$5 for Freedom!

Being the 4th of July, I couldn't think of a more fitting or enormous blessing to give thanks for today. I'm neither very politically nor patriotically inclined, but I can say without a doubt that I'm thankful for the freedom we have in the United States. Political freedom, religious freedom, freedom to express radical views and vote and study and travel and pursue dreams. These are things which many around the world can hardly begin to imagine. I'm also thankful for the freedoms our culture offers, those individualistic values that the West is famous (or infamous) for. I know we take it too far sometimes, but living in Asia--and an intentional community besides--I often miss the freedom and convenience of a life uncontrolled by the (possible) feelings, whims, or thoughts of everyone else in the group. ;-)

Beyond the freedoms protected in the U.S. Constitution and encouraged by our culture, I am even more grateful for the freedom I have in Christ. Freedom to step off the religious treadmill of works-based salvation and fall into grace. Freedom to forgive others instead of harboring anger and resentment. Freedom to entrust my worries and burdens to the Lord. Freedom to live by faith, detached from the standards of this world.

Yes, I think FREEDOM is worth at least this...

 ... don't you?

In case you missed yesterday's post, starting today I will name 10 things I'm thankful for and pledge a $5 thanks offering for each one. The $50 will go to Pastor Lukas in Kenya to help purchase an amp for outreach services. (Check yesterday's post for details.) Would you join me in naming your blessings and giving a thanks offering to help buy this much-needed amp?!

Pastor Lukas is the shepherd of a quickly-growing church in Eldoret, Kenya. His passion is to reach the lost, and what a passion it is! His congregation has already distributed the 5000 gospel tracts they received earlier in the year, and he and another one or two evangelists are continuously reaching out to the slum-dwellers, drug addicts, witch doctors, and crippled in their community. And they are RIPE for the harvest! Their church has experienced rapid church growth and seen many new believers baptized this year. You can help them reach more people with the Gospel by helping provide an amplifier for their outdoor gatherings. Please contact me here, via email, or on Facebook if you'd like to get involved!

Pastor Lukas (left) at the baptism service on June 3, 2012.

Church in Eldoret, Kenya