July 4th

July 4th, 2013

Happy Fourth of July to all of my family and friends back home in the states. Love you all. So grateful for the land of my birth and the freedom to worship God. I know that He lives, that Jesus is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that God preserved this land for righteous purposes. That we need to love and honor Him who blesses this land. We dothat  when we keep Him in our lives 24 hours a day 7 days a week.. Have a great day!

 As I sat pondering over the freedoms to be found in the United States and in Canada I was humbled by the blessings in our lives. Even when the going gets tough we are so very blessed. My favorite line from the poem below is :"Most important have you learned that kneeling in prayer is stronger than to stand and fight alone?" I hope that you all enjoy the following:

The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

I grew up singing that I was born in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”.
I learned from the scriptures that I was also born in a choice land that would be free from captivity.
But that its people would need to serve the God of this land, even Jesus Christ.
Freedom is so much more than the victor of a battle, it costs more than the blood of patriots.

We all earned the freedom over death when Christ gave His life for all.
He suffered and paid for our sins if we would but accept and believe in Him.
But personal freedom is something that is based on the choices we make each day of our life.
Do you ever think about how your choices each day increase or decrease the freedom you enjoy?

What is your choice when choosing to drink alcohol and then to drive putting innocents at risk?
What do you choose when speeding down a road instead of obeying the legal speed limit?
What do you choose when you choose any addiction over your family and friends?
What do you choose when you are faced with prejudice because of race, color or creed?

Can you choose to be compassionate to those who are in need in body and soul?
Can you choose that family comes first and that they need you, not just things or money?
Can you choose to forgive someone who has hurt you badly-knowing that to not forgive is a heavier burden to carry?
Can you choose to show love to all even when hate and anger is all you see?

Most important have you learned that kneeling in prayer is stronger than to stand and fight alone?
Christ forgave those who took His life- His love and humility were His strengths.
Life will always have its challenges some good and some bad, but we never need face any alone.
Someday we will be judged on the choices that we have made as we have traveled through life.
What will your choices tell about you, and will your reward be eternal freedom or not?

Charlotte P. Edwards- Jul 2011