July 4 - Celebrating what freedoms we have left

I found it difficult to celebrate our national independence on July 4 this year as I have witnessed countless American liberties yanked from the American people by a fascist minded administration.  Surely the founding fathers are weeping for this nation as the freedoms they sought to protect through their brilliant drafting of the U.S. Constitution are being ignored or overruled by executive order.  The brave military personnel who honorably risk their lives and sacrifice most earthly comforts to serve the cause of freedom are now being persecuted for their faith and abandoned in combat while veterans' pensions are being confiscated by the government.  First Amendment rights are being withdrawn, and radically violent religious groups who hate the cause of Christ are killing, raping, and terrorizing children.   This story from Britain is an example of what is coming here if we continue to persecute those who follow the one true God who defines love and peace while cowering to radical terrorists, even arming the Muslim brotherhood. The Egyptian people hate our administration.

“Whoever is an avowed enemy of God, I scruple not to call him an enemy of his country.”

- John Witherspoon 

Illegal immigrants are given every financial incentive to continue breaking the law.  Terrorists have been welcomed here even after being warned by other nations of their insidious plans to destroy America.  Then they were offered government protection after coordinating a deadly bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Yet, a virtuous Christian family who came here legally seeking asylum and freedom to home school their children are deported.  America, the only bastion of freedom in the world, has joined the ranks of the rest of the enslaved world, captured by smooth talking, arrogant tyrants.

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”

- Patrick Henry

Yet, when I hear stories from my friends who immigrated here from communist led countries (stories like this one below and I strongly encourage you to take 11 minutes to watch it), I am encouraged by the Christian foundations and liberty loving heritage of our nation. (Gift #334)

So, our family celebrated Independence Day by praying for America and crying out to God to send us bold patriot leaders to steer our beloved country back to those freedom principles which made her great.  America has fallen from greatness as she has chosen greed, sexual immorality, lying, murder, and one scandal after another over honesty, integrity, virtue, and honor.  America is under judgment by our Holy God, and I pray these judgments will wake up our nation, showing her how much we need our Great God, Merciful Savior, and Loving Lord! 

“The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement “for the sins of the whole world,” and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve.” - John Jay

My parents drove up on Independence Day to let us borrow their pickup truck.  They also assisted us as we took two loads of boxes to the new apartment.  They are so good to us.  During one trip, we forgot the key, so my precious parents sat on the steps (even in their 70s) and waited with our stuff for over an hour while my husband drove back to the house to get the key.  I wanted to be the one to sit there, but they insisted I take the kids to the pool while they wait.  They are saints, I tell you!  I'm so blessed by the way they give and serve. (Gift #335)  The move has us all stressed a bit, so the pool was good for all of us.  I'm so glad this apartment complex has an indoor and outdoor pool!  It will make living in such a tiny space feel like vacation. (Gift #336)

The next day, a dear friend and teacher from our kids' previous school invited the kids over for an all day play date.  They had a blast in their pool and just hanging out with such an awesome family while I purged and packed for the move. I'm so thankful for good friends who offer hospitality when needed most. (Gift #336)