John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, defended President Joe Biden's comments about gas prices after facing criticism from billionaire Jeff Bezos. After Biden demanded that gas stations lower fuel prices in a Saturday tweet, Bezos accused the president of misleading the public or lacking a "basic" understanding of market forces. Kirby, during a "Fox News Sunday" interview, defended Biden's remarks, asserting Biden is "plain-spoken," speaking his mind "in terms that everybody can understand." Meanwhile, when Brian Deese, Biden adviser and chairman of the National Economic Council, was asked on "CNN Newsroom" how to respond to families that cannot afford to pay $4.85 a gallon for gas "for months, if not years," Deese responded, "What we heard from the president, this is about the future of the liberal world order, and we have to stand firm." Read more.

Lindsey Swindle, the Director of Government & Policy Affairs at Christian Care Ministry, writes about the establishment of July 4th as a federal holiday, the importance of being an encouragement to others, and why she is proud to be an American. "If someone around you has a need that you can meet, then let your faith move into action on their behalf. Five people drafted the Declaration of Independence and that small group of people brought hope to a new nation. We carry the message of hope and freedom with us and it shines brightest when we are in unity and service to others," she writes. Read more.

TakeCharge Executive Director Sheila Qualls writes about why she believes it is a great day to be black in America and asks, "Why are woke white people always trying to convince blacks and other minorities that the American system is rigged against us and forces driven by white privilege will never let us excel?" Qualls, whose nonprofit works to restore the two-parent black family and unite all Americans regardless of skin color or station of life, notes that no country is perfect but asserts that the progressive-promoted narrative has been used to avoid having to address "failed policies or politicians who have gotten wealthy at the expense of those they serve." From CRT to social welfare, Qualls laments the "constant drone of racism," pointing out Nigerian immigrants have a higher average household income than white Americans. She concludes, "If we take the focus off race, black people might be able to comprehend why I say it’s a great day to be black in America." Read more.

Jennifer Zilly Canales, a U.S. citizen and Christian missionary in Honduras, shares her experiences as an expatriate and her prayer for the U.S. "[I]n the midst of all that is currently occurring, both on star-spangled soil and abroad, in the name of Jesus I want to exhort each and every one of us to pray and to cling to biblical truth in the most loving, peace-seeking manner." Read more.

Freedom comes at a cost to someone. For our country, it was Revolutionary soldiers. For our souls, it was the King of Kings!

On this day as we celebrate freedom let us take action to love and serve someone.

To assist you, be sure to visit our special Independence Day special section where you will find inspirational blogs, uplifting videos, inspirational books, and edifying podcasts, all devoted to honoring the freedom and liberty God has bestowed on our great nation.

Find more at the Crossmap Independence Day Special Section! Visit Now!

The Catholic bishop of India’s Udaipur city has appealed for peace as authorities impose a curfew and block access to the internet following violent protests that broke out after two Muslim men murdered a tailor and posted a video of the killing on social media. The Muslim radicals attempted to behead the Hindu tailor for supporting a politician from the country’s ruling nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party who had spoken against the Islamic prophet Muhammad on television. The accused, identified as Gos Mohammad and Riyaz, entered Lal’s shop and slit his throat with a cleaver, India’s NDTV reported, adding that they attempted to behead him but couldn’t, according to the police. Bishop John Ganawa condemned the violence, telling AsiaNews, "As a representative of the Christian community here in Udaipur, I appeal for peace and harmony among all the communities. We stand for religious tolerance, dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all the communities. I pray that good sense may prevail among us all." Read more.

Media watchdog the Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) is speaking out against the new animated Netflix series "Human Resources" over what it describes as pornographic content. The series, from the creators of the controversial "Big Mouth" series, is not focused on adolescent characters, but the PTC says it's likely to draw younger viewers because it's a cartoon. Some of the show’s episodes contain what PTC calls "disturbing, sexualizing references to children," such as a "hormone monster" who says, "I mean, I’m perfectly satisfied getting children to touch their privates." Another scene in an office-type meeting environment features a "monster of some kind that looks like three penises" named "Mr. Dick Pinwheel." Read more.

Lifeway's Vacation Bible School soundtrack "Spark Studios" reached the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s Top 100 Children’s Music Albums chart during the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in mid-June, Lifeway announced. Lifeway is the self-funded publishing and distribution arm of the SBC. The album, which now sits at the No. 9 spot, features six tracks connected to this year's VBS theme verse of Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Read more.