Don't Give Up: Look Up to the Lord and Let Freedom Ring!
Happy Independence Day! As we celebrate the 4th of July, we feel all the more passionate about keeping America free. Just like our Founding Fathers, now it's our turn to work hard and protect freedom.
As President Reagan aptly said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Today reminds us that it's our turn to take action to promote freedom for all! For inspiration, we encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence this July 4th. Even though we are alarmed about our country's direction, we are not in a panic. We know that God remains on the throne. He loves us and offers eternal hope in Christ!
Today, we also need to remember and honor our present heroes. America's servicemen and women and our honorable veterans deserve recognition. Reach out to them.
Think about those who served in the past and those who never came home. It's thanks to those brave Americans that we live in freedom today. Pray for Gold Star families who gather today without their heroic loved ones. Reach out to them.
A cloud of discouragement lingers for many Americans who rightly feel concerned about our beautiful country. But let us remind you: With God, all things are possible. Pray and get busy with good actions instead of only having sad reactions! Don't stare at the cloud. Look up at the Light (Jesus Christ)!
No matter what a U.S. President does, God still reigns! Psalm 47:8 attests, "God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne." Yes! God reigns higher than any high-profile official. His Word remains the final word.
And remember: When you look up at fireworks, thank God for our country. And pray for veterans who came under fire for you.
Let freedom ring,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting Hudzinski
As President Reagan aptly said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
Today reminds us that it's our turn to take action to promote freedom for all! For inspiration, we encourage you to read the Declaration of Independence this July 4th. Even though we are alarmed about our country's direction, we are not in a panic. We know that God remains on the throne. He loves us and offers eternal hope in Christ!
Today, we also need to remember and honor our present heroes. America's servicemen and women and our honorable veterans deserve recognition. Reach out to them.
Think about those who served in the past and those who never came home. It's thanks to those brave Americans that we live in freedom today. Pray for Gold Star families who gather today without their heroic loved ones. Reach out to them.
A cloud of discouragement lingers for many Americans who rightly feel concerned about our beautiful country. But let us remind you: With God, all things are possible. Pray and get busy with good actions instead of only having sad reactions! Don't stare at the cloud. Look up at the Light (Jesus Christ)!
No matter what a U.S. President does, God still reigns! Psalm 47:8 attests, "God reigns over the nations; God sits upon His holy throne." Yes! God reigns higher than any high-profile official. His Word remains the final word.
And remember: When you look up at fireworks, thank God for our country. And pray for veterans who came under fire for you.
Let freedom ring,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting Hudzinski
Featured Quote
“[Independence Day] will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." -John Adams
Featured Bible Verse
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Unite the USA's
Featured Veteran of the Month: Ed Freeman
Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman shares his experiences during the Vietnam War as well as the Medal of Honor and the values it represents.
Thank 4 Heroes by July 4th
Make this a goal and use these easy tips to thank at least four of our nation’s heroes.
1. For July 4th, many veterans and servicemen and women march in local parades. A good time to reach out and thank them is after the parade. Watch for their military distinctions on their jackets and hats. Just earnestly thank them. They will appreciate your appreciation.
2. Be sure to set aside time to thank our heroes. Visit in person or pick up the phone and call someone who served. Text them. Direct message them on social media. Reach out and let them know you are thinking about them and appreciate their time of service. In an age of technology, personal connection like a phone call or an in-person visit can mean a lot. A personal touch and the gift of timeare tremendously meaningful.
3. If you have young children or grandchildren, make thank you cards together and send them to those who’ve served. That’s a wonderful way to show appreciation to our nation’s heroes and to teach the next generation about why we’re grateful for their service.
4. Don't forget our hospitalized heroes or elderly veterans in nursing homes. Send a colorful card, send a gift, or stop by and visit. Note: In God We Still Trust and Unite the USA make great gift ideas! :)
5. Invite a veteran to dinner, send a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or order/deliver a meal for them through DoorDash. Take him or a her a gift. Just do something to show that you care and that you are grateful for their service.
2. Be sure to set aside time to thank our heroes. Visit in person or pick up the phone and call someone who served. Text them. Direct message them on social media. Reach out and let them know you are thinking about them and appreciate their time of service. In an age of technology, personal connection like a phone call or an in-person visit can mean a lot. A personal touch and the gift of timeare tremendously meaningful.
3. If you have young children or grandchildren, make thank you cards together and send them to those who’ve served. That’s a wonderful way to show appreciation to our nation’s heroes and to teach the next generation about why we’re grateful for their service.
4. Don't forget our hospitalized heroes or elderly veterans in nursing homes. Send a colorful card, send a gift, or stop by and visit. Note: In God We Still Trust and Unite the USA make great gift ideas! :)
5. Invite a veteran to dinner, send a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or order/deliver a meal for them through DoorDash. Take him or a her a gift. Just do something to show that you care and that you are grateful for their service.
Independence Day Interviews
Here are Stacie and Carrie's most recent media appearances posted in order of airing and with more to come:
Stacie and Carrie shared about "Thank 4 Heroes By July 4th" on FOX and Friends (FOX News).
Stacie and Carrie honored veterans and current military members on Sunday Report (Newsmax).
The "singing sisters" shared on American Agenda (Newsmax) about their testimony and honoring our nation's heroes. Check it out!
Independence Day: Our Christian Heritage
By David Barton
The Birth of a Nation
For over 235 years, America has been blessed as the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. These blessings are not accidental, they are blessings of God. This is evident as we look at the turmoil in other nations and contrast that to the stability we see in America. Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built, and then it depends on preserving the principles on which it was founded.
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, members of Congress took the document and read it out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, and afterward, they rang the Liberty Bell. The inscription on the top of the bell is Leviticus 25:10, which reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof."
John Adams said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity." Probably the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters that day: One was short and jubilant that the Declaration had been approved; the other letter was much longer and gave serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams could already foresee that their actions would be celebrated by future generations.
A Different Holiday
Adams also noted: "This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." He felt the celebration should be in a manner that would commemorate the day as a "day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should be a religious holiday. The two top holidays celebrated in this country are Christmas and the Fourth of July. According to John Quincy Adams, the two dates are connected. On the Fourth of July, the Founding Fathers simply took the precepts of Christ and His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.
The Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate for this nation, but the men who signed it knew it could be their death warrant. The closing paragraph states, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance of the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The 56 Founding Fathers, 27 of whom were trained as ministers, took their pledge seriously. On the morning of the signing, there was silence and gloom as each man was called up to the table of the President of Congress to sign the document, knowing that it could mean their death by hanging.
Most wars have a motto. The motto of World War II was "Remember Pearl Harbor." The motto during the Texas war for independence was "Remember the Alamo." The spiritual emphasis, directed towards King George III who violated God's laws, gave rise to a motto during the American Revolution: "No King but King Jesus." The Founding Fathers passed the torch to us. It is our responsibility to not let it go out.
For over 235 years, America has been blessed as the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. These blessings are not accidental, they are blessings of God. This is evident as we look at the turmoil in other nations and contrast that to the stability we see in America. Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding of the foundations on which this great country was built, and then it depends on preserving the principles on which it was founded.
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from England. Two days later, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, members of Congress took the document and read it out loud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, and afterward, they rang the Liberty Bell. The inscription on the top of the bell is Leviticus 25:10, which reads, "Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof."
John Adams said, "The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity." Probably the clearest identification of the spirit of the American Revolution was given by John in a letter to Abigail the day after Congress approved the Declaration. He wrote her two letters that day: One was short and jubilant that the Declaration had been approved; the other letter was much longer and gave serious consideration to what had been done that day. Adams could already foresee that their actions would be celebrated by future generations.
A Different Holiday
Adams also noted: "This day will be the most memorable epic in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." He felt the celebration should be in a manner that would commemorate the day as a "day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty." John Adams believed that the Fourth of July should be a religious holiday. The two top holidays celebrated in this country are Christmas and the Fourth of July. According to John Quincy Adams, the two dates are connected. On the Fourth of July, the Founding Fathers simply took the precepts of Christ and His birth (Christmas) and incorporated those principles into civil government.
The Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate for this nation, but the men who signed it knew it could be their death warrant. The closing paragraph states, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance of the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The 56 Founding Fathers, 27 of whom were trained as ministers, took their pledge seriously. On the morning of the signing, there was silence and gloom as each man was called up to the table of the President of Congress to sign the document, knowing that it could mean their death by hanging.
Most wars have a motto. The motto of World War II was "Remember Pearl Harbor." The motto during the Texas war for independence was "Remember the Alamo." The spiritual emphasis, directed towards King George III who violated God's laws, gave rise to a motto during the American Revolution: "No King but King Jesus." The Founding Fathers passed the torch to us. It is our responsibility to not let it go out.
A Prayer for America
Join us in praying for our country as Dr. David Jeremiah leads in a word of prayer:
Dear Father, Living in uncertain times, You are a certain God. Seeing turmoil all around us, You are the peace within us. And though the future may seem dim, You are the Light that illuminates our path forward.
Make us one nation under God!
May we remember the high cost that was paid to live in one nation, a nation under God. May we not be fractured by politics or pettiness, but stand together, as an indivisible people, ready to face the challenges of our future. May we graciously live within the freedom and liberty endowed to us by our Creator. And may we seek justice for all—no matter their race, color, or creed.
Make us one nation under God!
Though imperfect, let us become a more perfect union.Sometimes divided, let us learn to live indivisibly.And at times ungrateful, let we, the people, be grateful for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In You, God, we trust to heal the wounds of our past, give us strength to endure the trials of today, and provide guidance to live together in a more peaceful tomorrow.
Make us one nation under God!
May Your Word direct us,Your promises keep us,Your power protect us,And your purpose, restore us.May our courage propel us,Love define us,Humility constrain us,And faith unite us.
Make us one nation under God! Father, we are blessed beyond measure.Thankful beyond words.And hopeful beyond imagination.
Make us one nation under God.
In Jesus’ Name,Amen.
Dear Father, Living in uncertain times, You are a certain God. Seeing turmoil all around us, You are the peace within us. And though the future may seem dim, You are the Light that illuminates our path forward.
Make us one nation under God!
May we remember the high cost that was paid to live in one nation, a nation under God. May we not be fractured by politics or pettiness, but stand together, as an indivisible people, ready to face the challenges of our future. May we graciously live within the freedom and liberty endowed to us by our Creator. And may we seek justice for all—no matter their race, color, or creed.
Make us one nation under God!
Though imperfect, let us become a more perfect union.Sometimes divided, let us learn to live indivisibly.And at times ungrateful, let we, the people, be grateful for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In You, God, we trust to heal the wounds of our past, give us strength to endure the trials of today, and provide guidance to live together in a more peaceful tomorrow.
Make us one nation under God!
May Your Word direct us,Your promises keep us,Your power protect us,And your purpose, restore us.May our courage propel us,Love define us,Humility constrain us,And faith unite us.
Make us one nation under God! Father, we are blessed beyond measure.Thankful beyond words.And hopeful beyond imagination.
Make us one nation under God.
In Jesus’ Name,Amen.