Veterans Salute- Freedom is not Free

Our freedom comes at a great price. Gratitude can never repay the sacrifice. Nevertheless, it is all we can give.

This video is a tribute to American soldiers who have fought for liberty. Watch the history of American wars depicted through art that immortalizes the gratitude of a nation.

Raising Washingtons

Today we gathered at a friend’s house to celebrate America’s birthday. After eating wonderful food, enjoying insightful conversation, and mucking up rain water, we reflected on the Declaration of Independence written, so many years ago, on July 4, 1776. As my son read the opening words of the founding document, I felt a strange euphoric pride. My nine year old read clearly,

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

The feelings swelling in my heart were not because he read every word, or because he could interpret the s’s that look like f’s. I had a glimpse of the future. This young man is being taught the history of his country. He might not understand every word of this precious covenant, but he knows that his rights are given to him by God. My growing boy has an idea of the price paid for liberty. He realizes that it is his responsibility to protect freedom first in his own conscience. This gives me hope. Hope that future generations will live in peace.

God of peace! whose spirit fills

All the echoes of our hills,

All the murmur of our rills,

Now the storm is o’er,

O let freedom be our sons,

And let future Washingtons

Rise, to lead their valiant ones

Till there’s war no more! (from The Fourth of July by John Pierpoint)

American History for the Nations

I was blessed to attend Youth with a Mission’s Teachers for the Nations school in Tyler, TX. I don’t remember exactly how many nations were represented in my school, but we had quite a variety. My classmates were from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nepal, Latin America, and even Canada, of all places. They all came to the United States to study America’s Christian history. They wanted to understand the principles of liberty so they could impact their nations, not to turn them into America, but to fulfill God’s plan for their country.

I believe one of the misunderstanding about the Principle Approach is that it is just about America. Yes, there is a focus on the history of this country, but how can we love other nations until we love our own? Love is the only thing that will empower individuals to reach out to their neighbor. Love will inspire the study of history to see what God has done and is doing.

The individuals I studied with had a passion for their countries. They loved their nations so much they studied about the founding of America for a whole year, because they realized the liberty we have in this nation is from God. They knew that the best way to bless their neighbors was to learn where liberty comes from, how it spreads, and how to protect it.

Isaiah 9:7 says, “There will be no end to the increase of His government.” Christ’s government is not just for America. He is working in every tongue, tribe, and nation. Liberty is for everyone, first internally and then externally. I can’t wait to see were Christian self government will triumph again!

-originally posted on the bibleprinciples yahoo group-