Dear Friends,

Live as free people, yet without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but live at all times as servants of God. Show respect for all men, treat them honorably. Love the brotherhood the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head. Reverence God. Honor the emperor. 

                                                                                                        {1 Peter 2:16-17 (Amplified Bible)}

On a small island just off the coast of New Jersey, but in New York waters near Ellis Island, stands the most recognized monument in the world - "Liberty Enlightening the World". The majestic, beautiful - Statue of Liberty.  What a glorious sight. Breathtaking and awe inspiring.  This monument embodies the core values of our Country. Over the years countless millions of people, citizens, refugees, immigrants coming into the harbors of New York and New Jersey have thrilled to the sight of Lady Liberty.

As a young girl, sailing into the harbor with her parents in the early decades of the last century, my mother, an immigrant from Scotland, could still recall the thrill of seeing the Statue of Liberty. Yet, how many of us living in her backyard have yet to visit her?

Designed by Frederick Auguste Bartholdi, with framework built by Gustave Eiffel, it was gifted to the USA by the French government and people, it was dedicated on July 28, 1886 by President Grover Cleveland ( Born in Caldwell, NJ. His Father was a Presbyterian Minister).

Everything about the Statue symbolizes the sacred beliefs of our nation; The United States of America. She resembles "Libertas" an ancient Roman Goddess of liberty and of freedom from slavery and tyranny. The seven points of the crown represent the seven continents and the seven seas. Her free flowing robe, a stola, represented freedom to former slaves. Her foot is raised, as if striding forward, toward freedom, liberty and the new future. Her other foot (the left) tramples underfoot the chains of slavery. In her right hand a torch, a beacon, the  "Lamp beside the Golden Door" of freedom is lifted high above the harbor as a guide and a flame for all to see. Her left hand and arm cradles a keystone shaped tablet. As a possible symbol of the tablets of law received by Moses, the shape indicates how the rule of law holds all possessors of freedom together.  Inscribed on the tablet is JULY IV MDCCLXXVI.  Representing Independence Day, July 4, 1776, the day the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. On a plaque attached to the base of the Statue is a poem by Emma Lazarus, entitled "The New Colossus", ringing with the powerful hopes and sentiments of all freedom seeking, peace loving people who know her.

"A mighty women with torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome;"

To this day "Lady Liberty" is an inspiration and guide to all of us as we chart a course through this century. The principles of welcome and inclusion Liberty embodies are reinforced by our Biblical guidance, found in the ancient words of Peter. Respect and treat all people honorably. Love the brotherhood of Christians, have reverence for God and honor the Government under which we live.

In these chaotic times of social and political distress how important it is to set our spiritual and moral compass by the enduring words of Holy Scripture and frame our political agenda by the patriotic ideals of our nation’s history.

I do hope your holiday and summer celebrations renew and restore you.

God bless America,

In Peace and Love;