Podcasts about Continental Congress

Five men served on the Continental Congress's Declaration Committee. We know three of them well: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. But who were the other two? In this episode, we explore the lives and contributions of Robert R. Livingston of New York and Roger Sherman of Connecticut. Historians Geoff Benton and Michael Morand join us as we uncover the stories of the other Committee members. Clermont State Historic Site WebsiteShow Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/447 EPISODE OUTLINE00:00:00  Introduction00:04:46 The Lee Resolution and the Committee of Five00:05:26 Robert R. Livingston's Early Life00:06:56 Colonial New York Politics 00:11:02 Livingston's Appointment to the Second Continental Congress00:15:20 Why Livingston Chosen for Declaration Committee00:18:44 Livingston's feud with John Adams00:19:18  Livingston Misses the Vote for Independence00:20:50 Livingston Becomes Chancellor of New York State00:24:06 Livingston's Role in Steam Navigation00:26:15 Clermont State Historic Site00:32:35 Roger Sherman's Early Life 00:36:47 Sherman's Family and Life in New Haven00:37:43 Sherman's Involvement in the Imperial Crisis00:40:38 Sherman's Role in the Second Continental Congress00:42:28 Why Sherman Chosen For Declaration Committee00:43:42 Sherman's Role in Drafting the Declaration00:46:16 The Connecticut Compromise, 178700:50:28 What Made Sherman Effective in Legislatures00:53:47 1776 in Context 00:58:10 ConclusionRECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES

As we take a mid-summer-post-4th-of-July break, we are bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives about the Revolutionary era. We'll be back with new "50 Weeks That Shaped America" episodes soon!Today, the story of John Dickinson, who attended the Continental Congress, was witness to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, but abstained from voting for or signing the document.Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer are joined by John Dickerson, formerly of CBS and author of “The Hardest Job In The Room.”Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The founding generation prayed America into existence, and the record proves it.In this episode, Pastor Nathan Brown and Pastor Rob McCoy trace prayer as the through line of American national life — from Governor Bradford's 1621 day of thanksgiving at Plymouth, through the 400+ official days of prayer and fasting observed before 1776, to the Continental Congress calling every colony to confess its sins in the summer of 1775. They walk through Washington's prayer tent, Lincoln's 1863 fast day, FDR's D-Day prayer on national radio, and the calls to prayer still being issued today. Perfect for the commute, the gym, or the drive — a full teaching on how a praying people built a free nation, and what prayer looks like in your own home this week.You'll Learn:✅ Why the disciples asked Jesus to teach them one thing — how to pray✅ How prayer proclamations tracked every turning point of the Revolutionary War✅ Practical steps for daily prayer, family prayer, and praying for your city

As we take a mid-summer-post-4th-of-July break, we are bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives about the Revolutionary era. We'll be back with new "50 Weeks That Shaped America" episodes soon!It's October 4th. In 1776, Benjamin Franklin is headed to France as the Continental Congress's first diplomat, looking to secure support for the American independence movement.Jody and Kellie are joined by Mike Duncan, history podcaster behind series such as “Revolutions” and “The Fall of Rome.” They discuss Franklin's diplomatic goal, his taste for the Parisian nightlife — and why the values of the Founding Fathers continue to be contested and politicized.Check out Mike's book “Hero of Two Worlds.”Join our America250 newsletter community! Subscribe for free to get the latest news and analysis of how America250 is playing out. Paying subscribers get access to early, ad-free versions of the show. Plus bonus features throughout the year. To support our work and get access to everything, subscribe now.This Day is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.comGet in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Follow us on social @thisdaypodOur team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Paper money has been part of United States currency since the Continental Congress authorized a two-dollar note in June 1776. But those notes were not the paper money we know today. They were bills of credit used to fund the defense of a new country's struggle for independence. When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, it prohibited states from issuing bills of credit or using anything other than gold and silver as legal tender.

#BarbaraCarrollRoberts #WhenGeorgeWashingtonBowed #AnneYvonneGilbert #CreativeEditions #NonfictionPictureBook #KidsHistory #AmericanHistoryForKids #GeorgeWashington #RevolutionaryWar #AnnapolisMaryland #CivicEducation #Democracy #ReadAloud #BookInterview #Storycomic   On this episode, I'm joined by children's author Barbara Carroll Roberts to talk about her new nonfiction picture book When George Washington Bowed to the New Nation, illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and published by Creative Editions (release date August 11, 2026). (barbaracarrollroberts.com) The book zooms in on a surprising moment after the Revolutionary War: Washington, celebrated commander of the Continental Army, resigns his commission—not as a formality, but as a public decision to give up power. Barbara traces Washington from New York City (after the last British troops depart) to Annapolis, Maryland, where he submits his resignation to the Continental Congress—an action that helped set the tone for a democracy led by civilians, not generals. (bookshop.org) We talk about the behind-the-scenes research—letters from witnesses, Washington's own handwritten speech, and what it's like turning big history into a book for young readers (recommended age 9+). (barbaracarrollroberts.com)   The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid. See more of Morgan's Work at: https://morganquaid.com/   Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg's work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/ https://www.pigmacast.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWas America founded as a Christian nation, or has that story been repeated so often that it feels true? Warren Throckmorton, retired professor of psychology and author of The Christian Past That Wasn't and co-author of Getting Jefferson Right, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to test popular founding myths against primary sources. Throckmorton walks through claims about the Constitution, religious tests, Benjamin Franklin's prayer motion, Thomas Jefferson, the Danbury Baptists, the Cape Henry prayer, the 1774 Continental Congress prayer, and David Barton's influence on modern Christian nationalist history. He argues that many Christian nation claims depend on selective quotation, invented stories, or ignoring the actual records of the Constitutional Convention. The conversation also explores why these myths are emotionally powerful. Fear, identity, and power can make bad history feel comforting, especially when people believe their faith or country is being taken away.Guest BioWarren Throckmorton, PhD, is a writer, researcher, and retired professor of psychology at Grove City College. His work examines Christian nationalism, American religious history, psychology, and the misuse of historical claims in public life. He is the author of The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History and co-author, with Michael Coulter, of Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson. In this conversation, Throckmorton brings together historical fact-checking and psychological insight to explain why myths about America's Christian founding remain powerful, why primary sources matter, and why separation of church and state protects religious freedomBook MentionedThe Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History by Warren ThrockmortonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889835820Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson by Michael Coulter and Warren ThrockmortonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798990900622Relevant Links & ResourcesThe Throckmorton InitiativeURL: https://warrenthrockmorton.substack.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Discover why Francis Lewis lost his home, his fortune, and ultimately his wife after signing the Declaration of Independence. His story proves that "our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor" demanded far more than empty words. Most Americans celebrate Independence Day without understanding what the signers of the Declaration of Independence actually sacrificed after the ink dried. This episode of America's Founding Series on The P.A.S. Report Podcast explores the extraordinary story of Declaration signer and Founding Father Francis Lewis, a successful merchant who willingly risked everything for American independence, only to watch the British Army destroy his estate, imprison his wife Elizabeth, and leave his family forever changed. His life reveals the true human cost of the American Revolution and serves as a powerful reminder that freedom has always required courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to liberty. What You'll Learn In This Episode: Why Francis Lewis signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, despite knowing he could lose everything. How the British Army deliberately targeted Patriot leaders and their families during the American Revolution. The heartbreaking story of Elizabeth Lewis and the hidden sacrifices made by the families of the Declaration signers. What "our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor" truly meant to the men who pledged everything for American independence. Why Francis Lewis's story offers timeless lessons about civic responsibility, self-reliance, constitutional liberty, and preserving the American experiment. The Fourth of July may have passed, but America's story did not end with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The struggle to secure American independence and transform an idea into a nation had only begun. Francis Lewis reminds us that the American Revolution was not won by words alone. It was secured by men and women willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of liberty. Topics Covered: Francis Lewis, Declaration of Independence, Declaration signers, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, American independence, Revolutionary War, Elizabeth Lewis, Continental Congress, American history podcast

This episode reframes the Declaration of Independence as more than soaring ideals about equality and natural rights. Former California Supreme Court Justice Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar argues the text contains an underappreciated architecture of government: accountability to citizens, managing political conflict across regions, and establishing legitimate authority both domestically and in the international order. The result is a Declaration that reads like a nation-building document designed to make a new state workable after revolution. Responding to Cuéllar, Larry Kramer—former Stanford Law dean, a leading scholar of democratic constitutionalism, and now president of the London School of Economics—adds a grounding historical frame: in 1776, the Declaration was shaped as much by law as by philosophy. Kramer argues the grievances were understood as claims that Britain had violated the colonies' constitutional rights under the British customary constitution, which helps explain why the Declaration's “structural” ideas are often implicit rather than spelled out as a blueprint. Together, Cuéllar and Kramer show how the Declaration operates in two registers: a practical indictment of governmental failure and a foundational text later generations repeatedly reinterpret to justify (or resist) evolving structures of American governance. Their exchange highlights a central tension that persists—between universal promises and the administrative choices that determine how, and for whom, those promises are implemented. Connect: Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast Website Stanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn Page Stanford Constitutional Law Center >> Website Stanford Law School >>> Twitter/X Stanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X Chapters: [00:00:26] Chapter 1 — Framing question: Is the Declaration also a “blueprint for government”? Host Michael McConnell sets up the episode's core premise and introduces guests Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar and Larry Kramer to explore the Declaration's structural dimensions. [00:05:21] Chapter 2 — Cuéllar's thesis: “Text vs. territory” and the Declaration as state-building Cuéllar argues the Declaration is not just a creed; it catalogs governance failures under George III and implies the need for a sovereign that can function at home and abroad. [00:06:04] Chapter 3 — The Freedom Train as a case study in ideals meeting administration (1947–48) Using the racially integrated Freedom Train—and its refusal to stop in segregated cities—Cuéllar spotlights the friction between universal principles and on-the-ground governance. [00:13:07] Chapter 4 — 1890–1950: expansion of the administrative state and contested equality Cuéllar walks through key moments (Du Bois/Niagara Movement, Wilson at Independence Hall, Becker vs. Coolidge, FDR's “Second Bill of Rights,” Ho Chi Minh quoting Jefferson) to show how the Declaration structures recurring fights over equality, borders, and state capacity. [00:28:51] Chapter 5 — Kramer's response: the Declaration's legal-constitutional origins and how texts evolve Kramer argues the Declaration was fundamentally a legal brief grounded in the British customary constitution; its grievances alleged constitutional violations, and later generations repurpose founding texts to frame new disputes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

250 years ago, the Continental Congress of thirteen North American British colonies issued a document addressing their grievances with the British Crown and stating why they considered themselves to be a free and independent nation. Enjoy this ENCORE Presentation! Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/7Cpmjp3-0VA which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Everything Everywhere Daily podcast at https://amzn.to/3XHj20A Declaration of Independence books available at https://amzn.to/404GqHU July 4th, 1776 items at https://amzn.to/44wJQEq ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: Everything Everywhere Daily podcast with Gary Arndt: Declaration of Independence (05jul2024 #1459; Glassbox Media). Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 1776, a fleet of eight converted merchantmen — crewed by men who'd never fought together, commanded by a 60-year-old merchant captain, and carrying a Marine Corps that was three months old — sailed a thousand miles from Delaware to the Bahamas on a mission that wasn't even in their official orders. What they found was a British stockpile of gunpowder and cannon guarded by a governor who'd been warned and did almost nothing about it.This episode covers the Raid of Nassau: the first fleet action of the Continental Navy, the first amphibious landing of the Continental Marines, and the operational blunder — an unwatched harbor channel — that let most of the gunpowder slip away in the middle of the night. We follow the raid from Washington's nine-rounds-per-man gunpowder crisis, through the botched dawn assault and the quiet, unopposed landing that followed, to the lopsided fight against HMS Glasgow on the voyage home, and the congressional fallout that ended Commodore Esek Hopkins' career — and, almost by accident, produced America's first whistleblower protection law.In this episode:Why Washington's army had gunpowder for nine shots per soldier — not nine volleys, nine shotsHow British gunpowder ended up sitting undefended in the BahamasThe Continental Navy's first attempted landing — and why it aborted at the last secondFort Montagu's quiet, unopposed surrender and the Marine Corps' first amphibious assaultThe blockade gap that let Governor Montfort Brown ship 80% of the gunpowder to Florida overnightThe lopsided fight against HMS Glasgow, and the death of Lt. John Fitzpatrick — the first U.S. Marine killed in combatEsek Hopkins' court-martial, censure, and dismissal from the NavyHow a petition from ten Continental Navy officers — delivered to Congress by Marine Captain John Grannis in March 1777 — accused Hopkins of torturing British prisoners of war, and how Congress's response led to the first whistleblower protection law in American history (July 30, 1778)Why two of those ten officers, Midshipman Samuel Shaw and Third Lieutenant Richard Marven, ended up jailed in Rhode Island on Hopkins' own libel suit — and how Congress paid for their defenseSeparating myth from record: what John Paul Jones actually did — and didn't do — at NassauKey figures: Commodore Esek Hopkins • Captain Samuel Nicholas (Continental Marines) • Lt. John Paul Jones • Governor Montfort Brown • Lt. John Fitzpatrick • Midshipman Samuel Shaw & Third Lieutenant Richard Marven (whistleblowers) • Marine Captain John GrannisSources referenced: Continental Congress journals (Nov. 1775–Jan. 1778), Samuel Eliot Morison's biography of John Paul Jones, contemporaneous letters of George Washingtonusnavyhistorypodcast@gmail.com@usnhistorypod

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/submitting-to-gods-governing-authorities-as-they-submit-to-gods-authority/Watch this sermon directly on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaurBV5Jac0On July 4, 1776, John Hancock, the President of Congress, and Charles Thomson, the Secretary of Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. (The famous image of all the delegates signing the document together on July 4th is a historical myth.) The formal signing ceremony took place on August 2, 1776, when 50 of the eventual 56 delegates signed their names to the parchment. The remaining 6 delegates added their signatures over the following months as they returned to Philadelphia.With the Declaration of Independence, the American colonists formerly informed King George III they were leaving the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence was more than a philosophical document. It was drafted as an official legal and diplomatic notice to the Crown that the American colonies were forming their own nation.We today celebrate the "American Revolution." Perhaps, it can be more biblically called the "American Resistance." Colonial theologians argued that "revolution" implies a lawless overthrow of God-ordained governing authorities that will institute anarchy. In contrast, they defined "resistance" as a defensive, legal duty to preserve the rule of law. The colonialists did not view the Declaration of Independence as a sudden act of law-breaking. Instead, they argued that the British government had already legally severed its contract with the colonies and cast them out of the empire through its own legislation.Because we are not good at studying history, most of us don't know that King George III signed the Prohibitory Act in December 1775. This act declared the colonies outside the King's protection. This was the ultimate legal catalyst. It banned all trade with the colonies, authorized the British Navy to seize American ships as "open enemies," and forced captured American sailors into British naval service. Under 18th-century British and international common law, allegiance and protection were reciprocal. A subject owed allegiance to the King only as long as the King provided legal and military protection to the subject.When King George III signed the Prohibitory Act, he officially declared the American colonists to be outlaws and foreign enemies, effectively declaring war on them. John Adams famously observed that the Prohibitory Act was a British bill of divorce, noting that the British Parliament had thrown the colonies out of the royal protection and made them independent long before Congress voted on it. The colonists listed 27 specific actions where the King had broken British law, including suspending local legislatures, taxing without consent, and signing the Prohibitory Act to wage war against them. Because the King legally withdrew his protection, the colonists argued that they were biblically and legally absolved of their oath of allegiance.As Lutherans, we would say that the colonists applied the role of the Lesser Magistrates from The Magdeburg Confession as the legal and scriptural defense of their actions of separating from the British Empire. (We'll study The Magdeburg Confession this fall in our Wednesday Bible studies.) The "lesser magistrates" were the colonial assemblies and the Continental Congress standing up to shield its citizens from a law-breaking tyrant. This was a lawful act of constitutional resistance. The colonists did not operate as a lawless, revolutionary mob. They resisted and operated under the legal authority of their local governments.These were Christian patriots who declared independence from King George III and the British Empire. They were following St. Paul's directives in Romans 13. They submitted to God's servant of the governing authorities when the governing authorities were submitting to God's will for the benefit of its citizens. They did not want to rebel. But when the governing authorities were opposing God's will and bringing harm upon its citizens, then those authorities were no longer acting as God's servant. Now they were acting as Satan's servant according to Revelation 13. (Again, we'll talk about this more in depth this fall in our Bible studies.) So, they resisted. They were Christian citizens holding their governing authorities accountable to God and his divine will.St. Paul writes, "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God. Therefore the one who rebels against the authority is opposing God's institution, and those who oppose will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:1-2). What does the word "submit" mean? As Inigo Montoya famously said to Vizzini in The Princess Bride, "You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means." While it might be a famous blunder to get involved in a land war in Asia - only slightly less well-known is this: To define a word apart from its natural, contextual meaning.So, what does "submit" mean? Scripture lays out a pattern for wives to submit to their husbands, children to submit to their parents, slaves to submit to their masters, citizens to submit to their governing authorities, and the Christian Church to submit to Christ. Submission is not servitude or slavery. Nor does submit mean "surrender." Submission is yielding to authority. It is willing subjection to another.Submit is not a synonym for "obey." Otherwise, there would be a lot of unhappy wives if they were called to "obey" their husbands' every word or whim. Submit cannot mean "compelled obedience." Rather, it means humble acceptance, according to the order God has given. As Christian citizens, we owe submission to our governing authorities, not obedience. We owe obedience to God alone. As Jesus says in today's Gospel, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).The concept of submission is closely bound to the concept of headship that St. Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 11. He begins that discussion with the metaphor of a human head and body, "I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and man is woman's head, and God is Christ's head" (1 Corinthians 11:3). The head guides and directs what the body does, but never in a selfish way. Rather the head always seeks the best interest of the body in everything.The head - whether that's the husband in the home, the pastor in a church, the employer in a business, or the authorities in a government - is not to crush or compel others into submission. Rather, the head exercises its headship in loving service to those it leads within the body.Those within the body - whether that's the wife in the home, the members in a church, the employees in a business, or the citizens in a nation - submit to the proper head. Submission isn't forced. It's an inward attitude toward ordained order and authority. Jesus Christ submitted to his head. Jesus' head was his heavenly Father and his heavenly Father's will.The apostles speak a great deal about submission. Those who are submissive are trusting those with authority to take care of their physical and/or spiritual needs. Those who have authority over us have received that authority from God himself. Whether that be husbands, parents, pastors, or governing authorities - each is established by God, and accountable to him for their use of authority.God has placed these authorities over people for their benefit. Husbands care for, love, and support their wives. Parents feed, clothe, teach, and nurture their children. Pastors provide forgiveness, grace, and blessings in sharing God's Word and Sacraments. Governing authorities provide protection, structure, and order to our communities, states, and nation. When God's servants fulfill their vocations in this earthly kingdom, they bring a measure of peace and order. Such peace and order in God's earthly kingdom make it easier for God's servants to live in and share God's heavenly kingdom.Gladly and willingly entrusting ourselves with an attitude of submission to the authorities God has placed over us is beneficial to everyone involved. It usually brings earthly blessing, avoids earthly punishment, and provides a setting for Christian proclamation.Here in America, our governing authorities are given their authority by "we the people". That means that unlike any other government in existence, our American system of government is both given power by and has its powers limited by the governed. The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."There may come times when a wife disagrees with her husband's leadership, or children push back against their parents' authority, or citizens civilly resist their governing authorities. As Christians, they dare never do this only because those in authority are doing something they don't like. That's rebellion. Rather, they resist and push back only when the authorities are opposing God's will. They may be promoting something sinful or doing something morally wrong or committing an action that will harm other people. These are not acts of sinful rebellion. Rather, these are examples of Christian resistance as Christians hold those God has placed over them accountable to God's will. Authorities in the home, church, and government are God's servants to follow his divine will for the benefit of those within their care. But when those authorities are opposing God's will, then they are acting as servants of Satan and their own sinful flesh. With their actions, they can only harm those within their care.Some have wrongly concluded that "submit" means "obedience" to the governing authorities. But absolute, unquestioning obedience is no different than worship. In the Book of Revelation, St. John records that in the End Times people will be worshiping the beast of the persecuting government (Revelation 13:4). Those who worship the beast follow it with absolute, unquestioning obedience. We owe absolute, unquestioning obedience to God alone. To others we submit.It's difficult to know when to submit to the governing authorities when they are submitting to God's will or when to resist the governing authorities when they are submitting to Satan's will. That's why constant discussion and evaluation need to happen. We need to continually study God's Word and then apply it to these situations within politics and culture. We ask for grace from our fellow Christians when we disagree. We ask for forgiveness from God when we get it wrong. We ask Jesus to apply his righteousness to our unrighteous living. We thank Jesus for dying on the cross to pay for our unscriptural rebellion or our unbiblical obedience.Jesus submitted to and respected his religious and political leaders. But he also resisted them when they tried exercising authority over him that they didn't have. They were exercising authority that Caesar didn't have. When Jesus was accused by the Sanhedrin, he didn't say anything to them (Matthew 27:12). Jesus didn't answer one word of Governor Pilate's questions (Matthew 27:14). Jesus refused to perform like a circus clown when King Herod wanted Jesus to do miracles for him (Luke 23:8-12). Jesus' perfect resistance to the authorities covers over our imperfect resistance to our authorities.Jesus also submitted to the will of his religious and political leaders. Jesus allowed the Sanhedrin to arrest him and hold a sham trial. Jesus permitted the Roman governor to sentence an innocent man to death. Jesus did not fight back against the Roman soldiers as they tore apart his perfect back with the scourge or pierced his divine skin with nails or crowned his heavenly head with thorns. Jesus willingly submitted to their evil actions. Jesus' perfect submission to the authorities pays for our imperfect submission to our authorities.God used an imperfect government in Daniel's time to accomplish God's will of chastising the Israelites with Babylonian captivity for 70 years. God used an imperfect government in Paul's time to allow it to kill Paul, Peter, and other Christians as martyrs. God used an imperfect government to put the Son of God to death to accomplish our salvation. Then he used the Roman peace, Roman roads, and Greek language of the Roman empire for the spreading of his gospel message through that Roman empire. God still uses the imperfect American government to accomplish his divine will.Signing the Declaration of Independence was a profound act of courage by the colonists. Under British law, the Declaration was a treasonous document. By putting their names on the parchment, each delegate was providing the Crown with written evidence of a capital offense. For this reason, Congress kept the identities of the signers secret from the public for six months until the American victory at Trenton proved the revolution/resistance could survive. We pray that those signers and all the colonists were rightly carrying out God's will in resisting -- and not revolting -- against the British Empire.The same is true for us 250 years later as American citizens. The government is God's servant here on earth. We rightly submit to that servant. We trust that servant serves for our earthly benefit. We must remember, though, that the government is filled with sinners. They make mistakes. They can be selfish and self-serving. They can watch out for and benefit one group of people while unintentionally -- or even intentionally -- ignoring and hurting another group of people. That means that the government is fallible. We still submit to the government as God directs. But, when Christians are not allowed to question, debate, or even resist, then the government becomes infallible. And the only one who is infallible is God.We pray to understand properly and apply accurately God's call to submit. We pray for quiet and peaceful lives of submitting to governing authorities who submit to God's authority. Amen.

On America's 250th birthday, Newt delivers a special solo episode dedicated to the document that started it all: the Declaration of Independence. Newt sets the scene in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776 — the heat, the secrecy, the weight of the moment — and traces the path from Lexington and Concord to the Continental Congress, explaining how 56 extraordinary men came to risk everything for an idea. He reflects on their courage, their backgrounds, and what they stood to lose if the revolution failed. Then, following Abraham Lincoln's tradition of slow, deliberate reading, Newt reads the Declaration aloud in full — every grievance, every principle, every word — before honoring each of the 56 signers by name. A fitting tribute for America's most important birthday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across generations, public moments of prayer and thanksgiving have shaped how many people understand national identity and responsibility. Whether one looks at early proclamations or later seasons of national hardship, the consistent theme is simple: gratitude toward God is meant to be expressed, not assumed. It keeps perspective steady and prevents freedom from turning into entitlement. At its core, this kind of reflection isn’t just about looking backward—it’s about asking what we do with what we’ve been given today. Gratitude becomes a posture that influences how we live, serve, and treat one another right now. Highlights: Scripture invites believers to actively remember and proclaim God’s works Gratitude is a stabilizing force in how we view history and present blessings Public and personal thanksgiving have long shaped spiritual and cultural identity Freedom carries responsibility, not just privilege Remembering God’s faithfulness helps anchor perspective in the present Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: A Call to Be Thankful for America on Its 250th Anniversary By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” - Psalm 105:1 As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we, as citizens of the United States, have much to be thankful for! History books record, and historical monuments stand, in honor of the Christians whom God led across the ocean, who were seeking a land where they could freely and openly serve Him, those willing to leave all they had behind and risk their lives to set sail for a New World. As the forerunners, the Pilgrims’ trek led them to America, where they brought their deep spiritual convictions to lay the groundwork and foundational biblical beliefs; truths that led our Founding Fathers to base our Declaration of Independence on godly principles; and truths that have given us the right to worship God freely and without reserve since their coming. Without our founders humbling themselves before God, there would be no USA today. As American history records, prayer and fasting were called for and practiced in America’s founding and the establishment of our nation, playing a major role in establishing America by the first patriots who practiced James 4:10 on a national level: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” By our leaders calling our nation to humble itself before God in prayer and fasting, our founders followed 2 Chronicles 7:14, urging, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” By humbling ourselves as a nation, our leaders seemed to understand what Galatians 5:13 reminds us: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” America’s History Reveals Decades of National Thankfulness Even before the official establishment of the United States, historical documents record that, throughout the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, in response to winning critical battles, called for national days of Thanksgiving, asking colonists to express gratitude to God for His divine protection over the troops. After the Declaration of Independence, national thanksgiving continued, beginning in 1789, with President George Washington issuing the first official United States Thanksgiving proclamation, calling upon all Americans to demonstrate gratitude to God for the end of the war and the Constitution’s successful ratification. President Washington said, “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” Following Washington’s example, Presidents John Adams and James Madison also called for national days of Thanksgiving during their presidential terms. As well, President Abraham Lincoln, on October 3, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving. A Nation’s Living Testament to God’s Faithfulness The United States is a living testament to God’s faithfulness and to what happens when a nation is willing to humble itself before God… recognizing His sovereignty over the earth and publicly thanking Him for His protection and provision for its leaders and people. As citizens of the USA, we have much to be thankful to God for our nation, as we celebrate our 250th anniversary. Thankfulness to God for what He has done in America through the faith of our Founding Fathers, who feared and worshipped Him and laid a godly foundation for our land based on biblical truth, and whose beliefs continue to this day across our nation. Intersecting Faith & Life: As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, ask God to help you find reasons to be thankful for our country, our godly heritage, and the freedoms we still enjoy today. As well, ask the Lord to move in the hearts of people across our nation, encouraging them to praise and thank Him for all that He has done for us as a country. Further Reading: A Prayer to Praise God for Our Nation Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Subscribe now for ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content. This is the eighth episode in a series marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, America's semiquincentennial. By the time the delegates at the Continental Congress formally declared independence in July 1776, the armed rebellion had been underway for more than a year. General George Washington had been in the field since the summer of '75. The men of the Continental Army saw little glory throughout a bloody, prolonged conflict during which they were often half-naked and hungry. More men died from disease than from enemy bullets. In this episode, historian Alan Taylor tells us what it was like to be a soldier fighting the British and fellow Americans who stayed loyal to the crown. Recommended reading: American Revolutions, A Continental History, 1750-1804 by Alan Taylor Further listening (America250 series): Episode 1 w/ Lindsay Chervinsky Episode 2 w/ Kate Carté Episode 3 w/ Alan Taylor Episode 4 w/ Lindsay Chervinsky Episode 5 w/ Jim Oakes Episode 6 w/ Sean Wilentz Episode 7 w/ H.W. Brands

July 2, 1776. The Continental Congress passes the Lee Resolution, declaring the American colonies' intention to break away from Britain. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

Dr. Federer concludes by moving forward to the fight for independence in Philadelphia and the Continental Congress – and the faith of our founding fathers, including numerous instances of faithful direction and publications from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and others seeking political and religious freedom from King George and "Mother" England. In this part 2 program, we talk about more wars were to come, more prayers were prayed, Dr. Federer reveals, with president after president calling for days of prayer and fasting when battles, like the Battle of Lake Erie, looked like they would be lost. 

Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of The New York Historical, and Nina Nazionale, director of library curatorial affairs and research at The New York Historical, talk about new information researchers discovered about a rare printing of the Declaration of Independence that is now on display at the museum. Photo: In Congress, July 4, 1776. : A declaration by the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, United States. Continental Congress, 1776. (Photo by Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, The New York Historical) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week's episode of Getting Hammered comes in the form of a bunch of readings from our Founders throughout June of 1776. Check the feed through June as we learn about George Washington's travails, watch the Lee Resolution pass the Continental Congress, see delegations argue with their hometown politicians over how they should vote, and hear why Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration! I'll add the the feed as we get closer to July 4th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we reflect on freedom, Scripture reminds us that true freedom is ultimately found in Christ. While earthly freedoms are worth recognizing and being thankful for, the greatest freedom we receive is the freedom Jesus provides—the freedom to worship God, share the Gospel, and live according to His truth. As we remember the history and sacrifices that shaped our nation, we can also reflect on the responsibility that comes with freedom: using it to honor God and serve others in love. Highlights: True freedom begins with the freedom Christ gives through salvation America’s founding was influenced by leaders who recognized God’s role in establishing liberty Freedom allows believers to worship, share the Gospel, and live openly for Christ Biblical freedom is not meant for selfish living but for serving others in love Remembering history invites us to thank God for those who courageously stood for freedom Join the Conversation As you reflect on 250 years of freedom as a nation, how do you see God’s hand at work throughout history? How can you use the freedoms you have today to honor God and serve those around you? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom as a Nation By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1 Our Founding Fathers were a group who believed in God, the freedom He gives each of us, and His providence in establishing the United States of America. Although debates continue over how godly each one lived and how deeply they each believed in God, they still gave us a biblical basis for our nation, one that continues today. As the first Vice President and second President of the United States, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his beloved wife, Abigail, concerning the high cost of freedom paid to create the Declaration of Independence: “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” Adams also credited the American Revolution’s success with the spiritual revival in the hearts and minds of the people that preceded it by a generation, laying the foundation for America. The spread of “The Great Awakening” across the colonies greatly influenced and strengthened Patriot leaders, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which prayer and fasting played a vital role in helping America establish its freedom. America is a testament of what God has done, leading America’s Founders to establish our nation and government on godly principles. These biblical truths have given us the freedom to live as followers of Jesus Christ without reserve. As Galatians 5:13 directs us, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” The following are three freedoms that America has granted us as Christians: America gives us freedom to openly worship God. First and foremost is the freedom America gives us to worship God. It’s our highest calling as Christians, and it’s the freedom that tops all the others because it’s also fulfilling the first commandment, recorded in Matthew 22:37-38: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” America gives us freedom to openly preach the Gospel. In America, we have this freedom, like no other country in the world. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 explains, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” America gives us the freedom to openly live as Christians. We, as Americans, have been granted the right, as citizens, to live as Christians in the freedom Jesus gave us. As Jesus assured us in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Although we, as Americans, fought for freedom from King George and British tyranny, proclaiming independence from their harsh reign, our independence was rooted in our dependence upon Almighty God and the freedom He gives us through Jesus Christ. Adams supported the spiritual awakening in our country, calling attention to and recognizing the connection between faith in God and freedom in life, validating where true freedom originates. Miracles in American History author, historian, and speaker, William J. Federer, writes, “In defending the Declaration, Adams told the Continental Congress, July 1, 1776: ‘Live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever!’” Intersecting Faith & Life: As we celebrate our nation’s 250 years of freedom this July 4th, consider our founders’ faith in God and the fortitude they displayed in standing on His truth amid conflict and tyranny. Spend time thanking God for their bravery and boldness in believing that true freedom comes from Him. Further Reading: How the Church Paved the Way for America’s Freedom Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Father Koys takes us on another “brain wrinkling” walk as his mind turns to the Fourth of July.  He sees necessary the need to talk about the United States of America, to talk about what the Catholic faith means to America, to talk about what Christians coming together can accomplish. He recognizes the true need for Christians to actually come together to save our country, pointing out that Christians coming together itself is a catholic thought-it's what Catholicism is all about. Father Koys being the history buff that he is, revels on the fascinating details from the past as he takes us on the journey back in time to discuss and shed light on some of the Catholic contributions of figures in the revolutionary war, with a particular focus on Charles Carrol of Carrollton who was elected on of the four delegates from Maryland to attend the 2nd Continental Congress and the only catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence.  Join him on this deep dive into history as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Nation. Enjoy a safe and happy Fourth of July.   St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish 

Greg explores the remarkable story of the first gathering of the Continental Congress in 1774, where delegates opened their proceedings by appointing a chaplain, reading Scripture, and praying together. Discover the historical context behind this pivotal moment in America's founding and what it reveals about the role faith played in the nation's earliest days.

The Boston Sisters talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff—co-executive producer of the 2024 Apple TV series FRANKLIN (starring Academy Award-winner Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin) inspired by Schiff's award-winning book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America.We get into the real Franklin: the improvised diplomacy that the Continental Congress never quite understood, his fascinating and fraught partnerships with the powerful women of the French court, his bitter rivalry with John Adams, and the painful estrangement from his loyalist son William.This is the Franklin your American history class probably left out. SUBSCRIBE to HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS® on your favorite podcast platformENJOY past podcasts and bonus episodesSIGN UP for our mailing listSUPPORT this podcast  SHOP THE PODCAST on our affiliate bookstoreBuy us a Coffee! You can support by buying a coffee ☕ here — buymeacoffee.com/historicaldramasistersThank you for listening!

From The Asset team: Patriarchs. Subscribe hereThis first episode begins at the end, then rewinds to before the Revolutionary War, at the Continental Congress, where Adams and Jefferson clash, collaborate, and argue over independence, democracy, and the future of the nation. With powerful performances and historically grounded dialogue, Patriarchs explores the human cost of power, principle, and ambition.Patriarchs is a six-part audio drama about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the founding of the United States, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence enacted in 1776. Patriarchs stars Stacy Keach as Thomas Jefferson and Edward Gero as John Adams.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Declaring independence on July 2, 1776 was only the beginning. To actually become a nation, the United States needed something else: foreign allies, international recognition, and the credibility to negotiate as an equal among the world's great powers. Five days after Richard Henry Lee introduced his famous Virginia Resolution, the Continental Congress appointed a committee of five — John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, and Benjamin Harrison — to figure out how to achieve international recognition. The result was the Model Treaty: a document we almost never discuss today, but one that Adams considered his most important contribution to Congress and the nation. Historians Sara Georgini and Eliga Gould guide us through Adams's revolutionary blueprint for American foreign policy and how the founders understood that the United States would need to become a "treaty worthy" nation before France would take them seriously. This is the second episode in a three-part series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 4154 │ June 21, 2026 The colonists saw King George as Pharaoh and themselves as the new Israel. The Declaration of Independence was their petition to the courts of heaven. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS  Scott Kesterson and Rochelle Porto continue the Our Sacred Honor series with a timeline correction and deep dive into the summer of 1775 — mapping the simultaneous congressional actions of the Second Continental Congress against the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Olive Branch Petition, the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, and King George III's Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition, showing how these events were happening in parallel across a six-to-eight week information delay between the continents that the strategic minds of the era — particularly Adams — were already calculating and playing through. The episode surfaces a major understudied intelligence thread: Charleston Mechanics intercepting British correspondence that proved Superintendent of Indian Affairs John Stuart was actively weaponizing Creek and Cherokee nations as a second military front against the southern colonies — intelligence that destroyed Stuart's ability to operate from Charleston, forced him to flee to Florida, and gave Georgia Patriots the decisive argument that neutrality was no longer viable. The episode closes with a reading of Psalm 80 — the same passage Jacob Duché read to the Continental Congress — as the founding generation's own declaration that they understood themselves as the new Israel petitioning the courts of heaven, a framework that completely inverts the modern Zionist political theology being imposed on the 250th anniversary. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED (3 bullets hard cap) How were the Olive Branch Petition and the Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms sent one day apart — and what does that simultaneous dual track reveal about the real strategic thinking behind the colonial leadership? What did the Charleston Mechanics discover about British Superintendent John Stuart's covert operation to weaponize Native nations against the southern colonies — and how did that intelligence change Georgia's position toward independence? Why did the Continental Congress read Psalm 80 and cast themselves as the new Israel with King George as Pharaoh — and what does that theological framework reveal about who our founding fathers actually were? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm This episode was researched and produced under the Sentinel Framework — the analytical methodology built by Scott Kesterson — with AI-assisted research synthesis. All analysis, conclusions, and editorial judgments are those of Scott Kesterson. AFFILIATE LINKS Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here DONATIONS: If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here MAILING ADDRESS: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

Cancer and Beyond Cosmic Energy Report | June - December 2026  Astrology and tarot from two grounded earth signs.   In this episode: Emily and Andrea map the entire back half of 2026, Cancer season all the way through winter solstice, in one sitting. Fair warning, this is a long one. Take it in pieces if you need to. Bookmark it. Come back to it every month like a lot of our listeners already do, but here's why you can't skip it! On July 3rd and 4th, Mars meets Uranus in Gemini for the first time since the 1940s. The last time these two collided in this sign, it was six days before the atomic bomb was dropped. The time before that, it was the literal day the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The time before that, it was the day the Continental Congress moved to declare independence from Britain. Emily spent two days trying to write about this one because it's loud and explosive energy. Layered right on top of it is something called Barbault's Basket, a rare alignment between Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The French astrologer Andre Barbault, who predicted the 2020 pandemic, the 2008 financial crash, and the fall of the Soviet Union, thought this basket configuration was a turning point for humanity. It's forming now. Emily walks through exactly what it means and why she's choosing hope over fear on this one. And that's just July. From there, the seasons unfold like a epic 3 part movie. August asks you to grieve amidst eclipses and September encourages you to sit on your throne of divine sovereignty. Things get tricky when October sharpens your tongue and boundary work. Clarity is kindness, even when it's a little brutal. November pulls the community back in around you, right when you need it most. December finally, finally lets you breathe, no retrogrades over the holidays for the first time in what feels like forever. Andrea pulled tarot for every single month and Emily mapped every major astrological transit. Together they bring you the most comprehensive look at the last half of 2026. If you only listen to one Cosmic Energy Report this year, make it this one. You're going to want the full picture before July hits! 0:00 – Welcome & Gemini Season Recap 10:00 – Cancer Season: Themes & Meaning 11:38 – Cancer Season Tarot Cards  26:38 – July Astrology 40:38 – Barbault's Basket: The Rare Outer Planet Configuration 51:13 – August and Eclipses 59:06 – September Emotions 1:15:54 – October Retrogrades 1:28:12 – November  1:34:41 – December 1:51:19 – Closing Thoughts & Resources   Connect with Emily Bookings & Website: https://www.emilyandherstars.com/tellme Join the Cards + Cosmos Club: https://www.emilyandherstars.com/shop/p/2025cardscosmos Newsletter + Calendar Download: https://emilyandherstars.myflodesk.com/newslettersignup Instagram & Threads: @emilyandherstars

Cancer season and Inviting Shadow just got combined because "less is more" is pretty much the whole theme of this year anyway. In the episode Emily and Andrea map the entire back half of 2026, Cancer season all the way through winter solstice, in one sitting. Fair warning, this is a long one. Take it in pieces if you need to. Bookmark it. Come back to it every month like a lot of our listeners already do, but here's why you can't skip it! On July 3rd and 4th, Mars meets Uranus in Gemini for the first time since the 1940s. The last time these two collided in this sign, it was six days before the atomic bomb was dropped. The time before that, it was the literal day the first shots of the Civil War were fired. The time before that, it was the day the Continental Congress moved to declare independence from Britain. Emily spent two days trying to write about this one because it's loud and explosive energy. Layered right on top of it is something called Barbault's Basket, a rare alignment between Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The French astrologer Andre Barbault, who predicted the 2020 pandemic, the 2008 financial crash, and the fall of the Soviet Union, thought this basket configuration was a turning point for humanity. It's forming now. Emily walks through exactly what it means and why she's choosing hope over fear on this one. And that's just July. From there, the seasons unfold like a epic 3 part movie. August asks you to grieve amidst eclipses and September encourages you to sit on your throne of divine sovereignty. Things get tricky when October sharpens your tongue and boundary work. Clarity is kindness, even when it's a little brutal. November pulls the community back in around you, right when you need it most. December finally, finally lets you breathe, no retrogrades over the holidays for the first time in what feels like forever. Andrea pulled tarot for every single month and Emily mapped every major astrological transit. Together they bring you the most comprehensive look at the last half of 2026. If you only listen to one Cosmic Energy Report this year, make it this one. You're going to want the full picture before July hits! In This Episode: 0:00 – Welcome & Gemini Season Recap 10:00 – Cancer Season: Themes & Meaning 11:38 – Cancer Season Tarot Cards  26:38 – July Astrology 40:38 – Barbault's Basket: The Rare Outer Planet Configuration 51:13 – August and Eclipses 59:06 – September Emotions 1:15:54 – October Retrogrades 1:28:12 – November  1:34:41 – December 1:51:19 – Closing Thoughts & Resources   Connect with Andrea Newsletter: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/newsletter-signup Direct to Bookings: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/sessions Website: https://www.andreamccallumservices.com/ Instagram: @concreteandcrystals @andreamccallum.art

Drop us a note about the podcast. A Bible can feel like a private book until you read how it was treated as a public necessity. We start with Psalm 119, where God's words are “sweeter than honey” and steady enough to light a path, then we press that question into real life: what happens to a person, a marriage, or a nation when Scripture stops being the standard and becomes background noise?We move through Ephesians 5:22-33 and talk plainly about Christian marriage roles, sacrificial love, respect, and why popular marriage advice collapses when it contradicts God's design. Then we read John 18 and sit with the moment Jesus is arrested: He doesn't hide, He doesn't posture, and He doesn't let chaos dictate His obedience. Alongside Proverbs 16, the thread is clear: we can make plans, but the Lord determines our steps, so faith has to be more than talk.From there, we turn to American history and civic courage, quoting Thomas Paine's American Crisis and his warning about “summer soldiers” and “sunshine patriots.” We also dig into the Aitken Bible of 1782 and the documented ways early U.S. Congress supported Bible access during Revolutionary War shortages. If you care about Christian patriotism, the Bible in early America, biblical worldview, and how faith shapes public life, this conversation connects the dots in a way that's hard to ignore.Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who loves Scripture and history, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of this message challenged you the most?#ContinentalCongress #RevolutionaryWar #RobertAitkenSupport the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribeCountryside Book Serieshttps://www.amazon.com/Countryside-Book-J-T-Cope-IV-ebook/dp/B00MPIXOB2 

Declaring independence on July 2, 1776, was only the beginning. To actually become a nation, the United States needed something else: foreign allies, international recognition, and the credibility to negotiate as an equal among the world's great powers. Five days after Richard Henry Lee introduced his famous Virginia Resolution, the Continental Congress appointed a committee of five — John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, and Benjamin Harrison — to figure out how to achieve international recognition. The result was the Model Treaty: a document we almost never discuss today, but one that Adams considered his most important contribution to Congress and the nation. Historians Sara Georgini and Eliga Gould guide us through Adams's revolutionary blueprint for American foreign policy and the founders' understanding that the United States would need to become a "treaty-worthy" nation before France would take it seriously. This is the second episode in a three-part series. Sara's Website | Book  Lige's Website | BookShow Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/444 EPISODE OUTLINE00:00:00  Introduction00:00:21  Three Legs of Independence00:01:17   The Second Continental Congress Votes Independence00:02:58  The Second Leg of Independence: Foreign Alliances00:03:28  The Model Treaty00:07:12  Why the Virginia Resolution Included Foreign Alliances00:19:00  Specifics of the Model Treaty00:21:30  Founders' Goals for the Model Treaty00:28:21  The Model Treaty Drafting Committee00:41:20  The Model Treaty as a Document00:39:15 The Story of Common Sense00:50:07  Commercial Alliances01:04:42  The Model Treaty's Place in the American RevolutionRECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES

John Hancock: first to sign, first to invest in America’s independence DB132603 Author: Randall, Willard Sterne Reading Time: 7 hours, 15 minutes Read by: Steve Hendrickson Subjects: Biography of Heads of State and Political Figures, U.S. History, Government and Politics “A contemporary of Samuel Adams, John Adams, George Washington, and the Marquis de Lafayette, Hancock's contacts read like a who's who of the American Revolution. But shockingly little has been written about the man himself — and current biographies tend to over-rely on critical portrayals by his political opponents. John Hancock the story of a man who deserves far more acknowledgment for his involvement in the American Revolution than previously credited — and award-winning scholar Willard Sterne Randall is determined to give him his due at last. Born to relatively modest means, Hancock was sent to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt as a child, who raised him as their own and prepared him to take over the family company. An incredibly successful businessman, Hancock began to get involved in politics in the mid-1760s. He quickly rose in the ranks, eventually serving as the president of the Continental Congress and the first governor of Massachusetts. John Hancock details all of the major moments in the Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to the battles of Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Hancock's actions fundamentally altered each of these events — and ultimately the course of the United States — in ways never taught in the history books. Randall also dives into less-known parts of Hancock's life with nuance and compassion, including his education and controversial work with Harvard; his long courtship and complicated marriage to Dorothy Quincy; and his close relationship and eventual bitter rivalry with Samuel Adams. John Hancock was immensely popular in Massachusetts at the time of the Revolution, but his lack of personal writings have allowed him to be pushed aside in favor of easier biographies to tell. Through extensive research, Randall aims to restore Hancock to his rightful place, celebrated for his achievements as one of our Founding Fathers at last.” — Goodreads. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. New York, NY : Penguin Random House, 2025. Bookshare This book can be found on Bookshare at the following link: https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/6590359?returnPath=L3NlYXJjaD9tb2R1bGVOYW1lPXB1YmxpYyZrZXl3b3JkPUpvaG4lMkJIYW5jb2NrJTI1M0ElMkJmaXJzdCUyQnRvJTJCc2lnbiUyNTJDJTJCZmlyc3QlMkJ0byUyQmludmVzdCUyQmluJTJCQW1lcmljYSUyNTI2JTI1MjMzOSUyNTNCcyUyQmluZGVwZW5kZW5jZSUyQg

In this prayerful episode for Flag Day, Lynette Kittle reflects on what the American flag has meant to generations of citizens who have lived under its colors, fought beneath it, and looked to it as a symbol of the freedoms they hold dear. Adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777, the flag has witnessed war, sacrifice, and the ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union, and it still stirs the hearts of those who love what it represents. From the iconic photograph of six Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima to Isaiah's imagery of banners lifted on mountaintops, the raising of a flag has always carried weight. It speaks in an instant of a nation, its people, and its values. On Flag Day, Lynette invites us to do more than admire the symbol — she calls us to pray over it, asking God that the nation it represents would be one that truly honors His name, walks in His ways, and stands for the freedom that comes not only from the Constitution, but from Jesus Christ Himself. As Dr. Jerry Newcombe describes it, the American flag represents "self-rule under God," and that is worth both celebrating and interceding for. Today's Bible Verse "Till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill." — Isaiah 30:17, NIV Ponder Today A nation's flag is more than a symbol. It is a witness. In a single glance, a flag communicates what a nation stands for, who its people are, and what they value. What we pray for our flag is ultimately what we pray for our nation. Flag Day is an invitation to intercession, not just celebration. Gratitude for what our nation has been is inseparable from prayer for what it can yet become. Let patriotism lead you to your knees on behalf of the country you love. Much blood has been shed defending what the flag represents. The sacrifice of those who served beneath its colors deserves our remembrance and our gratitude, on Flag Day and every day. The truest hope for any nation is that it would trust in God. Laws, constitutions, and military strength all have their place, but a nation's greatest foundation is the acknowledgment that its liberties and blessings ultimately come from Him. A Prayer for You Today Dear Father, we pray for our nation's flag to wave in humbleness and hope, representing a country that honors and glorifies Your name above all others. Let it be carried and waved by a people who follow Your ways. Let it stand, too, for the true freedom given to us through Jesus Christ, God's gift to every person who receives His salvation and freedom from sin. With sincere hearts, we ask You to make America a nation that truly trusts in You, and may our flag reflect that trust to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred both your patriotism and your faith, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to nourish your love for God, your neighbors, and your nation every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Isaiah 30:17 uses the imagery of a banner on a hill to describe visibility, identity, and the reality that what is lifted up becomes a symbol others recognize and respond to. In this devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the meaning of the American flag as a national symbol and explores how honoring it connects to gratitude for freedom, sacrifice, and heritage. She emphasizes the flag not just as fabric, but as a representation of unity, history, and the values a nation seeks to uphold. Highlights Isaiah 30:17 uses “banner” imagery to represent identity and visibility. The American flag is presented as a symbol of freedom and national unity. Flags historically represent leadership, belonging, and shared values. The U.S. flag reflects the history and sacrifices tied to national freedom. Symbols can serve as reminders of heritage and collective responsibility. Gratitude for freedom can lead to reflection on God’s providence. National symbols often carry emotional and cultural significance. Honoring heritage can encourage unity and respect within a nation. Join the Conversation Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Why Honoring Our Flag Pleases God By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” - Isaiah 30:17 Individuals and groups have stomped on it, carried it upside down, cut it up, and burned it, yet our nation’s flag keeps on flying and representing to many around the world, even if not to some in the United States, a sign of hope and true freedom. On this 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation, our American flag is a worldwide symbol of freedom on this earth. Hands down, it is considered the most recognizable flag in the world as a symbol of freedom. When we honor our flag, remembering its history of how God led Christians to establish it, we honor God, because He is accredited with the birth of our nation. “Of course, it’s just a symbol,” notes Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Executive Director of Providence Forum, “but it’s a powerful one. To me, it represents the American story - self-rule under God.” Many who disrespect and spit on our flag do so because they hate the history ascribed to it and our nation’s long-held slogan of being “one nation under God.” Newcombe believes we should honor our flag because it honors God and our country. “A lot of blood was shed defending that flag,” he explains, “and it represents the freedom we enjoy.” Flag Day, celebrated each June 14th, commemorates the day our Continental Congress adopted the original American flag in 1777, made official in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. Growing up, many of us in the United States memorized and recited The Pledge of Allegiance, a pledge “written by a Baptist minister in the 1890s, with the ‘under God’ phrase added in the 1950s,” notes Newcombe. The Purpose of Flags Used primarily throughout history in warfare to announce battles and identify troops, national flags still play a role in distinguishing friend from foe. Culturally, the flag symbolizes power and leadership, carried during military processions and announcing dignitaries. They represent the people and beliefs behind them, of the hands that hold and carry them, and the buildings where they are flown. Flags also serve to draw together and rally people for unified causes, flown to signal, decorate, and display in parades and at events. As well, flags declare ownership, borders, and jurisdiction in homelands and foreign lands. Nations around the globe use them to communicate to the masses the loss of leaders and the mourning of national tragedies and disasters. The United States flag drapes the caskets of our fallen military heroes and veterans when they are being transported from the combat zones to home and at their funerals. The Meaning Displayed in America’s Flag America’s flag has 13 red and white stripes, each representing the original 13 colonies that began our nation, along with 50 white stars set on a blue background representing our current 50 states. There is significant meaning within the American flag’s design, as the Founder of Providence Forum, Dr. Peter Lillback notes. Each color displayed on the American flag has a definite meaning, with red standing for hardiness and valor; white for purity and innocence, and blue for perseverance, justice, and vigilance. Unlike some believe, even though Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, the design is accredited to one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson. Our American Flag Stirs Hearts Our American flag is a vital piece of America’s history, representing freedom for all, known to stir the hearts of its patriotic citizens. It’s a symbol that has inspired our nation through many troubles and conflicts, standing for life, liberty, justice, and freedom for all. In honoring it, we please God by recognizing the godly heritage it represents throughout the history of our nation and the world. Intersecting Faith & Life:Did you grow up reciting The Pledge of Allegiance before school each morning? If so, has it impacted your life? In what ways? If not, what are your thoughts on the American Flag? Further Reading:A Prayer to Honor What Our Nation’s Flag Represents Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag for the newly created United States of America. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14, with Congressional legislation designating that date as Flag Day — signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1949. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/64WqoHykcjc which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. PragerU podcast available at https://amzn.to/3MRvsz0 PragerU books at https://amzn.to/3APDaWN Flag Day books available at https://amzn.to/4xzPEuT Books about Pledge of Allegiance at https://amzn.to/4uA5Ucu 9/11 books at https://amzn.to/4vGP8cy ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Mark's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast: https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's History of North America podcast: www.parthenonpodcast.com/history-of-north-america Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA & https://twitter.com/HistoricalJesu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credits: PragerU - American Flag Cork Board (Craftory, 14june2022). All audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric gives a major update from the Revolution book tour after his book debuts at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 on Amazon. Eric discusses the BookScan numbers, Jill Biden's book, and why getting the true story of America's founding into the mainstream matters. Then Eric talks with Tim Barton of Wall Builders about America's Christian founding, the real meaning of separation of church and state, Jefferson, Madison, John Adams, George Washington, George Whitefield, the Sons of Liberty, the Continental Congress, and why the story of the American Revolution cannot be told honestly without God.⭐ ORDER NOW:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

This bit of the journals of the Continental Congress from June 10, 1776 illustrates how some delegations were confused as to how to proceed on behalf of their colonies on the question of independence. They're trying to collect advice in time for the June 28 postponed decision on the Lee Resolution after the Declaration has been written. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 4th, 2026, the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence announced a new nation to the world. But how well do we actually know the document we're celebrating? Most of us can recite "We hold these truths to be self-evident," but how many of us have read all 1,337 words, and traced the argument the Declaration actually makes? Danielle Allen, the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and author of Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality, reveals how New Hampshire's desperate need for a functioning government set the Continental Congress on the path toward independence, why the Declaration was authored by many voices — not just Thomas Jefferson — and how a slow, careful reading of the document uncovers a powerful argument that freedom and equality are entwined. You cannot have one without the other. This is the essential starting point for Ben Franklin's World's Independence at 250 series. Danielle's Website | Book | Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/018 RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES

This Day in Legal History: The Burning of the GaspeeOn this day in 1772, a Royal Navy revenue schooner called HMS Gaspee, captained by a notably overzealous Lieutenant William Duddington, ran aground in shallow water in Narragansett Bay while chasing a Rhode Island packet boat called the Hannah. Within hours of the grounding, roughly sixty Providence merchants, sailors, and “Sons of Liberty” — led by John Brown, one of the wealthiest men in the colony — rowed out under cover of darkness in eight longboats, boarded the Gaspee, shot Duddington, and burned the ship to the waterline. The legal significance lies in what came next. The Crown convened a Royal Commission of Inquiry with authority to ship the perpetrators across the Atlantic for trial in England, bypassing colonial juries entirely, a procedural maneuver that the colonies read as a direct attack on the right to jury trial in the vicinage.The Virginia House of Burgesses responded in March 1773 by forming the first Committee of Correspondence, a sustained intercolonial communication network that became, two years later, the institutional skeleton of the Continental Congress. The Gaspee Affair never produced a single prosecution — the commission could not get the colonial governor or the Rhode Island courts to cooperate, and witness testimony evaporated — but it produced something more durable: the colonial conviction that the Crown's willingness to detour around local juries was itself a constitutional grievance worth organizing against. The right-to-jury-in-the-vicinage point that Madison wrote into the Sixth Amendment seventeen years later is, in a real sense, the Gaspee Affair's longest-lived legacy.The Supreme Court on Monday granted, vacated, and remanded the D.C. Circuit's decision in American Gas Association v. Department of Energy, sending the long-disputed Biden-era Department of Energy efficiency rule on non-condensing residential gas furnaces and commercial water heaters back to the D.C. Circuit “for further consideration in light of the position asserted by the Solicitor General.” That last phrase is the operative one. The new Solicitor General, on behalf of the second Trump administration's DOE, told the Court in late April that the prior administration's reading of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act was, in DOE's current view, wrong, and that the rule effectively bans non-condensing units that millions of homes and small commercial properties were built around. A confessed-error from a new administration doesn't automatically win a case, but the procedural vehicle — a grant-vacate-remand, or “GVR” — is the Court's standard way of saying “go look at this again with the new posture in mind” without resolving the merits itself.The trade-group plaintiffs, led by the American Gas Association and the American Public Gas Association, framed the rule from the start as a de facto product ban dressed up as efficiency standards. The environmental and consumer groups that intervened to defend the rule will get another bite at the apple on remand, but their position is harder when their own client agency has switched sides. Watch the D.C. Circuit's case calendar over the next few weeks for an expedited briefing schedule.Supreme Court Vacates Decision Outlawing Gas Stoves, Water Heaters | NewsBustersSCOTUSblog on Monday published a careful overview of an increasingly organized litigation campaign to ask the Supreme Court to overrule Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage. The campaign now includes Liberty Counsel, MassResistance, and the Southern Baptist Convention, which last year voted overwhelmingly to urge the Court to reverse the decision. The underlying ground for the push is partly the Court's reasoning in Dobbs four years ago, which gave conservative litigants a road map for unwinding substantive due process precedents, and partly the gradual erosion of public-opinion support for same-sex marriage in one slice of the polling, with Republican support falling from 55 percent in 2022 to 37 percent now. The legal headcount at the Court is, however, the part of the story that is not yet there.Only Justice Thomas has been a consistent vote to revisit Obergefell, having said so in his Dobbs concurrence. Justice Alito, despite being one of Obergefell's original dissenters, recently emphasized in a public speech that he is not suggesting the case should be overruled, citing stare decisis. Justice Gorsuch's dissent in 303 Creative seems to concede that Obergefell is good law and tries instead to carve out specific exceptions to it. None of which is a reason for litigants on the marriage-equality side to relax. The path Dobbs opened up is wider than any single justice's current voting pattern, and the campaign is plainly playing a long game.The next round of test cases on standing and ripeness will start to surface in the lower courts in the next term or two — that is when the campaign's seriousness becomes measurable.The campaign to overrule Obergefell | SCOTUSblogThe third and most constitutionally significant story of the day is one we've been watching: the litigation over President Trump's $400 million ballroom — built on the site of the demolished East Wing — is on track to land in front of the Supreme Court, SCOTUSblog reported Monday. The D.C. Circuit panel that heard the case for more than two hours in late April has not yet ruled, but the questioning made clear that a more substantial opinion is coming and that an appeal to the Court is the likely next stop regardless of which side wins. The legal question is unusually fundamental. The plaintiff, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argues that the President has no “free-floating” power to construct major federal buildings without an appropriation from Congress, and that the Antideficiency Act and the Public Buildings Act both require the kind of statutory authorization the East Wing ballroom never received.The administration's response, delivered in a tone that several court-watchers described as unusually defiant, has essentially been that construction has “gone too far to be stopped” and that the courts have no role in second-guessing a presidential building decision once the steel is up. The structural separation-of-powers questions here — what does the Appropriations Clause actually constrain, and can a federal court enjoin a President from continuing to build something that is partially constructed — are large enough that the Supreme Court will almost certainly want to take the case if it reaches the high court. Construction, meanwhile, continues. The most likely Supreme Court resolution is a narrow opinion on standing or remedies, with the broader Appropriations Clause questions deferred for another day. We will see.White House ballroom battle may soon arrive at the Supreme Court | SCOTUSblogIn my Bloomberg Tax column this week, I argue that the SALT deduction cap's biggest problem is not that it is unconstitutional, but that it is badly designed. The latest failed challenge, Sims v. United States, involved two New Jersey taxpayers who claimed the cap violated the 10th Amendment, the 16th Amendment, and broader federalism principles. The federal district court rejected those arguments, finding that Congress has broad authority to tax income and decide which deductions are allowed, limited, or denied. My point is that opponents of the SALT cap should stop looking for constitutional defects that courts are unlikely to find and instead focus on forcing Congress to fix the policy it created.I explain that the cap has always been politically loaded: supporters see it as a needed limit on a deduction that benefits many high-income taxpayers in high-tax states, while critics see it as a targeted attack on those states. But unfair or politically motivated tax policy is not automatically unconstitutional. The real weakness, I argue, is the cap's uneven design, especially the pass-through entity tax workaround. Many business owners can effectively get around the cap when state taxes are paid at the entity level, while wage earners, sole proprietors, and many individual taxpayers remain stuck behind it.That creates a serious mismatch: two taxpayers can live in the same state, earn similar income, and face similar state tax burdens, but receive different federal treatment depending on whether one has the right business structure. I argue that this kind of selective relief may be a more promising target for a narrower administrative or legal challenge than another broad constitutional attack on Congress's taxing power. Congress partly recognized the problem when it raised the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, but I note that the fix is temporary, only lightly indexed, and still leaves major structural problems in place. The marriage penalty remains especially glaring because married couples filing jointly do not receive double the cap available to similarly situated unmarried taxpayers.I also criticize the phaseout design because it can create cliffs or marginal-rate spikes that reward tax gamesmanship rather than sound policy. A better fix, in my view, would make the higher cap permanent, index it meaningfully, eliminate the marriage penalty, smooth out the phaseout, and require Treasury to rationalize the treatment of pass-through entity taxes. The lesson from Sims is that courts may uphold the SALT cap, but that does not make it good tax policy. If the cap is unfair, incoherent, or selectively porous, Congress owns that problem.SALT Deduction Cap Falls Short in Design, Not Constitutionality This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia writes from the Continental Congress to his friend, Landon Carter, a letter previewing the resolution he will eventually bring in Congress on June 7, which will then lead to the Declaration of Independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This key decision of the Continental Congress matters because the way a war is fought affects the outcomes; the choice to fight like a state means either losing or winning like a state.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/charles-lee-alternative-george-washington-youve-probably-never-heard

This key decision of the Continental Congress matters because the way a war is fought affects the outcomes; the choice to fight like a state means either losing or winning like a state.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/charles-lee-alternative-george-washington-youve-probably-never-heard

Brethren, this Short Talk Bulletin Podcast episode was written by RW Ill Bro Norris G. Abbot Jr., 33rd, PGH – RI, and is brought to us by MW Bro Russ Charvonia, PGM – CA. Bro Ellery was one of Rhode Island’s signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and a member of the Continental Congress that adopted them. In this year of America’s semi-quincentennial birthday celebration, let us pay homage to this brother who was instrumental to the success of the Revolution. Enjoy, and do share this and all of these Podcast episodes with your brothers and your Lodge.

his year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Specifically, it is when the Continental Congress, the provisional governing body of the 13 colonies, adopted the Declaration of Independence.   It goes without saying that much has changed since then. But what would our founding fathers think of our society today? How should history, both past events and current, be taught in classrooms? To answer these questions more we’re joined by two Oregon history teachers. Jacqueline Pope-Brothers teaches U.S. government, AP Government and constitutional law at Sprague High School in Salem. Maurice Cowley teaches English and AP African American Studies at McDaniel High School in Portland.  

The Asset team is releasing a 6-part audio drama Patriarchs. As the United States approaches 250 years of independence, the nation is asking hard questions about how it began, who paid the price, and what kind of republic it has become. Patriarchs, a loaded but apt term in today's vernacular, is a six-episode historical podcast drama that answers those questions by chronicling the most consequential relationship in early America: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, told in their own words. Subscribe hereWe begin with two former presidents looking back over a life together as friends, rivals, and uneasy family. From there, listeners travel back to the moment these strangers first step outside the Continental Congress to talk, two lawyers, two farmers, two men who have no idea they are about to remake the world. Every scene, every argument, every confession in Patriarchs is drawn from real letters, speeches, and memoirs, voiced by an ensemble of award-‑winning actors—with Stacy Keach starring as Thomas Jefferson. The result is an intimate drama of brilliant founders who are also flawed fathers, husbands, slaveholders, and partisans. ​We hear their partnership forged in crisis, as they push Congress toward independence and wrestle the language of the Declaration onto the page.​ Alongside them is Abigail Adams, one of the sharpest political minds of the age, whose letters slice cleanly through ego and ideology. Patriarchs also confronts the reality of slavery and sexual exploitation in the founding generation, centering Sally Hemings not as rumor but as a speaking, thinking presence whose choices and constraints shape Jefferson's life. Patriarchs is a chance to hear the founding generation as they really sounded: insecure, vain, idealistic, petty, courageous, haunted—often in the same breath in a rare combination of rigorous primary-source history and bingeable character drama, led by Stacy Keach and a veteran cast capable of carrying both prestige storytelling and wide audience appeal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Founding Father was elected president of the Continental Congress on this day in 1775. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a rereleased episode from season 1 of Condemned to Repeat It. In this episode, we set the stage for the Declaration of Independence by exploring the deep English political and intellectual history Jefferson drew upon when he sat down to write it. Far from being a spontaneous act of rebellion, the Declaration was the latest entry in a long English tradition of publicly justifying political action, with clear roots in the 1689 Declaration of Right that deposed King James II and the Virginia Declaration of Rights drafted just weeks earlier in June 1776.  Gerrit walks through the political climate of the Continental Congress, where moderates, realists, and outright loyalists still outnumbered firebrands like John and Samuel Adams, and explains how Richard Henry Lee's June resolution for independence prompted a committee, led by Jefferson, to draft an explanation rather than the act of independence itself.  The episode traces how Jefferson's opening lines about self-evident truths, equality, and unalienable rights radically inverted centuries of monarchical assumption: rights no longer flowed downward from kings as gracious gifts, but upward from a Creator to the people, who in turn loaned legitimate power to government. The hosts close on a cliffhanger as Jefferson pivots from preamble to grievances, leaving Richard, ever the loyalist sympathizer, still firmly on the side of the Crown. If you would like to follow what Sweetwater Rescue is doing, specifically our most recent trip to Nairobi Kenya please follow us on Instagram or Facebook.    Sweetwater Rescue Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetwaterrescue?igsh=MTd6eHRteG9idzB6bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   Sweetwater Rescue Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18n8KBA9bz/?mibextid=wwXIfr Sign up for our free monthly email: ⁠ ⁠https://standardoftruthpodcast.substack.com⁠ If you have any questions or possible topics of discussion for upcoming podcasts, please email us at: ⁠⁠questions@standardoftruthpodcast.com

250 years ago, the Continental Congress called the 13 colonies to “prayer, fasting, and humiliation” just weeks prior to the Revolutionary War. Today, on that anniversary, Pastor Gary reminds us of America's Christian heritage and encourages us to stand firm in our faith and to maintain those Christian principles.

Caesar Rodney: The Ride That Saved Independence tells the incredible true story of the forgotten Founding Father whose 80-mile midnight ride helped secure Delaware's vote for American independence. Sick, disfigured by cancer, and battling a literal storm, Caesar Rodney rode through the night in July 1776 to cast the deciding vote that helped change the course of the American Revolution. While every American knows George Washington crossing the Delaware, few know about Caesar Rodney's desperate journey to Philadelphia to help unite the colonies behind independence. In this episode of America's Founding Series, host Nick Giordano explores the high-stakes political divisions inside the Continental Congress, the enormous risks facing the Founders, and the timeless lesson that liberty survives only when citizens show up. What You'll Learn: Why Delaware's vote became a critical turning point for American independence  How Caesar Rodney's physical suffering reveals the true meaning of sacrifice and duty  Why George Read feared the colonies were moving too fast toward revolution  The dramatic story behind Rodney's overnight ride through stormy conditions to Philadelphia  What Caesar Rodney's actions teach about citizenship, courage, and self-government today

Two hundred and fifty years ago, before a single battle of the Revolutionary War had been won, a group of men from vastly different denominations sat down together and did something that would set the tone for everything that followed — they prayed. Congregationalists, Anglicans, Quakers, Baptists, Lutherans, and more, setting aside every theological difference to seek God together for the future of a nation not yet born. They opened that first Continental Congress with the reading of Psalm 35, crying out to God as their shield, their armor, and their salvation. It was an act of unity that history has rarely matched. On this National Day of Prayer, we are invited into that same spirit — not as a political act, but as a profoundly spiritual one. The divisions in our nation run deep, and the temptation to pray only within the walls of our own traditions is real. But the founders understood something we must recover: that corporate prayer, offered in humility and unity, moves the hand of God in ways that individual effort never can. The same God who heard the prayers of those early colonists and brought a nation through impossible odds is still listening today. He is still moved by repentance. He is still responsive to humility. And He is still able to do far more than we can ask or imagine — if His people will simply set aside what divides them and call out to Him together. Interested in creating something new with us!? Take Our Newsletter Survey! Bible Verse "Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, 'I am your salvation.'" — Psalm 35:1-3 Ponder Today America's founders understood that physical battles are ultimately won or lost in the spiritual realm — their commitment to corporate prayer was not ceremonial, it was foundational. Unity in prayer does not require uniformity in doctrine — the founders set aside significant denominational differences to pray together for a shared purpose, and God honored it. National repentance is not just a historical concept — the story of Nineveh reminds us that God is always ready to relent when His people genuinely humble themselves and turn back to Him. The Great Awakenings in American history did not begin with political movements — they began with prayer, and there is no reason to believe that pattern has changed. Corporate prayer is one of the most powerful forces available to the Church — when believers across denominational lines join in one accord, the watching world sees the love of God at work in a way nothing else can replicate. Today's Prayer Dear Father, as our nation marks this significant anniversary, lead us by Your Holy Spirit to set aside our differences and join together in prayer for our country. Give us wisdom and insight into the needs of our nation and our leaders. Soften the hearts of our citizens to respond to a call for repentance, and draw us to humble ourselves before You, to seek Your face, and to turn from our wicked ways. Strengthen our faith to believe in the power of prayer and to cry out for another Great Awakening in America. We ask for miracles in our nation and in the lives of those who lead us. In Jesus' name, Amen. Enjoy Today's Prayer? If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to stay connected! Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and faith-filled content delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss an episode — subscribe and share with someone who needs encouragement today. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

4. Headline: Logan's Vengeance and the Rise of Lord Dunmore's War Guest Author: Robert G. ParkinsonFollowing the murder of his family, Logan transformed from a diplomat into an avenger, killing nearly 20 people in retaliatory raids. This violence contributed to Lord Dunmore's War, a military expedition launched by Virginia'sgovernor to secure land claims at the forks of the Ohio. Amidst this chaos, the Continental Congress called for volunteer riflemen to join the Revolutionary War. Michael Cresup, despite being blamed for the initial frontier violence, was chosen to lead a company of Maryland riflemen to Boston. The conflict ended with Logan's famous peace message, delivered via his brother-in-law John Gibson. 41800