Happy 4th of July

So it's that day again. I'm glad we have freedom. And it was giving indeed for all those soldiers to go to their own deaths to retain that freedom.

My problem: every year I sit in church on 4th of July weekend and hear thunderous applause for America. I hear "God bless America" ringing throughout the building. I see men with tears in their eyes. I see all of those who served in the armed forces honored and applauded.

When was the last time you saw people get that excited about what God has done and continues doing? It's ironic that the most excited I ever see people in a church building is during the 4th of July. What about the church martyrs who continue being murdered for the sake of the gospel throughout the world? What about the men and women in the church who are daily taking up their crosses and making incredible sacrifices for the gospel? When do we stand up with tears in our eyes and applaud these people?

Maybe some tougher questions...Where do we get off saying things like "God bless America"? That statement is so nauseating I don't even know where to begin. Let's read the Sermon on the Mount together as a nation and then try saying that phrase.

"God blesses those who work for peace" 5:9
"Let your good deeds shine for all to see" 5:16
"If you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment" 5:22
"Be reconciled" 5:24
"Come to terms quickly with your enemy" 5:25
"Anyone who even looks at a wome with lust in his eye has already committed adultery" 5:28
"Don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too" 5:39
"Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! If you love only those who love you, what good is that? But you are to be perfect" 5:44-48
"Don't store up treasures on earth...store your treasures in heaven" 6:19-20
"You cannot serve both God and money" 6:24
"Stop judging others and you will not be judged" 7:1
"Why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own" 7:3
"Do for others what you would like them to do for you" 7:12
"A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit" 7:17
"Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but they still won't tner the Kingdom of Heaven" 7:21

Happy 4th!

Peace (and I mean that),
Matt

Currently Reading: The newest issue of Mother Jones magazine, as well as Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra and Doug Fields' Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry.