Watchman on the Wall

Southwest Radio Ministries: Welcome to Watchman on the Wall, a daily outreach of Southwest Radio Ministries and swrc.com. God is still on the throne and prayer changes things.

Welcome to a brand new week of bringing clarity to the chaos. This week, we get ready for America’s 250th birthday. We’ll learn about the real-life George Washington, miracles in American history, and John Wayne himself will share what America means to him.

First though, I want to share a special word to our Watchman on the Wall family. Summer is traditionally one of the most challenging times of the year for ministry support, and right now, we need your help. Southwest Radio Ministries is 100% listener funded.

Every broadcast, every resource, and every outreach is made possible by faithful friends like you. Whether your gift is monthly, one-time, large, or small, it’s needed this week. Please prayerfully give your best gift today at swrc.com or call 1-800-652-1144. Thank you for standing with us.

America’s first president was more than a military leader and statesman. He was a man whose life was profoundly shaped by faith, character, and duty. Today and tomorrow, we’ll explore George Washington, a life lived for God and country, and take a closer look at the remarkable legacy of the man often called the father of our nation. Here is our host, Dr. Larry Spargimino, with today’s guest.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: Scott Ash is our guest. We're going to chat about George Washington, our first president. What kind of a leader was George Washington? The title of the book that we're offering is George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country. Scott Ash has compiled and edited the material in the book. The material in the book is historically researched, revealing much about Washington. There are lots of anecdotes that you can use in Sunday school or in preaching. It just kind of warms the heart to George Washington. Scott, thank you so much for being our guest. Why publish a book on Washington's faith and life?

Scott Ash: Many books have been published already about Washington's military career or his presidency, but very few really focus on his Christian faith, which was the very thing that was the secret of his success. And that's what this book is about. George Washington is considered the father of our country for good reason. He set the precedent in so many ways and how he conducted himself. He lived a really remarkable life, and even the people in his day saw that.

But today, there's this great danger that Americans today and future generations are going to forget Washington or have a distorted view of who he was. So, the goal of publishing a book like this is threefold. First, to promote an awareness and appreciation for God's providential work in history. Christian history is just really inspiring. It leads us to a deeper understanding of who God is and how He works in the world.

Secondly, the goal is to promote a godly hero for the next generation. Young people need good role models, and today's celebrities and sports heroes really pale in comparison when you look at men like Washington. The third goal with publishing this book is that we hope to counteract the historical revisionism that's so rampant in our day.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: I think your book really accomplishes that because there are lots of things in the book that are more about the man himself. You kind of just feel a glow there. In fact, some of his scriptures that he used, Micah 4:4 and several others. I think Micah 4:4 was used about 50 times from what I've read. It shows that we do have a man that we can look up to, and so many of our heroes today are not heroes.

I think one of the big problems today is schools. You look at American schools, Christian schools are different, but if you look at American schools, they forget American history. Or they give you a historically revised view to fit their agenda, and their agenda is not good. I must say I really do appreciate this book. When was this book first published?

Scott Ash: It's actually two books in one. Like you said at the beginning, I'm the editor of the book. Half of the book is a fast-paced, adventure-filled biography of Washington, and it was originally published in 1851. So, it's not subject to the modern revisionist agenda that we have today. It was written closer to the time when he actually lived.

And the other part of the book was written in 1919, and it focuses on one very important aspect of his life: his Christian faith. His character is really exemplary. He wasn't a perfect man; none of us are. But his character is really worth emulating. I have a quote from Washington that I'd like to read. He said, "I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles: the character of an honest man."

He was endeavoring to be a man of character. He disciplined his soldiers if they were gambling or swearing. He didn't allow that. He didn't do it himself, and he brought others to accountability. There's one story that's in the book where he had invited a number of officers to eat dinner with him, and during the course of the dinner conversation, one of the officers took the Lord's name in vain. Washington dropped his silverware, which I'm sure got everybody's attention. He was a man known for his dignity and his good manners, but he dropped his silverware and then he simply said, "I thought that we were all gentlemen here."

Then he picked up his knife and fork and went back to eating. It was said that the remark he made was like an electric shock to the men, and nobody swore after that.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: You mentioned something when he was 14. I believe he copied about 110 rules of civility from a French document. I noticed that the first rule of civility is that when you're in the company of others, always show respect. And I'm thinking, can you imagine if we had a godly Christian president like that today who showed respect, who watched his words, who wanted to honor all the dignitaries? People say that can't happen, but it really worked for George Washington. That's how we got started on the right track. Your comment on that?

Scott Ash: That is so true. It's really his character, Washington's character, that I think made him such a good person to emulate and to study. Today, when people go to the ballot box to vote, they're looking at the person's political positions and the personality of the person running, and not so much thinking about the person's character. But character is what makes the man who he is. So, it's vitally important.

I've really felt that Washington really wasn't a political leader; he was a statesman. I don't think we have too many statesmen today. There is definitely a difference. One of the examples of his character that I see that really stands out is how he never sought power for himself. He responded when duty called, but he didn't seek a position of power. He didn't ask to be made the general of the Continental Army, and after the war was over, he resigned his commission and then went back to farming. He wasn't trying to make a name for himself or to accrue power for himself. He did his duty, and then he went back to his private life. And I think that's a great testimony to his humble character.

I can't imagine George Washington not having slaves; it was so common. On the other hand, I can't see him mistreating them. And I'm also thinking of Colossians 3:23 where Paul says slaves need to serve their masters in all honesty and integrity just as if they were serving the Lord. Scott, can you give us an example of Washington's compassion?

Scott Ash: There is a really great story in the book that took place at the camp in Valley Forge. There was a Tory spy by the name of Michael Wittman who was causing a lot of trouble for the patriots. He was giving information to the British and trying to thwart Washington's plans, and he was captured and court-martialed and sentenced to be hanged. Well, the night before his execution, an old man named Peter Miller came into the camp at Valley Forge and requested a meeting with General Washington.

Miller was an acquaintance of Washington; they knew each other. He was a pastor from Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and he actually walked 60 miles from Ephrata to Valley Forge so that he could meet with Washington. He came into Washington, and Washington asked him why he was there. And he said, "Well, I've come to ask a favor of you." And Washington said, "Sure, I'd be glad to help if I can." And the old man said, "Would you please pardon Michael Wittman, the Tory spy?"

And this really surprised the general, and he said, "No, no way. That's impossible. Michael Wittman is a bad man. He's done a lot of harm. I cannot pardon your friend." Then the old man said something that really surprised Washington. He said, "He is no friend of mine. He's actually my worst enemy. He has persecuted me for years. He has spit in my face. He's beaten me." And Washington was really puzzled and said, "Well, why are you asking me to pardon your worst enemy?" And Mr. Miller replied, "I ask it because Jesus did as much for me."

Washington listened to that, and he turned away and walked out of the room, and a few minutes later he came back with a piece of paper with a pardon for Michael Wittman. This account is in the book; you can read it. But I think it really gives us some insight into who George Washington was. He was not just some stern, tough military commander, but he had compassion for even his enemies.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: Friends, we're offering our listeners the book George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country. Our toll-free number: 1-800-652-1144. I would not consider myself an expert in matters pertaining to George Washington, but there are so many anecdotes, testimonies, and other life scenes. I know the readers will find the book very informative, but also very heartwarming. You've just heard one of the stories, one of the testimonies that I think really would endear you to George Washington.

Right after Washington's first inaugural address in the spring of 1789, he became very sick, even to the point of death. The book tells us that he was with his physician, Dr. Samuel Bard. President Washington gave such an amazing testimony. He said, quote, "Whether tonight or 20 years hence makes no difference. I know that I am in the hands of a good providence," close quote. So, that's another one that you will find in the book. It's so enjoyable and, like I said, very factual, but also very heartwarming. Once again, our toll-free number: 1-800-652-1144.

Scott, as we get back to President Washington or General Washington, what about his upbringing? What kind of an upbringing, what kind of a childhood did he have?

Scott Ash: He was raised by Christian parents. His father, Augustine Washington, was a deacon in the church. But unfortunately, he died when Washington was 11 years old. So, George's mother, Mary Washington, had to spend time and instill in him Christian virtue, and she taught him from the Bible regularly from a young age. And as you mentioned earlier, when he was 13, he copied a number of maxims into a little book, which he called the "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior."

Most of those had to do with etiquette and good manners and so forth. I think him writing that at such a young age and then him seeking to live by that for the rest of his life really showed that he was developing strong character from a young age, thanks to his parents and their instilling in him scripture and biblical principles.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: Well, I think when I look at Washington, what you see is what you get. And I think that's very important. In fact, I'm part of the Logan County, Oklahoma, Christian voters fellowship. In the voting in the primaries, they're all Republicans, but they're very different. You listen to these people give their speeches, and I've met some of them and they sound really good. But then if you look at their background, some of the ways that they've voted, you say, "Well, how could he say that in that speech and just two years ago he voted that way?"

Just because they're all Republicans doesn't mean that you don't have a few RINOs there. But with Washington, what you see is what you get. And I think that comes from his Christianity because he knows that God looks on the heart. He's not fooling God. People may fool some other people, but you can't fool God. And that makes such a difference.

One of the questions I always like to ask a candidate is, "Well, okay, we elect you. You're a good man or a good woman now. What are you going to do to keep from being corrupted?" Because it often happens. A good man, good woman gets in office, and pretty soon there's this payoff and that payoff, and they're very, very different from the way they originally started. I think they started perhaps honestly, and yet after even a few months, all of that's changed. But that never, never happened to George Washington.

Scott Ash: Very true. He was consistent. Why is there so much controversy concerning Washington's Christian faith? A lot of modern historians are eager to make all the founding fathers into deists. It's fashionable today. So, it really should not surprise us that modern historians want to question Washington's religious beliefs.

It also probably doesn't help that Washington was very private about his faith. He did not make a show of it. He didn't fit the stereotypes. He didn't wear Christian t-shirts or listen to Christian radio, so how could he be a Christian? But seriously, William Johnson first wrote this book over 100 years ago to make sure that future generations would remember the genuine faith of Washington and to see that it was the true source of Washington's greatness.

The book is filled with so many eyewitness accounts, letters, journal entries, firsthand testimony of his Christian faith. It's really irrefutable. And there's also hundreds of footnotes to document the sources. Ultimately, you and I can't see inside someone's heart to see what's in there, but Christ did say we can judge a tree by its fruit. And so that's really what this book is doing. It's an examination of the fruit of Washington's life. So, I really encourage people to read the book and they can judge for themselves.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: And I would say amen and amen to that because the book is factual, lots of facts, but also life situational stories that show a man's true greatness. Well, what about his prayer life? Was he a praying man? He faced so many big issues, even the issues of whether we should go to war against England, and he had different views and so on. I would think he would realize, "Lord, I need Your help." But tell us about his prayer life.

Scott Ash: Yes, he was a praying man. There are numerous accounts of people observing Washington in prayer, often private prayer, and people just stumbled across him and observed. There was a preacher named J.C. Ryle who lived back at the turn of the last century, and he said if you really want to see evidence of the Holy Spirit working in someone's life, the habit of hearty private prayer is one of the best evidences there is.

And that's because anybody can make a show of praying in public or giving lip service to Christianity. We have politicians today that do it all the time. They know what to say to sound like a Christian. But the real test is: do they pray in private when no one else is around to see? Washington did that.

One reason we know that is, like I said, there were people who would accidentally interrupt his prayer or they overheard him in the next room. And there's of course the famous story of the Quaker who discovered Washington while he was praying in the woods at Valley Forge. That Quaker was a Tory; he was a loyalist. He thought that Washington was on the wrong side. But after listening to Washington pray, he went back to his wife and he said, "Washington is going to win this war," just from hearing Washington's prayers. He was able to see where Washington was in his relationship to God and how that was going to make a difference.

Dr. Larry Spargimino: Scott, we're out of time for this broadcast, but we're looking forward to having you back on the program. So, friends, please tune in for our continued discussion of the book George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country.

Southwest Radio Ministries: Who was George Washington really? Was he simply a brilliant military commander and America's first president, or was there something deeper that shaped the character of the man known as the father of our nation? George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country examines Washington's life, leadership, writings, and personal faith to reveal the biblical principles that guided him through war, sacrifice, and the founding of a new nation.

Drawing from Washington's own words and testimony of those who knew him, this compelling book paints a portrait of a leader whose sense of duty was rooted in his belief in God's providence and moral truth. As America celebrates another Independence Day, there has never been a better time to rediscover the faith, character, and convictions that helped shape our republic.

Order George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country today at swrc.com or call 1-800-652-1144. That’s swrc.com or 1-800-652-1144. Have you ever dreamed of walking where Jesus walked, sailing on the Sea of Galilee, or standing on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem? Coming up, Josh Davis will tell you how you can experience the Bible in a whole new way by joining Southwest Radio Ministries on our unforgettable 2026 Israel tour.

Josh Davis: Friends, I’m excited to be heading back to Israel this year. We went in November of 2025. We had a fantastic tour. We’re expecting nothing less this November 1st through the 12th, 2026. And we would love for you to join us as we worship God, walking in the footsteps of our Savior, our Messiah, Jesus Christ, in the land of the Bible. It’s coming up November 1st through the 12th, 2026.

As we leave New York, we’re going to fly straight to Tel Aviv and then head into Jerusalem as soon as we land. We’re going to spend five nights in and around Jerusalem, sightseeing places like Bethlehem. And then we’re going to see all around Jerusalem in the Old City, walking upon stones and streets where our Savior trod and getting to visit the Western Wall and getting to even go underneath the Western Wall and getting to explore the Temple Mount and see all kinds of sites in and around Jerusalem.

Five nights in the city of Jerusalem, then we’ll head south towards Qumran, Masada, En Gedi, and the Dead Sea. Qumran, those famous caves where they discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls and some of the marvelous things that are there. We'll leave there and travel north up to the region of Galilee. As we stay in the city of Tiberias, we stay right on the Sea of Galilee. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful place and a wonderful place to remember the ministry of Jesus.

What fascinates me so much about exploring these places even in and around Galilee is that with many of the sites we go to, we get to know with almost 100% certainty that our Lord was there. I just get chill bumps every time I even talk about these places and the very fact that God has allowed me to see them with my own eyes and to experience this. It’s been truly transformational for my own spiritual life, and I know it will be for you as well.

That’s what I heard from many of the people who went with us last year, and we would love for you to be a part of this trip. As we go into Galilee, we’ll visit places like Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell, the gates of Hades, will not prevail against it." We’ll be staring straight at what was the gates of Hades as was known at that time and the implications of these kinds of things.

This sounds awesome, and by the way, I didn’t even get through all the itinerary. There’s a lot more places that I could talk about. But people are wondering, how much does it cost and what does the cost include? Well, it starts right at $5,000. That includes round-trip airfare from New York straight to Tel Aviv. That includes the tour guides that we have, the Israeli tour guide that we have, a wonderful Christian man who is a great tour guide. We’ve become close friends with him and are so grateful to be partnering with him on this tour.

Round-trip airfare is included. Your breakfast, your dinner, or as I like to say and we say here in the South, your supper is included every day. Lunches are the only meal not included. It includes all the transportation, all the hotels, all the entrance fees, all the tips. Everything is included except for your lunch when we are out and about and we just stop in a restaurant or stop in a certain place, and then that’s the only cost that you would have. Starts at that $5,000.

And this is 10 full days. If you look at other trips that are of a similar cost, it’s usually seven days, eight days. You get 10 full days in the land, and we’re going to be there exploring these things together. I am so excited. Again, it's just such a transformational kind of trip for your spiritual life, and we would love for you to join us. The dates again, November 1st through the 12th, 2026. So, sign up today by going to swrc.com. That’s swrc.com or give us a call for more information: 1-800-652-1144. 1-800-652-1144.

Southwest Radio Ministries: What made George Washington one of the most respected leaders in world history? It wasn’t wealth, it wasn’t political power, it wasn’t personal ambition. George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country takes readers beyond the myths and the legends to discover the character, faith, and convictions that guided Washington through the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States.

Learn how his belief in divine providence, personal integrity, and biblical principles helped shape both the man and the nation he served. At a time when America is searching for strong leadership and timeless values, Washington’s example remains as relevant as ever.

Order your copy of George Washington: A Life Lived for God and Country today. Visit swrc.com or call 1-800-652-1144. That’s swrc.com or 1-800-652-1144. Tomorrow, we continue learning about George Washington and his impact on our nation. Watchman on the Wall is a production of Southwest Radio Ministries and is supported by faithful listeners like you. To learn more, visit swrc.com.