Freedom

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

Happy 4th of July. I am so thankful I live in America. I know that our country is not perfect but it is still a free nation. We are free to make choices. We can make choices of what we want to wear, where we want to live, what schools our children attend, where we want to worship. The choices go on and on.

Last year my husband and I went to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. We had a great time and the area was beautiful. Norman Rockwell, a gifted illustrator, was inspired by a 1941 speech by Franklin D Roosevelt titled “The Four Freedoms.” Rockwell painted a series of paintings depicting his interpretation of the speech.

Freedom of Speech
The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world. -F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom of Worship
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world. - F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom from Want
The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world. - F.D. Roosevelt

Freedom from Fear
The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world. -F.D. Roosevelt

As I read the words of F.D.Roosevelt and looked at the pictures of Norman Rockwell, I realized that we are slowly and surely losing our freedoms. A little at a time.

Now is the time to pray and ask the Lord for mercy. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

Will you do your part? The Lord is not just asking us to pray but to humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways.

Have a blessed day,

Donna