sounds and sights of freedom...

The news lately from Iran has reminded me of how far we have come as a nation.  It wasn't too long ago that we had similar riots in the streets and government issued beat downs all in the name of crowd control.  The civil war between the north and the south is still something that most Americans are not proud of, except for the monumental obliteration of slavery that ensued.  Once a year, on the 4th of July, most Americans take a moment to consider the blessing of living in a nation with so much freedom.  That freedom has come at a very high cost of the loss of many of our men, women and children over the centuries.  The red in the flag represents the plethora of blood that was shed on many battle fields.  How should someone respond to such an ongoing high price for freedom?  The price for our freedom should be met with respect and a commitment to not squander such a gift.  What kind of steward am I being with the gift that so many men and women in uniform have given me with the help and protection of God?  Just a few questions to ponder as we all strike up the bar-b-cues and watch some fireworks go off.  

I know as a pastor, I appreciate the freedom to preach the Word of God.  Having traveled to other parts of the world, I know that this is something we take for granted.  I am a direct descendant of a man by the name of Henry Wood who helped establish the first Plymouth Congregational Church at Plymouth Rock in the early 1600's.  Prior to his experience in Plymouth Rock, he and his family made the voyage from England, where Henry was an Administrator in Canterbury.  He and many others were labeled in England, "New Thinkers" because of their political views and strong desire to separate from the Anglican Church of England.  At the time, the Church of England controlled everything in a ministers life, down to what a pastor would preach from the pulpits.  Henry and other New Thinkers left England, risking their families lives to begin a new home and a new way of doing church and government at Plymouth Rock.  I think of Henry Wood each 4th of July and each Thanksgiving meal.  I think of his two sons, Jonathon Scott Wood and Daniel Bailey Wood (whom by the way my Son Daniel is named after, a name my Grandfather also had).  These people were radical and risked it all so that people like me can preach what I prayerfully sense God wants to say, free from Government control.  

I'm proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  I'm also proud to be an American.  Both of which took a lot of Blood to be shed to make them a reality in me and my families lives and for this I will forever be grateful.