To all my friends and family here in the United States, Happy Independence Day! I am publishing this late because we just got back from enjoying the best fireworks show I’ve ever seen. I waited to write a post, so I could add pictures and video from the show. They launched the fireworks from the jetty near Venice Beach, and we were standing right next to the launch site. We had a front row view, and we could feel the explosions in our chests. It was a beautiful and powerful display of Patriotic love for our country and we had a great time.
Our country is 245 years old today, and Americans all across America are celebrating freedom with joy in our hearts. As a nation, we are not perfect and we have many sins we need to repent from. We are also divided on many issues, and we desperately need God’s love and healing to flow through us all. Despite our problems, we as believers are called to love our neighbor. This whole country is our neighbor, and I love this country with all my heart.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:37-40
May we never give up on loving each other and praying for our country. You cannot love your neighbor if you hate your country. We can hate the sinful direction many in our country are pushing for, but that is not the direction everyone wants. Always love our country and never give up praying that the Lord will lead many more to repentance. Never give up praying for righteousness and healing to spread through our land.
This is still a country full of God’s mercy and blessings, and He still loves us. We are still a free people, and we must fight the good fight to remain free and honor all those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Never give up standing up for righteousness, truth, and holiness. Never give up standing strong in God’s Holy Word. Nothing is impossible for God, and He can and will unleash great blessings on our nation as we seek Him and turn from sin.
As I watched the awesome fireworks show tonight, my heart swelled with love for my country, and I was reminded that we still have plenty of fight left in us to make things right. Keep preaching the Gospel, keep loving your neighbor, and keep standing strong in God’s truth. May His love never grow cold in our hearts. May it always burn brightly for His glory!
Check out this video from the finale of the show. I pray it encourages you to love our country and be thankful for the great freedom we enjoy every day.
God bless America, and may America bless God!
Grace and peace to you all!
Ryan Callahan's Blog 
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