Pastor's Report for 2021 -- First Church of God, Oak Lawn, IL

 

Your love and kindness have overwhelmed me

 

A sincere "Thank You" to our veterans!

Freedom Is Rare And Precious... I Am Grateful For It

There is much over which people are in disagreement these days. In fact, it would be difficult to bring up any significant subject and find a measure of consensus even among the relatively small group of people this post will reach.

But as I was thinking about Memorial Day it occurred to me that we are remembering the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. And even where tremendous disagreement exists it is helpful to note that what these folks died to protect is, in part, the very freedom we have to disagree and to openly express that disagreement.

                                  

Freedom is an extraordinary right, in part, because throughout history it has not been a given in many nations and governments. Those who have freedom—of the kind we enjoy—are liable to take it for granted because it seems natural and almost, automatic. But it is not automatic. It is somewhat rare and, therefore, precious. Where real freedom is available to people it has usually involved a struggle to achieve and to maintain. Freedom typically involves a significant cost.

Words are, of course, not adequate but I will express it with mere words anyhow: I am extremely grateful to those who laid down their lives to provide our freedom and to those who continue to protect our freedom.

Thank you!

Your service is genuinely appreciated and it does not go unnoticed.

I hope you all have a blessed Memorial Day!

Fathers Are Important!

Fathers have an incredibly strong influence on their children. The influence can be largely negative or it can be largely positive but there will be an influence. And then these children grow up and go out into society and that fatherly influence has a still wider effect.

Fathers are important.

So… to all the dads who are caring, responsible, plugged-in, helpful and loving: Thank You! We love, appreciate and respect you.

Happy Father’s Day!