the blessing of liberty

Happy 4th of July! I love this holiday because it is about family, celebrating, and being free - what more could you ask for? Unfortunately, it's not that big of deal in Mexico, so I was sad to have missed out on all the festivities and fireworks - all my friends made fun of me for being patriotic. :( But I did wear blue and sang patriotic songs to myself all day. :)

This morning I had a chance to sit down and call in to Champaign to listen to services! The readings were in II Chronicles 15 and St. Luke 23 - which was a wonderful reminder of the freedoms we have, not only in our country but also in Christ. We have so much to be thankful for. One comment that stuck with me was the fact that there are some people who will live in freedom all their lives, but are still in (spiritual) bondage. Christ's death provided a path of liberty that I often take for granted.

In II Chronicles 15 I especially liked these verses:
"And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Obed: And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; the Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. [...] Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Obed the prophet, he took courage..." (parts of verses 1 - 8).

God always provides. Israel had been, as this says "without a teaching priest" for some time. Sometimes I feel that way - this has been a season of life in which my faith is tested daily and I do not have the support of a church family close by. But the chapter goes on to say that when they turned to God, He provided for them. Indeed, He gives me grace and strength sufficient for each day, and I am so thankful.

And like I said before, God's way provides a liberty that is otherwise impossible - and He has given us freedom in our country, and we have a day to celebrate it - and I am so thankful, once again! May He continue to bless our country.

"This land is your land, this land is my land.
From California to the New York Islands.
From the Redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters,
This land was made for you and me!

When the sun was shining, and I was strolling
And the wheat fields waving, and the dust clouds rolling
As the fog was lifting, a voice came chanting,
This land was made for you and me!

I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts.
And all around me, a voice came sounding -
This land was made for you and me!"

And...
"God bless America - land that I love!
Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam!
God bless America, my home sweet home..."

Also, we did go to Puebla this weekend, but I'll write about that later this week. Today, may all the glory go to God, who has blessed us so abundantly!