Magnifying Freedom

I'm convinced the only way to maintain, and maybe even reclaim, true freedom is for each of us, as individuals, to be the best, unselfish, forgiving, caring, loving, [insert admirable quality here] people we can be.


As individuals and society, we often look to other people or organizations (especially government) to solve our problems, give us our 'fair share' of what 'we deserve', or take away the consequences of our own actions. In the end we slowly entrap ourselves into costly (financial or otherwise) commitments and rules from which we can't or won't escape.

On the other hand, the most powerful person in the world is the one who uses their freedom to bless other people. In the first place they control their own actions to not cause problems for others, then they choose to help others with their challenges by willingly sharing their talents and resources with them. After all we are family.


Regardless of how idealistic or impossible it sounds, if every one personally strives to be the best person they can and develop the desire to sincerely want the best for other people, then we will continually make choices that will magnify freedom and help solve social problems far more effectively than social programs or making rules that attempt to force a solution.


It all starts with us exercising the freedom for which our founding father's established protections and the freedom for which many great women and men committed their lives (in life and death) to preserve....choosing to act for ourselves. No sense striving for less than our full potential and seeing the full potential in others.


Start with gratitude for the blessings we have living in this country. Some of the fruits of gratitude are respect and frugality and selflessness...and continues to grow into the desire to help others have the same or better blessings. I'm sure you can think of other fruits of gratitude.


Make your personal commitments now to magnify freedom by being the best person you can be and to bless others. We can start small and continue to improve day to day.

Our Dependence on Independence Day

A divinely organized miracle took place 231 years ago which has made one of the most extensive and enduring impacts on the world in its whole history of existence. On July 4th 1776, the Congress of the United States of America declared its independence from Britain and a new country was born--founded with the philosophy that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (Declaration of Independence)

Through the last 231 years our freedoms have been gratefully treasured, painfully challenged and, especially at times of greatest prosperity, taken for granted. Our ability to do what we choose in this country is dependent on upholding the principles established on that first Independence Day.

At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the unified goal was set and the commitment was made to establish a land of freedom: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." (Declaration of Independence) At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, these hopeful leaders suddenly became enemies to the most powerful nation in the world. They gave their all, figuratively and literally to stand firm in their commitment to the success of this new country. God helped them prevail. Through costly growing pains, threats on its existence, and even dents by its own people over the last 231 years, this nation presses forward under the same principles on which it was founded.

As a result we are free! The government was established--the checks, balances, and protections were set in place to allow us the freedom and accountability to choose for ourselves. We may choose to live free or we may choose to live in self-inflicted bondage. The only thing we don't choose is the consequence of our actions. Freedom is so risky for the individual--to have no scape goat for our actions. However, freedom to choose for ourselves is so valuable its benefits out-weigh any risk.

With respect for God and these men who sacrificed everything to give freedom to those who live in this great nation 231 years later, I hope I will never take for granted the freedom I have. I pray that I will make personal decisions that will keep me free on the everyday battle field of choices.