Happy 4th of July

On this day when we Americans enjoy fireworks, grilling out, swimming, watermelon and waving our flags, I pray we also remember to pray. Because while we relax on our day off, many are still fighting for the privileges we enjoy.

And many still long for what we too often forget we have.

Freedom.

Let’s not forget the many who by their honor and bravery won the land we call home and the right to live free. Let’s not forget those fighting now. Or those longing to breathe free.

As we celebrate, let's honor them. Let’s remember. Pray. And worship the God who is True Freedom.

Freedom wasn’t free for Jesus~ it cost Him every drop of His blood. Freedom wasn’t free for the Revolutionary warriors~ it cost them life. Freedom wasn’t free for those men and women who have died in modern wars. Or those continuing to fight.

But we can honor their sacrifice. And be thankful. We can celebrate freedom with our hearts and lives and prayers.

We can live free and pray that others will as well.

Let freedom ring!

Concord Hymn
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe lone since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deeds redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.