Happy 4th of July!!!

“FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS,

Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow-citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire. A rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing all the seas with the rich productions of their industry, engaged in commerce with nations who feel power and forget right, advancing rapidly to destinies beyond the reach of mortal eye – when I contemplate these transcendent objects, and see the honor, the happiness, and the hopes of this beloved country committed to the issue and the auspices of this day, I shrink from the contemplation, and humble myself before the magnitude of the undertaking. Utterly, indeed, should I despair did not the presence of many whom I here see remind me that in the other high authorities provided by our Constitution I shall find resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties. To you, then, gentlemen, who are charged with the sovereign functions of legislation, and to those associated with you, I look with encouragement for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked amidst the conflicting elements of a troubled world.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1st Inaugural Address

    Felt re-energized singing the chorus of “God Bless America” in church yesterday.  If you missed it, here are the words.

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea

Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer:

God Bless AMERICA, land that I love

Stand beside her, and guide her,

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans

White with foam.

God Bless AMERICA, my home sweet home,

God Bless AMERICA, my home sweet home!

  Motivated me enough to buy a new flag and some piano sheet music.  If it’s anything like “Happy Birthday to you,” I’m pretty sure I’ll have a hell of a time trying to make any sense of it.

“Life’s tough; but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.” – John Wayne

  Sometimes, when I reflect on our national debt, student loans, trade policies, banking regulations, Federal Reserve, school system, prison system, drug and healthcare policies, government aid programs… as I consider our political parties, monopolies, mortgage and financial industries, and military presence across the globe, I wonder how free we are…

“Peace, Commerce, and honest friendship with all nations.  Entangling alliances with none.” – Thomas Jefferson

Happy Independence Day!

Yours in Faith for a better America and a better world.

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