Tag: 4th of July

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Sounds of Freedom

When you think about the sounds of freedom, what comes to mind? Gunshots? Bombs? Running? Soldiers yelling orders? Crying? The Star Spangled Banner? Fireworks?

All of those do represent the long fight for freedom. Where would we be without those brave souls who fought and died for those of us several generations down the road? I am glad they aren’t a part of the typical daily American life, but they do still occur around the world. I am grateful for those who continue to fight for freedom and justice.

Free Usa Flag photo and picture

Here are some sounds I associate with freedom.

The weather. That is, being able to hear just the wind or the rain clearly without focusing our attention on survival. I love hearing my windchimes make up their own songs.

To me, freedom sounds like birds chirping. They would not feel so inclined to sing if danger was imminent. Other nature sounds include leaves and grass rustling, crickets chirping, and frogs singing.

Peace around the house, heard in the mundane sounds of the refrigerator, dishwasher, or laundry machine. Being able to enjoy conveniences like indoor plumbing and electricity! Having peace and quiet is a privilege.

“Thank you.” Gratitude for our independence. Thankful for our military and soldiers’ sacrifices. Being a good friend and neighbor. Standing up for injustice. Accepting help, not giving in to fear. Receiving God’s provision and protection.

Laughter. Is there any better sound than the laughter of a child? Lately, Lydia’s joy has been contagious. Her sense of humor is spot on, and I am grateful for these lighthearted moments. So many kids around the world are not always able to be so carefree.

Explaining our American traditions to those who are experiencing them for the first time. I invited our African neighbors to join us for last night’s fireworks. We sat in the driveway eating watermelon and smores. It was fun to see their faces light up in wonder!

Worship. I’m grateful for the right and ability to go to church, praise God at home, and talk about all He is doing in my life… openly and in public, knowing that some believers have to meet secretly and at the cost of their lives. May I never take that for granted!

As I think about freedom, I think of Jesus’ ultimate gift and sacrifice for us. In Him, we have every right and freedom. Freedom from fear, freedom from sin, freedom from tyranny, freedom from eternal death. May we walk wisely and with gratitude.

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God, thank you for the gift of freedom and the ability to enjoy it. May we never forget the great cost of freedom. As we celebrate American independence, help us remember that we are dependent upon You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does freedom mean to you, and how does your life reflect those values? Do you have any special 4th of July traditions?

Tasks: Consider what sounds you associate with freedom. Make sure to pause and thank God for them! And, remember to bring Jesus along with you as you celebrate.

Posted on in Miscellaneous

Celebrating Our Freedom

I hope you had a great 4th of July! As Independence Day rolls around every year, it’s a great time to reflect on what freedom means. Despite our differences, we Americans have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for our freedom and all who have fought for us. God has graciously blessed America!

I certainly don’t want to take any of my freedoms, rights, blessings, or gifts for granted. Sometimes, however, these things can be difficult to define. I suppose each of us has a different perspective on what “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” means. That’s part of what makes America special.

On Sunday, we celebrated our freedom at church. At the core of America’s history is religious freedom. If the first European settlers had not come largely, due to religious persecution, we might not be here.

The United States has had many ups and downs over the years. But regardless of political tension or drama, America remains an exceptional nation. People all around the world come here for better opportunities. Some come for education, safety, a new start, or other reasons.

Both as a nation and as individuals, we are called to be a blessing to others. We have many immigrants who call our church “home.” On Sunday, we extended that blessing to people from twenty-one other nations. They stood up and said which country they are from and we blessed them. It was powerful.

It’s amazing to think that we have so many countries represented in one congregation! Some of these people have become American citizens and some will return to their own countries one day.  As we connect with each other, each interaction has potential to change the world.

As a Christian, I am also a citizen of Heaven. Spiritually speaking, I have even greater freedoms, rights, blessings, and gifts. I also have greater responsibilities to help others in practical ways. Thank You, Jesus.

Lydia and I had a rather low-key holiday, which is fine with me. We slept in! We sat on the deck and relaxed on my new red benches (see pic). I did a little reading, while Lydia played. Then, we enjoyed a bike ride around our neighborhood.

Later, we hung out with our neighbors. Together, we ate dinner, enjoyed the hot weather, and watched neighborhood fireworks around a campfire. We watched a gorgeous sunset of purples, oranges, and pinks.

As we made s’mores, God joined in the celebration. His lightning made an awesome backdrop for the fireworks! Lydia and I walked back home around 11pm, and around midnight, I enjoyed listening to a rain storm.

It was the perfect ending to a great celebration!

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Father God, thank You for blessing our America. Thank You for the freedom we have in Your Son, Jesus. Help us be wise stewards of all you have given us. May we show others Your grace and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are you doing with your freedom? How can you be a blessing to someone else?

Tasks: Give thanks for your many blessings and freedoms. Look for ways to help others.