Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth of July in the USA!!

 I received this in an email and thought it was worth sharing.   It also brought to mind the freedom I experience through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
In Galatians 5 verse 1 St. Paul tells us "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
As I reflect on what my freedom means to me I thank all of our service men and women who have protected me over the years (sometimes from only God knows what) and I also thank God for giving me freedom through Christ.


 (photo taken on the Sea of Galilee)
          

  Happy Independence Day!!              


Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free! 
God is blessing you!
 
 

5 comments:

  1. My dear Donna,
    What a wonderful reminder of those that signed the Declaration of Independence ~~ and helps remind us that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!!
    I watched Dr. Charles Stanley this morning and what a message!! The title of his sermon was "Turning the Tide". He was very brave in touching on all the things that are troubling our nation at this time ~~ and the direction the current tide is taking our nation = SOCIALISM.
    IF WE AS CHRISTIANS and JEWISH ~~ do "not STAND UP AND SPEAKOUT and stop this "slaughter of our Christian foundation there will be no hope for our following generations.
    I'm sure anyone can go on line and hear this profound message and get the Bibical outline in praying for our nation.
    We are asked as Christians to take the pledge to pray for our nation for 140 days to turn this tide!
    Happy 4th of July ~~ and again a reminder that our FREEDOM did not come free ~~ and we must protect it.
    GOD BLESS AMERICA

    ReplyDelete
  2. We always must protect the freedom in the world. Do Godly things and be nice with each other, not being to selfish. -- We have had worship music on the boat trip. Was great! Do the trip yourselfs, when you want to understand Jesus Christ's life better, pix can always help to understand something better.

    Masada (Wikipedia), Jerusalem (Wikipedia),
    Betlehem (Wikipedia), Cesarea Philippi (Wikipedia), Capernaum (Wikipedia), Bet She ‘an National Park (Wikipedia), The Chain of Generation Center (search engine)
    www.jesusboat.com
    www.yardenit.com baptismal site
    http://www.sacredtravelguide.com/a-pilgrimage-to-the-church-of-the-primacy-of-peter-in-tabgha.html
    Blessings, Rose

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  3. Before my post, I need to say that as Canadians, many of us British born, we are all proud to have America as our neighbour and wish all Americans a great 4th of July. Donna has asked I post the following initially private comment, as a reminder to all that all countries have committed wrong acts and we must learn from our histories and embrace HIS word, Love and Forgive. Wise words Donna and as you asked, here for all is the full email I had written to you.

    Dear Donna,

    Just a private comment as a Brit living in Canada to your newest blog .

    Terrible things happened 234 years ago but as always, His truth prevailed in 1776, and over the next horrific century of United States history, following Independence. Enjoy the holiday as did we enjoy Canada Day July 1st. A bit more history truth we need to recall though...

    We must recognize that what happened after all the horrific times of 1776 revolution was that the independant United States attacked Canada and eventually we had the War of 1812 between us and many died and homes were burned in Canada by Americans because Canada wanted not to become separate from our British heritage of which we were so proud. Americans needed Paul Revere for independance and Canada needed Laura Secord to warn us of impending attack and to stay independant of United States! Strange how history repeats if we are not careful

    And then Slavery that was ended by the British, leading partly to the need for the revolution flourished in the new "freedom". A reminder for us all that while we think we have gained freedom for all, we may have opened the gates of hell to others who no longer have protection. Canada of course, along with many Americans who saw the wrong path being taken in attacking Canada and reintroduction of slavery, helped create the Underground Railroad. And finally Abe Lincoln freed the slaves after the greatest horror, the American Civil War.

    Just had to comment as I am sad what happened to the brave signatories to the Declaration of Independance but felt as an international blog I needed to write that we must all accept our mistakes and history, the good and the inevitable sad times as Brits, Canadians and Americans.

    Like at the World Cup where the Germans and Africans pledged and held up the banner committing international acceptance as we move forward it is best to stay focused on the positive present and future .

    HE is blessing you and all as we move with Him in our heart. Enjoy the fireworks and glad you had a wonderful trip to The Holy Lands. I will have to think about joining you next year. It sounds awesome.

    Jan-Michael

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  4. Thank you Donna and Jan-Michael
    for the two posts that you have
    both written. I found them
    both very interesting reading the
    meaning of Independence Day which
    I did not know, but I know now
    God bless you all,
    Barbie M (Australia)

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  5. Jan-Michael,

    Thanks for the post!

    Had a great day...and great 4th Of July Fireworks!

    Go USA...lol

    Al

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Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. Please try to stay on the topic and remember also that there are many who are struggling through all kinds of challenges. Let's all be kind and thoughtful with our comments please! :D