July fourth, Independence Day! It’s a time where we dig-out the old Barbeque grill, invite a few friends over and buy enough fireworks to drive your neighbors crazy..! Sounds familiar right! But there’s a lot more to Independence Day than that.  On that historical day of July 4 1776 America gained its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom).  Independence Day is not only about celebrating our Independence, but to remember what it took to get that independence and freedom, and to know what it will take to keep the freedom today. But that freedom is slowly diminishing, we are restricted in how we can express ourselves spiritually. This country was built under “one nation under God“!   
   What made America great is our acknowledgement and believe in God. But we as a nation have forgotten that. Many brave men and women have fought and died for the rights and freedoms we had then, but do not have now… For example employees are not allowed to mention or talk about God in the work place, You can’t even wear a T-shirt or a pendent that expresses your faith in God, without the fear of being fired.  But if somebody wears a T-shirt that promotes beer, profanity or has a picture of the devil on it, that’s expectable!  I find it interesting that people that are Christians cannot express themselves because it might offend someone, but it’s okay to offend the Christian… our children can’t even pray in school! What kind of example are we setting for our kids, that it’s not okay to believe in God? 
   Now in my mind I am thinking this is a free country? Free for who?  Now correct me if I am wrong, but is not the first amendment of the constitution for freedom of speech! We need to stand up for our rights not only as Christians but as Americans for what we believe in.

   Our forefathers started this country and they have seen the corruption and lack of freedom and happiness of their people. That is the reason for the revolutionary war and the need for our independence.  Our forefathers have taught us through their examples the importance of standing up for what we believe in and to stop at nothing to achieve it. These are the words of Thomas Jefferson with some slight changes from congress, and I quote from the Declaration of Independence. 

   “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying it’s foundation on such principles and organizing it’s powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.  Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, then to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.  But when a long train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”