Dear Friends in Christ,

     Little did I know at the time that the song we wrote for the Veterans' Wall fundraiser would be so well received! "Freedom's the Birthright of All" acknowledges the sacrifices our military men and women and their families have made over the years to secure freedom for all of us, and often for people in far-off lands as well. I understand we are facing a situation today in which we are losing 1500 veterans of World War Two per day! What a remarkable generation they have been, and what sacrifices they made for freedom during that war. No matter what war they served in, be sure this Fourth of July to thank a veteran for their willingness to pay the ultimate sacrifice to keep the rest of us free from tyranny and fear.

     Securing freedom is a costly proposition, isn't it? We are created in the image of God, and it is God's intent that we be free. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." That freedom is not a freedom from responsibility or accountability, however. We stand before the Living God accountable for what we do with the freedom God gives us in life (we call it "free will"). And of course the ultimate freedom was also secured for us at great cost -- the life of the only Son of God. When Jesus died for us, he did so to set us free from the bondage of sin so we could become all that God had in mind for us to be. It is the only true freedom.

     So this Fourth of July, when you stand and sing the National Anthem, when you hear "God Bless America," and watch fireworks displays and enjoy a cookout with family and friends, give humble thanks to God for His "Amazing Grace" and for the gift of the true freedom we enjoy in Christ. And never cease to give thanks that we live in a free land, full of opportunities to do good for others and to work to make the dreams in our hearts reality.

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church,

Bob

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