July 2, 2025

Blessed Fourth of July

So many of our families are taking some much needed vacation time. May your time away connect you and ground you in the love of God.

Prayers ascending for all travelers this week and throughout the summer.

There is much to celebrate about the birth of our country, on the 4th day of July in 1776 when delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence – breaking us free from England’s control. Most profoundly are the ideals our founding fathers claimed and boldly stated up front about who we were and would continue to be as a nation:

That we are a country where its citizens are empowered to give thoughtful and well-considered challenges to when we fall short to our aspirations is a gift to all humanity.

It honors our following of Jesus who was, is, and will always be a light to the all the nations. Jesus, who once sat upon a mountain and called all humanity the salt of the earth, and who taught us then and now, ways to reorient our hearts to reflect the heart of God. (MTT 5)

  • “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
  • “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
  • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
  • “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
  • “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
  • “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
  • “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Frederick Douglas spoke difficult truths to power, nearly a decade before the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves and more than a decade after the slaves in Texas learned of their freedom (which came two years after the Emancipation Proclamation).

Listen to Frederick Douglass’ speach as read by the decendants of slaves>> 1852 4th of July Speech by Frederick Douglass

Blessed 4th of July everyone!