Let Freedom Ring

Happy Independence Day all!

FREEDOM: freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated

This side of heaven, we never have the “total absence of restraint".

As Americans, we struggle with this back and forth and even have two major political parties that are basically advocating for systems, policies, laws, etc…that impact our freedoms. I think both sides of aisle can go a little overboard in this area:
-Too much control
-No control

Here are just a few of our “freedom” documents:
-Magna Carta - 1215
-The Mayflower Compact
- 1620Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges
- 1701Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
- Patrick Henry, 1775
-The Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Constitution of the United States
- Bill of Rights and the Later Amendments Petition from the PA Society for the Abolition of Slavery
- Treaty of Tripoli
- The Star Spangled Banner
- Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Gettysburg Address
-The Pledge of Allegiance
-The American’s Creed

Then I think of all kinds of other Freedom-oriented events, documents and more. Work that gave protections and freedoms to children (labor laws), women (voting, ability to serve in the military), racial diversity (ability to marry interracially), etc…

May you celebrate today - all of the work that has come before you:
-Those who physically fought for our freedoms
-Those who intellectually gave/worked for our freedoms
-Those grass-roots organizations, which have both fought and monitored our fredoms….

That is what today is about. Indepence was only the first steps. We are a country with a long line of advocates who have fought so that we can be this blessed to live in the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE.

May you too be one of those freedom fighters when you see injustice in this world. Stand up! Make a difference! Be/become an advocate (a rewarding and draining experience). Work to better the lives of others!

Eternal Freedom:
But the best writing on Freedom is actually found in the Bible...the promises of Christ.

True, authentic freedom comes from a personal relationship with the living and loving God. All of the rest of this is wonderful (and it is a great country in which to live) but don’t miss an eternity of freedom (regardless of your homeland today).

Organized religion often gets this freedom in Christ thing all messed up with their church rules and rituals. Don’t miss the promise of true freedom…the freedom that comes from Christ. His love. His promise. His hope…all for you.

Freedom doesn't mean lack of conflict. Rather, freedom in Christ means that you don't have to be constrained by working or otherwise trying to earn your way to heaven. Nope, it's your free gift. Instead, you might want to work for His purpose so that others may come to know of Christ; so others will have the security of eternity in heaven.

Save the Drama for Your Mama

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of our Lives." For over 40 years those words have introduced one of daytime's beloved dramas....  Today, they just remind me of the drama going on in my own little world.  I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say what I have been dealing with the past two days is so unnecessary and in the big scheme of things....it's really rather ridiculous.  I don't do drama.  I think that's why growing up, I usually hung out with the guys.  It was just easier.  This week I've really had to check myself to make sure that my actions were reflecting those of a Godly woman and I'll be brutally honest....it hasn't been easy to behave Godly in this ungodly situation.   Especially in the midst of all the anger and bitterness that I have seen.  There have been many lies and half truths spoken and I have had to bite my tongue to keep from chiming in (and I'm not very good at keeping my mouth shut).  My friend posted this verse earlier in the week on her facebook page.  

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. —James 1:19-20

I have clung to this verse like it is my lifeline. Every time I've been tempted to speak I 

1. take a deep breath

2.read the verse 

3. take another deep breath

(sometimes I have to repeat these steps several times...LOL!)

Then I remind myself that there are people watching. People that I have influence over. People that aren't Christians.  People that know I am a Christian and are just waiting to see how I'm going to react.  I have a responsibilty to them to act with the highest form of integrity and character.  I need to be an example of a Godly woman because for some, I may be the only glimpse of Jesus that they ever get.  

Titus 2:3-5 (New International Version)

 ³Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

When in Rome

Today I flew Air Moldova from Chisinau to Rome.  While on the plane the flight attendants were pushing a cart with duty free goods up and down the aisle.  There were several cartons of cigarettes for sale and I laughed out loud when I saw the boxes.  Printed larger than the brand name it said SMOKING KILLS.  Another box said SMOKERS DIE.  And yet the passengers were lined up in the aisle to purchase them.  

As Godly women, we have to be careful not to get too caught up in the junk in an Un-Godly world...otherwise we might find ourselves standing in the wrong line!!  

You know the saying 'When in Rome', think of it as 'When in Christ - do as Christ does'. 

Sorry for the short entry - I'll be back in town next week and hopefully be over my jet lag!  The camp was a big success but our group is tired.  We have 2 days in Rome to unwind and then fly home on Wednesday.  Pray for travel safety for us!!

Amy