Let’s continue our meditations on the 4th of July theme. After all, a nation’s 250th anniversary doesn’t happen all that often! Yesterday, I shared the view of America from the World Cup visitors. Inspiring, and the fruit of some of our founding principles.

I just read a clever piece by James Whitford, published by World Magazine on July 2. A devious redefining of happiness: What does the devil think of the American Dream at 250? It’s written in the style of Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (strongly recommend!). This essay is written in Satan’s voice (Screwtape Letters are letters from a senior demon to a junior demon.). The Whitford essay isn’t long, and it’s worth the read in its entirety. Here are a few snippets, beginning with the opening:

Author’s Note: Below is a parody in the tradition of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, exploring what the devil might say on America’s 250th birthday.

I hate the American Dream. As the father of hate, there are many things I loathe, but few more than a person who rises from poverty to live a flourishing life.

There is nothing I apply myself to more than casting doubt over the notion of “hope for a better tomorrow.” Disgusting. The idea that impoverished people can embrace personal responsibility and hard work so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labors should be burned to the ground. Just as awful are those people who believe that it is com…pass…ion…ate (that word is so hard to say) to share that inspiration with others.

“…impoverished people can embrace personal responsibility and hard work so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labors…” That’s America. Ever heard of DuPont? The DuPont family immigrated from France on January 1, 1800. Drive a Tesla? Elon Musk immigrated from South Africa and worked/works VERY hard to build Teslas and rockets. Bill Gates was once a student, working through the night often to write software. Harland Sanders was born into poverty and worked at a number of jobs before becoming an “overnight success” with his chicken recipe.

Back to the Whitford essay. Remember, Satan is speaking:

I had to wait more than one hundred years for the definition of “happiness” to drift from its 18th-century meaning of “joy, blessedness, and prosperity” so I could replace its meaning with “momentary, superficial satisfaction.”

In my plan, whatever makes you feel good makes you happy. To diminish “happiness” and the American Dream, I’ve had to make sure that the man who coined the term “American Dream” was forgotten, along with his 1931 description of it as “not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely,” but a social order in which every person can attain “the fullest stature” of which he or she is capable.

My plan is all about motor cars, high wages, and nice homes. And if one doesn’t have them, he should be discontent until it drives him to demand them from the state, to be forever dependent and no less depressed.

If one doesn’t have what he wants NOW, he should demand them from the state. It’s disturbing that we’re starting to elect “Democratic Socialists” from the mayor of New York City to a Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives right here in Colorado.

Whitford ends his essay on a note of hope (disconcerting to Satan!):

One of my greatest achievements is a system that redistributes more “happiness” every year into the poorest American households, driving up joblessness, dependency, despair, and purposelessness. Because freedom is now based on wants, people will never have enough, and they’ll never be free.

Still, some people have never let go of Freedom to the extent I’ve wanted. I’ve noticed a resurgence of caring neighbors and little (despicable) points of light working against me to inspire people toward freedom, impelling them to be producers and creators … like their Maker.

One night outside a homeless mission, a man asked to work for his shelter proclaimed, “I’ve never had to work for my bed and meals. You guys take the shame out of the game.” Another man said, “Yeah, it’s like we get to keep our dignity.” I almost vomited.

Food pantries are becoming food co-ops. Christmas giveaways are becoming Christmas markets. Handout models are being replaced with earn-it models. It’s all very disconcerting.

I’ll need to work double-time to hold back this growing movement of effective com-pass-ion (ugh) before people rediscover the truth that freedom is not the product of prosperity, but prosperity the product of freedom. Oh, how I hate the American Dream. – Satan, as imagined by James Whitford, July 2, 2026.

Jesus said it:

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10.10)

The USA. We live here, we get ourselves embroiled in the current political issues of the day, and we get used to what we have without even being aware of what we have. As it’s often said:

Fish are the last to discover water.

Have you seen the reactions of the thousands of soccer fans here from around the world? Here are some snippets from an editorial published by USA Today. Ingrid Jacques opens with:

Europeans especially seem bewitched by the sheer bigness of it all, from the spacious Western grandeur to supersized gas stations like Buc-ee’s. It’s adorable.

Then she quotes some of them:

“This is so surreal, just had the best food ever,” Elsa, who is Swedish, posted to X. “Why did no one tell me ranch sauce is like crack? EUROPE WE NEED RANCH ASAP”

And then there is Freddy the German, who has amassed a huge following as he traverses around to World Cup games: “Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.”

A fan from England had this to say about her fast-food experience: “THIS IS THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE, AMERICA YOU KEEP ON DELIVERING!”

Ingrid continues:

The American economy is far from perfect, and Americans are feeling the continued pain of inflation and high grocery bills. But we rarely measure it against what our fellow humans across the globe face.

We are a remarkably wealthy country, and the envy of much of the world…The tourist awe for Walmart and Buc-ee’s? That should serve as a reminder of how lucky we are. – Ingrid Jacques, June 24, 2026

Yahoo Sports captured a few more reactions:

As their teams competed in group stage matches, fans in cities including Kansas City, Atlanta and Seattle have expressed joy at eating at breakfast chains like Waffle House or said their minds have been blown walking through big box warehouse stores like Bass Pro Shops and Walmart.  

One man from England posted a video from inside a Walmart reveling at the fact he could purchase car parts, a flat-screen television and a rifle all under one roof...

But the biggest point of chatter among tourists from around the world has been the quality and quantity of food options in the U.S.

Some said they were surprised to see soft drinks come with ice and free refills or posted videos with their mouths agape as servers brought entrees to the table.

When did you last stand in awe and give thanks for ranch dressing or Waffle House? What about Walmart? Ever try to get ice in your drink in Europe? You might get one small cube.

In everything give thanks… (1 Thessalonians 5.18)

Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God…Beware lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.“ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth… (Deuteronomy 9.11 – 18, ESV)

PS After I drafted this blog, Peggy Noonan captured all of what I’m talking about in depth. Strongly recommend her July 27 piece: The Tartan Army Takes America.

More than a day for picnics and fireworks, The History Channel reminds us of what the day is about. A long article begins:

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2025 is on Friday, July 4.

It’s interesting to note…

When the initial battles in the Revolutionary War broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical.

By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments such as those expressed in the bestselling pamphlet “Common Sense,” published by Thomas Paine in early 1776.

When does a rebellion become a revolution become a war where one must choose sides? In the day, many Christians were quoting Romans 13:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13.1, 2, ESV)

While other Christians were leaders in a movement to do just that: resist the authorities. It’s a non-trivial question and how to apply our response to change rubric is unclear. I’m sure many were applying James’ counsel:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1.5, ESV)

PS There are two things going on this year. Celebrations for the 250th Anniversary of the 4th of July is one. The other is World Cup of Soccer, hosted this year by the United States, along with Canada and Mexico. There are lessons for us from our out-of-country visitors. Stay tuned.

PPS Most of this blog first appeared on the Ewellogy on July 4, 2025.

We should loop back to Ezekiel from time to time. I’m not going to attempt to analyze it in detail (beyond the scope of this blog!). Besides, the book needs to be felt, not analyzed. Here are a few highlights.

First, different calls for different people from Ezekiel 3:

And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel— not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. (Ezekiel 3.4 – 7, ESV)

A prophet to Israel, not a “foreign missionary.” Foreign missions is tough: “peoples of foreign speech and a hard language whose words you cannot understand.” But missions to religious insiders is tough too: “The house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you…”

Ezekiel 3 continues with the role of a watchman:

And at the end of seven days, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 3.16 – 19, ESV)

I preached John 9 last Sunday, and at the verse “Once I was blind, but now I see,” I took some time to share the gospel message explicitly with many who are lifelong church people. I pray that they heard, and that those who might have been trusting in their good works instead of Jesus might respond to him.

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. – Jesus, recorded in Mark 16.15, NKJV)

In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. (Galatians 2.9, 10, NLT)

If you don’t live in Colorado, are you reading about our fires? Three brave firefighters have already been killed fighting the fire on the border of Colorado and Utah. It struck me that one of those was a 38-year-old lady from Michigan.

Closer to home, the 11th largest fire in Colorado history is just 70 miles from us, and NOT behind the mountains. Here’s what it looks like on the ground:

Here’s what it looks like from my house, Thursday afternoon, around 4p. It’s a crystal clear day, and normally we would see Pikes Peak in sharp relief. Not today:

Please join me in praying for the firefighters, now being led by a team from Alaska. The fire is considered number #1 priority in the US right now. Rain would be nice, also, and there’s none in the forecast. Hot, dry, windy.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4.6, ESV)

There is no shortage of fire images in the Bible.

O house of David! Thus says the LORD: “ ‘Execute justice in the morning, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed, lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of your evil deeds.’ ” (Jeremiah 21.12, ESV)

Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23.29, ESV)

Every now and then, it’s worth a review (for me and for you!) of what I’m trying to do. My friend and Navigator colleague Bill Mowry just posted an essay on a classic book by a pastor (not by a Navigator!) on disciplemaking. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. (This is an abridged version for “time-starved readers,” but I’m assuming it includes all the main content.)

Bill’s essay: A Reading Life #7 is worth the read in its entirety. Here are some snippets:

Two books dominated my early years of disciplemaking. One was the Holy Bible and the other was The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman…In the 1960s and 70s, few outside The Navigators talked about making disciples. We were hungry to gain legitimacy for our ministry and its importance. Imagine our excitement when we discovered Coleman’s book. The Master Plan became our Bible for making disciples.

…Coleman kickstarts his book with these words:

It all started by Jesus calling a few men to follow Him. . .. His concern was not with the programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow. . .. Men were to be His method of winning the world for God.

As a Navigator, I loved this opening. We lamented the church’s dependence on programs for the many. We had a vision for the “worth of the individual” — how one man or one woman could make a difference for Christ. God’s method for winning the world was people — disciples of Jesus.

Fireworks went off in my head when he wrote:

Jesus devoted most of His remaining life on earth to these few disciples. He literally staked His whole ministry upon them. The world could be indifferent toward him and still not defeat His strategy. . .. Everything depended upon their {his disciples} faithfulness if the world would believe on Him “through their word” (John 17:20).

…Chapter after chapter unfolds Jesus’ demonstration of basic disciplemaking practices. Each one resonated with this eager young leader. Space doesn’t permit me to expound on all my under linings but one principle has been a bedrock for my fifty years of making disciples — the principle of association. Here’s Coleman’s description:

Having called his men, Jesus made it a practice to be with them. This was the essence of his training program. . .. Amazing as it may seem, all Jesus did to teach these men His way was to draw them close to Himself.  . . . Knowledge was not communicated by the Master in terms of laws or dogmas, but in the living personality of One who walked among them.

Bill concludes:

Disciples are God’s means for evangelism and assist in bringing about His kingdom. Our end is the gospel advanced through disciples and leaders handcrafted a few at a time. “That is why all along our emphasis must be upon quality of life. If we get the right quality . . . the rest [the multitudes] will follow.”

Jesus’ vision and practice captured this young leader’s heart. I embraced Coleman’s conclusion about Jesus: “There was nothing haphazard about His life — no wasted energy, not an idle word. He was on business for God.” Five decades later, his words still echo in my heart. I don’t want a haphazard life. I want to be on business for God in making disciples — men and women whose quality of life will win the multitudes.

Thanks for the reminder, Bill.

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons… (Mark 3.13 – 15, NKJV)

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2.2, NKJV)

Sahil Bloom’s essay on June 26, 2026, “The Zipper Test: How to Stop Fooling Yourself” is about our understanding of everyday things. How many of us can explain how a zipper works, for example?

When asked to what level they understand the workings of some everyday thing, people rate themselves high. After attempting to write an explanation for how something works, they rate themselves much lower. The conclusion of the research is called The Illusion of Explanatory Depth:

…we are overconfident in our understanding of the most common things that exist all around us.

Sahil’s application is:

How much do we really understand about the most basic motivations, structures, and decisions that control our everyday actions, behaviors, and life path?

Without confronting this internal Illusion of Explanatory Depth, you leave yourself exposed to a life by default. A life where all of your motivations and actions are subtly adopted through a sort of cultural and environmental osmosis.

You may climb one mountain for 40 years, only to reach the top and realize you never wanted to be on it in the first place.

That’s a good application, but here’s another. I don’t NEED to know how a zipper works to use it. I don’t NEED to know how an internal combustion engine works to drive a car. I don’t NEED to know all the technical theology about the atonement (and people debate about that sort of thing all the time) to experience its results.

One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. – The man born blind, John 9.25, NKJV

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace… (Ephesians 1.7, NKJV)

I love workplace ministry stories, especially when they involve an unusual workplace. How about the World Cup? Arguably one of the greatest sporting events in the world. 48 teams from 48 countries, 104 games over six weeks, played this year in Mexico, United States, and Canada.

Have you heard about the Curaçao National Team? Have you heard of Curaçao? Me neither. It’s an island 40 miles off Venezuela with a population of 158,000 and a land size of 171 square miles (smaller than the county I live in). 

An article in Christianity Today entitled Smallest Country in World Cup History Praises Jesus at the Pitch opens this way:

Athletes from the tiniest country to ever qualify for the World Cup are using their newfound visibility to pray. In a World Cup that has seen quite a few displays of faith from players, Curaçao’s team has emerged as one of the most outspoken, and local pastors are hopeful the team’s example will reach the next generation of Christians on the small Caribbean island.

…

The team gathers in a circle to pray before every practice and game, a ritual previously led by the team’s late goalkeeper Jairzinho Pieter. Now team captain Leandro Bacuna leads the prayer. 

In a viral moment after their first match, a 7–1 loss to Germany, Curaçao players prayed with members of the German team. Teams have been known to pray among themselves, but it is rare for opposing teams to pray together.

Felix Nmecha, the German midfielder and an outspoken Christian, said of the moment, “We are during the game opponents against each other and then after the game, we’re all Christians and we’re brothers. … In our faith, we all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game. And that’s why we came together and simply prayed together.”

German players (in white) pray with Curaçao players after their match.

God has people everywhere!

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3.17, ESV)

Today’s blog is a feel-good story that I’m not sure has a point. Maybe one will surface while I’m writing.

Howard is a 20-year-old, 40 pound giant African spurred tortoise who is the mascot and greeter for Scales ‘N Tails pet store in Colorado Springs.

Howard apparently stays in an enclosure outside the front door, and a thief absconded with him Wednesday afternoon, June 17. The theft made the front page of our local newspaper Friday morning.

By the way, the rest of the last sentence is:

“He’s basically a walking boulder. He’s going to move a couch; he’s going to push over furniture,” said store owner Ronald Bohnert.

My son Mark posted the story on Facebook and remarked:

I’m normally opposed to the death penalty but for this guy I’d consider an exception.

Fortunately, there were witnesses and video, and the dastardly dude, who was on a several-day crime spree, was apprehended the next day, and Howard was recovered. You can read that story here as Howard made the front page again on Saturday, June 20. The opening sentence is:

Colorado Springs police announced Friday that the gym tote-sized store greeter and mascot of Scales ‘N Tales on North Academy Boulevard had been located and returned to his owners Thursday night, about a day after he was stolen from his open-air habitat outside the store.

Howard is big, but not as big as he will be. His species lives over 100 years and grows to about 150 pounds.

As I say, I don’t know the point of this story except that Howard seems to be another “gift from God.” The tortoise is social. Customers pet him and feed him. The owner said, “He belongs to the community.”

But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that GOD is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand— Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature? (Job 12.7 – 10, MSG)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1.17, ESV)

Yesterday, we saw Ezekiel’s vision of the glory of God. Today a different kind of vision…

Tuesday a week ago, June 16, we had a spectacular sunset…

Followed 40 minutes later by a picture I’ve never made before: Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury, near the fingernail moon:

Part of the credit goes to Paddy, the dog. If I hadn’t been walking him, I wouldn’t have seen it. The other part of the credit goes to modern photographic technology. The shot was taken with an iPhone 17, 2-second exposure, crisp with no tripod since modern cameras ignore hand-held vibrations. The technology is a miracle, as is the view itself.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19.1, ESV)