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Written by Cathy Irvin (1946-2011), an American writer.

When you think about Independence Day, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think about a day off from work with picnics, fireworks, and those red, white, and blue flags displayed in front yards along your neighborhood. This is all good, but the one word that comes to my mind is freedom. It is a fact that we live in the United States of America where we can voice our opinions freely and can vote for the people of our choice. These are very good reasons why we should never take our freedom for granted. Each year, I notice that some people really go all out decorating for every holiday. For Independence Day, I display my flag in the yard for the entire month. The flag means a lot to me because of those in my family who have been in wars. I have also had friends who served our country, and I have known some who did not come home in the past and present war. My father served in World War II. My mother was a Red Cross volunteer during that war. My niece and her husband served in Desert Storm. I also have had loved ones in the Vietnam War and a friend recently in Afghanistan. Because of their contributions in keeping us all free, I proudly display the flag. Have you thought about the American flag and all that it stands for? This emblem of the greatest nation on earth is placed on the graves of our honored dead who fought for us to remain a free nation, and it flies high during times of peace, as well as war. “Old Glory” is its name. There is another real freedom we can have. We can display it every day of the year, and that is our freedom “In Christ” to live a life to glorify Him, so that His banner of love, truth, and peace can be seen by all. It is a flag flown high in the castle of my heart (taken from a song). We can be free in our spirit to serve the Creator of the whole universe and that my friends, is True Freedom. Just like the flag that represents freedom, Jesus is a banner over us, protecting and shielding us. He is the “Glory and the Lifter of our heads” at all times. Let freedom ring out in your heart today.

For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.   [Romans 8:2]

Written by Anselm of Canterbury (1093-1109), an Italian monk, abbot, author, philosopher, and theologian who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093-1109.

We call “pleasure” all of those things that  cause delight to the physical senses. And these are certainly loved and desired by all human beings. For each of the physical senses naturally strives after and yearns for those things which bring it delight or comfort. As examples of this, the sense of smell takes pleasure in sweet and rare fragrances, and the sense of taste enjoys experiencing fine flavors. Each of the other senses—sight, vision, and touch—is similarly attracted to those things which correspond to its capacities and propensities and cause it delight. The attractions to those things which delight the senses are what constitute the natural appetites of the human being.  Yet such delights will not always bring delight, and such pleasures will not forever bring pleasure. For after a certain period, even those who love them most will encounter a feeling of satiety, and then boredom or revulsion. For, by their very nature, their capacity to satisfy is transitory, and they appeal to the merely animal part of our nature. Yet those pleasures which the just shall enjoy to the full in the world to come will be everlasting. They shall appeal not to the lower physical senses only but also to the higher mental and spiritual faculties. Since they are so different from our present pleasures, I cannot see how anyone can learn what the delights of heaven will really be like. For nothing that we experience here on earth could ever suffice to give us an example of their nature. The pleasures we will possess in heaven are of such a kind that the more they are experienced, the more fervently shall one desire them. For, since they are perfect in nature, they shall bring satisfaction and yet never give rise to any boredom or tedium. I believe that there is no one living, or no one who has ever lived, who would not prefer the taste and experience of these perfect heavenly delights than any earthly pleasure whatsoever!

A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. [Proverbs 10:23]

Written by C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), a British writer, literary scholar, professor, and Anglican lay theologian.  This was written in a letter to BBC producers.

It seems to me that the New Testament, by preaching repentance and forgiveness, always assumes an audience who already believe in the laws of nature and know they have disobeyed it. In modern England we cannot at present assume this, and therefore most apologetics begins a stage too far on. The first step is to create, or recover, a sense of guilt. Hence, if I gave a series of talks, I should mention Christianity only at the end and would prefer not to unmask my battery till then.

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth  [2 Timothy 2:25]

Written by Timothy Keller (1950-2023), An American pastor, theologian, and Christian Apologist. This is an excerpt from a talk he gave in 2019.

Here’s four reasons why we’re very ineffective when it comes to sharing our faith. One is pride. We actually don’t like people who disbelieve and we get argumentative when we talk to them and we get irritated with them. So one’s pride. One is fear. Especially in a place like New York where relationships are everything. It’s scary to open your mouth in a place like New York. It could really hurt you vocationally. It could really hurt you, reputationally. It really could. So one is pride, one is fear, and one is pessimism. You look at some people and you say, why should I stick my neck out and risk what I’ll be risking when this person will never become a Christian. This isn’t the kind of person to ever become a Christian. And then the last is just simply indifference. In many cases, you just say, I’m tired. It’s difficult, and my life is hard enough. What Jesus is saying is in all cases, it’s a lack of joy.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  [Romans 15:13]

Written by Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer, and theologian. This is an excerpt from his book “Making All Things New.”

Although the discipline of solitude asks us to set aside time and space, what finally matters is that our hearts become like quiet cells where God can dwell, wherever we go and whatever we do. The more we train ourselves to spend time with God and God alone, the more we will discover that God is with us at all times and in all places. Then we will be able to recognize God even in the midst of a busy and active life. Once the solitude of time and space has become a solitude of the heart, we will never have to leave that solitude. We will be able to live the spiritual life in any place and at any time. Thus the discipline of solitude enables us to live active lives in the world, while remaining always in the presence of the living God.

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength [Isaiah 30:15]

Written by John Hey, a contemporary medical doctor and writer.

Many Christians stay in trouble, grow little, or even go astray and ruin their lives. This is often because they are lone “free lance” Christians and not closely connected to a real church. The church is God’s means of taking care of His children in this age—the church age.  A wolf will destroy a sheep that is off alone in the wilderness, so Satan has to find Christians that aren’t under the care, authority, and discipline of a local church. We must get rid of the idea that the church is a building or an address to hold meetings. Nor is the church a “preaching point” or performance that an audience attends for information or worse, for entertainment. All churches claim great doctrinal truths on paper but do they make the Lord Jesus Christ the head by first upholding the truth of God’s Word? Is the Word of God being taught in depth and power? Are Christians caring for one another? Is sin dealt with or just tolerated and ignored? Is there time for worship and praise to the Lord or just meaningless rounds of activity? Such a church might not be the largest or fastest growing, or most prestigious, but it won’t necessarily be small or stagnant either. It will be one where the Lord and His Word are taken seriously and His sheep are cared for and care for one another.

So that if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.  [1 Timothy 3:15]

Written by Philip Reinders, a contemporary Canadian pastor, missional leader, and author. This is an excerpt from his book “Seeking God’s Face.”

Creator God, I praise you for creating humanity good, in your own image. Despite the regularity of evil wickedness I see in the world, despite my own twisted ways, this is not the way it is supposed to be. I’m meant to know you, to love you with all my heart, and to live with you in eternal happiness. Today, equip me to move in the direction of your created purposes for me. In Christ’s name. Amen.

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. [Psalm 130:5]

Written by Nick Harrison, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “Magnificent Prayer.”

Pascal answered his own question [Why has God established prayer?] by maintaining that God wants to “communicate to His creatures the dignity of causality.” In other words, He wants us to enjoy a taste of what it’s like to be a creator. By praying for what God puts on our hearts, we actually see something come into being that wasn’t there before. Perhaps it’s restored health, a mate, a child, a job, or some other such need. By being made in God’s image, we, like Him, enjoy watching things happen through our “causality.” And although prayer causes God to bring about our answer, we still see how God has given us a part in ushering it into being. Has God given you something to create through prayer?

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. [Genesis 1:27]

Written by A.C. Dixon (1854-1925), an American pastor, author, and evangelist.

When we depend upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we depend upon education, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon prayer, we get what God can do!

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. [Psalm 20:7-8]

Written by Charles Cowman (1868-1924), a missionary evangelist in Japan.

I am so convinced that [our work as Christians] is God’s work that nothing from without can by any means harm it, but you must stay very close together and at the foot of the cross, where there is none of self but all of Christ. You can harm it if you allow disunity among yourselves, looking after  your own personal interests and failing to be true to the vision God has given us. Read often Psalm 133…Have fervent love among yourselves. Pray for fresh baptisms of love. Disunity cannot live in an atmosphere of love.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! [Psalm 133:1].