Dear Friends in Christ,

     Our celebration of the fourth of July is a reminder that this nation was founded on principles and beliefs that gave birth to incredible documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Within these documents acknowledgment of God and gratitude to God as the source of all life, happiness, prosperity, and freedom is given over and over again.

     Freedom of religion is also guaranteed, and I've always taken that to mean freedom of religious expression and practice. There are those in our day who seem to want to interpret those lines to mean from religion, or freedom from the religious expression of others, and I am confident that was never the founding fathers' intent at all. The separation of Church and State (not stated that way anywhere in the documents, by the way) is clearly a provision that prohibits the establishment of a national religion and there is great wisdom in that. The history of Christian martyrdom in England and in Europe includes horrible times of persecution for those whose beliefs differed from those of the official State religion. So we can see in reviewing the lessons of history that though this "separation of Church and State" has great value, it was never the intent to silence people of faith from sharing that faith in the public market place.

     Isn't it interesting (and reassuring) that in times of national crisis like September 11 our nation's leaders find themselves gathered on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, DC for public, unapologetic, and heartfelt prayer for the nation.

     Congressional sessions begin with prayer, and presidential addresses (and speeches by candidates for that office) almost always end with "May God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!"

     So this July 4th, while cooking out, gathering with friends, and watching fireworks displays, give thanks to God that we live in a nation that allows us to worship God in the manner of our choosing, allows us our freedom of religious expression. So as long as that remains true, our nation will never lose its moral compass. May God bless you and your loved ones, and may God continue to bless America.

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church

Bob

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