What Role Does Faith Play in Our Nation?

What role does faith play in our nation? A newspaper ad about this once caught my eye. It reminded me of the importance of telling our children and grandchildren what our founders said about faith and government. ... read more.

What is Independence Day?

Happy Independence Day! It’s called by some the greatest secular holiday in the United States. Why? Because of the countless sacrifices our forefathers made so we could enjoy the freedoms of speech, assembly, religion, and more. Quite frankly ... read more

President Reagan Said

by Mary May Larmoyeux

“America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize ... read more.

Independence Day Is Almost Here

by Mary May Larmoyeux

It’s hard to believe that July 4th is almost here! For many of us in the USA, we think of cookouts, fireworks, and time with family and friends. Of course, it’s much more than that.

... read more.

The responsibility and privilege of freedom

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few years ago I went through Beth's Moore's wonderful Bible study about Esther. Beth reminded us that like Esther, we have been placed in our particular sphere of influence "for such a time as this."

Ecclesiastes 3:2 says there is "a time to be born and a time to die," and Acts 17:26 tells us, "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."

To me, it's a humbling thought that God placed me on purpose in Arkansas. And not only that, but God placed my family in a land of freedom. What an awesome privilege ... and responsibility.

I think that we should carve out time from our Independence Day celebrations to thank God for allowing us to live in a free country. May we remind our children and grandchildren to never take that freedom for granted. "Freedom is first of all a responsibility before the God from whom we come," says Alan Keyes.

"America is great because she is good," says Alexis de Tocqueville, "If American ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."


How do you teach your grandchild about the privilege and responsibility of freedom?

He is able,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com

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© 2009, 2014 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux

Independence Day Memories

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

Hope that you will be able to make some special memories with the grands this Independence Day!

You and I may want to spend a little time talking with our grandkids about the creation of the Declaration of Independence. I confess, I had forgotten that the signing of it was not completed until August 1776. Independence Day actually honors the formal adoption on July 4, 1776, of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress.

I'm planning on checking out the TV schedule to see if the National Independence Day Parade will be aired in our area. I'd like to see some of it this year (It begins at 11:45 a.m. in Washington, D.C.). It would be fun to watch this parade with a grandchild or two.

Are some of your grandchildren coming to your house for a backyard BBQ on the Fourth. If it's not too hot, I think a game of family whifle ball could be fun. And maybe a watermelon-seed spitting contest ... Do you have any special family activities that you do on the Fourth?

It's wonderful to celebrate freedom on Independence Day, but that freedom came with a price. Pastor Charles Stanley said:  "The price of freedom is expensive. The most important freedom—our inner, personal freedom—is the most expensive of all, because it was bought with the blood of Christ." You may want to watch Dr. Stanley's June 30, 2013, message "The Price of Freedom."


Have a great week,
Mary
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.marymaywrites.com
www.grandconnection.org

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© 2013 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo: dreamstime.com

Celebrate July 4th in Style

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Grand Connection Fun

by Mary May Larmoyeux

What comes to your mind when you think of  "July 4th"?
Perhaps a parade ... watermelon ... going on a family picnic?

I found some ideas on the Internet that can help us celebrate Independence Day in style. Enjoy!

The History of Independence Day (July 4th)

National Independence Day Parade: The annual National Independence Day Parade will begin on July 4 at 11:45 a.m. in Washington, D.C. We might want to watch this parade on TV with nearby grandchildren. We could call or e-mail long-distance grands and ask them to tell us about their favorite float or marching band. Of course, if you live in Washington, you and the grands could go to the parade together!

Disney 4th of July Fun

Fourth of July Bike Parade

Thanking God for our freedom,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com
www.grandconnection.org


© by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: © Jim Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Happy Independence Day!

Friday’s Fun

Hope that you and your family enjoy the Fourth of July—the day we remember the approval of the Declaration of Independence (on July 4, 1776) by the Continental Congress.

If you have older grands, it might be fun to see how much they know about this national holiday. Depending on where they live, ask them questions in person, on the phone, or by e-mail.

A quick place to find some Independence Day trivia is the U.S. Census Bureau’s website.

You’ll find facts there such as:

• The current population of our country today (July 4, 2008) is 304 million people.
• The estimated number of people living in our nation on July 4, 1776, was 2.5 million people.

If you have young grandkids, you may want to have a parade on either Independence Day or later in July. Explain to the grands that an important document was signed more than 200 years ago on July 4, and that it declared our country to be a free nation.

Then give each child a small U.S. flag to wave and a “drum” to beat (empty oatmeal container). Join them in walking around or through the house—thanking God for the freedom that we have in our country.

He is able,
Mary

http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/