Last issue’s column asked those who still care about this country to speak up.

I’m not the only one thinking what I’m thinking.

Roughly 25 percent of those responding simply said they agreed with what I wrote. Another 25 percent wrote about what they were doing.

Quite a few people asked permission to read last issue’s column to their church or civic group. One lady asked permission to post the column at her store so she could get her customers talking about our country.

One man wrote: “I’m teaching my children to play fair, to respect their elders and others, to accept their own faults, not to blame others, and to be true to themselves.”

One newspaper person wrote that their paper tried to tell the truth as they saw it.
An artist wrote that he feels a duty to paint pictures illustrating the fragile beauty around us, so those seeing his work will think about this beautiful land.

I would encourage everyone to consider what these readers are doing.

The remaining 50 percent of the letters were along these lines: “Here I am, but I’m not sure what to do. Where do we begin?”

One thing that has helped me is to write a statement of what I believe. I have done this several times over the last few years. I have seen this statement change. It has grown from talking about what I didn’t believe to what I do believe.

As I’ve traveled mile after mile around this country, I’ve had plenty of time to think. All of us get discouraged every once in a while, and that’s when it’s important to know what one believes. That’s when I am glad I’ve spent some time trying to put into words what I do believe.

Writing this statement is not an easy task. One must ask oneself if one believes something because one believes it, or because one’s parents or preacher believes it.

One thing I believe is that it’s important to make our beliefs our own.

It’s just as important to write down one’s doubts as it is to write one’s beliefs. The doubts are the places where one’s faith will emerge.

I would encourage everyone to work on a statement of belief. Include the things you’re not sure of. Write it down without regard for impressing anyone. Set it aside for a few days, and then go back and read it again. Read it out loud, and see if it feels right in your bones.

I am convinced we are approaching a time when it will be essential for each of us to know what we believe. There’s a time coming when we’ll all have to take a stand. This sounds dark and foreboding — and it is not intended to sound that way. It is part of our country’s heritage to stand for what is right.

What do you believe? What would you be willing to take a stand for? Answering these questions is a good way to begin.

(Editor’s Note: David Clark has released his new album “Ten.” To order send $15.00 plus $4.00 shipping to Clark CD Orders, P.O. Box 148, Cochran, GA 31014 or visit www.outofthesky.com to otder online. Contact David at the address above or dclark@outofthesky.com.).