With all of our trials and tribulations we are richly blessed to live in the United States of America, and we remember and celebrate that today.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” [Amendment I]

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms of religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition.  It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and from prohibiting the free exercise of religion.

Some of the Founding Fathers were people of faith, some were not, but they believed that religion was a good for society.  So, they supported religion, what they did not support was one established religion for the new nation.  On this 4^th of July as we celebrate our Independence, let us celebrate our freedom to practice our religion and let us pray that it remains that way.

Listen to this powerful insight from Harvard Professor Clay Christensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjntXYDPw44

Take a few minutes to listen to a beautiful rendition of our Star-Spangled Banner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=y2V0rG_4Ax4&feature=emb_title

May God Be Praised!