What is freedom and independence?

July 4, 2010 - PRLog -- I love the United States of America.

Growing up in America has been an awesome experience though my life has been filled with lots of ups and downs.  Though the downs have been difficult I can honestly say that I was the only one responsible for the pains that I suffered.  

The great thing about America is being in control of your own destiny, as the true meaning of will free is something I know I have not fully appreciated.  The ability to worship God without anyone telling me what I need to think or how I should pray is truly liberating yet is difficult at the same time especially when I have never felt the pain and suffering of living in a country outside of America where one's life could be lost because of faith.  

Living in America I have been granted every privilege considering I grew up in a family, like a majority of American’s that was not wealthy.   From my earliest memories I can remember YMCA Indian Guides with my Dad, a limited time with the Boy Scouts, being an altar boy, soccer, t-ball, ROTC, attending private school, family vacations across the country and world as I was truly blessed to have a father who worked for a major airline so I could see the world.  

I can remember traveling the world and realizing how fortunate I was to live in America.  As strange as this might sound, I wasn’t appreciative of my status as an American citizen as well as feeling content with the things I had and the how great it was to live in United States.  Instead I did the opposite.  I felt entitled and wanted more and more regardless of how I had to get it.  

My younger years were difficult as nothing was ever good enough.  No matter what I did there didn't seem to be consequences and when there were consequences it was hardly punishment.  Looking back I often asked myself what went wrong.

To be honest, I fell into the trap of entitlement.  I felt I deserved whatever it is I wanted because of a lack of appreciation for what I had or any consideration as to the hard work others had to make in order for me to live the way I do.

I didn't have to fight an American revolution or put my life on the line for any world war.  In fact, I didn't have to do anything at all except enjoy freedom.  Yet, freedom isn't free and how could I appreciate freedom when I was able to get whatever it is I wanted?  

The American foundation has been built upon the pains of those who have lived and died in the name of freedom since the beginning of the United States.  Blood, sweat, and tears is what makes America strong versus the years where American's like me haven't had to do anything to enjoy the freedom associated with citizenship.  

I am one of the entitled ones I often write about in disgust.  Being 39 years old I am part of a generation who feels entitled who in turn have created children who feel even a greater sense of entitlement.

My parents had it rough growing up and wanted a better life for me.  As a result they were not tough on us when it was time to be punished.  This made me soft, though I appreciate what my parents did because they didn't want me to have the same life they had.   The result has been that many of us in my generation have had difficult lives because lack of moral values.  Don’t get me wrong; I grew up in a great Christian family with amazing parents with strong moral values, yet I didn’t really care about my faith or others until way later in my life.   Who cared if I hurt someone in the process of getting what I want.  This attitude of entitlement has created even more socially irresponsible entitled children who don't even remember or care about the history of the United States.  This attitude is being amplified because of the lack of discipline in the home and the nightmare our schools have become due the lack of God and any moral values in the classroom.

Yet, repentance is what makes America great.  We are One Nation Under God.  Though it happened later in my life God was there waiting for me to wake up to one day and let me go back into his arms.  He never gave up on me nor has he ever given up on anyone while they still have any breath of life in their lungs.  

Being a believer in God has been liberating especially living in a society with complete freedom.  Sure, we complain about our freedom and liberties being taken away, but seriously we still have a few good years to fight the good fight.  Early American's had it far tougher prior to the American Revolution.  How much easier do we have it especially when we realize God is in control?  

I love America as I apologize this 4th of July to every American I may have ever hurt as I send out a big thank you to those who have fought the good fight and sweated the blood and tears that have established what we know as the United States of America.  

The hard times we are facing as a nation will only wake more people up like me and ensure the future of the United States is based on strong moral values.  I have hope for America and look to the great achievement of our potential future.  

Times of uncertainty are good for the United States as the last thing we want are years like I lived where there wasn't a good fight to fight and freedom was taken for granted.  Rather, the time is now to truly give thanks for living in the greatest country to ever exist, yet at the same time we much truly start praying for others to awaken to the knowledge of God because the march of all marches is about to take place.  

The lines are being drawn in the sand and the lines aren't being either blue or red, or republican, democrat or tea party.  The line is either you are with God or you are against God.  Being a strong Christian man, though I still have a lot to do in order to turn my life around, I will do everything I can until my last breath to help bring the people of the United States back to the reality that we are One Nation Under God.  

If not now, then when will we all awaken to this reality?  We must put the mistakes of our past behind us and put God back on the throne as you thoughts, comments and responses are welcomed at DemocracyMarch.org.  

Happy 4th of July and God Bless America!

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