3 hours ago
Thank you Lord, for allowing us to live in a country that is free! Please bring our country back to Yourself, and I pray for Your continued blessing on our country. Help us to remember the Christian principles that the United States of America was founded on, and to never take the liberty You have entrusted to us, or the blood that has been spilled to defend it, for granted. Help us to value that freedom, and give us the grace to always defend it and preserve it! In Jesus's name, Amen.
"The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom and defended it as they ought."
-Samuel Adams
Article in the Boston Gazette
October 14, 1771
"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and anger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men."
-Samuel Adams
Article in the Boston Gazette
October 14, 1771
"Is life so dear, or so peaceful so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
-Patrick Henry
Speech at Virginia Convention
March 23, 1775
"If the true spark of religious and civil liberty be kindled, it will burn. Human agency cannot extinguish it. Like the earth's central fire, it may be smothered for a time; the ocean may overwhelm it; mountains may press it down; but its inherent and unconquerable force will heave both the ocean and the land, and at some point or other, in some place or other, the volcano will break out and flame up to heaven."
Daniel Webster
Address at bunker Hill Monument Cornerstone
June 17, 1825
"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it."
-Daniel Webster
I hope you all have a wonderful celebration of the founding of this great country!
I think lately the Lord has been trying to show me how I'm way too concerned with what others think of me. I spend a lot of time fixing my makeup, wrestling with my unruly hair, exercising, and generally trying to make sure I look good. There are countless times when I lose sleep worrying about something I said or didn't say, and hoping it came across right. It's a little too important to me what others think of me. I'm assuming I'm not the only one who does this.
I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to make sure we give a good impression, or taking care of our physical appearance - I think it's a good thing, actually. But the past month or so the Lord has been impressing it upon my heart how I'm just getting too concerned about those things, maybe putting more effort on my outward beauty than my inward beauty. Outward beauty doesn't last, but inward beauty will matter for eternity. Life will move on, and everyone except those who are closest to me will eventually leave my life, but Jesus will always be my Lord; He will be for eternity. I think I should be worrying a little more about what He thinks of me, and a little less what those around me think. I want to make my Saviour proud.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, but for my point today especially verse 18:
". . .While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The Lord has been telling me lately that I need to focus a little more on unseen things, that I need to invest a little more in eternity. And with His help, that's what I'm going to try to do.
Yes, I broke down ad joined the Twitter community. I'm not sure whether I'm excited about that, or a little ashamed of it! I held out for so long, but the final straw came this morning when Laura Ingraham, one of my favorite talk show hosts who has also been skeptical about twittering, joined. I wanted to follow her, so I created a Twitter account. Here's the link to my page; if any of you are on there, feel free to follow me and I'll follow you too! I guess we'll see how this goes.
In other more serious news (in my world), I feel that I have failed in a way with this blog. One of my major reasons for starting this blog was to record what the Lord is teaching me as I try to walk with Him, and I haven't been doing the best job of doing that. I feel like I need to do a better job of using this outlet for the Lord, so I've decided to try to post once a week on something I've been learning in my relationship with the Lord, something He has done for me, any good insights that I stumble across, etc.
Have any of you heard the hymn "In the Garden", by Charles Austin Myles? It's a beautiful old hymn on the sweetness of having a quiet time with the Lord. I love the line that says "And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known". There is great joy when we tarry with the Lord, and I know I need to do a better job of that myself, not just privately in prayer, but publicly with this blog. So I'll be trying to post a "tarrying there" post every week, probably around Friday or Saturday. That's my goal. And I want to ask you all to hold me accountable there - if I haven't posted something about my walk with the Lord in a while, I give you all full permission to ask me what's up, okay?
I'll finish with the lyrics to "In The Garden". I think they are so beautiful, and they always seem to bring a prayer to my heart.
In The Garden
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
Words: Charles Austin Miles (1912)
Lyrics from HymnLyrics.org.
P.S. The picture is of a pretty old church that I had to take a picture of when Derek took me downtown for my birthday!
I'm getting into the Fourth of July spirit early! Hence, the fun patriotic background. Just thought I'd explain since it isn't the fourth quite yet. But then you don't need a holiday to be patriotic, do you?
Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly - The most amazing bloopers are here
Video from YouTube.com.
Aaron Tippin - Where The Stars & Stripes & The Eagle Fly - The most amazing bloopers are here
Video from YouTube.com.
Memorial Day is not about the three-day weekend.
It's not about the picnics.
It's not about the camping.
It's not about the parades.
Today is a day to remember the sacrifices of those who have fought and died to protect our precious freedem that we enjoy in this country. Let's remember that today and also remember to thank our God for the freedom He grants us, and pray that He will continue to allow it to be preserved.
Freedom Is Not Free
By Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
More Day poems and songs at Memorial Day Tribute.
It's not about the picnics.
It's not about the camping.
It's not about the parades.
Today is a day to remember the sacrifices of those who have fought and died to protect our precious freedem that we enjoy in this country. Let's remember that today and also remember to thank our God for the freedom He grants us, and pray that He will continue to allow it to be preserved.
Freedom Is Not Free
By Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.
I heard the sound of TAPS one night,
When everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That TAPS had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom isn't free.
More Day poems and songs at Memorial Day Tribute.
This is my favorite Resurrection Day hymn, and I thought I'd share it here this morning. He is Risen! He is risen indeed.
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Go to this link to hear the music to the song. I hope you all have a blessed Resurrection Day! Our Lord is Risen!
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun's eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Go to this link to hear the music to the song. I hope you all have a blessed Resurrection Day! Our Lord is Risen!
This morning I read the story of Jesus's crucifixion in all four gospels. Every Good Friday I like to read about what our Saviour suffered in order to save us - it's always helps me refocus on Jesus for the rest of the day. This year as I was reading I started thinking about some of the people who were there when He was crucified. Not those who actually hung Him on the cross, and not His disciples, but some of the minor characters in the story. It makes me wonder what some of them were thinking as they saw this Man who they didn't even know, but perhaps had heard of, being killed.
What did Simon of Cyrene think? He was from the country, only in Jerusalem to observe the Passover and sacrifice his lamb. Yet they compelled him to help Jesus carry His cross to Golgotha. I always thought that Simon was granted a great honor that day - to be able to help our Lord carry His cross, to make Jesus's load even a little lighter, just for a moment. I wonder what ever happened to Simon of Cyrene - I wonder if he knew what an honor that simple act was.
What made the thief on the cross realize Jesus was not just any man? He probably didn't realize it before that moment, or I doubt he would be hanging on that cross for stealing. But something that occured on the way to the Golgotha or while they were hanging on the crosses must have convinced him. I always thought that thief was so brave. He believed, but he was so humble - he knew he deserved to be punished. Yet he asked Jesus to remember him, when Jesus came into his throne. What courage! To ask the Son of God to remember him. And Jesus reassured him that it wasn't too late to believe, that the thief would be with Him in heaven. I can't wait until I get there too, so I can ask him about his story.
I also wonder about that centurian, the one who exclaimed that "Truly this was the Son of God!" after he saw Jesus die. That centurian was in the perfect position to observe everything that happened to Jesus during His last hours, everything that was said, every significant event. And after all was said and done, the centurian was also convinced that this was something out of the ordinary - this was not just any man. I wonder what he did with that knowledge? Did he become one of the many believers in Jesus after He rose from the dead? Did he see Jesus ascending to heaven? What happened next?
The stories of these people intrigue me, because they were there. They were present when our God died in our place - they had some small part to share in His story. Whenever I read the accounts of Jesus's death, these two things always strike me - how much our Lord suffered and endured for us; I can't even imagine everything He went through, and it always reminds me of how unworthy I am of such a sacrifice on His part. And the second thing is the individual people who were involved. What must have gone through their minds? And if they lived, what did they do with what they had seen? Did they believe - did they glorify God? Did they help establish the early church, did they tell others about what they had seen? Or did they just go on their way?
What do we do with our knowledge? Do we tell others what we know, what we have seen? I for one don't share my story often enough. Let's remember what Jesus did for us this Good Friday, and endeavor to share what we know in the future.
The image above was from Little Spark Mission.
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