Let freedom ring….
This past weekend, we celebrated the birthday of our country. The younger girls and I studied Early American History this year. We journeyed through the birth of America as we read about the people and places that make up our nations history. And for us this year, these places were brought to life as we were able to visit many of them. We stood on the rocks of the coastline at Plymouth where those famous ships came to rest on the shoreline after months and months of exploration with no land in sight. We sat in the spot in Independence Hall where the men debated and drafted the first laws of our country almost 250 years ago in downtown Philadelphia. We walked the streets of Boston and imagined what they would have looked like back then.
America has such a rich history….story after story of men and women who fought for, worked together for, and invested in our nation.
One night last week as we cleaned up dinner, the girls and I began to discuss the patriotic songs that we know…the ones that have become the anchors of our Independence Day celebrations. We began to talk about the song Lee Greenwood first recorded in 1984…”God Bless the USA.” We got to the line…..”Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away!”
Chloe stopped and said, “That’s my favorite line!”
It struck me when she said that……my mind immediately began to ponder all of the many ways that the stars and stripes of our nation have become a symbol and a fixture for America. Lines have been drawn in the sand and our flag erected as a symbol all over the world, even to the moon. Regardless of the cultural imbalances and struggles that our nation is facing, the flag still stands for freedom….and they can’t take that away.
You know, there’s another fixture and symbol that also comes to mind and stands for our freedom…..
Over 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus carried a cross to a hill to be crucified. For believers all over the world, that cross is also a symbol of freedom…..freedom from all the things that bind us in this world and eternal freedom in Heaven.
I love the words to this song we’ve sung several times in church over the past few weeks……
“No fate I dread, I know that I’m forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing, ‘I am free’
Yet not I, but through Christ in me”
We are honored to be called by God to minister, love on, and help reach. Thank you for your continued prayers on our behalf, as well as your financial support!
With grateful hearts,
Kevin & Casey
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