Holding Tight to the American Dream

Ephesians 322 says that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us today on Focus on the Family was your story will inspire you to overcome challenges you might have. As you experience God's power in your life, your host is focused president Dr. Jim Daly and I'm John felt John in our country today we can find many things that divide us, but perhaps with a little effort, we could pay more attention to the things that unite us as Americans, we share so much more in common than we often recognize, which is a shame that we don't concentrate on that time to time. It's easy to be discouraged by the fighting and the shouting at one another that we see almost on a daily basis.

And then, no cable programs just amplify all of that today we have such a great inspirational story from a man who has overcome difficult circumstances early in life and I'm talking about Sen. Tim Scott. There is so much we can glean from his experiences about being optimistic and engaging the culture in truth and love, and though were an imperfect nation there still hope.

And there's room for redemption at every turn.

And that's the message in his book America a redemption story. Choosing hope, creating unity and of course we have the book here at Focus on the Family. I just stop by the website will give us a call to learn more. Now I know you can be encouraged by this recent conversation with Sen. Tim Scott.

He's been in the U.S. Senate since 2013 and Jim. Here's how he began this episode of Focus on the Family asking him about life in a single-parent household. Let's go back to those early years of what was going on. What was your family like and how is little Tim. Thinking back in the essays differently. I think one of the things I cover my book America redemption story is held, the seven-year-old me was sitting on the side of the couch with my parents were about the divorce and the sudden pain and the misery that I felt at the time of this.

One of my earliest memories of just trying to figure out what could I give up to keep my family together. What could you do what I can relate to that, like Christmas presents. The gone birthday.not necessary.

If I keep my dad in the house my mom together. I would've given up anything for that outcome and this is possible and it i.e. if I'm not sure what you felt like you have been, but I knew it was my fault that's in the light was my fault I knew had to be me and moving to my grandparents house moving in with my mother and my brothers.

All three of us sharing one room in bed for a few years. It was a different and difficult time in my life and lower my self-esteem was dropping precipitously right in my view of the world had changed quickly as a seven-year-old. Yeah, you know it's interesting with that I had kind of a different response. This is where you took it on and you felt it and felt it sounds like a bit of guilt for what was going on. I can was like why don't these adults know how to act like adults side it well.

It my wife would say it may be created a little bit of the shell around my heart little bit of callousness and I could say that Westchester so I have to struggle with that. Like you know okay they own their own decisions. I don't care what they decide.

I I did become a bit crusty as a kid I I think I would more like to relate like you like live off tender heart. Part of the fun of. If I was at Lemoore that that really because I think I am far more sensitive person because I take on the responsibility and the guilt associated with responsible to falling short in one of the things that work my way out of it. As a Christian was going back and I'm assuming that my father Abba father said about me is that Ephesians to journey of understanding who he says that I am not been adopted. According to Galatians 329 I've been adopted into family and so my birth right and who I am is it my experiences as a seven-year-old and is my experience as a started also to her 22nd 1983. It's that new life that I should be looking at and defining myself from that perspective. Until then I didn't have that perspective.

And so while I had a very religious life before my 18th birthday didn't slow didn't drink and denying our exact all the rules right but I thought just like Christianity and the more I understand about my faith. The more I realize that is not the rules is the law of interest with the story of redemption. Boundaries are great. Don't get us wrong everybody but that shouldn't be the motivation should follow the Benders because you love Christ exactly this is if you love me, keep my commands right without all that I was not doing was that with the word says you can't do this, just the way that I had interpreted it, especially with the interactions with my earthly father and the things that saw that I didn't want to replicate and so there was a lot of forces that were at work in my heart that as I listen to you in the way that you respond to the same situation. I realize that both of us found a way to create a self protection combing zone that company will be like and things in the book you you mentioned is the importance of the grandparent just says that's awesome I didn't have that element, we knew we were the family shrub. We didn't have the freedom okay is just a all siblings mom and dad and dad was gone but but speak to that unbelievable influence that grandparents your grandparents weren't grandparents generally so many grandparents are raising the grandkids now. One of things I love the story of a book America redemption story where I thought of my grandfather standing at the door. Just making sure that his grandkids were welcomed in my grandstanding at the door open as long as it is a big boy to his big and my grandmother was a was it was shortly but she was powerful and and robust interfaith and one of the things that I remembered very early on what we lost any semblance of resources. The house was scarce at best. But the law of the abundance of love, the affection we were using the stove in the oven to heat the home. Both the amount of love made it warm either way. And like my grandparents really worth the force to be reckoned with. They were the anchor of the glue the glue for faith is the second Timothy story. Think of the 1000 up his spiritual heritage comes to his grandmother and his mother, and my spiritual heritage comes in my grandmother than my mother, my grandfather literally was a good man, became a Christian later in life, but ultimately faith was seen through her actions heard in her prayers and felt through her discipline and that it was really a wonderful combination. Do you think you know with that influence how much of an effect did that have keeping you moving toward God in your teen years and all that is we sometimes we don't even recognize as influences telexes. It was, but if there are breadcrumbs left for me.

They were my grandmother's. You see, we went to church every Sunday, at least once, maybe twice every Wednesday was it was in this necessary a part of the week and prayer and faith was always in the household and and so I think you're right. There's no question that the borders of the boundaries of faith that existed from the time a move that seven and frankly even until I graduate from high school that we were living with her anymore. It was my grandmother's steadfastness that resonated because we were going to church with you wanted to or not, will you live there or not you have straight back to church yet so good you had a mentor like that you referred to him as John is it is it moaning some of these young niece and explained that's another important thing, especially for us guys don't have a dad present every day. We were both blessed to have men that came along that showed us the compass. Yes, it's John's case with who was he and Hannity informed Jessa John Meese was a tickly operator okay and ravage it with. I love to fly everybody but God loves you like to be silent, and I love enamored with one of the story to tell about is about the importance the important role mentors play and specifically domination. I met at 15 years old was still in search of myself and John saw something in me that I cannot see myself and he started teaching me some very valuable lessons about opportunity. He's a guy that taught me that having a job is a good thing, but creating jobs the better thing while he started planting the seeds of entrepreneurship. Early on he said anything. Think about where we are in the schedule were taught having so many conversations that polarization remoulade conversations about race.

This is a white guy in the 1980s. No official program just a guy who saw potential in love people.

No other reason he starts teaching me that if you want to be all that you can be the first most painful step you must take his look in the mirror and take responsibility. You can't blame your mom because she's working long hours. I got it because is not around is as if you're going to maximize your potential, you get a look in the mirror and blame yourself for your not that was hard for a little while, but he said it with affection. He didn't say this judgment exhibited from observation as an observation is those words that rang in the back of my head.

The echo chamber of my life was that all things are possible something work and the circumstances that you find yourself some others fair or not is do you want to out overcome them.

You want to live beyond them. If you do start with you. Yeah let's get back to the book as you again when he married a young man you have an encounter with an orthodontist as you will actually it's a great story. I don't think you're 1819 19 years old. Tell us what happened there in this again this is a great James kind of action of on the part of the orthodontist capital is important to you what happened. So Dr. Monte S. Harrington I love you as part of the great man's am 19 years old working of all I walking a mile and 1/2 to the orthodontist office.

The closest one to the mall by the light and I walking to the office. I have no ability to pay for them getting ready to ask and I walk up to the counter back is there young lady at the counter and she says that I can help you check in and Dr. Monte S Erica comes out and says go about came back in with what Ethan had to front teeth did not like each other right and left, my wife shares yeah is that I gotta get them in an alignment exactly and that Harrington was so kind, while I think I can help you.

I bet you did so. He said let me ask you question that work right now is how much can you afford. I didn't know whether that was to literally kick me out because I couldn't afford something or what.

In the next question stunned me civil, whatever you say. I will take but you better pay it yeah I said $40 a month and he said let's go to work. He literally did what he could immediately and committed me a verbal contract to pay my writing a verbal cut. Can you imagine a verbal contract for a couple thousand dollars for the prices I'd like to believe in that goodness. And so my life has been blessed with people like Dr. Harrington who literally saw the opportunity to do something for someone who cannot do for themselves.

And he did it, and as a result my esteem rose were investing in you they were in a way that I cannot myself all required me to do something and I think God for that part because the notion of individual responsibility that is woven through my book American redemption story is a very important key factor to one's own flourishing, you have to do for yourself if you can. You should if you can't different conversation attend. Let me ask you this because your vibrant you have a certain aura about you. I can see why people would see you as.

While this this kids got something special. Generalize that a bit about had.

How does a person wake up for maybe there or situation, whatever it might be and have a smile on their face, which I guarantee you have.

I did and then made a difference. People are willing to help people that are optimistic absolutely one of the one of the that I did of us are my first business as well. Was I went to a bank in literally with lot of happiness and joy and no money credit asked for a loan they said yes. Will they said yes after they walked me through what it takes to get, but the truth is I wish we would explain this to our younger people literally all things are possible, not because we set it because it is in second thing is your responsibility comes first, you have to do all that you can and by doing so with the expectation that others will come and help you where you can help yourself that's America mightily is every is almost every community, every culture in this country we have the key ingredient that when you put all your chips on the table so to speak a little help. Literally someone meet you there and so I think the simple questions of civil answers are simple and one do all that you never to do it was the best the best attitude possible. Zig Ziglar said a long time ago altitude is determined by attitude and attitude of gratitude will take you a long way as you so easy to work with people that have that attitude, let let me to shift gears a little bit and this is a broader question about the country. We both live in imperfect definitely. We talked about how many people are trying to get in here that that's over with our imperfection shifts when you look back on the racial issues which have been paramount over the last 56 years with certain things George Floyd and BL and and all these things as a kind of you know, expressing themselves right now. If you sit on the porch with grandpa and have that discussion what he lived through writing what you're living through. I would think that I'm a white guy yeah I would think you'd say we made some progress – is one of the things I say in the book is I tell the story about how my grandfather born in 1921. He died in 2016 at 9490 21 he literally had to get off the sidewalks. We saw white person coming in never make eye contact.

He spent his time at 789 10 years of picking cotton in a cotton field right he lives long enough to watch his grandson pick out a seat in Congress.

So in his lifetime, from cotton to Congress in one lifetime. If you want to know the miracle of America you want to understand the evolution of especially the southern part look at the life of artists where in one of the lessons you taught me very early on was to never become bitter and don't ever allow yourself to be a victim. He said you can be a victim or you can be victorious.

It can't be both.

Yeah, and if you become a victim you've resigned yourself to wait for someone to do something for you or to you if you're victorious you look for the paths forward and without any expectation that his life was going to change. He knew that it was changing for his children and because of that, he knew it would change for his grandchildren. So set of judging America on where we have been. He just us on where we could be which is so good as it yet again. Every nation has its flaws. Absolutely, you know. Hopefully will begin to realize that bitterness factor that you talk about if we could all cooperate better and not be better and move forward would be a better nation, even beyond what we are today. What upsetting we are, without question, the land of hope and opportunity. We do need to take responsibility for the challenges that we've had and one of the ways that you look back and say what is America doing about our original said, and I think that's a fair question right. We should start. Of course with the Civil War, where we fought and lost 600,000 people, 4% of the American men to set people free yeah that's a good start.

Write it, we should think about when Pres. Lincoln was pondering his second inaugural address, and he is writing down little of the blood taken by the lash or the whip. He requited at the tip of the sword so there's this balance he saw and that the University Franklin for all the treatable God allow this war to Terry and so we see that there's been a huge price paid for the sin related to the 1930s of the Jim Crow South of the 1960s and you see that we wrestle as a messy human existence is this message. We wrestle with it, but we always come to the conclusion will we get better and so now we look back in hindsight being 2020 when you look at 2008 with the election of the first African-American president. Pres. Obama and disasters of his America races country will I guess not an easy 2020 election of the first African American VP. We fed Colin Powell and Sen. Austin leaving the most powerful military force in the history of man. You look at American Express intentional African-American leaving that business. We have so many examples of American prosperity and progress jump one of the challenges we have, we don't tell the whole story in today's time. You're either all bad or all good, right, God forbid that you tell both sides of the ledger right that bad that we have seen in this country has been paid for by really powerful and good forces. Typically, humans black and white ones working together for better America.

That's a story of greatness.

I know I so agree, and thinking of Schultz Nixon who wrote that, you know, if it were only that easy to gather up all the evil people and put them somewhere.

Yes, that the problem is. Evil cuts through the heart of every human being is kind of a gospel message where my 79 secondly right yes I I'm so encouraged by the choice movement when it comes to schools in an event that Steve Schuck is a good friend here in Colorado Springs, Chuck Colson, to the late Chuck Colson was such a great friend of focus course Colson Center and prison ministry. He started one of the things he said to Ms. Jim we are condemning minority children into a life of poverty because of the schools they have to go to USC's underperforming inner-city schools that need to be shaken up. Need better teachers, and I'm sure there's good teachers and there, but generally they're not producing the product that they need the week.

We call those schools. Title I schools and I will say that without any question that not only are we typically condemning them to a life of poverty were also increasing the likelihood of incarceration. The average person 70% of those incarcerated believe the percentages can only read at the fourth grade level. That is a crisis that can be avoided by bringing options into the poor ZIP Codes are set up consistently that a quality education is the closest thing to magic in America.

If you have on right you're on the right side of the tracks. No matter which side of the tractor on if you have a bad education. You're the wrong side of the tracks, no matter what you look like all the data supports that 1000% and frankly it is the great equalizer week we we have perhaps a long road to go on fairness in the eyes of some, but the true answer is it a racial answer is education answer more than is anything else today in America Sen. in the closing moments. Here I will ask about unity because we have so much division in our country we can become easily frustrated at others who have a different worldview that you look at second Timothy 224 you know where God says through Paul. The patient enduring able, it's becoming more difficult and I am challenged by the Scriptures that tend to be honest with you because your unit every day that hat. How do we love our neighbor love the Lord not get hyped up not get emotional out of control when it comes to the evening news.

As Christians it's volatile. I feel my blood boiling. When I hear some of the stupidity that is going on and then like I hear that still small voice saying member whose you are. Your mind endure evil patiently right right of one of things close of this in my book America redemption story is. I thought about the last chapter about the importance of looking towards America 2070 the long way away, I won't be here much of that only the Bears now tell you in order for America to to be the nation that we wanted to be intimate in America 2070 we literally have to continue according to Galatians 6, seven and verse nine. Be patient, and in due season. You're going for an amazing harvest. I don't believe that that the Scripture your coding tells us to sit back and be idle as evil rooms, the land of a John Tintin is perhaps a really good Scripture for us to remember that there is a fee for comes a steel to kill and destroy the crisis, they might have that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

Think about the actions of Jesus.

He was very active even in his disagreement.

Think about the scene of the temple went to the whip and cleared it out right so we should not think of ourselves as passive because were Christians we should be an active ingredient for good and when necessary we should have a confrontation that stops evil from spreading. I think if we don't remember the words of Thomas Aquinas that really basically says that if you're not angry with things are bad.

Question yourself there and that I get my paraphrase. Yet the just yesterday my centering was telling me this he heard it from Jordan Peterson yes is a very smart man. I don't know that he's a theologian right so I say this with a word of caution, but that he was watching Jordan Peterson and he said he had made a comment that that meek, the meek shall inherit the earth is about being able to put the sword in the sheath that you're trying to use it. You can use it. Yes, that that you have the power to restrain yourself from using it. So that's an interesting way to look at that Scripture is not about being weak know it's about being strong. If you need to be, but controlling yourself which is what were talking I was then given an ounce outside of himself and Jim into the conversation with his James Fortin site humbly sells you, be exalted. Those exultant cells will be humble. Is it the question is was a difference when humility is harnessed power.

If you can Romans 13 says that there are ministers of the gospel in government given a sword will think about the reason for sword justice is the key. It is not to go after your your arrogant desires because you're strong you take from the week. That's also evil. It says that you are there and given the sword for justice sake. And if we remember that justice is not about me and you alone. Justice is about looking to the future more fairly back and doing what's right. According to the gospel we love.

Adjust America and adjust.

America is always a strong, powerful America and I will in with this Ronald Reagan says peace through strength and all of those of the same same point in the same thing converges on the same point in this is great and what a message you have in America. Redemption story and coming from you who have lived it with your extended family or grandfather you Nash is such a refreshing way to look at the progress that is being made with more progress being required, absolutely. And it's wonderful to see the hand of the Lord, I knew I had a great life in a and and hopefully there's more more more fun to have. I'm sure it will be.

Thank you for being with this. I think you have me what an upbeat ending urging and hope message Jim from a recent conversation you had with Sen. Tim Scott here on Focus on the Family. John and more of his stories captured in his book America redemption rate choosing help creating unity and it'll encourage you and give you great tools for bridging the gaps that can sometimes feel impenetrable in our society. And when you send a gift of any amount, as we often do here Focus on the Family if you can send a gift will send you the book as our way of saying thank you for joining the ministry being part of the support the work of Focus on the Family and make a donation. As you can and ask about that book when you call 800 232-645-9800 K in the work-family check.

The episode notes for the link and on behalf of Jim Daly in the entire team. Thanks for joining us here on focus on I'm John Fuller inviting you back once more help you and Your Family Dr. in Christ. I was shocked when she gave me the divorce papers. I was so kind I had reached my breaking point. I was desperate for a shred of hope. So I called the hope restored team. It Focus on the Family they they listen to me and they asked about what was happening in my marriage encouraged me and my wife to attend one of their marriage intensive's for couples in crisis and they prayed with us. They help me believe that my marriage could be saved and agreed to come but was skeptical that anything can help us. The whole environment was so safe and nonjudgmental from a high-tech and open up as we worked with the counselors. Both of us still have work to do in her marriage but for the first time in a long time we have hope again Focus on the Family's hope restored marriage intensive program has helped thousands of couples who thought that their marriage went over find out which program is right for you and hope restored.com