Dependence on Independence Day

John Adams to his wife Abigail.

But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

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 Us 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 more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

————

While Adams was incorrect in saying that future generations would celebrate on the 2nd, he was correct that we out to celebrate it as a day of deliverance and praise to God. It is by His grace that this nation was founded. It is only by Him that we can do any good – in this land or anywhere. We can do nothing by our own reason or strength. Let us strive this day not only to remember what our founders sacrificed to give us this great country but also praise and give thanks to God for the blessings He gives us everyday, long before and long after this nation exists, and who saved us from more than a tyrannical government. He is our rock and our fortress (Psa. 18:2, 19:14).

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

~ Psalm 33:12 ~

I pray you have a wonderful independence day, but let us not forget Him on whom we depend.

~Rose

Twice Freed: Slavery, Freedom, and Forgiveness

 

 

 

Author: Patricia St. John

Publisher: Christian Focus Publications

 

 

 

Onesimus wanted what any young boy wants: fun, adventure, travel, love, and most of all, freedom. Unfortunately, Onesimus’s life did not include any of these things. Instead, he was a servant to the wealthy Philemon and his family. Sure, his life was not as hard as it could be, but being a servant  did not include any of the things he wanted in life. Even on days when he got glimpses of those things – like the visit from the beautiful Eirene of Laodicea – he was always swiftly reminded of how trapped he was. His life was out of his hands. That is, until the day Master Philemon and his son Archippus take Onesimus on a journey to Ephesus that changes his life forever. While there, the trio meet an odd man telling of the way to real freedom, to truth, and the only way to eternal life. But when a riot breaks out, Onesimus seizes his opportunity to make his own way to freedom.

His journey will take him all cross the Anatolia, Greece, and finally to Rome, and along the way realize what his dreams of adventure and love really look like. He will come across many familiar historical figures, like Epaphras, Demetrius, Appia, Priscilla, Mark, and so many more, some who bring him further from the truth and others closer to it. Along the way, Onesimus will get his adventure and – much as he will grow to despise it – will also learn what true love means and what real freedom is. Before his journey is over, he will be confronted with a truth that will change this slave boy into a man worthy to serve his Master.

Twice Freed by Patricia St. John retells the story of Onesimus in an exciting and fascinating way. The reader not only gets to learn about who he was but also what it might have been like to be a Gentile or a Christian during this time. This short piece of historical fiction takes the reader on a journey with one of the most intriguing characters of the New Testament but is seldom discussed. This well-researched book will travel though the Roman World and show what it was like for those who lived in it from all walks of life. Most of all, it teaches the reader, as the journey did Onesimus, what true freedom really means, and the importance of repentance and forgiveness. This story is a great read for anyone, young and old, who loves historical fiction, adventure, and tales that teach while they entertain – which this novel certainly does!

Blessings to you and yours,

~Rose