July 4th, 2009

Tonight as my family burned the grass blue (and the dog) with pyrotechnics, and nearly started a California wild-fire, American people everywhere celebrated with fireworks and American flags, our collective independence. In every state, in every city, and in every town, our nations' history is remembered, some for heritage, most for the free booze. July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution severing all political, and religious ties from Great Britain. 

John Adams said this 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 parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever."

Two days later, the writing of the Declaration of Independence was approved, and 56 MEN from 13 states, penned their name to one of the most famous documents in existence, the Declaration of Independence. July 4th, 1776 - what a glorious, triumphant day on mankind's scale of course. Men of worth, led by the DIVINE hand, brought this country into existence. It's one of largest, most nationally observed holidays where we celebrate lives of mortal men and women and their actions for God and country. 

In a day of texting, email, internet on your phone, mp3 players as small as your pinky finger, it's hard to imagine the actual events of that day in 1776, and how much times have indeed changed. Among all the barbecues, get-togethers and parties, and men and women who use this holiday as an occasion of the flesh to get drunk beyond repair, you wonder if people ever stop to think any more of the sacrifices that were made to ensure their rights, liberties, and freedoms. Imagine if this generation had to answer the call the patriots of 1775-1781 answered. Scarcely a few would, I imagine. What would we sacrifice today for freedom? 

One could argue the advancement of technology has attributed to the decay of human civilization. Man and all his inventions, though extraordinary, are still  flawed in the same way, as they have a tendency, if not governed, to draw us further from our Creator. It's amazing how this is the most "fast food" society ever, and no one has time for God. Every where I go, someone is texting,  waiting for the bus, talking on their cell phones, walking to the corner store talking, between church services even. I've seen people with the child training leash attached to their kids like they are a dog, so they could talk on the phone with greater ease while shopping. I've seen moms walking down the street texting, while their young girl walks two paces behind her, not on the sidewalk but actually on the busy street.

How will anyone ever hear a "still small voice", or even the echoes of history if their ear is always tuned into a "multitude of words".  It's the radio, the cd's,  texting, talking, watching, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, etc. It's no wonder we harbor a younger  generation that are questionably the laziest, yet most technologically proficient.

Stop to reflect on history from time to time. In  an effort not to sound philosophical, what is wrong with thinking, reflection, pondering, meditating, etc.? God designed the human brain to be a sponge, and a super computer at the same time, as it produces calculations most computers cannot even reproduce. You wonder what attributed to a society of such great men and women in past days. Those men, women and children, generations strong, had time to think, and consider their latter end. They saw America, and all its glory, whole, untouched by mans inevitable corruption.

It's often not portrayed the way it was. There were no photographs, or precise images of this era. Paintings, and few images from history tell of a proper, neatly set Independence Hall, where in reality the men who met there were weary from travel, had dust on their shoulders, were men nearly in hiding fearful for their lives, concerned about their families they left behind, wondering where British soldiers are advancing, knowing that something was about to happen that has never happened before. There was a sense of urgency, and quietness. Quite literally, the weight of the world was upon their shoulders, and the safety and security of thousands rested with their guidance and leadership. And let us not forget that their standard was God and his word. 

W.J. Wood, author of "Battles of the Revolutionary War" said:

The period from 1775 through 1781 was fraught with confusion, upheaval, uncertainty, and incredible danger to Patriot leaders and citizens alike. But it has been lost in our consciousness. The reasons for our so abandoning the Revolution are obvious: the passage of time, the paucity of reliable records, general indifference to our national heritage, and the timing of the invention of the photograph. (50 years after the Revolution) The reasons actually are not important; the fact of our neglect, at least to the historically minded, is important indeed."

"Give honor to whom honor is due."