independence day

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

 Sporting accessories sent by Meme in care packages we opened this morning.

Patriotic wagon ride...

We got a little pool time with friends before the rain came. Again. Rain, rain, go away! This is getting to be ridiculous. As Hannah asked me yesterday (in her constantly-asking-questions-obsessed-about-rain-and-thunder-and-storms phase), "Why does God need to water the flowers again?" Our vegetables and herbs are drowning. My Dad moved out to the Pacific Northwest, not me! He follows the weather here and joked on Skype yesterday that I needed to come out there and dry out. And then he sent me this gorgeous, clear-blue-sky picture below (that's Mt Baker) from his bike ride a couple hours later. Thanks, Dad.

That really is beautiful, though. I just read a Rick Warren devotional this morning that talked about God's amazing creation and how you can learn a lot about God's character by looking at nature. He's powerful, creative, organized, and likes variety, for example. I've mentioned that I feel a stronger connection to God while being connected with nature (which is probably why I stare out my window oftentimes when I'm talking to Him), but I've never analyzed it as a judge of character traits. I liked that.

Back to the Fourth and independence, I thought I'd share Joe's bulletin piece for this upcoming Sunday:

We like the idea of being independent. Just the term itself seems to agree with our sensibility. The more you think about being independent, however, the more you realize we are not as independent as we think we are.

If we counted how many times during the day we relied on someone else, we would begin to appreciate how much we depend on others. I depend on my wife to love me and help me feel wanted and cared for. I depend on the church to pay me, provide me and my family with a place to live, and to work with me in ministry. I depend on the state and federal governments to protect me and my assets from criminals and enemies. There is a lot of faith involved in dependence, because we are trusting others to help take care of us. Earthly powers don’t like the idea of faith and trust, so there is an emphasis on the “self” which is at odds with God’s plan.

Ken Collins challenges the American pursuit of individualism by comparing the following terms: autonomous—submissive; independent—dependent; proud—humble; free—obedient; self-reliant—relying on others (trust); master—servant. Most people prefer the former terms, but Collins says, the spirituality of the Bible emphasizes the latter terms. It is not that those former terms are negative, but the pursuit of them directs all of our attention toward ourselves. That is not a part of God’s plan for us.

So, as we celebrate independence from political tyranny this week, let us not forget our dependence on God. God wants us to be dependents. We are to have faith, rely on God, and trust our brothers and sisters in the faith. If our identity is found in God above all other things, then we will truly find freedom and salvation.

Speaking of God, this is what He looks like...according to Hannah:

"He has crazy hair."

She's been drawing this same picture a lot lately. I've given her no artistic direction.

{In my rambling post, I just realized I started with the Fourth, moved on to the rain, God, and creation, went back to the Fourth and and connected independence and God with Joe's piece. How creative of me...unintentionally.}

Two videos from today, one appropriate to the Fourth and one not having anything to do with it, just a song her Meme taught her while on our recent trip to Savannah.

 Pledge of Allegiance and "We Love Our Flag"

 "Cotton Fields"

Happy Birthday America!