"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." ~ George Washington

Back again. Thanks for tuning in for today's episode, this one is identified as Monday, June 24, 2019. We visited Scotland back in the mid-1990s. Today is one of the most revered days in their history. On this date in 1314, a Scot named Robert the Bruce routed the English and sent them home. I mention this because when we were there the Scots spoke about this battle like it happened recently. They remember all the details, the players involved, and how it was one of the only major victories over their arch enemy, England. We, as Americans, revere our history as well, but, they see our history as a drop in the bucket since we are only 200 plus years in the making. For many years, the national anthem of Scotland was entitled Scotland the Brave, however, in 1965 a song came along that has become the people's choice as their national anthem. The title is 'Flower of Scotland', and, it is all about celebrating this monumental victory from 1314. It is typically played at most sporting events and other official functions. I actually have listened to it many times because it is so special to those we interacted with while we were there. As a way of recognizing this important day for them, I share the lyrics and recommend anyone to YouTube it and see what you think. (Interesting tidbits: There is one note in the song that cannot be played on the bagpipe so they have to work around that. For you purists, it is a flattened seventh. ~ Braveheart is a 1995 film directed by Mel Gibson and featuring Angus Macfadyen as Robert the Bruce. Some sources state that Braveheart's version of the character is historically inaccurate. In particular, while the film's name refers to protagonist William Wallace, the nickname "Braveheart" has been posthumously attributed to the Bruce, whose heart was brought to a Crusade in Spain by Sir James Douglas and thrown into a battle against the Moors. Bruce's heart was then returned to Scotland and interred at Melrose Abbey.)

Flower of Scotland, written by Roy Williamson

O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see
Your like again,
That fought and died for,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.

The Hills are bare now,
And Autumn leaves
lie thick and still,
O'er land that is lost now,
Which those so dearly held,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.

Those days are past now,
And in the past
they must remain,
But we can still rise now,
And be the nation again,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.

The Hills is bare nou,
An Autumn leafs,
Lies thick an still,
Ower land that is tint nou,
That thae sae darlie held,
That stuid agin him,
Prood Edward's Airmie,
An sent him hamewart,
Tae think again.

O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see
your like again,
That fought and died for,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
To think again.

Issac Potts' house was General George Washington's headquarters in the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, PA.

I know many of my readers could not give a flip about something like the battle that took place so many years ago. That's okay. We were intrigued by the folks we met and their devotion to the memory of those who made them the proud people they are. The Scots, in general, remain fiercely independent today, even though, they remain a part of Great Britain. Their desire to be their own independent country again reminds me of our history. I was very moved when I visited the museum and grounds at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. To stand upstairs in the very set of rooms where General George Washington was housed, well, that caused a surge of pride and respect to flow through me. That place reeked with a sense of the sacrifices made in that cruel winter of 1777-1778. Similarly, one cannot visit the Alamo, which we have done many times, without an appreciation for what happened there. We know there were flawed people involved in these legendary events, however, they yielded themselves to a cause greater than themselves. This sense of seeking freedom is encapsulated in the famous quote, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." ~ Patrick Henry

The Bible, God's inspired, breathed out, Word, has much to say about freedom and bondage. Because of the fall of humanity through the sin of Adam, our inherent sin nature makes us in bondage to sin. God's plan provided a way to deal with this bondage through the sacrifice of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are some verses ranked by the entries from folks who said they portrayed the freedom we have in Christ. These quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV):
~ Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.; 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.; John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.; John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.; Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.; Galatians 5:1-26 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ...; Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ~ These do give an overview of what God's plan is for setting His created human family, and, all of creation free. They are worth our consideration. Amen. ....More later.