JULY 4TH = FREEDOM

July 4th our day of Independence in the United States of America.

1776 - 2009

Happy 233rd Birthday America

A day of celebration: Picnics with hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon and way-way too much food. For many, unfortunately, a time of much beer and alc0hol consumption. Boating and time at the lakes for many. Fireworks galore...both big city-wide extravaganzas and family packs being shot off in backyards and in the neighborhoods. Symphonies both indoor and outdoor. MANY - MANY celebrations.

For me, what I choose to celebrate and what means the most to me about America, my beloved country that I was privileged to been born in, is represented in this picture. The right to freedom of religion. I also treasure freedom of speech.

I am blessed to attend, and be a part of, a wonderful Church. I am blessed to have a faithful Pastor who preaches the Word of God faithfully. I am blessed to attend a small, but very interesting and sometimes challenging Sunday School Class. I am blessed to be able to spend each morning with my husband in prayer and Bible Study. I am blessed to be surrounded by Christian friends, near and far. A lot of whom I have come to know through this wonderful experience called blogging.

This year I have been doubly blessed to have the opportunity, freedom and privilege of attending not one, but two Woman's Home Bible studies. One at the home of my friend, Judy, which I posted about here along with a picture of the group. This group started January 12th meets every Monday morning at 11 o'clock and lasts until 1 or 2 o'clock!!!

On March 10th another friend, Sandra, began a Bible Study in her home every Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock and we get done anywhere from 9:30-10. The freedom to meet in individual homes, or any place, at any time is truly a freedom that we need to treasure and cherish and that everyone does not have.

This post, in addition to honoring July 4th is to share this Tuesday evening Bible Study group with you.

(click to enlarge)

From left to right: Sandra our host and teacher, Debbie, Susan, Wantha Ann

In Front: Gloria & Ann

There is another far younger "Susan" who was not present for this picture.

This is the book we have been studying. This is a very deep book. It is not casual, light reading by any means. It is 204 pages and we spent a total of 17 weeks studying it. I will be re-reading it many times, as I do all the books that truly speak to and impact my life.

Sandra was so proud of all of us for having stuck with this study and finished it that she had a little "graduation" for us. We listened to, and sang along with the song "DAYS OF ELIJAH" and she presented each of us with this lapel pin of the Christian and Israeli flags. Such a fun and special time.


I will warn you up front, as does Bill Cloud himself, if you are Politically Correct this book is probably not for you. To quote Bill on the last page of the book "Perhaps before now, some things we have shared would not have seemed so obvious. If what has been detailed in this book is true, then it means it is time for you to hear it. The Father wants His people to be informed and prepared for - not scared of - what is coming."

I have been both anxious to post about this book since we first began it and also hesitant about doing so. I have to "tell" because I definitely feel we are living in the last days and we need to be forewarned and prepared.

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:34-36