Sunday- Freedom

Saying for the Day-They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security

How much freedom should the government take away from us to protect us from terrorists? Government leaders are fighting over that question. Civil rights groups are concerned about that question. How free can we be and still be safe?
This was God’s problem when He created us. How much freedom should God give humans? If God gave no freedom then we would not be human but pre-programmed robots. We would do only what God created us to do. But if God made us to be free then we could cause horrible things to happen. The price of freedom is high.
When that freedom is badly used and babies die and one group of people set out to destroy another group. We ask where is God? Why didn’t God prevent this from happening. But when God decided to give us free will God left go of those options.
But God calls us to give up that freedom. God calls us to choose to follow Him. God calls us to help move the world toward his vision for it. A world of peace and love. He will not take away our freedom but we can lay it down.

@@@@ News from Pigeon Falls– The little town in my basement where the trains still run, dragons fly, and yesterday was the greatest Pigeon Days Parade ever-Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sun was shinning brightly. There were lots of pigeons on the city hall roof. Queen Holly Niemi rode in an open convertible, that had been shined to perfection, at the front of the parade. Next came Eino in his Stanley Steamer. It sounded like it was going to fly apart at any moment but it made it and it was fun to look at something from our history. Eino added to the effects by wearing the clothes of a hundred years ago. Next came the Liar’s Club 165 piece band. All three members on a float. They would have marched in the parade but Sammy , the drummer, had sprained his ankle. For a band with no director and only three members they do very well. The big Santa Claus float was next. There he was with his Coca Cola bottle. It made you thirsty just to see it. Behind Santa came St. Urho on the Finnish float. According to Finnish legend St. Urho was the great dragon slayer. He wore his Bright Purple Chasuble and had a bag full of little pasties which he passed out to the crowd. Then came fire trucks ( you always have fire trucks in small town parades) with their sirens running. These were followed by the high school band which always plays for Pigeon Days. There were a variety of other floats and kids on bicycles .
The most excitement came with St. Urho. Our local dragon choose that time to show up and fly over the parade. In fact to fly over St. Urho as if to say “ Come on dragon slayer here I am” . St. Urho paid no attention to the dragon but acted as if it wasn’t there. One supposes that he could have thrown a pasty in the dragon’s direction. But he didn’t even do that. In the middle of the parade route Tommy UK started chanting, “ Urho get that dragon”. Pretty soon it was being hollered out all along the route. Poor Saint Urho and his bag of pasties didn’t know what to do.
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Today's Link-The Heart of a Pastor- A bit more about freedom- Leave a Dr. John In the Comment as you are free to do so.
Went to St. Mark's this morning. we had a guest pastor as Pastor Joel is in Denver. People are so friendly at St. Mark's. Today was hymn sing day. One of my favorite Sundays. Pennie cut the grass this afternoon. I took a nap. Then I worked on pictures for my sister. Now I need a breathing treatment.
GBYA