July 4'th

Today in the US is the day we celebrate our independence from British rule. This year we took a family field trip to Philadelphia. While there you can't help but feel the enormity of what the founding fathers of this country did by signing the Declaration of Independence. I believe many felt that it would be the death of them to be associated with a movement that would attempt to separate from the King of England.
Recently I have been listening to a audio lecture series about Martin Luther by The Teaching Company. As an aside you might want to check them out at www.teach12.com and see some of the great courses that they offer. In a similar way to the founding fathers Luther also put his neck on the line by producing a document questioning the authority of his day, the Roman Catholic Church. The spiritual independence that came because of Luther has similarities with what we celebrate on the Fourth of July. Luther also took a bold step by questioning the Church's practice of selling indulgences and had no idea the fight he was about to start by his actions. He faced many troubles and even attempts on his life because of it. But by his bold step Christians have what Americans have and celebrate today, independence from tyrants. Thanks be to God that on this July 4'th I'm celebrating both political and religious independence because of those who fought and died to attain it for me.