Freedom

I live in a nation where I can move about at will. If I do not like my job I can quit and find another. There is no one who can tell me what to believe. I enjoy freedom of religion.

I LIKE THE SOUND OF AMERICA!

When the media news frenzies turn current events into tabloid stories, are one-sided and sensationalized, I know other newspapers, news stations, and the internet will dig deeper. And the real story will come out.

I LIKE THE SOUND OF THE REPUBLIC.

When a president pushes what I think is a knuckle headed policy, I can say so without fear of arrest.

I LIKE THE PROCESS OF FREEDOM.

When local government goes behind closed doors to do the people’s business, a small town newspaper can go to court and make them serve with transparency.

I LIKE THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM.

The rule of law, the right to a trial by jury of one’s peers, freedom of the press and speech and religion and assembly…We should never take such liberties for granted. For freedom is not free; it was bought with the blood, sweat and tears—the prayers—of soldiers, citizens, ministers, teachers, and statesmen.

This July 4th, remember. Celebrate. And commit to an awake, informed, watchful citizenship.

I LOVE THE SMELL OF FREEDOM!

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

The Rev. Stephen Crotts is pastor of Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House, VA. He is also the director of the Carolina Study Center, Inc., a campus ministry, located in Chapel Hill, NC. Pastor Crotts may be reached at carolinastudycenter@msn.com.