Today many of us will attend cookouts, reunions, and graduation parties. We will celebrate life and family and new beginnings.

As we rejoice for all that God has given us, let us remember to thank Him especially for all of those who sacrificed their lives that we may live in a country of freedom and abundance.

Let us also pray for those who live in this land of freedom but do not know what it means to be truly free. Let us pray that they will embrace the One who died to set their spirits free of the shame of sin and the sting of death and know what it means to be free indeed.

Let us remember too to lift up those who live in our land of plenty, but do not know what it is to experience abundance. Let us invite those who are physically without sustenance to join us. Let us bring them food and shelter them. Let us share with those who are experiencing a spiritual famine the only One who can fill their hearts and supply their needs.

Let us honor the sacrifice of the men and women throughout history who shaped democracy and envisioned a land of freedom, who fought and died that others might live by embracing the fullest of freedoms that anyone can experience and sharing the source of that freedom with others through good works and faithful living not just this day but every day.