On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.

Interesting Nuggets about Independence Day

Although Thomas Jefferson is often called the “author” of the Declaration of Independence, he wasn’t the only person who contributed important ideas. Jefferson was a member of a five-person committee appointed by the Continental Congress to write the Declaration. The committee included Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

After Jefferson wrote his first draft of the Declaration, the other members of the Declaration committee and the Continental Congress made 86 changes to Jefferson’s draft, including shortening the overall length by more than a fourth.

Philosopher John Locke’s ideas were an important influence on the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson restated Locke’s contract theory of government when he wrote in the Declaration that governments derived “their just Powers from the consent of the people.”

Some of the most famous lines in the Declaration of Independence were inspired by Virginia’s Declaration of Rights by George Mason. Mason said: “all men are born equally free and independent.” Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence said: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Mason listed man’s “natural Rights” as “Enjoyment of Life and Liberty, with the Means of acquiring and possessing Property, and pursuing and obtaining Happiness and Safety.” Jefferson listed man’s “inalienable rights” as “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Greetings Lighthouse Inc., Church Family,

I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very a Happy Independence Day. It’s amazing to know that God has given America 246 years to be in existence. This is a miracle because many countries do not last this long. God has blessed America over and over again.

On this 4th of July, let’s celebrate the truth that God placed us here in the United States by His divine Grace & Mercy. I appreciate America and I love that God allowed me to be born in this great land.

There are a lot of sacrifices that have been made by many people to bring us into 2022. The original founding fathers were daring men who lived out their dream of being free. Independence from an oppressive government structure and religious persecution was the focus of the founding fathers. It took courage to stand against Great Britain. It took courage to lead the colonists into a position where we could gain our independence and freedom.

With so many people today spewing hatred against America it can be hard to see the good that we do. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from appreciating what God has given us. Don’t let the naysayers keep you from being grateful for all the freedoms that we have in this country. These freedoms are only given by God and if it were not for Him we would not be as blessed as we are.

As we celebrate today let’s remember that America was founded on Godly principles. Those principles are found in the Bible. Let’s pray that God will continue to bless us and give us another 246 years.

In Christ,

Pastor/Evangelist Barbara Lynch