Articles for tag: Fourth of July

July 4, 2019

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

A July 4th Message from 1960

Here is an Independence Day editorial by Edwin Hayden from 1960 . . . 94 years after the founding of our magazine and 184 years after the founding of our nation. _ _ _ Which Kind of Freedom? An EditorialJuly 2, 1960; p. 2 About to talk to a group of school children on the subject of freedom, the preacher asked his young hearers to define the word free. First offered was this: “Like getting into the show without paying.” Free—“without cost”—has been lifted from an obscure and incidental place among the definitions of freedom so that it becomes a

October 6, 2016

Christian Standard

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Can I Be a Christian and a Patriot?

Four biblical principles about our earthly citizenship By Matt Proctor Full confession: I love America. I was born on an overseas U.S. Army base where my father served, and I respect the office of president, sing the national anthem, salute the flag, and own the movie Captain America. But my study of God”s Word has led me to decide how I should view my love of country in terms of my higher calling. Two summers ago, I took my 10- and 12-year-old sons on a weeklong U.S. history tour. We imagined being an immigrant at Ellis Island, marveled at the

July 5, 2016

Mark A. Taylor

Prayer Worship & Prayer

Prayer for America

By Mark A. Taylor Last Sunday, the day before the Fourth of July, I had the chance to lead worship in my home congregation. While I don”t believe Sunday-morning worship is the place for patriotic rallies (I”ve written about this before), I do believe we should be praying for our country as Christians gathered. So I wrote the following prayer as a responsive reading for the service I led. Maybe it will encourage some readers today. And some might even personalize it to use in their own congregations. Leader: Dear God, as we think about the freedoms, privilege, and possibilities

June 28, 2016

Mark A. Taylor

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Where Patriotism Belongs

By Mark A. Taylor The below piece, first posted here five years ago, still resonates with me as we approach the Sunday before the Fourth of July. As one commenter said when it first appeared, “Our patriotism is for our freedom and way of life in a free country; our worship is reserved only for our Creator God.” More than a decade ago, my congregation hosted a patriotic pageant each year called “Sea to Shining Sea.” We had a huge adult choir, a children”s choir, a live orchestra, actors, and dancers. We welcomed color guards from all the armed services.

July 7, 2011

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

Church, City Partner for Fireworks

Central Christian Church of the East Valley partners with the city of Gilbert for its “Fire in the Sky” Fourth of July celebration, with the city providing support while the church retains responsibility for planning.

June 29, 2011

Mark A. Taylor

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Behind Closed Doors

An Arab Christian serving in the Middle East reminds American believers not to take religious freedom for granted—and challenges the church to use that freedom to evangelize, study, and worship with passion.

September 23, 2007

Allan Dunbar

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

NACC: Timely, Memorable, and Helpful

The North American Christian Convention in Kansas City celebrated the timely theme “It’s Time,” with strong participation, record per-capita giving, and stories of renewal from attendees, volunteers, and exhibitors—plus plans already underway for Cincinnati next year.

August 8, 2007

Mark A. Taylor

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

NACC: Blessings and Disappointments

A reflection from the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City—where connection mattered, church planting took center stage, and leaders announced a future schedule change away from the Fourth of July week.

June 27, 2007

Mark A. Taylor

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Our Greatest Hope

Mark A. Taylor urges believers to keep patriotism in perspective—honoring country without worshiping it—and to remember we are citizens of another nation, the kingdom of God.