Fourth of July – Apprentice 2 Jesus

A prayer for the Fourth of July

The declaration we need

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of theContinue reading “The declaration we need”

Thoughts on Independence Day, Part 2

Few men have virtue enough to withstand the highest bidder. — GEORGE WASHINGTON However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurpContinue reading “Thoughts on Independence Day, Part 2”

Quotes for Independence Day — Part 1

I love American History. David McCullough’s book, The American Spirit, is breathing new hope into my heart this season. In the mockery of what is happening currently, his words are so refreshing. I also look to history and those who were part of shaping our nation. Those were days of hope and courage. I need thoseContinue reading “Quotes for Independence Day — Part 1”

A Happy Fourth to Everyone

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.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –ThatContinue reading “A Happy Fourth to Everyone”

Allegiance

I love July 4, fireworks, patriotic songs, movies about the Revolution… all of it. That cop that sings “God Bless America” at Yankees games gets me every time I hear his wonderful tenor voice. But my allegiance isn’t here. It is in another land. Another place. Another kingdom. The country of my birth is aContinue reading “Allegiance”

Independence

The week is slipping by and with my wife still out of town, I’ve had a hard time remembering what day of the week I’m on! July 3, so let’s feature one great quote from a writer of the Revolution, Thomas Paine. People just don’t talk this way anymore: “These are the times that tryContinue reading “Independence”

Loving Christ and STILL Loving Our Nation

I was away for the 4th, so I didn’t get to post too much on the 4th, and then have the angst over why as Christians we wrestle with celebrating the 4th… blah, blah, blah… You can find the angst elsewhere. I wrestle with those issues as well… but on the 4th I love theContinue reading “Loving Christ and STILL Loving Our Nation”

Here is to the 4th

One greeting that catches my attention every year is “Have a happy and SAFE 4th of July.” Or, “Have a SAFE holiday.” I would suppose they simply mean, “Don’t go blow yourself up.” Have a SAFE 4th of July? As I reflect on independence, “safe” isn’t one of those words I come up with. ThatContinue reading “Here is to the 4th”