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Dear Shiloh Family,

What does 250 years of freedom look like? I fear that Americans as a
take for granted that which allows us to literally live the daily definition of independence. It seems that freedom to most lies in that in which we indulge the most.

To many, it is Friday night lights, or road trips to cheer on our children in various athletic venues. It is baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet (or whatever vehicle you drive). It is spending exponentially more money than we should on paraphernalia of teams of which we never played from a list of hundreds of shopping venues.

The sum of freedom is often compiled from housing choice, job selection, and a plethora of educational institutions, all adding up to easy street and a better way of life.

To many Americans, freedom teeters on the sacrifices offered in service for their country on both foreign and domestic soil, especially for those whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.

However, even though the afore mentioned are valid points, I can’t help but believe that when our founding fathers began dreaming of freedom in our young country, their religion and the ability to freely worship God must have been the driving force. Actually, historical facts of our nation’s birth support that thought. In fact, I’m convinced that they must have envisioned a scenario like we experienced last Sunday.

Romans 6:22-23
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. NKJV

Can you imagine what Thomas Jefferson would have thought about students of all ages celebrating a week of retreat, praising God with singing and testimonies of changed lives. Would he have stood along side parents and grandparents with raised hands and lifted voice in response to the call of the Holy Spirit? Would tears have flowed when students were raised from the waters into newness of life? Isn’t it great to know he could have worshipped as did we with no fear from the tyranny of government?

The music would have been strange, and the attire would have certainly caught his eye, but the sentiment would have been shared. I’m pretty sure he would have affirmed that the experience was exactly what he had in mind 250 years earlier. And we all would agree with him…this is what freedom looks like. 

John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. NKJV

Freedom is achieved by a captivating desire to attain it. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell