Freedom

Statue of Liberty

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Known worldwide as a symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty was actually a gift to us from the nation of France, with donations coming from around the world. When I had the chance to visit there a few years ago, I saw a plaque with words written by the poet Emma Lazarus. Emma originally used her poem to raise funds for the project and though the statue was opened to the public in 1886, she was forgotten. But friends of Emma remembered her words and continued to lobby for them to be included until finally her they were added in 1903.The second verse which we most remembered says:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus

Yesterday at our community clubhouse, we observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those who had given their lives in defense of the liberty spoken of on the base of that statue. But we must not lose sight that even more than those freedoms, Jesus came to offer an even greater freedom: and He, instead of raising a torch, was Himself raised up on a cross to die. Today, Jesus is calling out to you and me with words that are not written on a bronze plaque but are spoken to our hearts by Holy Spirit.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

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 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 ESV

July 4th, 1974, in Southern Missouri, was a hot day, but perfect for a church picnic. All kinds of things were happening that day in America, but what my wife and I remember most is the birth of our oldest son. That afternoon after lunch, we cooled off by tossing a frisbee around with the other young people from our church. So, when Nancy’s labor pains started, she was having so much fun that she declined to tell me until they only were five minutes apart. Then when she informed me, it took a moment for reality to set in. Finally, in a state of panic I ran for the pickup and together we sped the two miles up the dirt road, and then another twenty-five minutes down the state highway to the hospital. Let me just say that this was a trip which neither one of us will ever forget! Later that night, at precisely 11:45 P.M., our parenting adventure began, and the details of that special July 4th remain precious to us even after forty-nine years.

Two hundred and forty-five years ago on a different 4th of July, our nation was born. Part of the reason we celebrate, is found in the second paragraph of a document that we call, the Declaration of Independence and it began with the groundbreaking idea:

 “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” So on this July 4th, though we could find things to complain about in our nation, and plenty of people we would like to blame for those issues, let’s remember that both today’s verse, and the Declaration, remind us to honor and respect everyone. We do this, not because we agree with everyone or accept their lifestyle, but because we are all created by the same God who never changes, and we are all sinners in need of a Savior. That is why God sent His only Son, Jesus to the cross to die. There at the Cross of Christ the ground is level, and His grace is available to all who ask. So, as you see the fireworks go up commemorating our national freedom, remember that only Jesus can give real life, true liberty and a happiness that will last forever. Now that’s something to really celebrate about!

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He Set Me Free

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So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 ESV

Besides when we get to sing with our family in church, my personal favorite times are on Thursday mornings with my friends in memory care. Some people don’t come and visit, because they think that having a normal conversation is hopeless. While that may be true for some, a great many of the residents really enjoy my little stories laced in between the songs. It did my heart good today to hear their laughter as I related a memory of times when I was asked to pick up men who were being released from prison. I told them that whether these fellows had just spent a night cooling off after a fight, or had finished serving a lengthy sentence, none of them ever asked me to take them back! Their gleeful enjoyment of those first hours of freedom reminded me of today’s verse and the freedom that God gives us when He unlocks the jail cell of sin and opens the door into a life of true freedom through the grace of Jesus Christ. I hope you will enjoy our little rendition of the old hymn, He Set Me Free!