I want to wish everyone a happy Independence Day Weekend, and I want to offer a special prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord that we live in the country that we do. I believe that we are “conditioned” by the wide availability of news, media, and entertainment, to think of the place we live as divided and always in conflict. Make no mistake, there are many different ideologies in our country, and we often allow those beliefs to become combative. But we are blessed to live in the freest society that has ever existed. We are blessed to live in a place with the highest degree of religious freedom in the world. We are blessed to live in a place where opportunity, both physical and spiritual opportunity, abound like nowhere else. We certainly need to remember this as we watch TV, listen to the radio, and have conversations with people about the state of our country.

When I think about our blessings as Americans, I am constantly amazed that so many people are willing to go to other countries for the sake of the Gospel. So many people are willing to go to the nations where they will experience real persecution for their faith, and surrender many of the freedoms that we take for granted. I am amazed that every year, the International Mission Board of our Southern Baptist Convention has a waiting list for people are who doing whatever they can to leave our shores and take the Gospel to hostile places. Remember friends, we are blessed with a great nation, but with an even greater God.

It is a blessing to serve with you,

-Pastor Lance-