DAY 17:  This is a day full of history.  The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776--an historic event!

Our families in America have been blessed because of the brave men who risked everything to see the United States come into being as a free nation.  The sacrifices since that day--to keep us free to worship and pursue happiness--has been great.  Wars have been fought and thousands of lives have been given for that cause.  We should be thankful and recognize the cost of our freedom.

This nation was founded on Judeo/Christian ideas and principles.  In the name of freedom, we have veered far from those.  America has "come a long way baby".  Yet, in our journey we have lost a great deal.  Rather than revering God, He is mocked.  Rather than embracing life and the pursuit of happiness, it is devalued.  Rather than honoring the sanctity of marriage, it is shrugged off as unimportant.  Rather than being thankful, we are greedy.

We are free to spit at, curse at, and degrade the cross of Christ; but are not free to have an outcry against immorality and ungodliness.  We have turned a corner that would alarm our founding fathers--even those who did not profess a belief in our creator.

But, there is hope for America!  It is a nation ordained by God to spread the Gospel around the world.  It has sent missionaries to the far reaching corners of the globe.  We serve a merciful God who longs to embrace this nation and cause it to prosper.  There is a remedy:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways:  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  II Chronicles 7:14

GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE, STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE.  FROM THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE PRAIRIES, TO THE OCEAN, WHITE WITH FOAM; GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME, SWEET HOME!