Happy Independence Day!

Our great United States declared themselves to be a new, independent nation exactly 232 years ago today. Happy birthday, America!

As you may know, I am unabashedly patriotic. I honestly believe the USA is the greatest and best country in the world, full of freedom, opportunity, stability and strength. When I was younger I had the chance to do a lot of traveling. I've not only been to all 50 states, but also about 21 other countries, and while there are things I enjoyed about all the places I've visited, there is no place like this place. I thank God that I can raise my family and serve Him here in America.

This last week I watched on DVD HBO's terrific mini-series John Adams. The most moving part of the 7 or so hours of dramatic history was the point at which the Declaration of Independence was signed and it was being read aloud in various locations around the colonies. I found some tears coming to my eyes, and my daughter asked me why I was crying. I didn't go into much of an answer because we were all watching the TV, but I trust that Molly and Ethan will one day understand and share the love Kelly and I have for this country.

Watching John Adams prompted me to look up the Declaration online, and I had never read the whole thing before (it's longer than I thought)! Here are the first couple paragraphs in case you'd like to read it as part of your Independence Day celebration today. (You can click here for the full text and lots of other info).

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

Have a happy Fourth, everyone--and may God bless America!