Friday Thoughts
Posted on Fri ,03/07/2009 by ChipI had planned to write about the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18 this morning – and how Jesus teaches us to long for and pray to God. But after spending some time on facebook last night – I decided to have a more patriotic feel to our “Friday Thoughts” edition.
Facebook is an incredible thing (by the way if you are a member of facebook and have not become a fan of River Hills Church – you can do so at any time). I’ve been able to connect with friends that I haven’t seen for decades, communicate with people in an instant who live thousands of miles away, see pictures of my friend’s kids, and see the struggles and delights of life that occur in those who write. But what has been most intriguing to me lately is a “fan page” that has to do with my family history. A distant relative has written a book and tracked our family tree all the way to 1705 when our first relatives stepped onto the shores of Virginia. What is amazing to me is that there is a lot of detail pertaining to their marriages, deaths, military service and faith. It is as if I hear their echos through the pages of time and I try to imagine who life must have been like for them as the made the trek to frontier of North Carolina and then to Georgia in the 1820’s.
After staying up way to late and reading about their service in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, founding of counties and Mercer college, and their presence at Appomattox when the Civil War ended – I’m compelled to put down a few thoughts about my appreciation for our nation. I’m not one to talk a lot about patriotism. Not because I don’t believe in it, but because lifting up the name of Jesus Christ is far more worthy and significant. However, I do think it is important to step back and be thankful for one’s heritage. Here are a few things that I am thankful for as it pertains to being an American:
1) Hot-dogs – I know that sounds silly, but where else in the world can you go to the “Pool Room” in Monroe, GA or “Casey’s” in downtown Winder and get a perfectly prepared hot-dog with slaw and chili.
2) Football – not soccer, but football. I must confess it makes more sense to call soccer football, but since I am an American I am inclined to call it “Football.”
3) The Interstate – I love taking long rode trips through the country side, but its nice to get to point A to point B as quickly as possible.
4) Freedom of Speech – I think this is vitally important to all Americans – and while I do not agree with much of what people say, I am thankful I have the freedom to communicate the gospel and hope that it will change our “speech”.
5) Un-arranged Marriages – I’m thankful that I got to pick my wife (although I firmly believe that God planned for us to be together from the start of eternity) – but I’m grateful to live in a culture that says “you can marry who you want.” I have friends in other parts of the world who don’t have that privilege.
6) A “better than you” attitude – Now I know many will read this and think “this is the problem with America – how can you write that.” I have many friends overseas and when I say “better than you” this is what I mean: the attitude that we can do anything and accomplish any goal that we put our mind to. It is the idea that working hard and having a unrelenting tenacity to accomplish the impossible. For example: Landing on the moon (which has its 40 year anniversary this month). I fear that my generation may be losing that attitude.
So there are a few things that I am thankful for. I pray for our nation – and all the nations – and I ask God that we would honor him by not taking this for-granted. Have a great 4th.
