feel uncomfortable.

"I’m not making this up. Our culture has actually taught our kids to be this self-absorbed and narcissistic. Any time their feelings are hurt, they are the victims. Anyone who dares challenge them and, thus, makes them 'feel bad' about themselves, is a 'hater,' a 'bigot,' an 'oppressor,' and a 'victimizer.' I have a message for this young man and all others who care to listen....This is not a day care. This is a university."

This message has gone viral, but comparatively few have heard President Piper’s moving message about the role of education in America  -- and it is well worth hearing.

"Today contemporary education has become more about the common than the exceptional.  It has become more interested in teaching the student how to get a career and use a condom than how to build character and follow Christ. It’s about acquiring more information rather than more ethics. Education has lost its way and consequently our country has lost its soul and our culture has lost its sense."

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Learn More

• Not a Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth
• ​The Education of Young Americans
  

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"It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget: that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American Flag." ~Donald Trump


"When we stand for the flag and anthem, we are standing for our hopes for our children’s future, that they will embrace the principles of patriotism and live out its moral truths of justice, perseverance and courage. We stand for the flag and anthem so they can stand for the flag and anthem." ~Jane Hampton Cook


"People like me intend to keep standing during the national anthem. We do so not because we agree with everything America has done, or everything that has been done in America's name, but because despite all of that the world is a better place because America exists. That seems to me to be worth the honor of respect during the national anthem." ~Martin Dempsey


"Life presents plenty of opportunities for us to disagree with one another and seemingly fewer opportunities on which we agree. Standing together during the national anthem...should be one of those times when we agree, when we focus on the things that bind us together." ~Martin Dempsey


"As a former NFL player, I am one American who will have nothing to do with any NFL Team that cannot find the corporate courage to stand for the millions of courageous past great Americans whose sacrifice gave meaning to our flag and national anthem and to the millions upon millions who still dream to come to its free shores." ~Burgess Owens


"We take the star from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."  ~George Washington.


"If anyone, then, asks me the meaning of our flag, I say to him - it means just what Concord and Lexington meant; what Bunker Hill meant; which was, in short, the rising up of a valiant young people against an old tyranny to establish the most momentous doctrine that the world had ever known - the right of men to their own selves and to their liberties."  ~Henry Ward Beecher


"Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" ~Francis Scott Key


"When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a Nation -- freedom, equality, justice, and hope."  ~Ronald Reagan


"As we think back over the history of our nation's flag, we remember that the story of its early years was often one of hardship and trials, sometimes a fight for simple survival. ... As the American Republic grew and prospered and new stars were added to the flag, the ideal of freedom grew and prospered. From the rolling hills of Kentucky to the shores of California to the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon, our pioneers carried our flag before them, a symbol of the indomitable spirit of a free people. And let us never forget that in honoring our flag, we honor the American men and women who have courageously fought and died for it over the last 200 years, patriots who set an ideal above any consideration of self. Our flag flies free today because of their sacrifice." 
~Ronald Reagan


"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." ~Pledge Of Allegiance 


"Off with your hat, as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have its say;
You're man enough for a tear in your eye
That you will not wipe away."  ~Henry Cuyler Bunner


"I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it's marked by the blood of those who died defending it." ~John Thune


When Freedom from her mountain-height 
Unfurled her standard to the air, 
She tore the azure robe of night, 
 And set the stars of glory there. 

She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 
The milky baldric of the skies, 
And striped its pure, celestial white 
With streakings of the morning light.

Flag of the free heart's hope and home! 
By angel hands to valour given! 
Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 
And all thy hues were born in heaven. 

Forever float that standard sheet! 
Where breathes the foe but falls before us, 
With Freedom's soil beneath our feet, 
And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us.  ~Joseph Rodman Drake

Learn More

5 Reasons We Stand for the Flag 
by Jane Hampton Cook
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Why We Stand for the Flag
by General Martin E. Dempsey

Displaying and Honoring Our Flag
Source: National Flag Foundation

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​Learn More

• Rape Survivor: A Gun Could Have Prevented 3 Rapes and a Murder
• Gun Control in the UK and Their Warning to Us
• What Happened When Australia Banned Guns​​

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“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms… disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” ~Cesare Beccaria (quoted by Thomas Jefferson)
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"Is it possible to devote 90 minutes of prime TV time to Ronald Reagan as an actor who changed the presidency through his use of the mass media and still miss why he was a great communicator? CNN did..."

So begins Lee Edwards' excellent Daily Signal article entitled, "CNN Documentary Gets Reagan's Legacy Wrong," in which he paints a vivid picture of President Reagan's "boundless optimism and belief in the American spirit," his foreign policy success, "the unprecedented level of economic prosperity that Reagan sparked," and his "firm commitment to the Declaration and the Constitution and his deep respect for the Founders." 

​We, like Ronald Reagan, live in a time of division and strife. Sometimes the differences of opinion in America seem too big to bridge. Living in such a time, President Reagan's ideas were met with derision and scorn.

But fast forward a few years, and people were praising him and calling him “the great communicator.” What happened? What made the difference? 

His success is part of the answer. As time passed, people could see his policies were working.  

But how did Ronald Reagan become a beloved leader to whom many look for guidance, even today? Why did someone like President Obama, his idealogical opposite, try to copy his style?  

How did Ronald Reagan become a great communicator, and what can we learn from him today?  

Here are five things he did to communicate effectively that we, and our children, can do too.


Prepare and Practice

President Reagan began young. By age 15 he was teaching Sunday School classes regularly in his church. He worked to earn money as a radio announcer in high school, and later went on to become a popular actor. He practiced his public speaking skills in his years as a spokesman for General Electric, and during his two terms as governor of California.  

Reagan was a serious scholar of political topics long before he became president. His messages were carefully considered and honed. Michael Reagan recalled that his dad was always working at his desk, reading and writing.

As patriotic parents, we need to give our children opportunities to think, read, write, and speak about important topics. We ought to discuss current events in our families. We should all (even the kids) be prepared to share important ideas at mealtime. It was President Reagan who said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”  

And, as parents, as we set an example of reading, writing and speaking about things that matter, we will provide inspiration for our children while we prepare to make a difference in ways that reflect our values.    


Communicate Great Things

President Reagan didn’t think of himself as a great communicator. His focus was on his message, not himself. He explained, “I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things."

Lee Edwards explains that "Reagan was a transformational president who changed the presidency, not because he knew how to use a teleprompter or had a remarkably warm and inviting voice, or sought dramatic backdrops for his speeches like the Berlin Wall or the Statue of Liberty or a cemetery above Omaha Beach—but because he believed in ideas like individual freedom and responsibility, our Judeo-Christian heritage, and peace through strength."

If we want to follow President Reagan’s example, we need to have a clear vision and communicate great things. But have you even wondered how Reagan had great things to communicate? 

In addition to being a scholar, speaker and writer of history, politics, religion, and other subjects, Reagan was a faithful journal keeper, as were many great leaders of the past. It’s no coincidence that many great leaders have kept written records. Writing in a journal allows a person to refine their thinking, evaluate priorities, plan and reach goals, and remember important principles, experiences, stories, and even jokes they can share with others.  

Keeping a meaningful journal is one of the most important habits we can help our children develop. Some families set aside a time each evening for writing in their journals. Kids are more likely to continue this life-changing habit when they see we keep a journal too.

The Thanksgiving message below is an example of how many great things President Reagan could say quickly. This message lasts a little more than a minute.  (1:24)
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Communicate with Respect

President Reagan’s messages were clear, sometimes pointed, but he had a gift for delivering his remarks with respect. He went out of his way to build relationships of trust. Often under attack personally, he didn’t take offense. He could attack false paradigms and defend true principles without being offensive.  (1:43)

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Use Stories and Humor to Convey Your Message

Ronald Reagan was a masterful storyteller.  He used stories to paint clear and inspiring pictures that held our attention, and even our hearts.  

Reagan had a joke for almost every situation.  He loved to laugh with us, and he used humor to unify and to heal. But he also employed humor to illustrate idealogical differences and to defuse difficult political situations. This entertaining video gives examples of his humor and explains his system for collecting jokes and humorous anecdotes. (5:15)
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Be Genuine

President Reagan often wrote his own speeches, but he also found great speech writers who studied his core beliefs and style, and tailored speeches to fit him as perfectly as possible.  Still, he rarely gave the exact speeches they wrote.  He refined their work until it reflected exactly what he wanted to convey to the American people. 

But beyond his words, President Reagan’s life was a perfect reflection of his message.  We knew he was genuine.  

Peggy Noonan, former Reagan speechwriter and biographer, emphasizes, “The secret of Reagan's success was no secret at all. It was his character—his courage, his kindness, his persistence, his honesty, and his almost heroic patience in the face of setbacks—that was the most important element of his success.”

Yes, Ronald Reagan gave many memorable and remarkable speeches, but in the final analysis, it was the way he lived his life that made him a great communicator!
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Click here to learn more about President Reagan, one of our truly great leaders.

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A Special Invitation: President Reagan's farewell address is a masterpiece -- 21 minutes of wisdom and goodness. Please watch and share it with your family. Click here if you prefer to read. (21:23)


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Today we celebrate the 230th anniversary of one of the most important days in history --- September 17,1787, the day members of the Constitutional Convention ratified the United States Constitution. 

Constitution Day is a wonderful opportunity to study, and teach our children, the principles of government that have created abundant and unprecedented liberty, peace, and prosperity for millions of Americans. Some individuals and families may want to invest more time in learning about our Constitution. You may want to celebrate Constitution Week, Constitution Month, or devote much longer to understanding and preserving this inspired foundation of our freedom.

The better we understand the Constitution, the more prepared we can be to to do our part to "preserve, protect and defend" it. Here are some ideas and resources that may be of help. Choose one or more learning activities that will be best for your family.   
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​Celebrating Constitution Day

Read the United States Constitution.  
Read the ​Constitution. Discuss what a remarkable, revolutionary document it is, and why we must each do our part to "keep" our republic.

Learn about part of the Constitution and/or memorize something about the Constitution.  
You could watch this video with John Stossel asking members of Congress to tell their favorite part of the Constitution, and then ask family members to tell their favorite part. You might even memorize a part of the Constitution or an inspirational quote about the Constitution. 

Learn about how the Constitution was created.  
Watch A More Perfect Union. Discuss the inspiring story and heroes behind the birth of our Constitution.

You could also watch Prayer and the Miracle in Philadelphia and explain that after much study, work, and discussion, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were unable to create and agree on a constitution until they asked for, and received, help from God.
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Talk with your family about your heritage.
Share your feelings about the blessings and responsibilities of being a citizen of the United States of America. Tell stories about your family heritage, the one you've received and the one you want to create.

Discuss with your family why the Constitution is relevant, important, and essential today.
Watch the video below that tells why the Constitution is important today. Study and prepare to explain why you think the Constitution is relevant and important in our complex modern world. You might want to make a video and post it on social media, or share your views with a friend.

Consider what you can do.
Perhaps one of the most significant things you can do is to consider how you and your family can protect and preserve the Constitution, create a written plan, and begin to take action. (For ideas, see the excellent outline, The Patriot's Guide, created by Heritage.org.) 

Enjoy patriotic music.
Play inspiring patriotic music.  Sing some of your favorite patriotic songs.   

Serve refreshments.
After a lesson, video, or activity, you could serve patriotic refreshments.
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Helpful Resources to Learn About the Constitution

The United States Constitution    
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Inspirational Quotes About the Constitution   
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The Preamble Set to Music  (3 minute video)

A More Perfect Union  (150 minute video)
Story of the creation of the United States Constitution

Founding Brothers  (90 minute video)
Story of the birth of our constitutional republic.

We Still Hold These Truths  (20 minute video)
Principles that make America great.

We Still Hold These Truths   
Leaders' guide about the principles that make America great (goes with book by the same name).  

The Patriot’s Guide: What You Can Do for Your Country   
PDF from the Heritage Foundation with ways you can make a difference

Why We're Losing Liberty (5:33)
How does the Constitution preserve liberty and prevent tyranny? Professor Robert P. George answers this important question.
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Consource.org
Online library of wonderful constitutional resources.
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Our Lost Constitution Facebook Page 
​Senator Mike Lee's Facebook page where he teaches about our constitutional heritage and how we can help preserve it. The page amplifies Senator Lee's excellent books, Written Out of History and Our Lost Constitution.

The 10 videos below were created by Senator Lee to accompany the Our Lost Constitution book. They help explain what has gone wrong in Washington D.C., how the problems were created by violating the Constitution, and how they can be resolved by restoring the Constitution. The relevant chapters from the book are listed after the link to each video.

Video 1: Federalism and separation of powers provide structural protections for the Constitution.  (1:01:18)  Chapter 3: The Legislative Powers Clause, Chapter 6: The Tenth Amendment and the Commerce Clause

Video 2: Americans can help restore constitutionally limited government. (18:49)
Chapter 10: What You Can Do to Reclaim the Constitution

Video 3: The origins of the Second Amendment and how it was restored. (21:10)
Chapter 7: Reclaiming the Constitution Through the Courts

Video 4: The origins of the Fourth Amendment and its challenges today. (24:15)
Chapter 5: The Forgotten Fourth Amendment

Video 5: How Senator Lee became interested in the Constitution. (20:10)
Introduction (How Senator Lee's parents nurtured his lifelong love of the Constitution.)

​Video 6: Congress can restore the Constitution through the power of the purse. (17:05)
Chapter 9: Reclaiming the Constitution Through the Power of the Purse

​Video 7: The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause has been distorted to limit public expressions of religious belief. (23:11)  Chapter 4: The Forgotten Establishment Clause

Video 8: How the Second Amendment was “lost” before Its restoration in 2008. (18:28)
Chapter 7: Reclaiming the Constitution Through the Courts

​Video 9: We are subject to unelected, unaccountable federal bureaucrats. (22:04)
Chapter 3: The Forgotten Legislative Powers Clause

Video 10: The Tenth Amendment limits federal power and keeps most aspects of government close to the people. (13:50)  Chapter 6: The Forgotten Tenth Amendment and the Inflated Commerce Clause

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Freedom Project: Principles of the Constitution

• Preamble  (9:41)
• Limited Government  (8:02)
• Legislative Powers and Limitations  (7:23)
• Executive Powers and Limitations  (9:43)
• Judicial Powers and Limitations  (10:18)
• Bill of Rights, Part 1  (9:30)
• Bill of Rights, Part 2  (8:35)
• Amendments 11-18  (6:57)
• Amendments  19-27  (7:30)

Hillsdale College: Introduction to the Constitution

1. The Declaration of Independence—Universals and Particulars (11:53)
2. The Declaration of Independence—The Laws of Nature and of Nature's God (8:33)
3. The Declaration of Independence—All Men Are Created Equal  (7:35)
4. The Consent of the Governed  (7:37)
5. Representation of the People  (10:32)
6. Sovereignty and Power  (11:11)
7. Reason and Passion  (8:54)
8. The Separation of Powers  (11:04)
9. The Necessity of Virtue  (9:22)
10. Ballots Rather Than Bullets  (10:04)
11. The Problem with Big Government  (9:47)
12. The Problem with Progressivism  (14:33)

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​Hillsdale College: The Federalist Papers

1. Introduction: Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention  Larry P. Arnn
2. The Improved Science of Politics  Paul A. Rahe
3. The Problem of Majority Faction  Paul Moreno
4. Federalism and Republicanism  Will Morrisey
5. Separation of Powers  Matthew Spalding
6. The Legislative: House and Senate  Will Morrisey
7. The Executive  Paul A. Rahe
8. The Judiciary  Paul Moreno
9. “The Constitution is Itself . . . a Bill of Rights”  Will Morrisey
10. Conclusion: Constitutionalism Today  Larry P. Arnn

For many Americans, September 11, 2001 is a day we will never forget.  

The brutal attacks that took the lives of 2,977 Americans, and created lasting loss and injury for thousands more, transformed our country. 

 But by September 12th, shock and horror were being replaced with increased faith, patriotism, kindness and resolve to defend our country and our God-given rights. Here are powerful, inspiring stories and resources for our families.

Looking for a meaningful story to share with your children on 9/11?  Here is one on video.  

The message of "The Little Chapel That Stood" is that America is a great nation.  Terror is temporary and does not stay, but the freedom and courage of the American people are extraordinary and abiding.       
   
The actual story begins at 7:43.  If you want to skip to it, click on the time bar.