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| Minister's Musings - Rev. Gary DeMore |
July 4, 2010
There is not a night that passes that I do not pray for those in our church family who serve in the military. I am so thankful for these people, thankful that I know them, and thankful that they are people of faith. More often than not I lift them up individually by name.
It is a good time to give thanks for these people, and for all those who serve in our military both at home and abroad. In this day of the volunteer soldier, we are protected by a contingent of folk who have made a conscious decision to invest their lives in defense of those things that we hold dear as a nation.
I hope when the 4th of July arrives this year that you will take a moment to do as I do, and say a prayer for those people who serve our nation.
I also hope you will enjoy whatever it is you decide to do that day. Maybe you will be among the 50,000 racing down Peachtree Street in Atlanta. Or maybe you have spent a week's pay on fireworks, and you just can't wait to entertain your neighbors from the confines of your backyard once it gets dark. Others of you have purchased the best brats money can buy, and are looking forward to firing up the charcoal grill.
Whatever you decide to do, you will be able to do it without being hassled by some sort of Gestapo. You won't have to apply for a permit to have a good time. You won't be attacked by the villagers on the other side of the hill who don't like your brand of politics.
No, you will be free to do as you choose. There are folks who have paid a price for that freedom, and I will be celebrating those people on that day.
The 4th happens to fall on Sunday this year, so before you go off to have your good time, I invite you to an even better time at St. John. If your picnic is planned for noon, come worship with us at 9.
You will get to hear a patriotic tune, and then you will hear the story of Jesus. Despite what the historical revisionists would have you to believe these days, our forefathers were men of
great faith, and they founded this land on the basic principle that we are sustained by an Almighty God.
And they understood that ultimate freedom is found in Jesus Christ. By the sacrifices of our forebears, and the sacrifices of those who follow in their footsteps today, it remains our great and glorious gift to be able to openly celebrate that fact every Sunday of our lives.
Come share in the joy of that great gift on the 4th of July.
I'll see you Sunday.
Gary |
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