From the Pastor's Desk for July 2026

Dear Lighthouse:

We should read the entire thought as expressed in the Declaration of

Independence to understand the context. Thomas Jefferson was a Deist; he believed in God the Creator but not the Trinity. Nonetheless, he wrote:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly, all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."

As Christians we are subject of God no matter what form of secular government prevails. We celebrate the 250^th anniversary of our Independence this month. We have been blessed to be Americans where we are free to worship our God as we see fit.

            How then should we exercise this right?  Joshua 24:15  declares: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This is the first commitment we must make. Ancillary to that we must put God’s rule above that of man. Acts 5:29 says: “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” In Acts 4:18-20: Highlights Peter and John defending their right to speak about their faith despite being forbidden by the authorities.”

            What does God offer us? In 2 Corinthians 3:17 Paul wrote: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." There is a caution found in Galatians 5:13 which warns: “ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” As we celebrate our freedom let us continue to serve and worship God.

God Bless,

Pastor Eric