Every afternoon these days a family of finches come to my house to frolic, dance, and pirouette in the birdbath.  Other feathered folk arrive to bathe in the morning and some late afternoons.  Grackles usually land in pairs, and then stage a battle with one another like we kids used to do playing “king of the mountain.” Robins and cardinals come one at a time to soak and splash to their heart’s content.  Likewise, neighborhood squirrels show up for a drink any time of the day. They all teach me great lessons about true faith and freedom.  I watch them with great reverence and deep gratitude, knowing His eye is on us all.

        Each year at this time Americans celebrate the nation’s birthday.  Never before in my lifetime have I felt the fragile unity of our beloved land.  I suspect that many other Americans  share my uneasiness.   I well remember another 4th of July [1999]when I was at work at Fort Dix, New Jersey, called there to assist all summer in resettlement of Kosovar refugees.  I drove that early morning to the landing ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty.  Standing at the base of The New Colossus I read Emma Lazarus’ famous words that marked the unity that had always been the American ideal  -- hospitality to strangers from all over the world. Studying Scripture recently, I read these words of God Himself speaking to Moses:   For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality, and accepts no bribes.  He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and raiment. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.” [ Deut 10:17-19]Only those who themselves have been fatherless, orphans, refugees, left alone and lonely through death or divorce, betrayed, discarded , or homeless can fully comprehend the unique and special love and caring that our heavenly Father has for them.  Christians are called upon to have compassion and love for all of these....

Gentlemen may cry Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace....The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!  Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775, St. John’s Church, Richmond, Virginia.