• Fourth of July Family Traditions

  Families and friends will gather together today to celebrate our nation’s independence, and many have longstanding traditions that bring much merriment to the holiday. Here are some things you might want to do this 4th of July:

  

• Egypt's Coup: President Mohammed Morsi Ousted; Christian, Muslim Leaders Draft Roadmap

  Former Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi was overthrown in a military coup on Wednesday, and prominent leaders from both Christianity and Islam have drafted a roadmap plan for reinstating peace in the country.

  

• The True Cost of Freedom

  We ought not let the significance of this Fourth of July holiday pass us by as we spend time with family and friends and watch dazzling fireworks shows – for there was a weighty cost for the freedom that we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.

  

• Justice Scalia on DOMA Rulings: Supreme Court Has Overstepped Its Boundaries

  The Supreme Court overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on Wednesday of last week, much to the disappointment of Justices Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Chief Justice John Roberts. The DOMA was established in 1996 and defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman, prohibiting same-sex couples from being recognized for federal spousal laws.

• 'The Purpose of Marriage is Not Happiness,' Says Pastor John Ortberg

  In his most recent sermon series, “Too Close for Comfort,” Pastor John Ortberg of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC) gave a message about the mystery that is marriage, exploring relationships and genuine love in his sermon entitled “Dueling Desires.”