We have it so good. Today we celebrate Canada’s birthday. I’m married to Sue who was born and raised in the State of New York and on Wednesday the United States of America celebrates their birthday. I work with Pastor Rick and Brittany who are so excited to go across the border and shop, let alone be able to visit family and study this summer, because they will be in their own country, among their own people, in their own land. We watch England and Italy and Portugal and Spain square off in the European Cup of Soccer and we see the passion they have for their teams, their countries and their nationalities. On July 27th the city of London will welcome the world to celebrate with them the opening of the XXX Olympic Games where the pride of the nations will be competing with each sporting event. Nationalism is alive and well. Greater than nationalistic pride is kingdom humility. As these two great nations take time to remember how good we have it, living in nations where there is freedom of religion, freedom of speech, education for all children and economic availability for most, where there is medical attention and a government and police force that offers structure and stability, to whom do we owe a debt of gratitude? Where do we give thanks? People of the kingdom know where to direct hearts filled with gratitude, and the wife of the lamb, the body of Christ is even taught where to extend those gestures of thanks. Extend your generous hearts to the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised, the imprisoned, the strangers, the naked, the hungry, the vulnerable, the sick and the tangled. Let them too, on these occasions of celebration and gratitude have something for which to give thanks, someone for whom they too might be able to praise. Thank you God, for the nation you have planted us in, thank you for Canada, for the United States of America. And may we be faithful citizens of your kingdom. Serving Christ together, Pastor Sid.
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