Caren Cummings

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July 4th always brings special memories - family gatherings with the grill sizzling in the backyard, cold watermelon, homemade ice cream, fireworks, canons andThe 1812 Overture,The Stars and Stripes Forever, lots of laughter and the love of people whose hearts and lives were knit together.  Family - such good times!

Yesterday, I sat in our morning worship service and listened as our church family sang together:

"Thy love divine hath led us in the past, 

In this free land by Thee our lot is cast,

Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay,

Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way."      

We were stirred as we heard of the sacrifices made by those who signed the Declaration of Independence, we were reminded that we were established as a nation "under God,"  and we were challanged, as citizens of this nation and as citizens of Heaven, to live as people who are free.  Because of our faith in the Lord Jesus, we are free from the bondage of sin and free to serve one another - free to be salt and light in our nation, our communities, our homes.

Last night, the Disciples Sunday school class met at our home to make some more family memories.  The grill was sizzling (and so was Dave as he flipped the burgers and rolled the dogs).  We had watermelon, fireworks, canons and The 1812 Overture, The Stars and Stripes Forever.  The laughter of the children rang through the neighborhood, and the love and kinship we enjoy in this family of believers was evident.  How I praise our great God for His love and grace that has led us in the past - as citizens of this country, and as a family of believers at Immanuel.

The last stanza of God of Our Fathers states:

"Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way,
Lead us from night to never ending day;
Fill all our lives with love and grace divine,
And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine."

May that be our prayer for our nation, our church, ourselves.