Some of my first memories of the “Fourth of July” were very special. We celebrated like many others by way of family cook-outs. If we were lucky we would pile into the car to see local fireworks. As a young child I loved, and sometimes feared the sights and sounds of that experience. Fear always took precedence when my brother (Mike) was the one that was lighting the family fireworks display.

But on thing that was instilled into my life early on was the true meaning of the holiday. On July 4th, our nation will observe a legal holiday which commemorates the adoption of the declaration of independence in 1776. Many battles were fought, many lives were lost and many sacrifices were made in order for us to live in “the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” In those early years I can recall the emotionalism of the day. Patriotism was a lifestyle and people seemed to deeply appreciate the price that was paid for their freedom.

I still believe that we live in a great country, but I also believe that we as a nation have lost sight of the one thing that brought us to become the strong nation that we are. Our national leaders use to centralized their lives and their speeches upon it and out currency continues to serve as a reminder of it. We have lost sight of the fact that we are a nation that became strong due to our unfailing trust in a great and mighty God.

I will probably continue the traditions of July 4th cookouts with family and/or friends. I still love to experience fireworks displays that literally pound away at my heart. But the tradition that I will always practice and hold most dear is that of my freedom to share my faith with people who need to know that there is real hope the saving power of Jesus Christ.