After church I volunteered at Hanna’s Town; it was free admission day! The last few times I worked at the tavern site it was not too busy. Today it was crazy busy! They estimated about 200 people came through! I stood downstairs in the common room and greeted people and talked about life in the 1770-ish tavern and Hanna’s Town – for 3 1/2 hours without stopping! That’s amazing even for me. Here are a few of the pics:
One couple came through and commented on the flag: Don’t Tread on Me. She said that should be our motto today – we are all equal despite race, nationality, age, sex — We should respect all people equally. She said ‘Just leave us alone and let us be who we are – respectfully!’ Couldn’t agree more and it made my day!
I will share Kyle’s message from Hempfield today. Blaise Pascal said in the 17th century that all men seek happiness. But where do we find it? We often settled for far too less! Revelations 4 tells us about how amazing and awesome, rare, precious and beautiful heaven and our God is – almost indescribable. We all struggle with things in this life, and settle for less – but trudging through this life is worth it, because we will see God next! Stand strong and keep the faith. Look what’s waiting for you and is even with us right now. Through it all, God’s got you! It’s not too late to return to your first love. Only ONE in all eternity can fill you with happiness: God. he’s the source of every blessing. Don’t seek the gift; seek the Giver. A single glimpse of the Glory of God changes your eternity. That’s where your happiness is!
Our service this morning focused on our love for our country, and for God. The praise team led us in our National Anthem, pledge of Allegiance, and we watched a Marine video of Days of Elijah (OOYAH!). It’s very much worth watching! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjZ_IlP9c5A) Copy and paste if you are interested.
Below are a few obscure Independence Day quotes that you might find interesting…
ABRAHAM LINCOLN “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Hillary Clinton: “Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation.”
ELMER DAVIS “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. “From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”
LOUIS D. BRANDEIS “Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness.”
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT “With freedom comes responsibility.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”
WILLIAM FAULKNER “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”
WOODROW WILSON “The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.”
On this day in 1754 George Washington gave Ft. Necessity to France, and in 1776 according to popular legend the Liberty bell rang for the 2nd Continental Congress. In 1776 the US Congress proclaimed their Declaration of Independence, and independence from Great Britain – American is born! In 1796 the first Independence Day celebration was held and in 1802 the first US Military Academy opened at West Point. In 1803 the Louisiana Purchase was announced by Thomas Jefferson, and in 1826 both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In 1831 America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) was first sung in Boston, and in 1861 there was a skirmish at Harper’s Ferry WV. In 1863 General Lee’s army withdrew from Gettysburg, and in 1865 the first edition of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was published. In 1884 the Statue of Liberty was presented to the US in Paris and in 1964 the Beach Boys I GET AROUND went #1. Nathaniel Hawthorn, author, was born in 1804; Stephen Foster, composer, in 1826. James Anthony Bailey (Barnum and Bailey circus) was born in 1847, Calvin Coolidge – 30th President – in 1872; Neil Simon, playwright, in 1927. Andrew Walker – Hallmark actor – in 1967. John Adams – 2nd president – died at age 90 in 1826; Thomas Jefferson – 3rd president – at age 83 in 1826, and James Monroe – 5th president – at age 73 in 1831. Marie Curie (discovered radium) died in 1934 at age 66; Evan Gabor (Green Acres star) at age 76 in 1995, and in 1982 Ozzy Osbourne married Sharon Arden. Whew! Lots going on in history today!
“…solemnly Publish and Declare that these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States …”
TOMORROW July 5th is:
- National Apple Turnover Day
- National Graham Cracker Day
- National Hawaii Day
- National Workaholics Day
- National Bikini Day
I am so proud to live in this country, to be part of the USA, to be living in the greatest nation on earth – to celebrate independence and remember 1776!! God Bless — America!
Leave a Reply