Independence Day 7/4/12

Independence Day:  July 4, 2012

2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.  (NIV)

Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me of my sins and help me repent, and Lord, please, please heal our land.  Lord, thank you for our military and all who served and all who serve and all who will serve.  Protect them and keep them safe.  The same, Lord, for our police and firefighters and all those who work so hard to keep us safe and free.  In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Happy Independence Day, my dear brothers and sisters.  No big message today, I just want to say thank you for those who, over the years, have given so much to keep our nation free.  We really do have a neat country, and I need to  just take time to thank some people today ...

First, of course, to God for He did make the heavens and the earth and our great Nation is of course part of earth.

Thanks next to all those who over the years have gone to serve our country in our military ... Everyone who has served our country has given something, and some gave it all, some left body parts on the battlefields, and others have mental problems brought on by the wars.  So to all you veterans of our military I say thank you, and to all you current members of our military I say thank you.  To those who serve or have served our Nation in the Air Force, the Army, the Coast Guard, the Marines, the Nary, or any one of the reserve units and/or our National Guard ... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

Now I know I will miss a few, but here are a few that have served that are near and dear to my heart.

Daniel R. Lehman, who is our grandson and who is serving now in the United States Navy.  Thank you, Daniel.

David Marous, Major, 128th Striker Brigade.

Now the veterans ...

Air Force and the 193rd reserves - my wife, Dolores.
193rd Reserves - Captain, Reverend Richard Denison (Chaplain).

Army - Ministry team member Grant Crockett
128th - David Goddard (deceased)

Navy - Son and daughter-in-law - Glenn and Dian Lehman.  Dear friends Sharon Saylor (I call her Saylor the sailor), Thomas Mozer.
Navy - Glenn Witmer and Harold Goddard (both deceased).

Now I know I have missed some and will catch up with them as I think of them.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL WHO HAVE SERVED.  Because of you, I can be a pastor and talk about Jesus ... AND SOMEONE BESIDES ME WILL SAY AMEN!

Now go forth and serve the Lord, and share those veterans ... And when you see a man or woman in uniform, including our police and firefighters, stop and say thank you to them.  Love ya, Pastor Dan.