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!

I Believe

Days before I posted my July 4th post, I had put up my "red, white and blue" decor'. Patriotism is a big deal to me. My dad and my brother served in the armed forces, my brother-in-law did, and my oldest grandson serves now. I am proud to be an American, and I'm proud to say so. I loved seeing American pride throughout my city.

Yesterday, my day started with posting my "God Bless America" message and blog. I wanted my words to emphasize gratitude AND praying for our nation -- taking our cues from our Founding Fathers who prayed, often spoke of God and our need for His favor.

So that I'm not only a speaker of my words, but also a doer of my words, I made sure to attend a morning church service. It was complete with patriotic songs, (i.e., "My Country 'Tis of Thee", "The Battle Hymn of the Republic") and a beautiful message about our Founding Fathers' intent and first priority -- that we have freedom of religion. The right to freedom of religion is so central to American democracy that it was the first priority in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Largely because of the First Amendment's prohibition against government regulation or endorsement of religion, diverse faiths have flourished and thrived in America since the founding of the republic. On street corners, throughout our great land, you'll find synagogues and churches of every denomination. No matter where we go, we'll find a place to worship God. I love that. Oh, I know there are many who are patriotic, but don't hold to the need to add God to the equation. But, since this is my post and my blog, I get to exercise my "Freedom of Speech" (also in the First Amendment), to share that:
I believe in God the Father
I believe in Jesus Christ
I believe in His Virgin birth
I believe in the Holy Spirit
And He's given me new life
I believe in the crucifixion
I believe that He conquered death
I believe in the resurrection
And He's coming back again, I believe.

And, because I BELIEVE, I have faith and hope for today and tomorrow that our God cares more about our nation than we do, This is the ONLY nation in history that was formed by people who loved God, for the purpose of being free to worship Him, and I BELIEVE, He will NEVER forget it! Let's not forget HIM in the process!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!" Psalm 33:12

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!