The 4^th of July. America's Independence Day. A day commemorating and celebrating - what? I wonder if the repetitive nature of annual holidays somehow diminishes the origin of that first special event. Cloudy confusion can be the result if we are not diligent in pursuing original truth. Because of my thoughts, I would like to share with you some quotations from one of our founding fathers and the 2^nd president of these United States, Mr. John Adams. I believe within his words we will know some of his heart and passion. I also believe Mr. Adams is a fine representation of the entire core of founding fathers as he eloquently speaks words that echo their hearts and passions as well. (I would love to share quotes from all of them, but then this blog would become a book!) All quotes are taken from the book, "America's God and Country" by William J. Federer. I will type them as they originally appeared, regarding both grammar and punctuation. Much had been happening in both England and America leading up to the days of these quotes. I encourage you to dig back in time and learn about this period of our heritage once more.

On June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote:

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.

The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."

In contemplating the effect that separation from England would mean to him personally, John Adams wrote:

"If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice, come when that hour may. But while I do live, let me have a country, and that a free country!"

On July 1, 1776, John Adams profoundly spoke at the Continental Congress to the delegates from the Thirteen Colonies:

"Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!"

On July 3, 1776, the day following Congress' approval of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, regarding the gravity of the decision:

"It is the will of heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect, at least: it will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices, which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us.The furnace of affliction produces refinements in states, as well as individuals."

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote again to his wife, Abigail, reflecting on what he had shared in Congress and, with prophetic insight, declaring the importance of that day:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not."

So there you have it - simply a few quotes from a humble steward of God. During this 4^th of July and beyond, may we all be reminded of the Divine principles and purposes upon which this country was founded. God has indeed blessed America. Now America must continually choose to bless God!

Thanks for reading,

Libby

I love musicals.

You can blame my mom for that one, she got me "Meet Me in St. Louis" with Judy Garland from the library once to watch and I wore that tape out, getting it every chance I could. In fact, when I got old enough to drive and had my own library card, I rented it, kept it, and paid the cost for never returning it! And so I fell in love with Judy Garland, and eventually "The Wizard of Oz" even though I had to shut my eyes anytime that mean old witch or those crazy flying monkeys came across the screen.

So about a year ago when I found out "Wicked" was coming through town with a traveling Broadway cast, I was determined to go see it. I waited 'til tickets went on sale, bought 3^rd row seats months in advance, and was able to see with a couple of friends this past weekend. And man was it AMAZING! (By the way - the flying monkeys are even creepier in person!)

The story is of Elphaba (who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (who becomes Glinda the Good Witch) and what happened in Oz before Dorothy and Toto dropped in.

Here's a clip of one of the fun songs from the play. Galinda decides to make Elphaba her project and give her a makeover, thus making Elphaba more popular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY2_HAAoqqA

The scene also has one of my favorite lines. Galinda attempts to turn Elphaba's outfit into a ballgown, and fails (she's still learning her craft, after all!), to which Galinda concludes that Elphaba should "Just wear the frock - it's pretty!"

The premise of Wicked is that we've all assumed something to be true when it isn't.that the green lady in the pointy hat was actually wicked, when instead she was just often misunderstood. In fact, there really wasn't anything wicked about her at all.

I have gotten pretty good at the art of assuming - at any time, in any circumstance, I jump to conclusions without knowing the whole story first. In fact, I just did it a few days ago - I got upset over a situation that was quickly resolved when I learned the truth. I assume people's motives, and I even assume their responses in conversations that have yet to come to pass!

I've looked a couple times, and I can't find "Love always assumes" in 1 Corinthians 13. Nope, definitely not in there. What is in there is that love is patient, it's not proud or rude, it's not easily angered, it always trusts, and it always hopes. That's quite a bit different then what assuming brings out in me, and I definitely want to be known for my love, and not for my assuming.

And I'm pretty sure love would have seen Elphaba as a beautiful girl, who happened to have green skin, rather than an ugly, old, wicked witch.

Emily

It is with great pleasure and delight that I shine the "spotlight" on not only a friend, but a hero too! Let's look at how Webster describes the word hero: "any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc."; hmmm, courage, and nobility, let us allow Webster to define those words also; courage: "the quality of being brave, valor"; nobility: "being noble"; noble: "having high moral qualities". Yup, that's Jim Mason!

Yes, today our spotlight shines on a friend and a hero. Remember the D-Day anniversary we recently celebrated? Jim Mason was there. He was one who jumped. He was one who fought with valor. He is one who deserves our thanks for his part in the history of our nation. Today he fights a different battle; Jim is a prayer warrior, he meets with the Walnut Hills prayer group faithfully, praying for your children and mine. His "jumps" are leaps of faith, his "battles" are fought with the Sword of the Lord, his "valor" (which Webster describes as strength, courage, bravery) is dependent upon the God he has served for the past 60 years.

Jim came home from the army in 1948 unsure of what to do with his future. He feels the best advice he ever received was at an employment office where he was applying for work in a factory. The gentleman behind the desk said "Mr. Mason, you don't want to work in a factory - go home and go to college." To this day Jim doesn't know the name of this man, but the advice set his feet toward the path that God had planned for him. Within eighteen months of his discharge from the army and entering college Jim surrendered his heart to Christ at a revival meeting, and responded to the call to enter the ministry.

Jim met his sweetheart, Marie, at school and their life together was blessed with four children, and many grand and great-grandchildren. Marie, who passed away May 29, 2008, was a God-given inspiration in Jim's life. He says of their marriage "I was the head of the family, but she was the neck that turned the head."

A recent highlight in Jim's life was celebrating his 88^th birthday with his family. While his children had grown up hearing him preach, his grandchildren never had the opportunity; Jim chose the occasion of his birthday to share his passion for preaching the Word of God with the younger generation of the Mason clan.

Jim is certain that people who know him now would be surprised to know how Christ changed his life completely, from a worldly young man to one who lives and loves in Christ. Jim describes himself as one who is joyful and has a positive attitude. Friends would agree wholeheartedly. Jim has the gift of encouragement, and he shares it freely and frequently.

Jim Mason, friend, hero, prayer warrior, and faithful servant of God.

The Friends Spotlight on Suzie Thomas has made me think about the best advice I've ever received. I don't know that I can narrow it down to one or two nuggets of wisdom, so I've decided to start compiling a list! Here's what I've come up with so far:

This too shall pass.

Choose your battles wisely.

Nice matters!

Always treat others with kindness and respect.

The prettiest thing you can wear is a smile.

You can't always choose your circumstances but you can choose your attitude.

When in doubt, don't.

On purchasing big ticket items: check at least 3 different places for prices. You'll get the best deal and enjoy your purchase more, or realize you don't really need/want it and save yourself the expense!

Sleep on it

The 10/10/80 principle - give 10%, save 10%, live on 80%

Say you're sorry even if it wasn't on purpose!

Forgive.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

If it won't matter a year from now, it's not worth fighting about today. (a year from now, a month from now, a week from now, a day from now...what is really worth fighting for?)

If it would feel really good to say it, you probably shouldn't.

Lefty loosey, righty tighty

Read your Bible and pray everyday (I was probably 3 or 4 when I learned that phrase in a song, unfortunately it took me a couple of decades to put it into practice!)

To have a friend you must be a friend.

How you say something is often remembered longer than what you say.

Better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. (ouch!)

Most viruses will run their course in 48 hours (spoken by a health care professional who recommended staying home with a sick child instead of immediately running to the doctor.)

Hurting people hurt people.

You don't have to be everyone's best friend but you must be kind to everyone.

Take 10 minutes every morning to put things in order in your room or home - throw it away, put it away, or give it away

Make a list - and do the thing you really don't want to do FIRST! (then it's done and you won't spend the rest of the day thinking about it!)

Why worry when you can pray!

Live well, laugh often, love much!

Until next time.
Beth