GOOD MORNING WEST OAKS FAMILY

What role did Christianity play in the American Revolution? The American colonies were settled by people of deep religious convictions who crossed the Atlantic to escape religious persecution and practice their faith freely.

In the 1730s and '40s, 30 years before the War for Independence, the Great Awakening religious revival promoted the growth of many Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist churches and convinced many Americans that the Church of England was an enemy of American freedom and argued that resistance to tyranny was a Christian duty. The Awakening came at a time when religion had grown stale. During this time, Christian leaders traveled from town to town, preaching the Bible, emphasizing salvation from sins and promoting enthusiasm for Christianity. Through camp meetings, religious revivals, and moral reform, revivalists and reformers sought to save souls and save the republic. The result was a renewed dedication toward religion. Many historians believe the Great Awakening had a lasting impact on various Christian denominations and American culture at large by promoting separation from England.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Priscilla Laughlin, Donna Scott, Duane & Sheralyn Boynton, Cephas & Billie Ann Goodman, Jessica, Jackie Freeman, Grayson, Gale Guthrie, Stacey Bobbitt, Henry Messer, Junie Wilson, Ruby Messer. Pray for our Pastor Tommy, our pastor's wife Teresa, and our school West Oaks Academy.

DID YOU KNOW?

• -- July 4th was officially made a federal holiday in 1941.
• --July 4th is celebrated to honor our country's decision to separate its political ties with Great Britain.
• --On July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was officially signed to declare the colonies a separate government.
• --While the U.S. Constitution does not mention God, nearly all state constitutions reference either God or the divine, according to a 2017 analysis. God also appears in the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance and on U.S. currency.
• --Judy & Grayson, 2 of our missed snowbirds, are living in Minnesota for the summer. Last week Grayson had a mild heart attack but is recovering. Keep praying.
• 
• --Debbie and Dan Whittens daughter Jessica will undergo surgery soon so keep her in your prayers.
• --Email Joyce Boatwright at gdaleboat@yahoo.com if you have a prayer request for us to remember in our daily prayers throughout the week.
• --Shirley & Melba left this past week for Tennessee: Shirley will be going to the Church of God General Assembly in Indianapolis. Prayer for them while they are gone for the month of July.

BITS AND PIECES

• *Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity
• *Not needed in Heaven: your Glock, clock, lock, or H&R Block
• *Sinburn is prevented by Sonscreen
• *Pray only on days that end in "Y"
• *The best antidote for despair is to do something for someone
• *Suffering from "truth decay?" Brush up on your Bible