Thursday, July 03, 2008

• Celebrating Freedom

  Currently Listening Alive and Transported (CD/DVD) By Tobymac Made to Love see related

  In order to celebrate Independence Day I thought I would share with you some paintings by one of my favorite American artists.  His name is Mitchell Tolle, his studio is in Berea, KY, and he was my Sunday School teacher when I was in college.  He's an amazing talent, and an incredible man.  These are two of my very favorite paintings of his.  You can see more at his website.

  
  "One Nation Under God"

   

  
  "God Bless America"

   

  I was looking for a way to express my appreciation for the freedom I have as an American.  I wanted to find the perfect words, but I really struggled with that.  I can't even begin to thank God enough for allowing me the privilege of being born at this time in this country.  While other societies may have their advantages, I can't imagine being any more blessed than being an American right now.  Sure, we're in an economic downslide.

  Most people can barely afford to drive to work to earn a paycheck.  

  Everything is about politics. 

  Everything. 

  And the politicians, for the most part, don't seem to be worth much at all.

  And what about the war?

  The constant threat of terror?

  The increasing pressure to be "politically correct, or else"?

  But here we can express ourselves in ways that no other people in the history of the world have ever been able to, and will probably ever be able to.

  And here I can be a Christian and not live in fear.  I do believe the time is coming when Christianity in America may become a closet religion, but at this very moment, it's not, and I can be loud about it.  And I can fight to keep it that way.  Because that is my right as a citizen.

  And I love it.  I thank God for it every day.

  Nothing is permanent.  Besides God, and His promises, that is.  Will we always be in an economic funk?  Looking at history, no, probably not.  Look at the stock market, yes, it's down, but it's still doing better than it was 20 years ago, isn't it? 

  Will we always be at war?  Well, it would be presumptuous to say that we will never be at war again, there has been battle on earth ever since Cain killed Able (and in the Spirit realm since Satan tried to overthrow God), but our current fight is not an eternal fight.

  Will politicians always be corrupt?  Will the government always be so controlling?  Only as long as we the citizens allow them to be.  Again, historically speaking, revolution, in whatever form it takes, always happens when the situation seems the most dire.

  So, again, I say THANK GOD I live in America. 

  I in no way mean any disrespect to any of my brothers and sisters from other countries, because the freedom God gives us all transcends nationality.  And I know, as I said before, that other governments and other countries and people groups do have certain advantages over we Americans, but I am just so grateful for the liberty that I have, I tend to be a little biased.

  But no matter, because as long as our hope is in Christ, we are free indeed, right?

   

  Be blessed!

   

   

   

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