Volume 13 Issue 4
July/August 2016
Our Independence Day
Parks Crossroads Christian Church
PO Box 1106
2057 Parks Crossroads Ch Rd
Ramseur, NC 27316
Today, we celebrate the Fourth of July with
336-824-6622
www.parkscrossroadschurch.org
Inside this issue:
July/August Birthdays
2
One Short
2
Independence Day Trivia
3
Christian Cartoons
3
A Bouquet of Love
4
10 Inches of Water
4
Church Calendars
5/6
declared American independence. Many strug-
fireworks, parades, and barbeques. A na-
gles had led to the declaration. And many
tional holiday, it marks an important date in
battles lay ahead. Overnight, a printer made
U.S. history: July 4, 1776. On this date, the
many copies and sent them to the 13 states.
Declaration of Independence was adopted.
People of all walks of life gathered to hear
Were there great celebrations on that his-
public readings of the declaration. They heard
toric day? No. No fireworks went off. No
the words that “all men are created equal”
signing ceremony took place. What did hap-
and that everyone has the right to “life, lib-
pen on that historic day? On July 4, 1776,
erty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In New
the Second Continental Congress was meet-
York, some listeners were so inspired, they
ing in Philadelphia. It debated whether to
tore down a statue of King George III. The
adopt the Declaration of Independence. The
revolutionary words were taking effect. Even
delegates came from the 13 states (no longer
so, some Americans opposed independence.
colonies). Thomas Jefferson, the author of
They were called Loyalists or Tories. Benja-
the declaration, was there. Not much else is
min Franklin’s own son, William, was a Loyal-
known. The debate was closed to the public.
ist. He was the governor of New Jersey. He
No one wrote down what was said. Even the
and his father grew apart and never got over
delegates’ letters revealed nothing about it.
it. Tensions between Patriots and Loyalists
The delegates voted to approve the declara-
remained high. In a ceremony on August 2,
tion. Only John Hancock, the president of
delegates signed the declaration. John Han-
Congress, signed it. No one else signed that
cock, still the president of Congress, again
day. Bells rang throughout Philadelphia. No
signed first. His large signature is today a fa-
other celebration took place. Congress had
mous symbol of the American Revolution.
Page 2
At The Crossroads
July/August Birthdays
Samuel Joyce
07/02
Lawson Arrington
07/24
Chris Holmes
08/15
Laura Ashley
07/03
Teagan Smith
07/25
Patricia Jennings
08/15
Sam Brooks
07/04
Bobby Coe
07/29
Ashley Avelino
08/20
Debra Vernon
07/04
Gwen Carmac
07/30
Peggy Huff
08/23
Charles Arrington
07/06
Amanda Varner
07/31
Denzal Patterson
08/24
Bob Stout
07/09
Tracy Stanley
08/07
Dick Miller
08/24
Hannah Love
07/10
Doris Cox
08/10
Lanette Christenbury
08/29
Linda Parks
07/15
Max Cox
08/11
Freida Waisner
07/15
Sadie Cox
08/11
Bonnie Miller
07/17
Lesli Arrington
08/15
One Short
As the storm
captain, I know
raged, the cap- how to pray.”
tain realized his “Good” said the
ship was sinking captain. “You
fast. He called pray while the
out, “anyone
rest of us put on
here know how our life jackets.
to pray?” One We’re one
man stepped
short.”
forward. “Aye
Volume 13 Issue 4
Page 3
Independence Day Trivia
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas
Bald eagles mate for life, but if one dies, the
Jefferson served on the committee that picked
survivor will accept a new mate.
the eagle for the national seal [Franklin wanted
It is a felony to shoot an eagle.
the turkey].
Bald eagles have few natural enemies and live
only in North America.
Bald eagles get their white head and tail feathers about 4/5 years of age.
Bald eagles are not, and never were bald. The
term comes from when "bald" meant "whiteheaded".
The Bald Eagle is no longer considered endangered, and now only threatened.
The only other kind of eagle in North America is
the golden eagle.
Their maximum speed: 40 mph or over 100
mph while in a dive.
They can lift roughly half their body weight.
Christian Cartoons
Page 4
At The Crossroads
A Bouquet of Love
For some time I've had a church member provide me
with a rose boutonniere to pin on the lapel of my
suit every Sunday. Because I always got a flower on
Sunday morning, I really did not think much of it. It
was a nice gesture that became routine.
One Sunday, however, what I considered ordinary
became very special. As I was leaving the Sunday
service a young man approached and said, "Sir, what
are you going to do with your flower?" At first I did
not know what he was talking about, but then I
understood. I said, "Do you mean this?" as I pointed
to the rose pinned to my coat. He said, "Yes sir. I
would like it if you are just going to throw it away."
The little boy said, "Sir, I'm going to give it to my
granny. My mother and father got divorced last year.
I was living with my mother, but I could not stay, so
she sent me to live with my grandmother. She has
been so good to me that I want to give that pretty
flower to her for loving me."
When the little boy finished I could hardly speak.
My eyes filled with tears and I knew I had been
touched in the depths of my soul. I reached up and
unpinned my flower. With the flower in my hand, I
looked at the boy and said, "Son, that is the nicest
thing I have ever heard, but you can't have this
flower because it's not enough. If you'll look in front
of the pulpit, you'll see a big bouquet of flowers.
Different families buy them for the church each
week. Please take those flowers to your granny
because she deserves the very best." If I hadn't been
touched enough already, he made one last statement
and I will always cherish it. He said, "What a wonderful day! I asked for one flower but got a beautiful
bouquet."
10 Inches of Water
A boy was sitting on a park bench
with one hand resting on an open
Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his
praise to God. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!" he yelled without
worrying whether anyone heard him
or not. Shortly after, along came a
man who had recently completed
some studies at a local university.
Feeling himself very enlightened in
the ways of truth and very eager to
show this enlightenment, he asked
the boy about the source of his joy.
"Hey" asked the boy in return with a
bright laugh, "Don't you have any
idea what God is able to do? I just
read that God opened up the waves
of the Red Sea and led the whole
nation of Israel right through the
middle." The enlightened man
laughed lightly, sat down next to the
boy and began to try to open his
eyes to the "realities" of the miracles
of the Bible. "That can all be very
easily explained. Modern scholar-
ship has shown that the Red Sea in
that area was only 10-inches deep
at that time. It was no problem for
the Israelites to wade across." The
boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible laying open in his lap. The man,
content that he had enlightened a
poor, naive young person to the
finer points of scientific insight,
turned to go. Scarcely had he taken
two steps when the boy began to
rejoice and praise louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" exclaimed the boy happily,
"God is greater than I thought! Not
only did He lead the whole nation of
Israel through the Red Sea, He
topped it off by drowning the whole
Egyptian army in 10 inches of water!"