Happy Independence Day!

Consider the following...

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --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 its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.... We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
(Full text found at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html)

In my younger days I was a patriot. It was all about the USA. I was a citizen of the United States. Not an American. One could be an American from Canada (a North American), or Brazil (a South American.) naturally, I knew many people that thought of South Americans as people from Alabama. Come to think of it, I think they all were from Alabama.

At any rate, my older years have been consumed with another citizenship, with another “nation.” A Kingdom, actually. I still love my country, still love following politics, I'm just not as consumed these days. Despite what Governors may or may not do, (for the love of all that is Republican, Haley Barber, please keep your zipper up and don’t resign!) Despite what law the president overturns or rules he disregards, I love my country. Mostly I worry about what this country will be for Luke. And my grandchildren. And I realize what we need is not another conservative congress. Not another conservative, CHRISTIAN president. Not a new Supreme Court. What we need is revival. Listen to the Psalmist

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." 3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. 126

As we celebrate our Indepence today, let us remember how Dependent we are upon God. The Bible says that if God’s people will call upon Him, He will restore the Land. (2 Ch 7:14) Pray for our country today, and ask God to bring revival, that we may bring in the sheaves.

Blessings

Steve