9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty - Jeanne Takenaka

    What are your thoughts about independence and liberty?

    July Fourth . . . the day United States citizens celebrate our independence from England. Years of taxation without representation. Oppression. And a yearning to live for God and to find new life.

    And eventually, a battle for control. Who would control the thirteen colonies comprised of people who sailed across an ocean for independence, a new start, or adventure?

    This post isn’t a deep dive into United States history. Rather, let’s ponder nine quotes by thinkers and statesmen throughout our (relatively speaking) short history as a nation. I’d love to hear your thoughts about independence and liberty, nationally and personally.

    Image of Washington Monument at night with a quote from Ronald Reagan about how freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 19

    “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” ~Ronald Reagan (1911-2001) American President, Actor

    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty—Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. #tellhisstorylinkup #independence #quoted Click To Tweet

    Image of a row of flags near the USS Missouri in Hawaii sharing thoughts about independence and liberty from Doc Hastings
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 20

    “In the summer of 1776, our Founding Fathers sought to secure our independence and the liberties that remain the foundation of our nation today.” ~Doc Hastings

    Image of part of the Declaration of Indpendence and a quote from Marian Wright Edelman about how the Declaration of Independence was always ouf vision of who we as a nation wanted to be
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 21

    “The Declaration of Independence was always our vision of who we wanted to be, our ideal of freedom and justice, how we were going to be different, and what the American experiment was going to be about.” ~Marian Wright Edelman

    Image of a United States flag and a quote by Harry Moyle Tippett about the pilgrims' real reason for coming to America
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 22

    “The Pilgrims came to America not to accumulate riches but to worship God, and the greatest wealth they left unborn generations was their heroic example of sacrifice that their souls might be free.” ~Harry Moyle Tippett

    Image of a walkway bordered by flags and people walking on it. A quote by Louis Brandeis that talks about those who won our independence valuing liberty as an end and as a means.
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 23

    “Those who won our independence . . . valued liberty as an end and as a means. They believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.” ~Louis D. Brandeis

    Image of a flag hanging on a building's face with a quote that talks about the symbolism of the United States flag for liberty and freedom.
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 24

    “I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.” ~John Thune (Senator, 1961- )

    Image of the Liberty Bell with a quote by David Ben Gurion about national independence being dependence on moral and intellectual independence.
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 25

    “Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.” ~David Ben-Gurion

    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty—Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence. #tellhisstorylinkup #independence #quoted Click To Tweet

    Image of a flag on a wooden post with a quote by Henry Cabot Lodge about how precious the United States independence is.
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 26

    “The independence of the United States is not only more precious to ourselves but to the world than any single possession.” ~Henry Cabot Lodge

    Image of a young boy running and draping out the United States flag behind him with a quote by Paul Ryan about the intent of the founders writing the Declaration of Independence, claiming that our rights come from nature and nature's God, not from government.
    9 Thoughts About Independence and Liberty 27

    “Our founders got it right when they wrote in the Declaration of Independence that our rights come from nature and nature’s God, not from government.” ~Paul Ryan

    That’s it for this week.

    What about you? Share your thoughts about independence and liberty and what it means to you. What quote about liberty and independence stands out to you and why?

    Next week, we’ll link up at Donna’s at Serenity and Suffering. Be sure to bookmark this so you can find it easily. 😊

    Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To Tweet

    Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.

    Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.

      Give

      Subscribe to the Daybreak Devotions for Women

      Be inspired by God's Word every day! Delivered to your inbox.


      More from Jeanne Takenaka

      • featureImage

        1 Essential Truth to Hold Onto When God Changes Our Plans - Jeanne Takenaka

        How many times have you entered into a Christmas season with a plan in mind, and by the time Christmas morning arrived, that plan had been thrown to the wind? Whether because of life circumstances—something you’re grieving, a job loss, broken relationships, heartbreak, weariness—or something else, there is a purpose when plans get changed. When God changes our plans, we always get to choose how we respond. On the blog this week, I share some thoughts on Joseph, of Mary and Joseph fame. His life plans were absolutely rocked when God showed up in his and Mary’s life. And his response is beautiful and hope-filled. Click to read one essential truth to help you when God changes your plans. I’d love to know, friend, how do you respond when God changes your plans?

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        11 Great Ways to Care for Yourself During the Holidays - Jeanne Takenaka

        Should you take time to care for yourself during the holidays? I know, seems like a rather ridiculous question. Of course, you should. But how many of us push ourselves so hard during the Christmas season to do all the things, buy all the gifts, keep all the traditions, that we land on Christmas morning exhausted? Yes, you may see me raising my hand here. Click to read 11 ways you can care for yourself during this potentially stressful season.

        5 min read
      • featureImage

        7 Helpful Ways to Reflect on Our Present Blessings - Jeanne Takenaka

        What is the best time of year to reflect on our present blessings? Sound like a trick question? Maybe it is. This is what I know. When we choose to thank God for our present blessings, especially when we’re walking through a hard season in life, we can know His nearness. Have you, in the middle of a hard time, stopped and looked for the ways God’s showing up in the midst of the pain, the struggle? What’s happened? For me, I find getting my eyes off of the circumstance and onto my Father changes my outlook. In this week’s blog post, I share seven helpful ways to help you reflect on present blessings. I’d love to know, friend, What helps you reflect on present blessings, especially in the midst of hard seasons?

        4 min read

      Editor's Picks

      More from Jeanne Takenaka

      • featureImage

        1 Essential Truth to Hold Onto When God Changes Our Plans - Jeanne Takenaka

        How many times have you entered into a Christmas season with a plan in mind, and by the time Christmas morning arrived, that plan had been thrown to the wind? Whether because of life circumstances—something you’re grieving, a job loss, broken relationships, heartbreak, weariness—or something else, there is a purpose when plans get changed. When God changes our plans, we always get to choose how we respond. On the blog this week, I share some thoughts on Joseph, of Mary and Joseph fame. His life plans were absolutely rocked when God showed up in his and Mary’s life. And his response is beautiful and hope-filled. Click to read one essential truth to help you when God changes your plans. I’d love to know, friend, how do you respond when God changes your plans?

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        11 Great Ways to Care for Yourself During the Holidays - Jeanne Takenaka

        Should you take time to care for yourself during the holidays? I know, seems like a rather ridiculous question. Of course, you should. But how many of us push ourselves so hard during the Christmas season to do all the things, buy all the gifts, keep all the traditions, that we land on Christmas morning exhausted? Yes, you may see me raising my hand here. Click to read 11 ways you can care for yourself during this potentially stressful season.

        5 min read
      • featureImage

        7 Helpful Ways to Reflect on Our Present Blessings - Jeanne Takenaka

        What is the best time of year to reflect on our present blessings? Sound like a trick question? Maybe it is. This is what I know. When we choose to thank God for our present blessings, especially when we’re walking through a hard season in life, we can know His nearness. Have you, in the middle of a hard time, stopped and looked for the ways God’s showing up in the midst of the pain, the struggle? What’s happened? For me, I find getting my eyes off of the circumstance and onto my Father changes my outlook. In this week’s blog post, I share seven helpful ways to help you reflect on present blessings. I’d love to know, friend, What helps you reflect on present blessings, especially in the midst of hard seasons?

        4 min read