Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day - These days most of us refer to this day as The 4th of July. I think that in doing so we have managed to misplace the reason we are celebrating. What is it you are celebrating on this day? What I mean is, do you think about it? Do your children know why we are setting off fireworks all across this great nation of ours? I have to confess that throughout most of my life I didn't give it much thought. It was more about picnics, barbeques, and fireworks. These are great ways to celebrate, but... they are not what the celebration is all about.

On this day, July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. We formally announced our independence from Great Britian and became America, the Land of the Free. We are a free people. We are not oppressed as so many are in other countries. We are not run by our government, but rather we run our government. Or at least we should. We have the right to voice our thoughts and maintain our freedoms, freedoms meant for all citizens of the United States of America.

Thomas Jefferson wrote these words in the Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

From it's beginning, this nation recognized, and built it's foundation on the Truth that our "Rights" are given by our Creator. The Declaration of Independence refers to that Creator as God. It is God, and God alone who made this nation great. It is because we recognized Him and Honored Him that He did so. Now today there are many who are fighting hard to remove Him from this nation. Do we really want God to lift His hand off of this nation and turn us over to ourselves? I do not. So today as you celebrate, choose...

Choose to give thanks to the Creator for the freedom you have today.
Choose to fight back to keep this a Nation Under God.
Choose to submit to His authority.
Choose this day whom you will serve.

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)

O LORD - You are magnificent beyond words. You deserve so much more honor than I even begin to think about giving you. Choose for us LORD. Choose leaders for this country who will honor you and submit to your authority. Choose your people and call us out of slumber and into your service. Choose our words, as we pray and as we speak on your behalf. Be the ruler of our hearts and of this nation. - In the Name of Christ Jesus

The Declaration of Independence - Click for zoom functionality if you would like to read it. Then be sure to click the Back button to return to this page. :D