there's more to it than stars and stripes

Having some of my rights at least in theory being breifly taken away in China was one of the biggest blessings in my life...here's why...

Today on my way to school, I was listening to KLOVE, a national Christian radio station. This past week was 'meet me at the pole,' where Christian students from all around the country gather at their school's flag pole to pray because, well, we're free to do so. A particular Christian school that didn't have a flag pole went to their nearest military base to pray around the flag pole on base. After they were done praying, the radio station reported that, one of the miltary personnell presented them with an American flag....this brought the teacher to tears. And tears of joy flowed in my eyes too. I have an extremely high level of respect and appreciation for America, our leaders, and our military. To me, the flag represents the embodiment of many great things--of peace, hope, unity, dreams, freedom, possibilities, values, and so much more. Throw my pride in America with my excitement about God (which America allows me to show without reserve or consequence!), and I'll admit you're probably going to get some sort of display of emotion and joy out of me.

This morning reminded me again of how EXTREMELY blessed I am. I have the right to praise God wherever I am whenever I want. That's amazing. Most of the world does not have that blessing. The amazing thing is that so often we don't take advantage of it. So my challenge to you is to sing on the sidewalks, pray in your car, tell the sales attendant that Jesus loves them. Fulfill with your freedom what God calls you to do: spread His Good News!!

When I was in China, conversation anywhere in public about religion was completely banned. It could lead to imprisonment or worse. Live it up and cling to what you have people!! Show your commitment to and love for God, make it more than just a statement on your Facebook profile.

The serious truth is that there is absolutely NO guarantee you'll have religious freedom forever.

Think of it this way: if I told you that you could no longer talk about your family in public--what would you do? what if owning a dog was banned? what if you had no choice in the type of car you drove? you were only allowed to work 20 hours a week--too bad if you can't make ends meet?....etc. These seem silly or like they cut into our basic...freedoms. We'd all wear t-shirts and write our politicians to demand we could own dogs, or choose cars, or talk about our family!
Take this same zeal, get out there and speak about Jesus. It's your right. Fight for it, keep it, hold it, use it, savor it, and by golly, be thankful for it. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Matthew 18:20. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I [Jesus] in the midst of them"....get some Jesus in your midst. :)