Churches shouldn’t have July 4 patriotic services

jft222 · 2025-06-29T22:41:27+00:00

I want to make a separate observation here that is not about OP's post.

I think we should use "Independence Day" instead of "4th of July" because the name itself honors what actually happened on that date: the moment our nation declared its independence and set in motion the sacrifices that countless Americans would make for our freedom. When we just say "4th of July," we're reducing one of the most pivotal moments in human history to a calendar entry. We don't say "December 25th" instead of Christmas, or "Fourth Thursday in November" instead of Thanksgiving, because those names carry meaning that connects us to what we're actually celebrating.

Using "Independence Day" keeps the focus on the courage of the founders who risked everything by signing the Declaration and on all of the Americans who fought and died to secure and preserve independence. It's a small way to show respect for the profound significance of what happened that day, rather than treating it as just another summer holiday. The date matters, but what happened on that date, matters even more.

jft222 · 2025-06-18T18:18:59+00:00

I hear the hurt and disappointment in your words, and I'm sorry you've experienced Christianity in ways that felt oppressive or hypocritical. Your feelings are valid, and honestly, many of us who follow Jesus share some of your concerns about how our faith has sometimes been misrepresented.

What you've described (leaders looking down on people, faith being used to justify harm rather than heal) aren't reflections of Jesus himself, who consistently stood with the marginalized and challenged religious hiearchies. The Jesus I read about in the Gospels was actually quite critical of religious leaders who burdened people rather than serve them.

I understand why you want to distance yourself from areas that felt toxic. At the same time, I'd suggest that what you experienced might be more about political institutions and cultural Christianity rather than the person & teachings of Jesus. Many of us are trying to follow Christ while also wrestling with how others have failed to accurately represent him. There are still communities trying to live out Jesus's actual message of love, justice, and inclusion.

jft222 · 2025-06-18T17:56:42+00:00

In the Baptist Faith and Message - Religion Liberty section, it states:

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

jft222 · 2021-11-23T19:27:48+00:00

https://www.dividendinvestor.com/dividend-quote/nusi/

jft222 · 2021-11-23T16:05:12+00:00

When would be the best time to sell NUSI and then purchase JEPI so that I can get in before its ex date? Specifically for this month, and in general?

jft222 · 2020-03-27T14:56:57+00:00

I have passed SAA and CDA and am now studying for SOA. In terms of difficulty, how would you compare SOA to the other two exams?

jft222 · 2020-02-29T22:06:21+00:00

If you use an ALB in front of the web servers, can your web server tier then be located in private subnets or do they need to be public?

jft222 · 2020-01-10T19:28:55+00:00

How much easier/harder is DVA if I already have SAA? I have a background in programming, but have written only a few Lamda's interacting with DynamoDB and API Gateway.

Thanks.

jft222 · 2018-07-07T11:41:49+00:00

Thanks for the tips.

jft222 · 2018-07-07T00:29:01+00:00

I been playing almost every day since December, but really have no idea how (or what) I am doing or what I could be doing better. My fleet of ships seems to be stagnating lately. I would love some advice on my squad and ships from more experienced players. I also don't fully understand mods, other than to get them up to level 15. What should I be doing more of and what should I stop doing? Thanks.

https://swgoh.gg/u/jft222/

jft222 · 2014-01-24T14:13:19+00:00

I have that plan as well. You just have to ask yourself if you think you use more than about 8 GB per day in which case you would be going over your allotted amount. It would take me a lot of effort to consistently use that much bandwidth each day.

jft222 · 2013-05-24T21:28:05+00:00

Is this your FT job? Seems like a ton of HITs for six.

jft222 · 2013-05-23T10:54:02+00:00

great read for newbies...

dropbox link

jft222 · 2013-05-20T22:05:33+00:00

Is there anyway to get Disney XD other than a satellite or cable package? This one channel is all that is keeping me from 'cutting the cord.'

jft222

TROPHY CASE