"All Men are Created Equal"...

America is truly a great country. There are things about the government that I am not in favor of, but the country itself, is great! I am eternally grateful that I know no other country to really live in other than the grand ol' USA.

I recently had the privilege to travel through the western half of the US and saw some GREAT places! From the arid areas of New Mexico, to the canyons, to the trees, to the hillsides, to the mountains, to the Ocean, to the rock formations - it was all great! I also saw a great man-made attraction in Hoover Dam (built in 1935).

As we celebrated our country yesterday, may this quote also encourage you...

Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. ~ Abraham Lincoln

I join several thousand who like Lincoln. He had some great quotes, aside from this portion of a speech. I think we have a lot to continue to pursue in understanding the equality of man.

May this be something we continue to pursue to "get right" in our country as we see generations come and go into the future.

Now it's your turn...what do you see as an obstacle in accomplishing this feat?

Two hundred thirty-five years ago a group of people were “up to here” with the way the government was conducting themselves. Logic tells me that this unrest had been brewing for several years. Some probably thought “this was the way it will always be,” where others were thinking “we have to do something about the way things are.” Nevertheless, the people who had come over to this land from England were ready to start over. The problem, England didn’t want to let them.

This can sound a bit like us and our “old life” (II Corinthians 5:17). Our new life wants to be independent, but our old life doesn’t want to give it up. It wants to remain connected and have you ruled under that old life. All this results in having a continue battle for independence. Not inviting that old life back, but yet the old life will battle with us because it doesn’t want to separate.

Start to dissolve your connection between your old “selfs” and the new self for the sake of freedom. Be prepared for a battle that will inevitably come your way. Here is the concluding paragraph of the Declaration of Independence to see what they said as they concluded with this document.

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. - John Hancock

Monday Mentionings: Radiating Glory - II Corinthians 3:12-18

It was one of those Mondays when I couldn't wait to get back to the "drawing board". After a fun-filled week, I was excited to start another one.

Last night, after the Community Worship on the Square, Aubrey and I decided to attend the Rend Lake fireworks show. The fireworks were spectacular! They shot up, made all kinds of shapes and colors, and it reminded me of the sermon yesterday, Radiating Glory...here are some applications to use this week as you "radiate glory" to others...

1. One use of the word radiate is thinking about the warmth of the sun (or other heat source) radiating onto an object. This world is starving for relationships. Try to create a relationship by attempting to radiate Christ to someone by complimenting them, sincerely asking how their day is, or a random act of kindness.
2. Sharing things your interested in is something that should come very easily to you because it's all about you. What caused you to want to have your sins forgiven? Would someone else want theirs forgiven? First, share about simple things you're interested in, then steer the conversation into how Christ has displayed so many awesome things in your life, ask if they've ever experienced the same things. Whether or not they are religious, they will have an answer.
3. “Don’t tell people how to do things; tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” - George Patton. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and make disciples," now surprise Him with your results. No matter how you share, you are still sharing!

Have a great 4th!