Hope you're having a Happy Independence Day!

 

I Am Grateful

I am grateful.

I am grateful for extraordinary freedom.

I am grateful for tremendous opportunity.

My beloved American friends, we live in a wonderful country.

Someone reminded me recently that America has flaws and imperfections.

I agreed.

Of course it does, because it is comprised of people and people have always been and will always be flawed. (I did not tell the person who reminded me about America’s flaws and imperfections that he and I were part of the reason for the flaws and imperfections… that would have been rude and my mom always told me not to be rude.)

It is helpful to remember that many, many people from all over the world continue to go to great lengths—and this includes facing considerable danger—just to get here and attempt to experience life in this remarkable place.

Yep, I am grateful. I hope you are grateful, too!

Happy Independence Day!

Having A Spirit Which Prizes Liberty

“Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.” Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln believed there is a “spirit which prizes liberty” and, based on the quote above, he apparently understood that this spirit isn’t automatic.  It is something which must be intentionally preserved.

Long before I was ever born there were courageous people in this country who possessed this spirit which prizes liberty.  They spoke of liberty, wrote about it and argued eloquently for it.  Some of these folks even fought and sacrificed for it… and, thankfully, they continue to do so.

Liberty is a form of self-determination and freedom that carries with it responsibility.  I pray we will continue to accept that responsibility.  I pray we will make an effort to preserve the spirit which prizes liberty (and I include myself in that prayer).

Liberty is a big deal.  And I suspect it is possible for people not to appreciate how wonderful it is until they no longer have it. My heart is grateful for the liberty that has been an incredible part of my life experience in this remarkable country.  I hope yours is, too.

And I hope you have a safe and happy Independence Day!  God bless America.

I Got Nervous At The Redbox Line

I’ve only rented movies from Redbox a couple of times.  So, I don’t work my way through their system of screens and prompts quickly. 

I know you’re probably thinking, “Sheesh, Dan, it’s not complicated!”  And you’re right, it’s not complicated.

But, although I didn’t realize it at the time, I made a tactical error in my approach to this situation, this evening.  You see, it was already early in the evening on the 4^th of July when I embarked on my movie rental excursion.  I should not have waited that late to rent a movie.  When I arrived at the Redbox station, there was a line of people.

When my turn finally came, I did not know in advance which movie I wanted to rent.  I really wasn’t sure what would be available.  I was unwisely counting on the time and freedom to scroll through the various movie options at a leisurely pace.  But as I worked my way through the Redbox screens I was keenly aware that there was a group of people looking at their watches and waiting.  In fact, I think I may have heard a couple of deep sighs and some impatient toe-tapping from those who were in the line behind me.

So, the pressure was on.  Unfortunately, I don’t perform well under pressure.  Also, I am not particularly fast when it comes to selecting movies.  I like to think it over—pondering the subtleties of the mood that I’m in—and weigh my options carefully.

I suppose all of these stress factors help to explain how this nervous, rapid selection process resulted in my accidental rental of, “Barney Meets The Smurfs.” 

Oh sure, this is probably a wonderful film with outstanding acting and a brilliant plot, but it was not the movie that I was hoping to view, this evening.

E-Flash From Dan, July 4, 2013

Dear E-Flash Friends;

I was just reading a portion of the “Declaration of Independence” (yeah, I know, I’m a guy who really likes to live it up!) and I was reminded again of the courage, intelligence, faith and resolve of our country’s founding fathers. 

One of the lines in the document that caught my attention refers to the fact that the signers of the Declaration were appealing “to the Supreme Judge of the world” on behalf of their cause.  They understood and they acknowledged a higher authority than the powerful “British Crown” or, for that matter, any earthly ruler.  I believe that is an indication of their wisdom.

What they did is noble and inspiring and we have benefitted greatly from the country that they founded.  I realize that these men weren’t perfect and that our country is not without its flaws.  But I am still impressed by what they did and I am, still, deeply, deeply grateful to live in a place with the kind of extraordinary freedoms and opportunities that we enjoy.

My hope and prayer is that your 4^th of July is happy, safe and enjoyable.   As we celebrate the independence of our country I am also hoping that we are acknowledging this Higher Authority to whom our country’s founders appealed.  He has blessed me far beyond what I deserve and I’m trusting that you recognize and appreciate His many blessings in your life, too!

Happy Independence Day!

May God bless the U.S.A.

Love and blessings,

Dan

P.S.  We will be having great services this Sunday.  The worship team is planning wonderful music and Chris is bringing a message on the work of the Holy Spirit that will inspire and encourage you!  You won’t want to miss it.

P.P.S.  If you have a minute and a half (come on, that’s only 90 seconds) I invite you to listen to a new episode of the “A Minute And A Half of God Stuff” podcast for 7/4/13.

Click on this link…  http://visitusonline.org/scmedia.php?type=mediaplayer&loc=visitusonline.org/media/media/mediaplayer.php&id=2013070407073257FC40

Have We Remembered To Be Thankful For Our Country?

I have a new friend who is looking to make a permanent move to the United States from her native country in Europe.  She has been living here in the U.S. on a temporary visa that expires very soon.  In a few days, she will be reluctantly traveling back home but her desire is to get another visa, return to the U.S., and attempt to make a permanent home in this country.

Why?

Well, her answer basically includes the same reasons that have inspired millions of people to move to this country:  prosperity, economic hope, freedom and opportunity.  (Also, she can get a much faster Internet signal here.)

I think those of us who have lived in the U.S. our entire lives sometimes forget what an extraordinary place this is.  (I know I sometimes take it for granted.)  

When I take time to reflect on the matter, I’m genuinely thankful for our country, aren’t you?

I realize that some folks will read the previous couple of sentences and think, “Oh yeah?  Hold it just a minute!  What about all the problems we’ve had in this country in the past and all the problems we’re having right now, buddy?!?  This hasn’t been the perfect place you’re making it out to be!”

Yes, it’s true.  There are problems with our country.  (So far, there haven’t been any perfect countries.  Yep, I “googled” it, for verification.)  I see problems.  Like everyone else, I see issues that bother me.  I am troubled by the direction our culture continues to move when it comes to moral issues that directly affect some of the bedrock institutions of society. 

I realize that some people in our country haven’t experienced the justice and equality that we promise.  That is a blemish on our record.

I am greatly bothered by the corruption of many of our leaders.  (I suspect we only know a fraction of it.)  In fact, there is an abandonment of true leadership character and true leadership practices among some of our political leaders that leaves many of us profoundly sad.  (The pursuit of power, still lures men and women to the degradation of their character and the forsaking of integrity.)

So, I am aware that there are very real problems like those that I noted above and many others.  But, you know what?  I still wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.  In spite of our imperfections, the United States still offer tremendous freedom and opportunity.  They still offer the hope of a happy, meaningful, productive life; the kind of life in which a person can flourish.

Our country has provided liberty to millions.  It has created more prosperity for more people than any other nation in history.  The U.S.A.—in spite of its flaws—truly is an extraordinary place.

I thank God that—with no credit to myself—I happen to live at such an amazing time and place in history.  I’m thankful to those who risked their lives to establish this outstanding experiment in democracy.  I’m thankful to those who have fought and died—and continue to do so—to establish and protect our freedoms.

Some people may think it’s wrong or arrogant or theologically incorrect to say “God bless America”.  It seems to me that—for reasons known to Himself—frankly, God has already blessed America.  He has blessed America in many ways.  My hope and my prayer is that He will continue to bless us.

So, I hope you have a safe and happy 4^th of July.  Be careful.  Wear sunscreen.  Don’t get too much bug spray on your cheeseburger.  Honor Christ in your words and deeds.

With humility, gratitude, and a bit of patriotic pride, I say:  God bless America!

"Freedom" Is A Big Deal. I'm Very Thankful For It

I’m very thankful to live in a country that offers an extraordinary degree of freedom and opportunity.  In human history, liberty has never been a given.  Sadly, it has not been enjoyed by most people, at most times.  The lives that I and many of my on-line friends live are incredibly blessed in this regard.  I plan to take time throughout this weekend to thank God for this blessing.