Friday, July 4, 2014

Freedom

American Historical Perspective

The 4th of July is a day Americans celebrate freedom. 






I came across an important quote form Horace Greeley, an American newspaper editor who lived and worked 1811-1872. 

His quote reminds us of the importance of our faith and its relationship to freedom.

“It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.  The principles of Bible are the groundwork of human freedom.”



Christ Followers

Galatians 5:1, gives us more thoughts to ponder about freedom.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm.”  Galatians 5:13, we are free to serve one another humbly in love.

Ephesians 3:12 reminds us that our power to live and act comes because “in Christ and through faith in Christ we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” 

God has and is acting for the good of all creation.  May we be part of extending God’s Love into our circumstances.


"Do you still not understand?" Jesus.

The world’s news tells of the suffering of people God loves! 
Jesus often had to say to his disciples, "Do you still not understand?” 
Are we hearing those same words today from Jesus?



Thoughts on Faith  


I gained an important insight from a book I recently read, Faith in the Face of Empire the Bible through Palestinian Eyes, By Mitri Raheb, a local pastor in Bethlehem.  In the book he states, “Faith is the key to dismantling the empire.”

As we look around us, we see actions that do not reflect God’s goodness.  The world needs God’s Good News!  Let us let our faith and understanding of Christ’s teaching guide our actions.


Holding the Light 

As we stand in our circumstances let us hold high God’s Love, freedom and light for all to see.