Freedom Is Not Free

On this Election Day and as Veterans’ Day approaches next week, my heart overflows with gratitude. We are blessed to be born in a country where we can elect our leaders. So many countries don’t grant their citizens such a privilege.

I thank God for those who fight and fought for our freedom. Freedom is not free.

Just five months ago, June 6th, was the 70th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day, the world-changing storming of Normandy on June 6th, 1944.  If you are like me, I couldn’t stop watching the television interviews of those World War II veterans as they tearfully recalled the moments of that day in Normandy, a day that will live in infamy. For so many of them, they confessed that the television interview was the first time they had talked about their 70-year-old experience.  A few of their wives said their husbands had never even shared with them the events of that day–D-Day. The poignant, tragic memories had been bottled up inside them all these years.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched 88-to-90-year-old men sob like babies recalling what they had endured as they left those boats, waded through the bloody waters and onto the shores of Normandy to fight the Germans. Their bravery, heroism, integrity live on. No wonder those men and women of the 1940s are appropriately referred to as “The Greatest Generation.”  My uncle E. Jennings Gore, Jr. served humbly and thankfully as one of those World War II veterans.

We are blessed with valiant heroes today, fighting a different war 70 years later. Each time I see a serviceman or woman in uniform, no matter where I am, if I am able to make eye contact, I say, “Thank you so much for serving our country.” To me, our encouragement is the least we can do for their valiant service of defending our country. Freedom is not free.

An American flag waves proudly on the front of my house everyday, not just this season.  We live in the greatest country in the world and are blessed with abundance and freedoms most countries envy.

How ever you may vote politically and how ever you may feel about war, we are all united as American citizens.  Please vote today.

We serve and play on the same team–Team USA.  Our country’s future is in your hands.  One vote makes a difference–yours. Freedom is not free.

Please pray for our leaders, whether you vote for them or not.

“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”  –1 Timothy 2:2 NLT

In eighth grade, our Social Studies teacher had us memorize a portion of the Declaration of Independence Preamble. It still is recalled easily, as it is seered on my heart:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Amen. 

Happy Election Day.  Freedom is not free.

Please take two minutes to watch the below two quick videos.

Reflect:

–Would you consider yourself to be patriotic? Please comment.

–Who are some American heroes in your life? How will you show your appreciation for them? Please comment.

Renew:

–” ‘…no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will not refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.” –Isaiah 54:17 NIV 84

–“Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.” –Romans 9:5 NIV84

–“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer.” –2 Timothy 2:3-4 NIV84

Recharge:

–What do you or will you do this week to demonstrate your patriotism? Vote today.

–Please unfurl your American flag and wave it high. Let us show the world we are honored to be Americans.

Resource:

–Your Vote Counts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWrBLgXQrE4

–Enjoy the US Naval Academy singing “America the Beautiful.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JKCom39yKQ

Are You Blooming Where You Are? Post #54

Bloom where you are, even when you're not planted there.

Bloom where you are, even when you’re not planted there.

My dear friend Mary recently texted me photos of little petunias in her yard that were popping up everywhere, blooming. In the gravel by the sidewalk, in all kinds of nooks and crannies. Bloom where you’re planted, she said. Let’s take the saying one step farther….Are you blooming where you are, even if you weren’t actually planted there?

You may be currently in circumstances you didn’t cause and you didn’t plan. What is your attitude? Are you complaining or content? Are you encouraging others or the ring leader for grumbling?

The story of Moses and the Israelites comes to mind. Just a few weeks after the Lord miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to walk across on dry land and drowning the Eqyptians, the Israelites began grumbling to Moses.

“In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.’ Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.'” –Exodus 16:2-4 NIV84 

Despite their complaining, God continued to provide for them, as He does for us. Grumbling and complaining sure does slow the journey, as well as zap the energy and fun. The adventure through the wilderness to the Promised Land that should have taken about 11 days took 40 years.

Please be encouraged that our attitude is our choice. Make the choice to bloom large right where you are.  

Reflect:

–How is your attitude? Positive or negative? Complaining or content? Please comment.

–What will you do to change your attitude or sustain it if it’s positive?

Renew:

–“…For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” –Philippians 4:11b-13 NIV84.

Recharge:

–Compliment and encourage three new people today.

–Write a handwritten note and mail it to someone who you used to complain about or to. Let them know how much you appreciate him/her.

 

 

 

 

Finding Faith in the Fog, Post #53

My fingers white-knuckled the steering wheel as I slowly drove through the North Carolina mountains, cautious. It was nighttime, and the dense, smoky wall of fog enveloped the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had driven this stretch of road a hundred times, but never in this condition. My eyes strained to see past the hood of the car. No white lines could even be seen outlining the two-lane road.

My heart pounded. I prayed.  “Lord, I know You’re here. I know You’re with me. What I know to be true on a clear, sunny day is just as true in this foggy, dark situation.”

As I finally drove into the driveway of my destination about 30 minutes later, my lungs finally exhaled. I felt like I held my breath the whole perilous drive through those mountains. My hands were still trembling as I tried to get the key into the front door.

Once inside, I fell to my knees with a prayer of thanksgiving. It was only then that I realized I had just lived a powerful message, a sermon. The foggier nights result in deeper faith.

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the Bible’s “Hall of Faith.” I love reading all the different examples of extraordinary faith, from Abel and Abraham to Rahab the prostitute. It’s the last two verses of that Faith chapter, though, that make me ponder the most.

“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” –Hebrews 11:39-40 NIV84

So many times, we think we are promised the world. Pretty prideful thought, I’m  ashamed to admit. It is only through our desperate dependence on Jesus Christ, that His better plan for us can be revealed. His better plan that can be made perfect ONLY when we work together with God.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, know God is with you. The same God in the sunny, clear day is the same God in the foggy night.  May we be encouraged to find and strengthen our faith in the fog and in the SON.

Reflect:

–What foggy night circumstances have you experienced lately?  Please comment.

–How was your faith strengthened or weakened by it? Please comment.

Renew:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” –Hebrews 11:1 NIV84

Recharge:

–Name three actions to demonstrate your faith you may live out in October and beyond.

–Please read your Bible daily to hear God’s voice and Truth in your life.