Freedom. Such a touchy subject that can be used and abused, so I’m going to try to touch on it lightly. It’s kind of like that can of worms though, once it’s opened.....😬. 

Is it just me or does it feel like our freedoms seem like a far away thought, vaporizing into the wind these days? We can all make a quick, long list of things that come to mind when the word freedom is heard, and the word speaks heavy to every side of the board. One of the definitions that I love though, is "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved". I love this because this.describes.Jesus. The patriarch of freedom. This describes exactly what He came to do. His sacrifice. No longer slave to fear, to past sins...offering a new mercy with every breath. 

Speaking of sacrifices, those that have been made for our freedom should ALWAYS be remembered and celebrated. Can I get an AMEN?!? I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t always valued my freedom the way I should have, but I can honestly say that now, I’m overwhelmingly humbled and beyond thankful for it! To live in a country who’s original foundations rest on God and who’s motto still lays on the phrase(even if it is heavily divided and hanging on by a hair) "IN GOD WE TRUST". This, in my opinion, is one of the only reasons our country has been shown the favor and blessings it has. 

My fear however, is that our country is on a slippery slope and has all but lost the moral compass it was founded on. John Adams, our 2nd President once said, "We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." There’s SO much that could be unpacked here but for the sake of "touching lightly", I’m moving on. 

A few interesting facts about our history that you may or may not know:

• >The Declaration of Independence is said to acknowledge God 4 times.

• >America had about 250 founding fathers and about 95% were Christian!

• >John Witherspoon (one of the signers of the Dec. of Indep) was responsible for America’s 1st family Bible.

• >John Hancock (another signer of the Dec. of Indep) wrote proclamations urging people to turn to Christ and to pray and fast. 

• >Dr. Benjamin Rush (one of the 3 most notable founding fathers) founded the Sunday School movement and the 1st Bible Society because he believed there were great benefits of gaining a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He also helped create the mass production of bibles among other things.

• >In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: "The congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools." 

Jump to today and I don’t have to tell you what freedoms we’ve been stripped of in this area alone. We could write a book about how our government’s values and moral code has severely shifted (and many have), but the sad truth is, unless you intentionally research it yourself, outside of normal history textbooks, it’s doubtful you will know the truth. I didn’t. The things that we learned and our children or even grandchildren are learning today have been highly altered and manipulated.

In the 20’s and 30’s, the history of America was rewritten by people like Robert Green Ingersoll, a well-known atheist, and went from being purposeful and divine, to creating an economic view, all about money and a more secular perspective. Trust me. I had NO clue until this past year when I discovered how distorted American history had become through the my daughters American history curriculum that caught my attention. It’s an incredible series called American Heritage Series and it’s HIGHLY recommended from someone who has never been a history fan. 🤚🏼Guess you can say there’s hope for us all!

Seriously though, I pray to continue being set free in the truth of God’s Word and the foundations America was fixed upon.

John 8:31-32 says, "...If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Our country needs us all praying and not staying silent, but making a gentle roar of what Truth set us free to begin with, and the principalities and wisdom this country was founded on. 

Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States reaffirmed this truth when he wrote, "The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country."

Hence, the shape of our divided government and country. Both sides can be to blame here and while we can probably all agree there’s no perfect President, I just have to say, I will ALWAYS elect the one who will turn to God for wisdom and show God honor by recognizing Him, and including Him, in spite of the human flaws they too have. Let’s face it, without God, our freedoms here on earth are history. (pun intended) It’s become too "difficult" for unbelievers to support the biblical foundations referred to, it seems, and that will affect us all. At least while we’re residents of this big, blue, rotating ball.  But if we turn to Him and take hold of the gift Jesus gives, and receive it, we get to be residents of that eternal perfection living in a FREEDOM so secured that no one can ever take it from us. 

America! America! God shed His grace on thee!