INDEPENDENCE DAY
26Then the captain
and the court officers went and brought them in, but without force, because
they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
The
apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin for trial.
These temple priests which were instrumental in causing the crucifixion of
Christ were now enflamed with jealousy over the apostles; who by the
resurrection of Christ no longer feared death or taxes. The people began to
believe, and the world was never the same.
The
apostles after their release immediately resumed public teaching they rendered
unto God what was God’s.
The
apostles filled with the Holy Spirit were not afraid anymore. They practiced
obedience, commitment, healthy relationships and faith. They had generous
hearts.
Effective
leaders gather for others then give it away. This is God’s economy which is
radically different. By releasing our grasp and not clinging to our possessions
we become more like Him who had nothing; the one who gave the only resource He
had--Himself.
Building
Generosity
1. Be grateful for
whatever you have.
2. Put people first.
3. Don’t allow greed
to control you.
4. Regard money as a
resource.
5. Develop the habit
of giving.
“I now pray, not for
more of this world’s goods and greater blessings, but to be worthy of that
which I already have.” Napoleon Hill[2]
Reflect today on our own Declaration of
Independence for freedom from the English Crown.
We hold these truths to be self-evident:
That all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that,
to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to
alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation
on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are
more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design
to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty,
to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future
security.
Almighty God, Father of all nations, for
freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1). We praise and bless you
for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice, and
the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our
liberties; by your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves
and for all those who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the
intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and
reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Independence
Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4,
1776. Independence Day is the most important secular holiday held in the
United States. Americans take this day to celebrate all that is American,
remembering the great sacrifices of our forefathers as they fought and won our
independence from Great Britain. The holiday is also referred to as 4th of
July, named after the date on which it is celebrated each year.
Independence
Day Facts & Quotes
·
In
July 1776, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in the new nation.
·
The
first public reading of the Declaration of Independence didn't occur until July
8, 1776. It was sent to the printers on July 4th.
·
The
original Declaration of Independence can be viewed by visiting the National
Archives, Washington D.C. The original copy is severely faded and sits
under special glass in the Rotunda for the Chambers of Freedom.
·
The
Statue of Liberty is a great symbol of American Freedom. It was given to the US
by France in 1886. It was delivered in 214 crates and assembled on what
is known as Liberty Island, in New York Harbor.
·
Let
every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price,
bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to
assure the survival and success of liberty. - John F. Kennedy
Independence
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Attend
or host a Barbeque.
·
Watch
Fireworks. Large cities such as New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles all
have large firework displays.
·
Read
or recite the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
·
Watch
or attend Nathan's famous Hot
Dog eating contest in Coney Island.
·
Watch
a Parade. Most local cities host parades to celebrate Independence Day.
·
Contribute
to the independence of a veteran
The
Patriotic Rosary[5] is prayed
everywhere from within cloistered convents, to inside the Pentagon; from
dangerous military fields around the globe to the quietness of the Bedroom of
Apparitons and the Field of Apparitions at Caritas, which is the home of the
Patriotic Rosary. The Patriotic Rosary quickly captured the hearts and
attention of millions when first heard and prayed. Inspired by Our Lady of
Medjugorje, the Patriotic Rosary is a powerful prayer for divine protection and
mercy for our Nation and its rebirth. The history of the writing of the Patriotic
Rosary origins back to 1995 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the
first promptings of Our Lady was felt and the impulse to form the Patriotic
Rosary was given. The Patriotic Rosary, the Prayer
to Heal Our Land, and the “Seven
Novenas for the Reconciling of Ourselves, our Families and our Nation Back to
God,” all for the rebirth of America, have the grounds at Caritas of
Birmingham as their home. It is Caritas of Birmingham, whose founder, known as
A Friend of Medjugorje, wrote the Patriotic Rosary, and that also operates the Official Medjugorje Site.
It was a surprise in 1988, after many prayers near the Pine Tree for the
healing of our Nation that Our Lady began to write a beautiful story, through
Her Medjugorje apparitions at Caritas, telling
us that a Nation and its healing, represented by the Pine in the Field, would
come only through the individual, represented by the family bed. In those first
apparitions, Our Lady appeared in the Bedroom over the family bed, then on
Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1988, She
appeared near the Pine, then back to the Bedroom for the remaining two
months of daily apparitions. This spoke clearly that our Nation would be healed
through strong marriages forming strong holy families raising strong
individuals which will heal and make a strong nation. Our Nation’s future
depends on the healing of the family.
"Read
these counsels slowly. Pause to meditate on these thoughts. They are things
that I whisper in your ear-confiding them-as a friend, as a brother, as a
father. And they are being heard by God. I won't tell you anything new. I will
only stir your memory, so that some thought will arise and strike you; and so
you will better your life and set out along ways of prayer and of Love. And in
the end you will be a more worthy soul."
7.
Never correct anyone while you are
still indignant about a fault committed. Wait until the next day, or even
longer. And then, calmly, and with a purer intention, make your reprimand. You
will gain more by one friendly word than by a three-hour quarrel. Control your
temper.
Daily Devotions
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
·
Please
Pray for Senator
McCain and our country; asking Our Lady of Beauraing to
intercede.
·
Pray
the Patriotic Rosary
[1] John Maxwell, The Maxwell Leadership
Bible.
[2] Napoleon Hill, Outwitting the Devil.
[6]http://www.escrivaworks.org/book/the_way-point-1.htm
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