I’ve been thinking. Since Elaine thinks my picture of Rachel, Renee, Lysa and I looks like a great course line; perhaps we should send in our photo and audition as backup singers for American Idol! What do ya’ll think?
Today is all about freedom. While my thankful heart celebrates all that our military does to keep America free, my heart also rejoices over my freedom in Christ—something that can never be taken from us. However, in our world today, freedom is becoming less and less.
A few years ago, I was flying home from a speaking engagement in Minnesota. Browsing through the airport, I came across some Minnesota honey. “Parker would love this.” I thought to myself and proceeded to purchase the honey for my son not thinking about the new restrictions. No liquids or gels are allowed aboard the aircraft.
Innocently, I was making my way through security when I was stopped. “There’s something questionable in your carrier. Will you step to the side, please?” The security guard asked and then proceeded to search my bag. As he explored my contents, I went through the items in my mind wondering what could have caused suspicion.
The culprit turned out to be my jar of honey. Addressing me in a very serious and stern way, the security guard stood straight and gave me only one option. “Ma’am, you must surrender your honey.”
Surrender my honey? Is he kidding me? I assure you, he was not! It almost seemed ridiculous that my jar honey was a threat to anyone. I was not the bad guy and yet I was being treated as such. Standing there I realized just how serious it is for us to stop terrorism and take back our freedoms.
I replied to the guard, “You can have my honey, but I will never surrender.”
What I meant was…I will not surrender to all that’s happening in our world today that threatens our safety, our families, godly morality, and the church. No. I will fight. We all need to fight. I don’t just mean our soldiers—God bless them. You and I have to fight for the faith and all that is good and right. We cannot surrender to the way of the world. Our freedom is as stake.
While I’m thankful for the airport precautions that work to protect us, I grow weary and sadden by the new rules that have placed chains about our freedom. That’s why this prayer from Paul Harvey touches my heart. He writes:
‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!’
May God bless America
Kathy S. says
Amen Amen!!
Well said, Micca! I agree that we must fight, and have said a few times lately that the reason our country has lost so much ground is because we failed to fight and call things what they are!
There is a wonderful book called “This Day We Fight” by Francis Frangipane. It fired me up.
Blessings, Happy 4th, and I really did enjoy and glean alot from your workshops @ she speaks. Thanks again!
Kathy
Kathy S. says
PS if you are intrested in some Minnesota Honey, email me your address and I’ll mail you some!! My mother-in-law had bees on her property before she moved, and i have a few jugs from the company that harvests the honey…
elaine @ peace for the journey says
It can get down right depressing watching the news anymore. I feel so helpless to change our current situation in America. The fight for Jesus is a hard one…protecting our freedoms and defending his name. This is our call to arms. To know what we believe and then to open up our mouths with the truth of God’s Word.
I know that my Redeemer lives, but sometimes I get caught between the knowing and the telling. God give me the courage and the words to breathe the substance of all things sacred.
Freedom and Jesus. They go together. Thanks for the reminder.
peace~elaine
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Amen girl!
Is Honey for allergies?
Happy 4th to you too friend.
Much love,
Angela
Charlotte says
What a great reminder. Thanks for touching my heart today Micca. Charlotte
Sharon Sloan - Joy In The Truth says
Thanks, Micca! May we never lower the bar on His standards, which are the foundation of our great country! May HE heal our land as we yield our hearts to Him!
“If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Ch. 7:14
I hope you and yours are enjoying a wonderful 4th of July Weekend!
Hugs,
Sharon 🙂
Bonita says
Amen!
tiggerdaisy says
Amen girl! AMEN!
Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca
Lelia Chealey says
Loved the prayer and loved how you said you won’t surrender.
It would be so much easier sometimes to just give into what this world offers, but how miserable we would be!
Loved listening to you speak at the She Speaks conference. You are hilarious with such a great message to share.