President Bush places his hand over his heart as the national anthem is played during the welcoming ceremony for Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi on June 29. The two leaders have a good and hearty friendship that is a testimony to the power of democracy to change the world. Photo courtesy of the White House.

1. There are some pretty big things in President Bush’s schedule this week, so PPT Kids can remember to pray for the President as he continues to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. President and Mrs. Bush welcomed the Prime Minister in a very special ceremony on the South Lawn on June 29.
   
   On June 30 President and Mrs. Bush will host the Prime Minister Koizumi on a visit to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, TN. It’s neat to see two world leaders who enjoy friendship! President Bush will also host the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili for a meeting at the White House on July 5 when they will discuss Georgia’s change to democracy and common concerns shared between our countries. On July 6, President Bush will host Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada for a discussion of several global issues and our shared commitment to advance freedom in the world. Pray that God’s will is done in each of these important meetings.

These fortunate Japanese-American kids were a part of the greeting party that welcomed Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan at a very special ceremony on June 29. Along with many other military and invited guests, they participated in the formal greeting ceremony on the South Lawn. Photo courtesy of the White House.

2. July 6 is an important day for another reason--it’s President Bush’s birthday! That’s right--he is turning 60 years old! So it’s a great time to pray for President Bush to continue to enjoy great health and fitness and to keep on drawing near to God every day. Pray for him and Mrs. Bush to have a great day of celebration together, and pray for God to keep on leading him in every part of his life.
3. It’s Independence Day—a fantastic time to appreciate and enjoy being an American! And it’s a great time to pray for our country, giving thanks for the wonderful freedoms we enjoy. Pray that all Americans will give thanks to God and will consider how they may serve our country to advance the common good. Pray that Americans will honor God with their whole hearts so He can be glorified and work in our nation.
4. Independence Day is a great day to thank God for our troops and all who have sacrificed to safeguard freedom here at home and around the world. Pray for the protection of our troops as they work hard overseas and here at home, asking God to help their loved ones especially, as they carry on with their lives while a loved one serves our country.

Director of National Intelligence--John Negroponte

Photo courtesy of the White House.

Did you know that our country has 17 different intelligence agencies? “Intelligence” is information that is gathered about an enemy or an enemy’s efforts to bring harm.

President Bush created the position of Director of National Intelligence as a way of getting all the different intelligence-gathering agencies in our country working together. Ambassador John Negroponte works with them all, helping them share information so that our country can be safe. Ambassador Negroponte also briefs the President every morning on any threats to America’s security that are revealed by our intelligence efforts. He sets the budget for each of the intelligence agencies as they do their work every year.

Mr. Negroponte has formerly served as Ambassador to the United Nations and most recently, as American Ambassador to Iraq, where he saw, up close, just how tough war and insurgency can be. Along with all America’s intelligence agencies, Ambassador Negroponte will do his part to keep Americans safe by winning the war on terror.

John Negroponte was born in London, England, is a graduate of Yale University and is married to Diana. Together they have five children.

How many of our country’s 17 intelligence agencies can you name? Hover here for full list.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security— Michael Chertoff

Photo courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security.

Michael Chertoff is a great person to be leading over our country's Department of Homeland Security! He has been an investigator for much of his professional life, having worked as a U.S. Appeals Court Judge and as a U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. He has also served in the Department of Justice, and in the days following the September 11 attacks, he investigated all the details about the attacks to learn who planned and carried them out. He did a great job with the investigation, and was the one who linked them to al-Qaeda.

As Secretary of Homeland Security, Mr. Chertoff is responsible for many key areas of security in our country—a country that is still at war! With his team, he works to protect America by reducing our vulnerability to future attack, weapons of mass destruction and cyber terrorism. He must also coordinate everything he and his team do with efforts of all the other agencies and departments concerned with America's security, from local police to all the other federal agencies. That is a big job!

Homeland Security oversees the Coast Guard, the Inspector General, FEMA, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration, the Transportation Security Administration and the Secret Service.

Michael Chertoff is married to Meryl, and together they have two children.

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen for his own.
—Psalm 33:12

I will keep on obeying your law forever and forever. I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your decrees, and I will not be ashamed.
—Psalm 119:44-46

PPT member Mary Beth Magee sent us this poem as a way of encouraging everyone to remember the great freedom and blessings we enjoy as Americans. Be sure you read it and thank God!

This poster was created for the 100 year anniversary of DuPage County, Illinois in 1939. DuPage County is now filled with suburbs of nearby Chicago, one of which is the town of Downers Grove. Do you know how old your town or city is? What will it be doing to celebrate Independence Day this year? Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

This weekend America will celebrate her birthday! That's right—some people call it the Fourth of July, others call it Independence Day, but however you talk about it, it's the 229th anniversary of America's birth as a nation. That is definitely something to celebrate!

America's birth came as a result of a great struggle. While we celebrate, it's good to remember the sacrifices and terrifically hard work that so many Colonists gave for their dream of freedom.

This print shows the Boston Tea Party, which was not a party but a rebellious demonstration against the oppressive taxes King George was charging the Colonists for some of their most important imports—like tea! The Boston Tea Party took place December 17, 1773 and was one of the many events that led up to America's declaring independence from Britain. Image courtesy of historyimages.com.

Why do you suppose the earliest Americans wanted their freedom? What was wrong with just remaining under the rule of the British Crown?

There were a lot of reasons, but one of the main ones was the belief that King George III of England was just being too tough on the Colonies. He was taxing them for many things and withholding shipment of important supplies.

The situation became so bad, the Colonists believed they had no choice but to declare independence from England. This was a difficult decision, but one they were ready to make. Giving up the help and support of the British government would be hard, but the freedom-loving nature of these rugged leaders made them believe it would be worth the sacrifice.

And more than that, these Colonists believed that God was leading them to establish a new nation so they could elect their own leaders rather than have them appointed for them by the British government. They didn't know exactly what the new country would look like, but they could see God's hand at work everywhere.

This Revolutionary War flag shows the sentiment that was widely accepted by many Colonists: Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. Notice that there's almost no red on this flag. Many early flags had no red—the color of the British Redcoats! Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. Click to enlarge.

The more the idea of independence from England grew, the more the Colonists believed they were following God's will. They believed that it was simply wrong to obey the British Crown—that to give in to a tyrant was against God's plan. It also shows how they believed that the pulse beat of freedom pounds in every person's heart—God longs for us all to be free of tyranny of any kind!

This Revolutionary War flag shows us a great example of this kind of thought. Can you read the banner on it? It says Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.