HAPPY BIRTTHDAY USA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA

A Picture Festival!

Celebrating semi-quincentennial milestone of the United States. 

Think two and a half centuries since the 2nd Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, PA in 1776 to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

Uncle Sam invites you to many events in Bryson City!

Bunting on Bridges throughout Bryson City, NC

National Parks celebrate----in our area it's the Great Smoky Mountains!

John Mc "Mayor" of our street has designated the turn toward our house with the best descriptor phrase of all. "ONE NATION UNDER GOD"

A NC license plate shares the value of the phrase as well.

NBC news shared women who worked together for over a year to "Stitch the Story" of the 13 colonies. What an amazing use of talents.

CBS shared a list of 250 American State songs. Hope the list puts some familiar ear worms in our ears. Two of my faves were "What a Wonderful World," by Louis Armstrong and "Take My Hand Precious Lord by Mahalia Jackson,

"Sail forth 250" was also shown on TV from New York Harbor and Governor's Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Statue of Liberty

Oldest State boat in the Sail 4th----Elissa (1877) from Texas

BROOKLYN BRIDGE (Family home area)

Our church and others prayerfully shared thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of freedom and thanks to the men and women who have defended it. 

Petitions were lifted to bless the leaders who guide our nation with godly wisdom....along with unity among believers to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. (Micah 6:8)

In His name....to God's glory and in service to others--our Prayer for Independence Day!

A celebration pic from CA friend, Gigi!

Fireworks from Kentucky friend, JA!

A BIG thanks to grandson, JP who had some fireworks on his Instagram page!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, 

the people He chose for his inheritance. (Psalm 33:12, NIV)

PRAY FOR THE USA!!!

I can't think of a better birthday present for, America, 

than for this prayer to be lifted as people return to the LORD!!

Happy 4th of July💖

*Thx Kathie G. for this patriotic pic!

1152 saluted as well.

                                                                                                  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

How grateful I am to live in a nation whose motto is, "In God we Trust!" Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord. (Psalm 33:12)

How blessed I am today to share it with grandson, Andrew.

TRUE FREEDOM!

ONE NATION UNDER GOD is what the Hobby Lobby ad declared in today's newspaper. BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD. (Psalm 33:12)

How grateful I am to live in a community where God's Word can appear in the newspaper---whether as a paid ad or as part of the publication that is free of  charge & explains true freedom in Christ with "A Verse For Today," Galatians 5:1.

GLORIOUS FREEDOM!

Freedom is celebrated! In local parades as well as DC. 

In cookouts, al fresco dining and fireworks. **

It's the American way---for a country founded on freedom.

Expressions are emailed, tweeted and recorded. Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music that Made a Nation, (Meacham & McGraw) recalled hymns and declarations from the past reminding me of our country's independence founded, "under God" and for the people. Even Abigail Adams is quoted as she urged her husband John & other members of the Continental Congress not to forget our nation's women, "I desire you would remember the ladies." (Songs, p.27) 

McGraw reminded all that, independence in America is not easy---it's a never-ending struggle to pursue the promises of liberty and freedom that our Founding Fathers envisioned. Again, "one nation, under God" comes to my mind......

......as I picked up my Bible for reassurances of the "freedom" that truly counts. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..that's glorious freedom! (Gal. 5:1)

**Remembering a 4th of July (2004) with long-time friend Ann Martin at Blackberry Farm w/our our own fireworks.

CHOOSE: TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM WITH GRATITUDE

JULY 4TH 2017!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord/ (Psalm 33:12)

Today choose to thank a member of our military. The marines are at the Farmington Kroger in Germantown! (Before the rain)

Better yet, if you are blessed enough to have a family member choosing to currently serve in our military or a "vet" in your family, give them a big hug or at least a phone call.

FREEDOM BIRTHDAYS

7/4/12 Today in America we celebrate our country’s birthday. A day of independence and freedom. Freedom comes at a great cost. There is often a battle so warriors need to continue to be honored and "founding values" need to be upheld.

Flags adorn storefronts and homes. Neighborhood’s have parades. Patriotic color abounds in our red, white and blue decorations and dress. It’s indeed a celebration.

Last week in Ukraine we too celebrated a birthday. Every Christian has a “spiritual birthday” and for one of our campers, it was her first. (John 3:1-7) An event worthy of celebration. A celebration of freedom. Freedom from the penalty and power of sin.

A gift is given. A gift of God’s peace for the present and assurance of life with Him in eternity.

At camp we honored the event with a cake and “happy” candles as we celebrated this spiritual birth of a sister. We celebrated her freedom.

FIREWORKS

7/4/10 I don’t remember fireworks as a child----maybe Hoptown was too small to have a display. I remember as a young married shooting bottle rockets off of Pop’s dock at Pickwick and watching in horror as a sparkler melted down on top of brother Buddy’s hand, which he quickly doused in the lake water.
As an expectant mother I remember baby (Buddy) jumping in utero in response to the June 1970 “Memphis in May” fireworks. Years later, celebrating the 4th as a mother on Longreen, I would hold my kids back as the Lewis’ boys, aided by their dad, John, would set off cherry bombs and firecrackers and light Roman candles and those snakey things that turned into charcoal ash and smoked and others that whistled as they snaked down the street.

This year our street will be quiet. There are only 4 children on our Longreen now---2 teens, 1 toddler and an infant. No fireworks are anticipated. We won’t even be able to see fireworks from our “treetops” bedroom because Shelby Farms no longer has fireworks.

The quiet is okay with me---it would probably “rattle” Mommar anyway. But the reason for celebrating does not diminish for me—or for the folks at Hobby Lobby. Their full page ad in this morning’s Commercial Appeal said it well. “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

IT IS THE DUTY OF ALL NATIONS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, TO OBEY HIS WILL, TO BE GRATEFUL FOR HIS BENEFITS AND HUMBLY TO IMPLORE HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOR. (George Washington)

OUR CONSTITUTION WAS MADE ONLY FOR A MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PEOPLE. (John Adams)

WE’VE BEEN ASSURED IN THE SACRED WRITINGS THAT UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE, THEY LABOR IN VAIN WHO BUILD IT. (Benjamin Franklin)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 33:12)

These words certainly light a “spark” in my heart.