Friends .. as we know .. on this day in 1776 .. the “Declaration of Independence” was approved by Congress .. haha .. what a day that must have been .. so much so .. that in response to this historic declaration .. John Adams .. wrote this letter to his wife .. haha .. using very insightful .. and yes .. moving words .. concerning the remembrance of this .. “Independence Day ” .. please .. carefully soak it up ..
“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival .. 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 forever more”
Wow .. what insight .. he did in fact have .. for today .. we Americans .. haha .. from sea to shining sea .. will gather together with family .. friends .. and yes .. neighbors .. to celebrate our liberty .. we’ll attend local parades .. we’ll go to the beach .. we’ll have cookouts .. it’s the 4th of July! .. a favorite holiday for so many .. and yes .. tonight as we sit on the waters edge .. watching the fireworks light the sky .. we’ll simply smile .. haha .. for we know in our heart .. this favorite day of summer provides the opportunity for all people .. from all backgrounds .. to celebrate the precious freedoms and many opportunities .. that we so graciously get to enjoy .. in this awesome country that we live .. haha .. it’s a beautiful thing people .. and yes .. while it’s important to be with family and friends on this glorious day .. it’s also important .. haha .. to reflect on just why we’re celebrating .. as it was .. our early forefathers who left England for these unfamiliar shores .. and friends .. they did this .. mainly because they were unhappy under the oppression of religious persecution .. and yes .. since those beginning years .. many others have come here for the very same reason .. they’ve given up everything .. for the right .. haha .. to “freely” worship God .. right here .. right now .. and friends .. among the many freedoms we’re given .. right here .. right now .. what we can hold most dear .. is simply .. that right to worship as we see fit .. that’s right .. we can worship our God .. we can read His Word .. and yes .. we can do this “freely” .. haha .. for friends .. this is not so .. in many countries on earth .. for the kind of freedom we experience daily .. it doesn’t happen everywhere .. so tonight .. after the fireworks .. as the last trail of smoke glides across the summer nights sky .. let’s take that very moment .. to seriously .. thank Him .. for all that our freedom allows .. for .. yes yes yes .. we truly are .. a blessed bunch of folks .. haha .. oh yeah .. Love Wins Period
“For you were called to freedom .. brothers .. only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh .. but through love serve one another”