Happy 4th of July 2023

1 Timothy 2:1-4

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Today is not a day to think Republican – Democrat – or Independent. Today is not the day to be the resistance or to be a member of Trump’s troops or to be woke or offended or a Biden supporter. It is not a day to attack each other – or to attack those whose ideology is different than ours. Today is a day to celebrate our freedom as a nation. It is the 4th of July – Independence Day. It is the day our nation declared its independence from the Old Country and decided to begin a new as a new nation.

Too many people – thinking themselves wise and even some thinking themselves prophetic or woke – have attacked our current or past Presidents – our Supreme Court and our Congress (and other leaders as well). We have the freedom to express ourselves. For one day – I pray we put our differences behind us. Today is a day to be united and to thank God for His mercy and grace on our nation. To thank God for America – with all of our warts and scars. We are still the greatest nation in the world – and that’s a fact – Jack.

Happy Day After the 4th of July

1 Timothy 2:1-4

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Yesterday was not a day to think Republican – Democrat – or Independent. Yesterday was not the day to be the resistance or to be a member of Trump’s troops or to be woke or offended. It was not a day to attack each other – or to attack those whose ideology is different than ours. Yesterday was a day to celebrate our freedom as a nation. It was Independence Day. It was the day our nation declared its independence from the Old Country and decided to begin a new as a new nation.

Too many people – thinking themselves wise and even some thinking themselves prophetic or woke – have attacked our current or past Presidents and our Congress (and other leaders as well). We have the freedom to express ourselves. For one day I pray we put our differences behind us. Yesterday was a day to be united and to thank God for His mercy and grace on our nation. To thank God for America – with all of our warts and scares. We are still the greatest nation in the world IMHO.

Veterans Day 2020

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Today is Veteran’s Day 2020. I missed celebrating with our veterans Sunday because of the pandemic. We have honored veterans at First Church for many years. Typically we pick a veteran and honor them with a flag that has flown over the church.

If ever there were a Scripture that spoke to the American soldier – I believe today’s passage is the one. Whether they were drafted or volunteered – men and women of our armed forces have put their lives on the line for God and Country. Whether they served at home or abroad – during peacetime or a time of war – they were our defense – our shield. They trained to be able to serve and protect. Freedom is not free – it is very expensive. At times – it cost way more than money. At times – it costs the lives or health of those who stand in the gap for us – around the world.

Veteran’s Day 2019

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Today is Veteran’s Day 2019. We celebrated with some of our veterans in worship yesterday. We also honored one of our veterans – Richard Reynnells – by giving him a flag that flew over our church in 2019. He was surprised to be so honored. We have honored veterans at First Church for many years.

If ever there were a Scripture that spoke to the American soldier – I believe today’s passage is the one. Whether they were drafted or volunteered – men and women of our armed forces have put their lives on the line for God and Country. Whether they served at home or abroad – during peacetime or a time of war – they were our defense – our shield. They trained to be able to serve and protect. Freedom is not free – it is very expensive. At times – it cost way more than money. At times – it costs the lives or health of those who stand in the gap for us – around the world.

The 4th of July – Independence Day

1 Timothy 2:1-4

¹ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Today is not a day to think Republican – Democrat – or Independent. Today is not the day to be the resistance or to be a member of Trump’s troops. It is not a day to attack each other – or to attack those whose ideology is different than ours. Today is a day to celebrate our freedom as a nation. It is Independence Day. It is the day our nation declared its independence from the Old Country and decided to begin a new as a new nation.

Too many people – thinking themselves wise and even some thinking themselves prophetic – have attacked our current President and our current Congress (and other leaders as well). We have the freedom to express ourselves. For one day – please – let us put our differences behind us. Today is a day to be united and to thank God for His mercy and grace on our nation. To thank God for America – with all of our warts and scares. We are still the greatest nation in the world IMHO.