True Celebrations

How will you be celebrating the 4th today? Will you barbeque burgers and hot dogs with family and friends? Will you have a red, white, and blue dessert? Will you watch the firework shows? Whatever you do, remember there is a true reason to celebrate: freedom.

Here in America we take much for granted. We can worship as we choose; we can vote for our leaders, both local and national; we are innocent until proven guilty; and we have a right to speak out. Yes, our freedoms are being slowly squelched, but we still have them.

Back in 1776 the early Americans were tired of being oppressed by their monarchial government. After serious consideration, including several attempts to state their grievances to the King, they finally decided to separate from England. On July 4, 1776 those 27 grievances were agreed upon by the majority of delegates of the Continental Congress in written form which we know today as the Declaration of Independence. The colonists would no longer be under the rule of King George III. They would rule themselves.

No other country has the freedoms we possess. We are still the longest lasting constitutional government. Even with our problems we still have much to be thankful for.

So today as you chomp on those chips and sink your teeth into your barbeque, thank God for His blessings upon this land. And as you thank Him, ask Him to forgive us from straying away from the principles that our forefathers fought so hard to secure for us. Ask Him to help us turn back to Him, so that we can become a nation where we can truly celebrate our freedoms as they were intended over 230 years ago.