CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE
I love the song “God Bless the USA” and it always brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart because after visiting several different countries, I can truly say I love my country. As we get ready to celebrate our independence from British rule and the establishment of a new country “under God”, we will see and hear scoffers and haters who would like to see this country changed to a socialist/communistic utopia. These people are “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
(2 Timothy 3:2-4). But remember that Paul said, “But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men.”
When I think of why I love this country, the first thought is not because of our President, Congress or a political party. In fact, those things are not on my list at all. I have not seen the lakes of Minnesota or the hills of Tennessee but I have seen pretty much everything around them. I have seen the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the magnificent redwood forest with the awesome eucalyptus smells. I’ve drove through the forests of Washington, rode a boat on the cold Pacific Ocean, watched orcas looking for food, and walked through a rain forest hidden away from the cold winds. I’ve seen the canyons of the southwest, the salt flats of Utah, the flora and fauna of Yellowstone, the wheat fields and hog farms of the Midwest, and the wide, open spaces of Wyoming and Texas. I’ve spent time in the South with its humidity and bugs and seen big, busy city life in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. But more importantly, I have grown up in the beauty of Colorado with its majestic mountains, cattle ranches, fertile valleys, fruit orchards, high altitude lakes and low land lakes, canyons, mesas and adobe hills. I thank God for the FREEDOM to enjoy it all.
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We are a country of diversity in land, culture, and people. Yes, we have diversity in economy as well, but also have opportunities for those who are willing to work, sacrifice and continue to have faith. If you have confidence in yourself and in God, you can fulfill your dreams, that is why so many want to come to the USA. It is the only place where people who come from poverty and terror can become prosperous and find peace. We are the blessed country even if those in power would try to say otherwise and try to pass laws that would limit our freedom to make decisions for our family, children and neighborhoods. This Independence Day we should celebrate the things we love about the USA whether it is cherry pie, a family BBQ, fireworks, Christian freedoms, diverse communities, rodeos or a friendly game of baseball. We have all these freedoms and options because of the great country in which we live. |
We should also take opportunity to thank God for all the soldiers that have given their lives for this country. Independence wasn’t free, it cost a great deal. Pray for family members who still grieve the loss of their loved ones. Also, pause to reflect on the condition of our country and the threat to our liberties. In five months, we will be called on to express our opinions about how our country is being run. Are you willing to say that you would “gladly stand up next to you and defend her (USA) still today”? Our freedoms and the freedom of others depend on us.
GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!