**** Prayer Circle 4TH Of JULY 2009****

True Freedom

By Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer

CBN.com -- When you think about July 4th what comes to mind? 

Perhaps you think about a day off from work with picnics, fireworks, and those red, white, and blue flags displayed in front yards along your neighborhood streets.

This is all good, but the one word that comes to my mind is freedom.

It is a fact that  we live in the United States of America where we can voice our opinions freely, and can vote for the people of our choice. These are very good reasons why we should never take our freedom for granted.

Each year I notice that some people really go all out decorating for every holiday, but  on the 4th of July I just display my flag in the yard for the entire month. The flag means a lot to me because of those in my family who have been in wars. I have also had friends who have served our country, and I have known some who did not come home in the past and present war.

My father served in World War II, my mother was a Red Cross volunteer during that war, my niece and her husband served in Desert Storm, and I also have had loved ones in the Vietnam War and a friend now in Afghanistan. 

Because of their contributions in keeping us all free, I proudly display the flag.

Have you thought about the American flag and all that it stands for? It represents an emblem of the greatest nation on the earth. It has been carried through centuries in battle. It is placed on the graves of our honored dead who fought for the right for us to remain a free nation, and it flies high during peace times, as well as war.  “Old Glory” is its name.

There is another real freedom we can have. We can display it every day of the year, and that is our freedom “In Christ” to live a life to glorify Him, so that His banner of love, truth, and peace can be seen by all.

It is a flag flown high in the castle of my heart (taken from a song). We can be free in our spirit to serve the Creator of the whole universe and that my friends, is True Freedom.

Romans 8:2 says,

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death."  (ASV)

Just like the flag that represents freedom, Jesus is a banner over us, protecting and shielding us. He is the “Glory and the Lifter of our heads” at all times. Let freedom ring out in your heart today.

Psalm 3:3 reads,

"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." (KJV)

I brought this over from Friday's post.

Here is the link for Friday's Prayer Circle

http://community.tasteofhome.com/forums/t/725089.aspx

JerseyGal, that is quite an undertaking that you & DH are doing, I don't envy you at all but praying you through to get things cleaned, tossed & whatever needs to be saved.

BTW, have a Wonderful & patriotic 4th, I love our country!!!!!!

I'll try & be back a little later.

Love & hugs,

Patty

Great lesson, Patty!   God has truly Blessed America.  Now America needs to Bless God!

Have to run for now.  DD and Gkids are here.   I'll try to check back later.

Blessings!

Hello dear ones-

Chris,  what a wonderful testament.   Thank you for telling us about it.   You poor thing,  I'll be praying that you will be back to 100% ASAP!

JerseyGal,  bless your heart for taking on the thankless (and mouse dropping laden) chore of cleaning out SIL's house.   What a project!  

Not feeling very chatty tonight,  kind of tired.   See you all tomorrow. 

God has truly Blessed America.  Now America needs to Bless God!

 Fay, that is surely the truth & we need to start NOW!

I'm glad DD made it home safely, enjoy your visit.

Hugs,   Patty

Hi Randy, I hope you get some rest.  I haven't been chatty myself.

Just read todays lesson Patty.   It's just perfect for today!   Thank you so much.

Thanks, Patty!  Yes, she made it home safely and now is on to other things. ;)  She and Gkids are spending the night here because she and GS have to work the Boy Scout Ham Breakfast in the morning at 5:45 in Murray and we live closer than they do.  Little GD has been swimming and playing hard most of the day so when she got here, she went straight to bed.  She'll be staying with us in the a.m.

JerseyGal,  I'm sorry that things worked out that way for your SIL and for you.  Sending hugs!

We reached a sad point with my SIL yesterday.  As I worked on her checkbook register, I realized that she hadn't put down several checks that she had written and it was a mess!  I got it all worked out but she had written one check for a sizable amount and apparently lost the money--and has no recollection of writing the check--but it was her handwriting. :(   Anyway, she decided she needed to let her DD start paying her bills and I agreed that was a good idea.   Sad!  But I know it will probably happen to us one day and our kids will have to take over our bills and care.  :(

Randy, sending hugs to you!  BTW, I know how much you like wildlife so I'm going to crate up this skunk that keeps coming to my backyard and send him to you.   He and Gaby would have a fun time.  LOL

Praying for all of you my Dear Friends for a safe and enjoyable 4th weekend!

And praying for all who are on the roads and in the water.  In our area, 3 have already died--1 on the road and 2 in water. :(

Now I need to get to bed.

God Bless!  Nite Nite!

Good night everyone! I'm too tired to type. Happy 4th!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

God Bless America!

Nancy Z.

Good morning and Happy Fourth of July to all. 

We are at our cottage this week, and the old laptop on dial up is so slow it's almost painful.  I will try to read the posts each day, but probably will not post very often.  I promise to pray for each of you and your needs!

Good morning! Nothing like waking up to a refreshing charleyhorse. Note to self: Don't forget to take your calcium!!!

Tut, tut...looks like rain...Tessa and Dorian are bringing my van back, and then we'll cook out brats and hot dogs. I got the fixin's for Dorian's favorite chili cheese dogs. I'm hoping for a quiet boring evening.

Connie, have fun at the cottage this week!

I need to figure out some kind of dessert. Have a wonderful 4th! Deb

  God Bless America!!  Lord, please don't allow us to destroy it

Happy Fourth of July to you all.  I won't be doing much because I just don't feel good.  It's been seven days now and feel just as bad as I did in the beginning.

Deb, I LOVE brats!!  I got my fill of homemade WI brats while I was back there.  Johnsonville comes up with a doggone good one, but those homemade ones are the best.

Am praying for all the requests.

Not doing much today, just hanging out at home, trying to get some of 'those' projects done. DH and one DS aren't doing anything special today,so they are helping! Yay!

Hugs and prayers

Mari