Back, back, back....back-back-back, to work we go!

Hello friends and neighbors, on this Tuesday, July 6, 2010 and I'm so thankful to have a place to come and sit so early in the morning to send you greetings along with a prayer for a blessed week. We had a busy but bountiful three day holiday and I am still struck by the wonderful tribute paid to our founders and past and present defenders in our Church service on Sunday. Freedom is a Bible concept and the only true freedom is the one that sets us free from our inherited sin nature, that freedom that comes from placing faith and trust in God's provision, the blood of His Son. This makes clear that freedom is never free. It always involves cost and sacrifice. As it relates to our nation, the flag draped coffins that continue to arrive on our shores should be a reminder that we are at war against the forces of oppression and tyranny and our soldiers continue to pay the ultimate price for us all. All of you know that I am very concerned about our nation and the direction in which we are currently headed. At the same time, I was thrilled to enjoy our family get together Sunday evening in our eldest son's home. Two hundred and thirty four years and we continue, even with all the hurts, pains, threats, and prevailing winds of challenge, to be a nation that can only thank God Almighty for His blessings on us. As I held and played with our great grandaughter Madelyn Joy and looked around the room at the laughter, joy, and fellowship going on, I was humbled by the blessings of freedom we still enjoy.

A huge and delicious meal of barbecue with all the trimmings, watching 4th of July festivities from across our nation on the big screen TV, folks, we are a blessed people and I think we should take the time to make sure we give proper thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow. Maybe you lack the words you feel that may be appropriate. While I believe God will hear any and all words, polished or not, that come from the inside out, from the heart, He has provided us with inspired prayers that we are privileged to read, study, and pray back to Him. Perhaps today, you, I, and all who read this blog might take a few minutes and pray out loud these words penned in 136th Division:

"1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever.

3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:

4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;

5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;

6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever;

7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever—

8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever;

9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.

10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn, For His mercy endures forever;

11 And brought out Israel from among them, For His mercy endures forever;

12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm, For His mercy endures forever;

13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever;

14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His mercy endures forever;

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, For His mercy endures forever;

16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His mercy endures forever;

17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His mercy endures forever;

18 And slew famous kings, For His mercy endures forever—

19 Sihon king of the Amorites, For His mercy endures forever;

20 And Og king of Bashan, For His mercy endures forever—

21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His mercy endures forever;

22 A heritage to Israel His servant, For His mercy endures forever.

23 Who remembered us in our lowly state, For His mercy endures forever;

24 And rescued us from our enemies, For His mercy endures forever;

25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His mercy endures forever.

26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever."

Want to show appreciation for this 234 years of blessed existence? Let God know what you think about His hand on this great land of ours. It will be pleasing to Him and as they say, it will do a body good! Amen. .........More later.