Let Freedom Ring

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"...proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof... "      - Leviticus 25:10

  Freedom is the quest of every man. Freedom from work, stress, financial obligations and worry. As children run through the sand on the beaches of the sea, fly kites in the crystal blue skies above or set out on new adventures as far as their mind's eye can reach they experience a sense of freedom that will continue to evade their quest as their years mature. Life as a child is simple, and though they often times do not realize what they have their freedom from responsibilities in life and the safety and comfort they receive from their parent or guardian are blessings.

  As years way upon our lives we take on responsibilities, many self-inflicted, many mandated by law. These responsibilities become the metal rings upon the shackles of slavery we all live within. Through the innate human desire to accumulate more and more, we are creating links in a chain that will forever keep us bound to this life and seeking freedom. Jesus Christ asked his disciples to "..follow me..", to give up everything they had accumulated and follow His call. The "things" of this life will weigh us down and distract us from pursuing His plan.

  Today, in the U.S.A. we celebrate our freedom to vote for our Government officials, including the next President of the United States.  I pray for whomever that might be that he be filled with the Holy Spirit and convicted to govern within the grace of our Lord.  Our founding fathers were pursuing freedom from the persecution and tyranny of the English government of the 18th century. The guiding principles of our "Declaration of Independence" were established on the Christian and moral values of the leaders in colonial America. Men rooted in a strong faith and fear of God, knowing that a nation that serves under God is a nation that is destined to be blessed by this same God.

  True freedom is not found in and of this world. Extreme wealth has left men empty inside, longing for something more. The sustenance of life through food, pleasures and addictions are fleeting, and need daily repetition to maintain. Finding true freedom is the art of coming to the realization that it cannot be found in worldly things, but only through the One who created the world. Jesus Christ came to deliver man from the evil and sins of this world into a life of righteousness and oneness with God Almighty. True freedom is found in the words of our Savior, "..sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, then come and follow me." (Matt. 19:21) It's a tall order, but imagine the freedom you would have if you knew all you had to do is wake up in the morning and do the will of God for the whole day.

To my friends in the U.S.A. exercise your constitutional right to vote today and take part in this incredible freedom that we have.  I wish you all a joyous, peaceful and reinvigorating outcome to this election. But take this day one step farther and celebrate your independence, and begin anew to seek the freedom promised by the Savior. Be blessed.

                                                                                                                   - Rich
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012 
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Understanding our Roots

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”  – Galatians 5:13

On this the eve before our 236^th celebration of America’s Independence from Great Britain, I can think of no better words than the words of George Washington.  These words were spoken from the steps of the Federal Treasury building on April 30, 1789 in his Inaugural Address to Congress and the citizens of the United States of America as their first President.  He followed this action by leading a procession from the Federal building to the St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, and once there led the nation in consecrating this great land to serve God Almighty.  From the beginning of our existence as a nation, we have been a nation built on the principals of our Heavenly Father.  St Pauls Chapel still stands to this very day, having survived several fires and the catrastrophic actions on 9-11-2001.  I view this small chapel as a symbol of God’s Blessing on this nation, when we are willing to humble ourselves and serve Him.

“…Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station; it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States, a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most Governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which, the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.”  - G. Washington, 1789

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Let your blessings continue to reign on the citizens of the United States of America.  We ask that you show us mercy in our weakness and provide us guidance in our prideful ways that we might humble ourselves and serve in the manner demonstrated by our Savior and Lord – Jesus Christ.  Help us to take a strong stand for righteousness and justice in this world, and to stand for Your Kingdom as our fore-fathers have done before us.  Let us learn from generations gone by the wonder and sovereignty of your ways, that we might be held closely to your bosom once again.  We long for your presence in our land – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com