BlogSwap 4: Freedom

Today I'm happy to host a BlogSwap guest blogger, Marisa. who takes great photos and records her ideas at Simple Games.

Freedom suggests a lot of things. To me, an unusual memory is stirred when I think of freedom. Four images, realistic, inviting, detailed, classical. The Four Freedoms by Norman Rockwell.

The freedom from fear.

The freedom from want.

The freedom to worship.

The freedom of speech.

Freedom from Fear

Our world is such a place that we fear to move about, afraid that someone will harm us, watch us, destroy us. We fear ourselves, what we will do to others, that we won't be good enough, our limitations.

We fear other nations, their powers and their choices. Our security as a nation is threatened, and we fear that we will be attacked. We need to reclaim the safeness that comes from having the Creator's protection, and not imitate the citizens of Jerusalem, to whom Christ said:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matt. 23:37

There's such comfort in that image, being so close to Yahshua that we are under His safeguard. Peace and security come when He is the One we look to for control and protection.

Freedom from Want

Our planet gives up riches in food and goods, every necessary of life. Too often, I am concerned about food and clothes, not that I won't have enough, but that I won't have the right sort, something to satisfy my tastes. A vast portion of Americans don't have the need to worry about wanting basic things to sustain life. But if we are in that position, we should remember that God gives the fields the most perfect adornment in a single flower, which will wither in a day, and feeds the songbirds through no work of their own. He knows our needs, and I daresay blesses those more that can completely rely on Him, when no hope of their own is left. That is true courage and reliance upon Yahweh. (See Matt. 6:23-34)

Freedom to Worship

In many centuries, it was a hazard to life to be a Christian. The Bible was censured, doctrines of faith were proclaimed heretical, and worship had to be carried out secretly. People were forced to make a choice between their religion and their life. Horrible punishments and threat of eternal suffering were made to those that kept true to their way of worship. Thankfully, we no longer have to bear up these burdens, but our Father gave those generations the will and the power to persevere. He spread His love over them, welcoming them to pray forever at His altar. Let us not lose this fervor because we have things easier. Let us strive to prove our devotion in other and equally hard ways, overcoming our society with good.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

Freedom of Speech

I consider this to be one of the greatest rights of man, the ability to speak his mind, no matter what the subject, openly, publicly, without the threat of prison or death. There is such diversity of opinion about every topic you could name, yet we all find freedom to say what we think, to be honest. Many nations do not enjoy this freedom. It should not be limited to the press. We all need to speak out about something in our lives, whether to those we know, or in a more public arena. As Christians, this means not shirking hard topics with our family and friends, being open about life, and putting our lives and words more and more under the influence of Christ. Words are powerful, they can build up or hurt. Use this freedom wisely.

... Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Matt. 12:34

You can see the Four Freedom paintings here and here.

by Marisa, at Simple Games, which is a mostly random blog, dwelling on Christ, photography, friends, and life.

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My entry will be posted on Rebecca Writes. (Woohoo! I feel honored! *grin*)

To view the rest of this week's entries, click here.

Would you like to BlogSwap? For more information visit Challies.com.

Posted by TulipGirl | 05:17 PM| TrackBack (0) | Words

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