John Adams said this concerning July 2, 235 years ago:
"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."
Now he thought the Declaration was going to be signed that day, but it turns out further editing needed to be done, and the prophesy of our forefathers was delayed by 2 days. But other than the date, he was spot on. He forgot to mention the burger, brat, and steak though.
It is so important to remember our past. As a nation, we were built on freedom and liberty. It started with freedom of religion and faith, then moved on to freedom to grow tobacco, freedom from taxation without representation, and finally, freedom to live in a government by and for the people.
We have strayed from this as a nation. Our government is bigger than ever and our people are not happy. The USA is not living up to what the forefathers wrote about so long ago. The idea of America is not yet realized. The dreams of happiness are being shattered. It is time for a real change. And only the people can do do it!
We need to stand united again. I am proud to be an American. And I will celebrate our 235th year of independence because the reality of our situation may not be ideal, but the dream and idea of American liberty will always be in our hearts whenever our flag raises high.
As a Christian, my faith and foundation is in Jesus Christ. And as an American, I strive to support our country to remain free, so people can hear God's voice without somebody else forcing them to do things they do not believe. We are a free country, and it is time we went back to that. To all Christians, Christ set us free, so we are free indeed. But we are also free to believe this. Let us not forget our message is Jesus, and as Americans, our message is freedom. We are to love people who do not agree with us. That is our responsibility as Christians and Americans.
Our government is full of crooked rich folk who are looking out for themselves. It is high time as Americans that we stand up to our government and let them know, Christian or not, we are free.
To all our troops, thank you. To all our civil service people, thank you. For those in power of our government and in office working for the liberty of our people, thank you.
But to those crooked, evil men and women in office who don't really care about the true idea of America, freedom and liberty, we will be celebrating on the 4th together, but understand that your people are tired of tyranny, and your day is nearing its end. In the following years, we the people will take over if you are found lacking in compassion, love, courage, decency, and liberty. That is not a threat, that is a Constitutional fact.
We live in the best country in the world. But there are too many enslaved to this system we have set up. It will change because it has to change. Otherwise it will be our downfall. America was built on freedom, and most Americans are not free.
Smaller government. Compassion to the needy. Power to the humble. Restored rights to the people. Land of the free. Home of the brave.
We will be free. I thank God every day that I am an American.
Do not let this be a false cry for change like we have seen in the past. The government should fear the people, not the other way around. I hear many people talking about real change, but nobody wanting to risk the little they have to attain it.
I'm not a huge fan of politics, but if we really want to see change we have to stop voting for the status quo. I know I cannot separate myself as a pastor or an American, and I also think endorsement from a church is immoral, so this has nothing to do with my office as a Reverend. But as an American, somebody like Ron Paul is a leader who can bring America back. He's crazy enough. You will not hear that from the pulpit, only from my personal blog (disclaimer: NO candidates or parties are affiliated with Arise Community Church).
But do your own homework. Find a leader who represents you and your family and go for it. If you can't find one, run for office yourself!
I know this has been a rambling of thoughts, but if you're sick of seeing people lose job after job while the rich continue to get tax breaks and bail outs and in turn get elected for office, then you understand where I am coming from.
Quit getting held up in superficial squabbles and take a stand for true freedom. I mean for crying out loud, most Americans haven't even read the Constitution! Let's unite under liberty. On July 5th please seriously consider doing something for your country. If you already do, thank you. It's time to live up to our standard of bravery with faith in our country and faith in God who provides for us. And whatever you believe, at least believe in the real dream of freedom.
For now, let's get back to celebrating America. God bless the USA.
Awesome.
Posted by: Josh | July 02, 2011 at 02:45 PM