Freedom Needs a Foundation

 America at 250, fresh eyes on freedom, and the responsibility to carry it forward. 

In this episode of The Weekend Joyride, Mac and Rhoni celebrate Independence Day weekend by looking at freedom through fresh eyes.

The conversation begins with soccer and a personal story about Aiden, a young man whose character has impressed them even more than his accomplishments. That story opens the door to a larger conversation about America, gratitude, and what visitors from around the world are noticing as they experience the United States.

From Buc-ee’s and free refills to friendly strangers and American flags, Mac and Rhoni talk about the everyday things that can become easy to overlook when you live with them all the time.

Then the episode turns toward the deeper foundation of freedom. Political freedom is a gift, but spiritual freedom is found in Christ. And both require gratitude, responsibility, character, and stewardship.

In this episode:

• Why character lasts longer than accomplishments
• What World Cup visitors are noticing about America
• Buc-ee’s, free refills, and everyday American surprises
• Why freedom is more than fireworks and flags
• The difference between national freedom and spiritual freedom
• Why every generation has to steward freedom
• Biblical principles that help sustain a free people
• A closing prayer of gratitude for America and future generations

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Psalm 103:6
2 Corinthians 3:17
Galatians 5:1
Galatians 6:5
Deuteronomy 30:19
Genesis 1:27
Deuteronomy 6
Jeremiah 29:11
Colossians 3:23
2 Corinthians 9:7
Exodus 20:17

Links for this episode:
America250 official site — July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.  https://america250.org/

 FIFA World Cup 2026 host countries/cities — official FIFA page.  https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026

 Texas America250 exhibit — Texas State Library and Archives Commission exhibit page. https://www.tsl.texas.gov/texasamerica250exhibithttps://www.tsl.texas.gov/texasamerica250exhibit

  Young Washington — official Angel page lists the movie with a July 3, 2026 release date.  https://www.angel.com/movies/young-washington?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 Josh Baldwin “There Is Freedom” song info — references 2 Corinthians 3:17.  https://joshbaldwin.com/

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Transcript

Independence Day Weekend

Mac 0:04

Welcome to the weekend joyride.

Rhoni 0:06

Welcome everyone.

Mac 0:07

We're so glad that you have chosen to spend part of your Independence Day weekend with us. Independence Day is always one of my favorite holidays. It's family and its friends and its cookouts, its fireworks, and its flags. But this year feels really meaningful. With America beginning the celebration leading up to its 250th birthday, think about that 250 years. That is a remarkable milestone. And it got Rhoni and me talking this week about what has helped make America strong for 250 years.

Soccer, Family, and Character

Mac 0:42

And believe it or not, our conversation started with soccer. I thought I'd never say those words on weekend joyride.

Rhoni 0:51

Neither did I. Texans, football has always been our sport. Football is soccer to the rest of the world.

Mac 0:58

And it's funny because of one young man, we actually are paying attention to soccer now.

Rhoni 1:04

Well, our granddaughter started dating this sweet young man, Aiden. They've been high school sweethearts. Now they're both off to college. But Aiden had us paying attention to soccer.

Mac 1:16

Big soccer player boy.

Rhoni 1:17

And we still have a lot to learn. We've learned enough to really appreciate the beauty and the strategy of the game. We love watching Aiden. We don't get to watch him enough.

Mac 1:27

Yeah, and he can really play. Now, before college, he was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American and first team all-state in Texas. We went to a couple of his games when he was still in high school. But those are incredible accomplishments. Incredible. Yeah, that's elite company. So we're really proud of everything he's accomplished. But honestly, honey, that's not really what impressed you about him, is it?

Rhoni 1:52

No, he's just such a sweet young man. Uh the accomplishments, yes, they are impressive. But before I knew about what a great soccer player he was, I found him to be incredibly respectful. He's humble, he's kind. He has really such a sweet, gentle spirit. Yeah. And his character just shows up every time we're around him. And you and I, every time we leave the company of Aiden and Presley, we just leave thinking his parents have done something really, really right. They have raised a sweet young man. So the awards eventually get put in a box and records get broken somewhere. But honestly, Aiden's character it's gonna last a lifetime. I get a little, you know, a little softness in my heart when I say this because as grandparents, you hope and pray and you have faith that your children and your grandchildren are going to be connected to all the right people, that you never want them to be around people who are not good for them, right? We pray for their protection. Aiden and Presley have been dating for a long time, and he just treats her right.

Mac 3:10

He does.

Rhoni 3:11

You know, he he treats her right, and his parents had a lot to do with that. So it's that's the kind of legacy that no trophy can ever replace.

Mac 3:20

That's sweet.

Rhoni 3:21

He is a precious young man, and we just love the fact that uh he's on this soccer journey that is huge. He's really such a great player. We just regret that we haven't been able to go around and follow him at at college. But I just think his character, the kind of person that Aiden is, that's a legacy that no trophy will ever be able to replace.

Mac 3:47

Yeah, that's really nicely said there. And honestly, I think that's the greatest trophy of all. I mean, that won't ever get put on that shelf.

Guests 3:54

Right.

Mac 3:55

And it's funny though, because because of Aiden, uh, we're actually starting to learn about soccer. I've never, I never have been to a soccer game before last year. I just I just drive by and you see all the kids playing. It's like, why? What are they doing out there? It's like running around.

Rhoni 4:10

Well, I went to soccer games when I lived in South Africa as a teenager because that was their football. Yeah, but was I paying attention? Probably not.

Mac 4:18

Yeah, we still have a lot to learn about that. But now the

Visitors See America with Fresh Eyes

Mac 4:22

World Cup has brought people all over, and that's really kind of why we're talking about it. The World Cup has brought people from every corner of the globe to America.

Rhoni 4:30

It's amazing, yeah.

Mac 4:31

And I gotta tell you, I've almost enjoyed watching the visitors as much as I've enjoyed watching the matches. It's just fun. Some of the videos we have seen are absolutely priceless, they're funny and and they're waking us up.

Rhoni 4:45

Some of these videos have absolutely made us laugh out loud.

Mac 4:49

Yep. And and some of them actually have have put a uh, I don't know, a hug around my heart. I don't know how else to say it. It's just really sweet. I was watching some earlier today as we were deciding about the show, and uh sitting in here in my office. I'm glad you were back in the back, you know, getting dressed, because I was actually tearing up on some of them just to see what other people see in America that we take so for granted.

Rhoni 5:16

Well, let me let me say it like this talking about Aiden, it warms your heart when you see the right people love your children and your grandchildren, right? It's the same when you see people love your country. It's like you know, you want goodness in the world, and this show of love for America, it's it's making things right. It reminds me again of the Psalm 1036 in the Passion Translation. You're a God who makes things right, giving justice to the defenseless. So at a time where we can't deny there's been a lot of hatred toward our beloved country in the world, it it does hug your heart to see so many people come over here and express love, admiration, appreciation for the United States.

Mac 6:18

It's almost given me a sense of relief to know that, you know, I mean, I've always thought, why why do those people not like us so much around the world? I mean, we used to we talk about Ronnie and I talk about how when she traveled as as a kid, the United States was the United States, you know. And I don't I don't believe that it has been that way uh for the past years. But it seems to me that that is now turning, and it's all because of this soccer thing that's brought the World Cup uh to the United States, and I'm so proud that uh that we have shown up and shown up well.

Rhoni 6:57

Yeah, and think about this the way they're doing it, for those who may not understand, the World Cup is being played in various locations all over the United States. So if they were all being played in Dallas or Austin or Houston or Seattle, it would be easy to say, well, that's just that's just the vibe in that place. Right? And we all know how different each state and her people are, right? But you've

Buc-ee’s and Everyday American Surprises

Rhoni 7:29

got people from all over the world playing in Seattle, they're playing in Dallas, they're playing somewhere in the Midwest, they're playing out in California, multiple countries all coming back and raving about these things in America.

Mac 7:45

Yeah, some of these videos are absolutely priceless.

Rhoni 7:47

They really are morning.

Guests 7:51

I saw the end of the world in the US and it's called Bucky's. They say it's a gas station, but that's a lie.

Rhoni 7:56

Can you believe this is a petrol station? These are all petrol pumps.

Guests 8:01

This place has 120 pumps. 120. Why? Are you refueling the US uh Air Force? Are you preparing for an alien invasion? Americans, you are so lucky. I have spent the weekend experiencing a tiny, tiny portion of what an American summer can not feel like. And all I have to say is, wow. They have the bohemian garlic in a meatsteak. I'm way too European for this.

Rhoni 8:23

We see beaver nuggets. My kids love beaver nuggets. Uh brisket, you love that. Yeah, the fudge, the jerky. Really, for me, the spotless bathroom. It's so nice. The people who were discovering Bucky's for the first time actually think they found an attraction.

Mac 8:39

It's like a tourist spot. Of course it is, and they're all leaving with t-shirts. And you know, I bet we see more Bucky's t-shirts overseas now than we've ever seen before. And Bucky's is not even in that many states, although they're enlarging. I read this week that they're enlarging again, but it's really funny to see the wonder in people's eyes. Like this. I mean, something else they discover free refills.

Guests 9:03

Let me grab you a refill. Oh no, I didn't order one. Oh, they're free. What do you mean, free? Nothing's free. Here they are. Seriously? Yeah, this isn't a trap. No.

Rhoni 9:12

When I lived overseas, I've been very mindful that Europeans don't put ice in their drinks. I just remember in South Africa, we had to somewhat train the local restaurants and snack places that the Americans are gonna want ice. And we didn't just want a little ice, we wanted a full glass of ice. So I get that. I get that astonishment coming from them.

Guests 9:35

Yeah. America, it is happening. Do you see it? People who want American who have traveled to the World Cup are realizing they've been lied to. Before traveling to America, foreigners would just think America is this place they would hear about on the news all the time. It's a horrible place. But when you strip that back, like I've been doing for years, traveling America, so many different states, you realize the beauty of America, the different cultures, how amazing the people are. And the World Cup has allowed people outside of America to see America through their own eyes, not through their country's media eyes. This is incredible, and I couldn't be happier for America. The world is realizing when you strip back the negativity you get, and you realize how beautiful America really is.

Mac 10:26

It is the best. This one may have been my favorite. Listen to what they say about Americans.

Rhoni 10:32

Friendly Americans.

Guests 10:34

Something that still genuinely confuses me about America. It's not the food, it's not the size, it's not the trucks, it's the fact that strangers are so genuinely kind. Anywhere you walk, hello, how are you doing? Giving you a bit of advice about what trail to go down, stay away from that moose, they're really aggressive. I didn't know that. I thought maybe I was just getting lucky in the other states that we went to, or I was just finding little pockets where Americans were friendly. But it's all over every single state I have been to. Americans go out of their way to say hello and be kind and offer up suggestions. Complete opposite of the UK. There are many occasions when I walk down the road in the UK and I say hello to someone and they completely ignore me. Makes me feel like a fool. It doesn't happen over here in America. Everybody's up for a chat. Everybody is really, really nice.

Mac 11:42

I love hearing that.

Rhoni 11:44

I do too. It's visitors just keep talking about the kindness and the people, the way people smile at them, the hospitality. And that's why I say you could just assign that to being in Texas because we are the friendship state. We do know that people in the South tend to be a little chattier than people from other areas of the United States, but it has not been so. These World Cup players are experiencing this hospitality on every corner of our country.

Mac 12:14

Yeah, yeah, it's amazing. I saw a video that we won't be playing, but I uh somebody was talking about flying across. I think she was flying from New York to Austin, and she's like, I've been in the air for four hours, and I don't think I'm halfway across this place yet. And then the next guy on the video was like talking about uh, and this was uh like a Brit that was saying, and if people come and go to Louisiana, that is like a whole different world in itself, Louisiana. We love going to Louisiana.

Rhoni 12:41

They are amazed at how vast our country is, and they are absolutely noticing what we have been accustomed to, and that's just this general sense of patriotism and the gratitude that we have for living in this country. Uh, there is some anti-American sentiment that's trying to be a little more prevalent in this world, but it's not the majority. And we have been accustomed to this level of patriotism all our lives. And I think we just kind of got, I think we just became a little more quiet about it because we just didn't want to stir any pot, right? Yeah, but the World Cup visitors have made, they have reignited my sense of yes, this is America. We are proud to live here. And we're not gonna be quiet about that. It's like, yeah, you're right, yeah, you're right. It is great. It it yeah, it is great to see the flags flying everywhere because listen,

What Freedom Looks Like

Rhoni 13:48

they're getting a sense of what freedom looks like.

Mac 13:52

You watch these videos and you see these visitors, and it's kind of made me think about something. What do you think they're really seeing?

Rhoni 13:59

They're experiencing America and they are discovering kindness, they are discovering opportunity, and they are discovering generosity. And here's the thing they are discovering communities where neighbors still wave at each other.

Mac 14:16

Yeah. And we think about this often when we honestly think about New York City. If some people walk down the street and they never wave and they never talk to each other, but this is a whole different thing.

Rhoni 14:28

It is, and we're it we know that again, they're getting a front row seat to what freedom looks like. It's not perfect freedom because no nation is perfect, but it is real freedom. And it's the freedom to worship, it's the freedom to speak, it's the freedom to build a business, freedom to raise a family, and they're discovering

Spiritual Freedom in Christ

Rhoni 14:50

this it's the freedom to pursue your calling and the freedom to not only dream, but to dream big. So people from every corner of the world are seeing what freedom in a nation can look like, and that is powerful. It takes the eyes of a visitor to remind us of the blessings that we may have stopped noticing.

Mac 15:12

You know, honey, there are freedoms that governments protect, and then there's the freedom that only God can give. We heard a little bit of the song at the beginning of the show. This is Josh Baldwin's song, There Is Freedom.

Josh Baldwin 15:26

When I'm walking through the valley, your presence is around me. Nothing stands between me and my God. Nothing stands between me and my god.

Rhoni 16:31

It was inspired by a scripture, Second Corinthians 3.17, that says, where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So, you know, our country was founded upon Judeo Christian principles. It doesn't matter if you're a Christian or you're Jewish or if you're neither. It was the principles behind those faiths that our founders brought into this country and crafted, we believe, by divine hand, our declaration of independence and constitution. And so these principles of where the spirit of the Lord is, a country that is founded on these Christian Judeo principles. There is freedom. God gave us free will, that's what we believe. And then led our founders to this nation to establish a nation grounded in free will and choice. And we've said this that we will fight for your right to be an atheist, right? But that's grounded in a Christian principle of free will and choice. So this week we are celebrating our nation's freedoms, but our greatest freedom is found in Christ. As we celebrate America's freedom, this Independence Day, this 250th Independence Day, may we never forget the greater freedom that we have through Jesus Christ.

Mac 18:07

One thing we've learned throughout

Freedom Requires Responsibility

Mac 18:09

history is that freedom isn't just about rights, it's it's also about responsibility.

Rhoni 18:14

It is, that's exactly right. Every generation in the United States inherits freedom, but every generation has to steward it.

Mac 18:22

Our founding fathers understood that a free people have to be a moral people. And if we lose that moral character, we we lose that freedom.

Rhoni 18:31

Yeah, and it's it's kind of like you don't protect America just by waving flags once a year and becoming patriotic. It's much like you're you're not a Christian just because you show up to church every Sunday, right? It's not the act of that. We protect our freedoms by being good neighbors, honest employees, um, I would say faithful spouses, involved parents, generous citizens and people of integrity. We practice the principles of freedom, like we practice our Christianity.

Mac 19:01

Yeah.

Rhoni 19:01

I mean we do what Jesus would do.

Mac 19:04

Yeah. Nations aren't changed first by what comes out of Washington. They're changed in living rooms and churches and classrooms and communities.

Rhoni 19:13

And that's encouraging because every one of us can make a difference exactly where God planted us. It's kind of like this. We say a lot, you can't legislate morality necessarily. You put the legislation in, but then the people have to come along and practice that.

Mac 19:34

Yeah, the action actually comes from us.

Rhoni 19:36

It comes from us.

Mac 19:37

And that patriotism acts of patriotism often happen when nobody is watching.

Rhoni 19:44

Yeah, and and every one of us can make a difference just exactly where God planted us in the neighborhood, in the job where you've been planted, in the church where you've been planted. And that is where revival begins. It's one faithful life at a time.

Mac 20:00

Strong families build communities.

Rhoni 20:02

And strong communities then build a strong nation. That's good. So as we talk about freedom, we also really have to talk about what kind of foundation makes freedom possible. Freedom doesn't just float in the air, it has to be built on something.

Mac 20:17

That's right. A free nation needs people, but a free people also need character, responsibility, and truth.

Rhoni 20:24

So again, when you look at our principles, they are connected to biblical truth. And again, we're not a perfect nation, we're not perfect people, but that foundation that understood liberty had to be tied to responsibility. It was never supposed to be two different uh principles.

Mac 20:42

Yeah, and that matters because freedom without responsibility will eventually turn into chaos. But freedom with godly principles, I think it becomes a blessing.

Rhoni 20:52

Right. Godly principles. Let me say this Living overseas helped me to see how fragile national unity can become when people don't share a common moral language. It made me appreciate that freedom needs more than laws. It needs character, it needs responsibility, it needs truth. People need to have a common belief or sense of right and wrong. The foundation that understood liberty, Christian Judeo values in this country had to be or were tied to that responsibility. So as we talk about freedom, then let's remember that freedom needs a foundation. And that foundation is God's word. Whether you're Christian or a Jew, both were founded on parts of the Bible.

Mac 21:49

That's that's right. Galatians five one says, It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Freedom is God's idea.

Rhoni 21:56

Absolutely. It's the unalienable right. That our founders defined. Principle one is personal responsibility. Each one should carry their own load.

Mac 22:09

That's Galatians 6 5. And freedom works when people take responsibility for their choices and their work and their lives.

Rhoni 22:16

Yeah, the idea is that my choices matter. My work matters, and I am accountable to God before others. That's big. Deuteronomy 30, 19 says, I have set before you life and death. Now choose life.

Mac 22:34

God gives people the dignity of choice, and a free nation is going to honor that.

Rhoni 22:38

Yeah, we were created with the ability to choose. I've heard, I've actually said, I vote according to the Bible. Well, what does that mean? Well, it's this kind of thing, it's these principles. So I look at what's on the ballot and I say, does it align with this principle? I have set before you life and death. Now choose life. If the word tells me to choose life, I'm going to analyze what's on that ballot according to this guideline. Does that make sense?

Mac 23:15

Yeah. So it does. Principle three is the value of the individual. Genesis 127 says that we are created in the image of God.

Rhoni 23:26

And that means every person has worth. Before they ever accomplish anything, a single life is valued from the beginning. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's big. Each person has worth because each person is made in the very image of God.

Mac 23:43

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Principle four is strong families. Deuteronomy six tells us to teach God's ways diligently to our children.

Rhoni 23:52

Honestly, families are where faith, character, honor, and responsibility are first formed. It's not up to the teachers to teach character, honor, and responsibility. We enforce those principles, but they should be taught at home.

Mac 24:13

They should already have that when they walk in the classroom. That's right. Principle five is purpose and calling. Jeremiah 29, 11 reminds us that God has plans and purpose.

Rhoni 24:24

And that's just a reminder that we are not here by accident. We are created to build, serve, lead, and contribute everywhere we find ourselves planted. And we are just grateful that we were born and planted in this country, actually in this time, right?

Mac 24:43

In this state, yeah. We've talked about that recently. Principle six, the dignity of work. Colossians 3 23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.

Rhoni 24:56

And here's a shift. Work often does just feel like survival sometimes, but it's really not. It's it's stewardship. Yeah, work is not a punishment, it's really a part of stewardship.

Mac 25:14

Well, I would call it a responsibility toward freedom.

Rhoni 25:17

You're right.

Mac 25:18

Yeah. You're right. Yeah. So principle seven, voluntary generosity. Second Corinthians 9 7 says, God loves a cheerful giver.

Rhoni 25:27

Right. And a free people should be a generous people, giving from love and not force. Yeah.

Mac 25:32

And then finally, principle eight is contentment instead of coveting. Exodus 2017 says, You shall not covet.

Rhoni 25:41

A nation stays healthier when people are building, thanking God, stewarding what they have instead of just resenting what someone else has. So contentment keeps our hearts free from resentment in comparison. Freedom actually needs gratitude, and freedom needs self-control. Freedom actually needs people who understand that blessing and responsibility go together. That produces contentment.

Mac 26:10

Yeah. So as America moves forward to the 250th birthday, we remember that freedom is more than just fireworks.

Rhoni 26:18

Yeah, it feels more important. We're not just celebrating fireworks and flags. We're remembering that this freedom, it's a gift, and gifts have to be protected.

Mac 26:29

We don't protect freedom by complaining about everything. We protect it by living with gratitude, honoring God, loving our families, doing our work and being good stewards of what we've been given.

Rhoni 26:42

It's a gift from God for sure. And it has to be lived with gratitude and responsibility. So maybe this Independence Day, this 250th birthday, the season, in this season, it's a good time to ask yourself Am I only enjoying freedom or am I helping to carry it forward?

Mac 27:02

Yeah, because the strongest nation is not built by perfect people. It's built by responsible people who keep turning back to God.

Rhoni 27:09

Yeah. So as we wrap up today, we just want to say this freedom is a blessing, but it's also a responsibility. So I want to thank him. I want to thank our Father God for the opportunity to live in this nation, the opportunity to worship as I please, the opportunity to work at a job that I love and to speak my mind when I want to speak it. Right here on the weekend joy ride, we're able to express our faith. That's a gift. We're able to serve wherever we want to serve, and we're able to build and do whatever we want to do in this country. That for that we are so grateful.

Mac 27:48

And I think I think I need to point out that we don't have to do this by ourselves. Ask him to help us uh to steward that freedom well in our homes and churches, community, country, all that. He can help.

Rhoni 27:59

So why don't we end our

A Prayer for America

Rhoni 28:01

show today with a prayer?

Mac 28:02

Okay.

Rhoni 28:03

Father God, I want to thank you for, first of all, this great nation. Thank you for planting us here. Thank you for allowing us to live and grow and dream and be in this nation, these United States. I ask you, Father God, to continue to protect our freedom from the north, the south, the east, and the west, everywhere in this country, Lord God, I pray that you would be with our people, that you would protect our borders, that you would bless our leaders, that every leader in this country would hear your voice, follow your voice, and the voice of a stranger they would not follow. You said, Lord, that the blessing of the Lord extends to a thousand generations of those who love him. And Lord, this nation loves you. So thank you that not only our children, but our children's children and their children, we pray that you would continue to bless the generations after us. Thank you, Lord, for a glorious celebration. Thank you for helping each one of us listening to this podcast today to realize our dreams and desires and the purpose for which you have called them. Lord, we just thank you also for your son Jesus Christ, that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And we know that liberty is found in him. We love you, Lord, and we thank you for this 250th birthday of the United States of America. In Jesus' name, amen.

Mac 29:35

Amen. As we close out the weekend joyride for this week, just a reminder that there's gonna be lots of celebrations. I notice just in our area. Almost every little town around us has some kind of celebration, whether it's fireworks or a dance or a street dance or, you know, just some kind of fun celebration that you can go and celebrate America's 250th.

Rhoni 29:58

And if you haven't heard about this, the movie Young Washington is coming out, and it's going to be in selected cities all over the country. I encourage you to search out Young Washington, the movie, and go ahead and get your tickets for that. And if you check your TV guide or streaming guide, there are all kinds of celebrations that you'll be able to watch coming out of Washington and different places all over the country. We just encourage you to celebrate our 250th birthday.

Mac 30:33

And if I can throw this in, one last thing. There is a museum exhibit that's going around and has been made available to museums all across the state. And it's called Texas America 250.

Rhoni 30:47

Oh.

Mac 30:47

And it's all about how the history of Texas and the history of America have melded together to bring what we have today. So if you're a Texan, you know you gotta be proud of that. So look in your local museum for that.

Rhoni 31:04

So we'll see you next week on the weekend joyride.

Mac 31:07

Thanks for joining us. Bye.