Tomorrow is the Fourth of July!!!
On the podcast Ron and I have been talking a lot about issues that have divided this great country of ours. And in spite of those issues and problems I have with our political system, the United States still is a great country.
I am so grateful for the freedoms I experience every day because I live in the United States.
I’m thankful for freedom of worship and not just because I work at a church.
I’m thankful for an independent press, which, in spite of Fox News and MSNBC, still manages to provide transparency into our government.
I’m thankful for the opportunities I have, to work hard and create a better life for my family.
Obviously the United States isn’t perfect and there is plenty of room for change and improvement. For all of those issues, though, I am still proud to be an American, where I’m free to love Jesus and be the biggest nerd I can be.
In honor of America’s birthday, here are some nerdy examples of independence.
The Rebellion
Darth Vader and the Empire are so cool that it’s easy to forget how terrible they are. Vader killed a bunch of kids and hunted down most of the Jedi. The Empire is a totalitarian, fascist regime with a maniacal dictator at its head. Most of us think, “Sure the Empire destroyed an entire planet, but they have some really awesome uniforms and technology.” Even though the Empire is cooler than the Rebellion, the Rebellion was a good thing. It sought an end to the tyrannical rule of the Empire, which imposed its will on even the lowliest of its citizens. The Empire was bad and its defeat should make us shout “Yub nub!!!”
Labyrinth
I both loved and hated the movie Labyrinth when I was younger. I loved it because I enjoyed the music and some of the creatures. I hated it because some of the other creatures scared me and I wasn’t entirely sure what to do with David Bowie. I liked his music and his hair, but I was flummoxed by his eyeliner and codpiece. In the end I had to tell Bowie the same thing Sarah told the Goblin King: you have no power over me. All Sarah had to do to rescue her brother and end her ordeal was to claim her independence. Those six words turned her into Thomas Jefferson and she threw off the shackles of David Bowie’s oppression and pants.
Independence Day
How could a list about nerdy independence be complete without THE movie about nerdy independence? Independence Day is not a great movie. I love it, I am entertained by it and I still get goose bumps at Bill Pullman’s speech at the end. If I had cable and it was on, I would probably watch a good portion of it. In spite of my affection for the movie, though, I wouldn’t say that it’s very good. It hits all of the right notes, especially the patriotic ones, but it does so with glaring plot holes and ridiculous performances. Still, as pure entertainment for the Fourth of July, it doesn’t get much better than Independence Day.
On the Fourth of July we celebrate America’s independence from Great Britain. In the end, though, true freedom and independence only come through Christ. It was true in 1776 and it is true 239 years later. Celebrate America’s birthday this weekend by eating a hot dog and lighting off a firework. But remember to also celebrate the freedom we have in Christ and give God all the glory that is due his name.
What are some other nerdy examples of independence?
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