Since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, the words 'God Bless America' and 'America will never be the same' have echoed and re-echoed in our ears a million times, in prayers, in songs, in inspirational comments. But stop for a minute and think of how hypocritical these words are.

'God Bless America' - words coined when America's people and leaders put their trust and their faith in the Almighty Creator, He Who made America a rich and fertile land, Who led our forefathers to a home where all would have an equal opportunity to live, work, and worship as they pleased. But stop and compare the America of yesterday to the America of today. Then, it was unlawful to ruthlessly murder and unborn child. Now, mothers can slaughter innocent children still in the womb, with the protection of the law! There are countless examples of this. But people, those who doubt even the existence of God, still exclaim 'God Bless America!' without the slightest thought to what these words mean. How can we ask God to bless us when we constantly turn our backs on Him? When we violate His Commandments by murder, theft, pornography, etc.? We must do what God expects of us before we ask Him to bestow blessings upon us.

'America has changed...' but has America really changed at all? Yes, many lives were lost that day. Many lives shattered, many families separated. But other than that, tell me, how has America changed? Pornography is still protected legally, abortion is still protected legally. And illegal activity is still as abundant as it was seven months ago. Murder, scandal, theft...the list goes on and on. So before we ask God to bless us, first we should bless Him.

age = 13-16