Hi, friends. I enjoyed our How to Read the Bible, and How to Pray series. I hope it meant something to you.
In thinking on what to do next, I keep pondering a pivotal date we’ll come upon this summer: July 4, 2026: the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We’ll hear lots of wise commentary but also silly and sometimes mean-spirited chatter about America, who we are and what we’re about.
As a lover of history, and theology, I decided to choose various episodes, characters, and ideas in early American history and to reflect on why they were important, and what we might learn from them today. The “order” will feel a bit random, as I’ll fixate on whatever I’ve been reading or praying over during this season.
Right now, I’d love it so much if you’d click “reply” and share with me any questions you hope I might address, or thoughts you have about God and country, and what July 4’s 250th birthday might mean for you and for all of us. Do you have a favorite moment, character, or idea in early America? How did we arrive at the first July 4? And where was God in all of that? What’s been lost (or gained) since then – and where is God through it all, and now?
You can invite friends or family to sign on to receive these here – or if someone simply emails me at james@mpumc.org, I’ll get them on our distribution. What a privilege it is for me to share with you in this way!