It's our birthday...

Photo made possible by America

Well it's that time again where this awesome country that I live in celebrates another birthday. It's hard for me to believe how far we have come in America. And that statement isn't we have come far in a good way. We as a nation that was founded under God has taken many steps back. I can remember growing up where waving an American Flag meant you are a proud American. But nowadays, it strikes up controversy. I remember the times when the words "One Country Under God" meant, oh, you must live in America, that's a great country. Nowadays, people want to take God out of everything.

I recall every year about this time how proud I am when I hear Lee Greenwood's song "Proud to Be an American." We just sang that song this past Sunday in church, and what an awesome feeling it was to sing those words. Just remembering the Casting Crowns song "Courageous" sends chills up my spine. It's time that we as Americans stand up for what's right. And what's right is God, Family, and Country. My wife and I just had a baby girl a little over five months ago, and I can't help but look into her eyes and see the joy that she brings to me, and the comfort and peace of knowing that my wife and I are raising her in America. I as her father will remind her often the three F's that she needs to remember throughout life. FAITH, FAMILY, and FREEDOM. And if she remembers that throughout her lifetime, she will be just okay. And it's time that father's of this country take their families back, and stand up for what's right, and be the leaders of their households. And that ultimately will make this country so much better overall.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley
I am a loving husband, father.  God and family are #1 in my life.
Kennesaw State Univ alum in Journalism. 
Academic librarian/writer/blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized 
when they are written."

So as we celebrate our freedom this week, lets just take a moment and reflect on how thankful we are that we can awake every morning knowing that we live in the greatest country in the world. And that many men and women sacrifice their lives so we have that opportunity. We are AMERICA, and we are AMERICANS. Happy 236 AMERICA!!!

Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.