God Bless America – Land of the Free – Home of the Brave

Happy 4th of July aka Independence Day! And, it's Happy Birthday, America Party Day -- the birth of Democracy! You're looking good, America, to be 243 years old! And what a way to celebrate -- with fireworks, parades, concerts, family get-togethers and barbecues!

Others will celebrate by staying at home with life-as-usual. For some, it may be to tune in to the evening news because, after all, we must see the latest political entertainment. I keep hoping and praying people will settle down and learn to respect each other – to “do unto others as they would have others do unto them”. I wonder if our forefathers had this kind of “independence” in mind when they crafted the Declaration of Independence. That historical moment occurred as a result of wise, committed leaders and followers pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to establish a foundation where a nation and its people could build their families and future. It came as the result of those seeking the right to worship the living Creator God without restraint from any earthly power, and the right of all citizens to pursue their hopes and dreams with liberty while exercising personal responsibility.

“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.” Don’t you love that excerpt from the Declaration of Independence? Democracy was born on this day 243 years ago on July 4th, 1776. Just think of those freedoms that we have that we take so lightly. No wonder thousands leave their homeland in the quest to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave”. I know immigration laws had to be created because of abuses, but, don’t we need to thank God that we were either born here or were able to immigrate here? Isn't it time we show our gratitude and appreciation to be Americans?

Think about it. This country became prosperous and strong on the backs of immigrants who were yearning to breathe free. This country has always been a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom. No wonder so many desire to live here. All over the world people dream of a “home” where the government protects them and not abuses them; where people are not punished for what they think or say or write.

The future of freedom is in our hands and rests on our shoulders. Freedom must not die on our watch. If it does, it will be by our own hand because people who claim faith in God remain uninformed, indifferent, and uninvolved. We will have handed freedom over to the destroyer of life and liberty. God forgive us if we do! By prayerfully and boldly uniting together we can celebrate the rebirth of freedom rather than witness the death of it. The future is in our hands. Now is the time to stand up and be counted!

My hope this 4th of July is that we all stop to appreciate our freedoms. I hope and pray that we all begin to think about how we can work together to solve problems, be a part of the solution, not part of the political divide, and promote respect and dignity for all. Remember, "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." I wish you all a happy and healthy Independence Day!

My Two Countries Celebrate Their Independence

Today is Canada Day. I join our Canadian family and friends in singing their national anthem! “O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.” We sang those words many times when we lived there. I am so pleased to wish all my Canadian family and friends: “A very Happy Canada Day!”

Both of our two North American countries are celebrating their national holidays this week. Canada Day is July 1st and, of course, our U.S. Independence Day is Thursday, July 4th. Sorry, Britain, you’re not invited to these parties. In Canada, July 1st commemorates the 1867 formation of the Dominion of Canada, when the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada united and became a “kingdom in its own right.” This was an important step toward the eventual passing of the 1982 Constitution Act, making Canada a fully-fledged nation independent from Britain.

Our U.S. holiday was a large step toward independence from Britain. Pretty decisive, in fact. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress at the Pennsylvania State House in the midst of the Revolutionary War. In1783 the colonies won true independence from Britain, and it took until the end of the War of 1812 before the two countries could be allies.

Canada and the U.S. celebrate similarly with fireworks and barbeques. I celebrate both of these days because they really are beloved countries to me. U.S. gave me ME! And, Canada gave me my sweetheart! I'll admit I'm a little nostalgic today -- thus these photos of special times in Canada.

I am so grateful that I married a Canadian who stayed Canadian with great pride and honor for his native land. His family became my family and his country became my country. I sincerely meant it when I said in my wedding vows, from Ruth 1:16-17 “Wherever you go, I will go, Wherever you dwell, I will dwell; Your people will be my people, And your God will be my God.”

And, go with Him, I did. I was proud to live there, serve and work for an incredible university, The University of Manitoba, to be a member of many organizations: President of Women's Aglow, member of the German/American Club, Canadian Real Estate Board, and see our girl become Miss Winnipeg and go on to the Miss Canada Pageant and to be Canada's representative in the Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. She's on the top row by David Foster. Our son’s entrepreneurial spirit and talents were etched in stone there where he got his official kick-start in business. We still have life-long friends and beloved family members there.

So, today, I’m singing "Oh Canada" which became as precious to me as my own "Star Spangled Banner". I'm grateful that my children have dual citizenships with the U.S. and Canada. Canada opened its doors to our family in so many ways and I just want to say, "Thank you, Canada, for your friendship, your patriotism, your pride of country and your willingness to partner with the U.S. in so many strategic efforts. God bless you....from sea to shining sea. God keep your land, glorious and free. Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee!"

Happy July 4th -- Independence Day!

As I made my way back home from Austin to Frisco yesterday, I couldn't help noticing the patriotism along the roadways. Flags waving and fireworks' stands crowded with buyers for their "4th" celebrations.

When I drove into my community, the roadways were lined with flags, and as I turned toward my house, my next door neighbor's yard made it very clear that their patriotism is running high. Before I unloaded my car, I quickly put out my three flags so that I'm counted among those who love our country and have heartfelt gratitude for those who served so selflessly to give us so many freedoms.

Today is the day we celebrate “life – liberty – the pursuit of happiness” and in so doing, we get to FREELY gather together with friends and family for a barbeque, shoot off some fireworks and even, if you’re close to a fireworks show, you’ll probably even catch some spectacular sights and sounds.

There’s a special kind of nostalgia about the 4th of July for me. As a child raised in Dallas, our annual 4th of July tradition was to go to the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair Grounds and we’d watch an unparalleled display of the spectacular fireworks show EVER. After that, we’d head just far enough into the country to shoot off a few bottle rockets and sparklers to continue celebrating this special day.

Honestly, back in those days, I don’t remember giving too much thought to what the meaning of July 4th was. But the older we get and the more honed in we are about the tumultuous times that others in foreign countries are living in, the more gratitude we have to live here. Knowing that our brave and courageous men and women who serve us in those countries and defend us here, the more precious this day becomes. This day, July 4th, is the birthday of our nation. And, with President Ronald Reagan, I say, “It’s the birthday of the greatest nation on earth.”

I read that John Adams, himself a signer of the Declaration, thought that Americans should celebrate a “great anniversary festival” to commemorate our nation’s freedom on July 4th. In a letter to his wife Abigail he wrote, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

So, really, what does this day mean to you and me? Shouldn’t it still be about being “one nation under God”, about giving thanks to God Almighty for this day of deliverance? Surely this day is for all of us to really cherish that original dream, the one for which so many have died and so many continue to serve us with honor, courage and dedication.

With Lee Greenwood, I’m singing: I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men (and women) who died, who gave that right to me. And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the U.S.A.

God Bless America! Almighty God, We DEPEND on YOU!

It's the day we've been waiting for.....cookouts (in our case, a fish fry -- yum), fun, games AND.....fireworks -- either man-handling them ourselves, or sitting back and relaxing as we watch the red, white and blue bursts of fire and lights!

I have such fond memories of 4th of July celebrations at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas where they had the most spectacular fireworks' shows, the family reunions that concluded with a slew of fireworks at the lake, along with the "chasers" that chased my Mama down the street! She nearly broke her neck running like a wild woman! LOL!

There’s nothing wrong with celebrating Independence Day. After all, that’s what our forefathers did, too. But, this year, like never before, I’m realizing that though our Country's INDEPENDENCE meant our freedom from England's rule, I realize how much we need to be DEPENDENT on God. Our forefathers sought Him for His divine will to be done, and shouldn't we seek Him too?

Democracy and freedom were born 240 years ago, July 4th 1776 -- freedoms we so often take for granted. No wonder so many mistreated, disenfranchised people want to leave their oppressed homelands to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave”.

At the first Constitutional Convention, the delegates were frustrated. There was a tremendous crisis. They were so fragmented that they were just about to throw out the whole concept of a constitution completely. Just then Benjamin Franklin rose to his feet and said: "Gentlemen, if it is true that not one single petal from any flower falls to the ground without escaping God’s attention, will the distress of this nation go unheeded? Let us therefore determine to seek His face." They promptly got down on their knees and when they arose from prayer, the slogan, “e pluribus unum” was born: “One out of many”!

What can we do to ensure that America continues to be a beacon of hope, liberty and freedom? We can pray for our nation and DEPEND on His sovereignty, guidance and blessings.

We have been a blessed nation -- materially, geographically, educationally, and technologically. We are blessed because we have been a nation whose heroes paid a high price for our freedoms. Men and women throughout the history of our Country have given their lives to make this Country what it is - free and independent. God's Word teaches us specifically what a Nation is to do in order to receive and continue in God's blessings.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will heal their land and forgive their sins.”

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

Almighty God, like our forefathers who DEPENDED on You for their crises to end, so we pray today for this United States of America and that you would intervene so that your purposes and plans for our Country will be fulfilled. Almighty God, we declare today, our DEPENDENCE on You. Amen.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!