Grateful for Our Country

July 5, 2018

Grateful for Our Country

|wvbaptist|No Comments|

July 5, 2018

Another July 4th is history, and I paused to consider the significance of the celebration. I read The Declaration of Independence and portions of The Constitution of The United States of America and was reminded of the concerns that brought those men to the place of being willing to put their lives on the line to pursue the freedom that they believed was intended by Creator God.

They believed that “all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” They felt that the government was preventing them from enjoying these privileges.

During the past 242 years, we have enjoyed the freedoms that were envisioned by this declaration. And while there will always be people who abuse the privileges and take unfair advantage of the system, overall we have enjoyed a journey that is envied by anyone who understands it and appreciated by all who protect it.

It is easy to find a lot that is wrong with our country, and most of the time that is what gets the attention. But on this day, I am reflecting on what I enjoyed yesterday:

  1. I flew the USA flag and was not fearful that it would bring harm to our home.
  2. I read the Bible and prayed aloud without concern that this might bring a negative reaction from anyone who was aware of it.
  3. I enjoyed our home in a neighborhood that respects people, understands authority, and is cared for by police and other first responders.
  4. I listened to fireworks and remembered how much fun this was when I was a kid.
  5. I thought about the meaning of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” and was grateful that I enjoy all of that.

I appreciate the significance of people long ago who wanted for themselves and for me the privileges I am enjoying. Creator God designed human life to be fulfilling and productive. And even though sin messed up the plan, He included a Way for us to come back to Him through Savior Jesus. Our country makes it easy for me to believe and enjoy.

Pastor Bill Ehmann

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS

Only A Few Things Matter

By wvbaptist | November 28, 2018 | 0 Comments

November 28, 2018 In my late teens, I worked for a friend’s dad during wheat harvest in Eastern Colorado. The area is known for summer hailstorms that in a matter of minutes can destroy an entire year’s effort. One afternoon […]

Beyond Human Logic

By wvbaptist | November 14, 2018 | 0 Comments

November 14, 2018 Sitting in the comfort of our home, I thought about the events taking place in northern and southern California, where fires are burning out of control. Loss of homes and possessions is painful, but not nearly as […]

Shelter

By wvbaptist | November 7, 2018 | 0 Comments

November 7, 2018 “Shelter” is a familiar word these days as communities try to find ways to care for homeless people. As cold, wet weather arrives, we want to protect people as much as possible. It is a difficult challenge […]

The Lonely Prophet

By wvbaptist | October 31, 2018 | 0 Comments

October 31, 2018 My Bible reading these days is in Jeremiah. I have found myself giving thanks for the privilege of having comrades in ministry. I cannot relate to how lonely Jeremiah must have been. Known as a prophet, today […]

If We Could See

By wvbaptist | October 24, 2018 | 0 Comments

October 24, 2018 George Beverly Shea used to sing, “If we could see beyond today as God can see.” Several lines in the song tell us about the difference between God’s perspective and ours. “If we could know beyond today […]

Scroll to Top