J.H. Campbell, Jr., President/CEO, Associated Grocers
This Saturday is July the 4th, and our country will celebrate its 233rd birthday. This date commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by fifty- six (56) men who understood that their actions would have devastating consequences if they were captured. This magnificently drafted document is a testament to the strong moral and religious beliefs of these founding fathers, and their acknowledgment of the existence of the “Creator”, “Nature’s God”, “Supreme Judge of the world”, and “Divine Providence”. Each of the signers of this document clearly understood their dependence upon, and subservience to their Creator. They were not afraid to admit their human frailties, or limitations, and actually acknowledged the omnipotence of their Creator. They had enough humility to counter their own human pride and gave their Creator the praise and thanksgiving due for the opportunity to start this new country, even though they also understood the dangers of doing such. They understood and believed that God was the reason and source for their great bounty, blessings, and opportunity. They also knew and respected the fact that the blessings and opportunities, which they had received, were from a higher authority than any king, monarch, dictator, or worldly/earthly regime could provide to them.
Unfortunately in today’s American culture any reference to God in a public venue, in schools, at any recreational or sporting event, or on any building or display, is viewed by a minority as some type of violation of the separation of Church and State clause in the U.S. Constitution. Any society, which has abandoned God and viewed itself as independent and not dependent upon the blessings and grace from God, has failed or collapsed. This level of pride or arrogance by a nation has resulted in the end of many great political regimes or super powers over the last 2000 years. Our founding fathers, in the Declaration of Independence, stated their belief and faith that God would provide for them and were not afraid to give Him praise and thanksgiving. In the great patriotic song, “America the Beautiful”, the chorus clearly reminds us: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown Thy good, with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea…”
The “unalienable rights” endowed by the “Creator” were real to them, appreciated, and respected as having been granted and provided by the “Creator”, and not by any particular nation or political group. In the Declaration, itself, the document states that ”all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. This clear acknowledgment or recognition of the Creator did not create or establish “anything” except to show our founders’ profound humility, rather than pride, and that God was the source of all provided to them.
The respect and appreciation for human life and human existence was never in doubt since life was the greatest gift from the Creator, which no nation, people, court, or political party could or should affect. Acknowledging or recognizing a belief, or exercising or displaying an act of faith is not in any way the “establishment” of a Church by the State, but is the humble recognition that man was created, and did not evolve on his own. Each of our fore-fathers believed that God would provide for them if they regularly praised Him and gave to Him “thanks” for the many blessings and opportunities which they received and experienced. They also knew that “man” was not the center of the universe, but rather that the “Creator of man” was. We would do well today to humble ourselves before the Creator as our fore-fathers did freely and openly.
We enjoy in this great country a lifestyle which is the envy of the world, even in spite of the currently very tight and difficult economic times. We are able to move about the country, work, play, recreate, relax, all without any real fear or concern, and without any significant restrictions or limitations. These freedoms or privileges are not truly “rights” but are subject to the acceptance of personal responsibilities by all, and the sacrifices made by many others. The desire and the dream of freedom by our founders were so great that each one of them were willing to support one another fully to achieve the desired goal for all. This paradox of being “dependent”, in order to be “independent” and free, formed the basis upon which our great country was founded.
In many other countries around the world, the people or their government are God-less, and have no problem sacrificing human life to silence any resistance. They justify their actions in the name of a vengeful “god”, not one who is merciful and forgiving. Our country would do well to remember the notation on our currency which clearly states: “IN GOD WE TRUST”….
As the greatest nation on this planet, we are truly blessed with extraordinary resources, opportunity, and freedom. Our government is charged with the responsibility of providing for the safety and security of its people. As citizens, we have to accept certain limitations on our “absolute” freedom, and also acknowledge and differentiate our “rights” from our granted “privileges”.
Each one of us should freely support the efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence services personnel who are charged with the duty to protect us from harm each and every day. As Americans, we should fully and unequivocally support all of the men and women of our country’s Armed Forces located throughout the world. The presence and the existence of the United States is real hope to peoples who yearn for the freedom desired by our forefathers some 233 years ago. There will always be critics, and hopefully real leaders and statesmen will ignore the criticism and doubt, and remain committed, faithful, and hopeful to the belief and desire for freedom…and above all “trust” in God.
As we celebrate July 4th this Saturday, we should never forget the source and the reason for the holiday. Please take the time to first thank God for His continuing blessings and grace, and remember the men and women of our Armed Services and pray for their safe return to their families. Pray for peace in our World and the opportunity for all people to self-govern themselves. Our desire should be to see more free nations and peoples who can find and experience the “independence” and freedom that Americans have enjoyed for over two centuries. To this cause, and as the Declaration of Independence declares: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”
Have a wonderful Independence Day, and a Happy July 4th holiday!
© copyright…JHC
There is no web link to this reflection. However, permission was granted by the author to publish on The Brown Pelican Society website. BPS thanks Mr. Campbell.
“In-Dependence” Day – A Reflection
J.H. Campbell, Jr., President/CEO, Associated Grocers
This Saturday is July the 4th, and our country will celebrate its 233rd birthday. This date commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence by fifty- six (56) men who understood that their actions would have devastating consequences if they were captured. This magnificently drafted document is a testament to the strong moral and religious beliefs of these founding fathers, and their acknowledgment of the existence of the “Creator”, “Nature’s God”, “Supreme Judge of the world”, and “Divine Providence”. Each of the signers of this document clearly understood their dependence upon, and subservience to their Creator. They were not afraid to admit their human frailties, or limitations, and actually acknowledged the omnipotence of their Creator. They had enough humility to counter their own human pride and gave their Creator the praise and thanksgiving due for the opportunity to start this new country, even though they also understood the dangers of doing such. They understood and believed that God was the reason and source for their great bounty, blessings, and opportunity. They also knew and respected the fact that the blessings and opportunities, which they had received, were from a higher authority than any king, monarch, dictator, or worldly/earthly regime could provide to them.
Unfortunately in today’s American culture any reference to God in a public venue, in schools, at any recreational or sporting event, or on any building or display, is viewed by a minority as some type of violation of the separation of Church and State clause in the U.S. Constitution. Any society, which has abandoned God and viewed itself as independent and not dependent upon the blessings and grace from God, has failed or collapsed. This level of pride or arrogance by a nation has resulted in the end of many great political regimes or super powers over the last 2000 years. Our founding fathers, in the Declaration of Independence, stated their belief and faith that God would provide for them and were not afraid to give Him praise and thanksgiving. In the great patriotic song, “America the Beautiful”, the chorus clearly reminds us: “America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown Thy good, with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea…”
The “unalienable rights” endowed by the “Creator” were real to them, appreciated, and respected as having been granted and provided by the “Creator”, and not by any particular nation or political group. In the Declaration, itself, the document states that ”all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among those are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. This clear acknowledgment or recognition of the Creator did not create or establish “anything” except to show our founders’ profound humility, rather than pride, and that God was the source of all provided to them.
The respect and appreciation for human life and human existence was never in doubt since life was the greatest gift from the Creator, which no nation, people, court, or political party could or should affect. Acknowledging or recognizing a belief, or exercising or displaying an act of faith is not in any way the “establishment” of a Church by the State, but is the humble recognition that man was created, and did not evolve on his own. Each of our fore-fathers believed that God would provide for them if they regularly praised Him and gave to Him “thanks” for the many blessings and opportunities which they received and experienced. They also knew that “man” was not the center of the universe, but rather that the “Creator of man” was. We would do well today to humble ourselves before the Creator as our fore-fathers did freely and openly.
We enjoy in this great country a lifestyle which is the envy of the world, even in spite of the currently very tight and difficult economic times. We are able to move about the country, work, play, recreate, relax, all without any real fear or concern, and without any significant restrictions or limitations. These freedoms or privileges are not truly “rights” but are subject to the acceptance of personal responsibilities by all, and the sacrifices made by many others. The desire and the dream of freedom by our founders were so great that each one of them were willing to support one another fully to achieve the desired goal for all. This paradox of being “dependent”, in order to be “independent” and free, formed the basis upon which our great country was founded.
In many other countries around the world, the people or their government are God-less, and have no problem sacrificing human life to silence any resistance. They justify their actions in the name of a vengeful “god”, not one who is merciful and forgiving. Our country would do well to remember the notation on our currency which clearly states: “IN GOD WE TRUST”….
As the greatest nation on this planet, we are truly blessed with extraordinary resources, opportunity, and freedom. Our government is charged with the responsibility of providing for the safety and security of its people. As citizens, we have to accept certain limitations on our “absolute” freedom, and also acknowledge and differentiate our “rights” from our granted “privileges”.
Each one of us should freely support the efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence services personnel who are charged with the duty to protect us from harm each and every day. As Americans, we should fully and unequivocally support all of the men and women of our country’s Armed Forces located throughout the world. The presence and the existence of the United States is real hope to peoples who yearn for the freedom desired by our forefathers some 233 years ago. There will always be critics, and hopefully real leaders and statesmen will ignore the criticism and doubt, and remain committed, faithful, and hopeful to the belief and desire for freedom…and above all “trust” in God.
As we celebrate July 4th this Saturday, we should never forget the source and the reason for the holiday. Please take the time to first thank God for His continuing blessings and grace, and remember the men and women of our Armed Services and pray for their safe return to their families. Pray for peace in our World and the opportunity for all people to self-govern themselves. Our desire should be to see more free nations and peoples who can find and experience the “independence” and freedom that Americans have enjoyed for over two centuries. To this cause, and as the Declaration of Independence declares: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”
Have a wonderful Independence Day, and a Happy July 4th holiday!
© copyright…JHC
There is no web link to this reflection. However, permission was granted by the author to publish on The Brown Pelican Society website. BPS thanks Mr. Campbell.