Category Archives: Freedom

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The plays name is Stretch.

Its nothing fancy; its a simply run play, and if you watched Columbia Rivers football team this past fall, it was a popular game every play.

So on a night when the halftime ceremony of the 15th Freedom Bowl Classic honored the Chieftains top rusher last fall, the late Hunter Pearson, including a presentation of his would-have-been game-worn Freedom Bowl jersey to his parents, you bet Nathaniel Trevino, one of four Columbia River players in Saturdays game, ran for him when it when it was first-and-goal from the 2.

It gave us that feeling that he was next to us, playing with us, Trevino said. He always gained more yards than I did.

It was the first of two touchdowns on the night by Trevino, named the Wests defensive MVP in what turned out to be a 38-23 victory by the West team at McKenzie Stadium.

Trevino intercepted East quarterback, Kevin Aguirre of Prairie, which set up his eventual 2-yard score the next offensive series to make it a 19-7 game.

But how the West won this one was its passing game.

The Vancouver Public Schools duo of Hudson Bay quarterback Jordan Hickman and Skyview receiver Jeremiah Wright hooked up for three touchdowns as the West led by as much as 32-7.

All of the Hickman-to-Wright touchdowns came in the first half. Wright earned game MVP honors as he finished with a high school-best 267 yards on 13 catches.

Hickman, the Wests offensive MVP, 22 of 44 for 311 yards and four touchdowns.

Aguirre was the Easts offensive MVP finishing with 81 yards rushing and 234 yards passing on 13 of 31 completions. He had two touchdowns, including one of the East teams two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Hockinsons Gannon Kytola was the teams defensive MVP of the game for his handful of tackles.

The Freedom Bowl recognized Pearson, who died in a drowning accident May 27 as part their pregame player introductions, and at halftime when his No. 30 red West team jersey was presented to his parents, George and Marina.

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Memories flow as West beats East at Freedom Bowl Classic - The Columbian

Kelsey Dallas

Katrina Lantos Swett, a former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, speaks at BYU's Religious Freedom Annual Review.

PROVO Responding to religious freedom crises around the world starts with strong religious commitment in believers' daily lives, according to law and religion experts gathered at Brigham Young University's Religious Freedom Annual Review.

"We need to be serious believers if were going to convince the world that religious freedom matters," said Kent Hill, executive director of the Religious Freedom Institute, during his remarks Friday afternoon.

He and his fellow panelists admitted it may seem like a simplistic approach in the face of mounting challenges to conscience rights. In 2015, the most recent year for which data is available, 79 percent of the world's population lived in a country with high or very high restrictions on or hostilities toward religious beliefs and practices, the Pew Research Center reported earlier this year.

However, deep personal faith energizes other practical steps toward addressing religious freedom violations, such as contacting policymakers or building understanding through interfaith friendships.

"We're not called to do everything but each of us has a certain capacity to do something," Hill said.

Religious individuals can explore their own traditions for calls for peace and then help others do the same, said W. Cole Durham, founding director of BYU's International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

"Religions should mine their own resources and come to understand them more deeply," he said, noting that Muslim leaders are increasingly undertaking this type of effort in order to counter the message of extremists using their faith to advocate for violence.

People of faith can also contact political leaders about the importance of prioritizing religious freedom in our interactions with leaders of other countries, said Katrina Lantos Swett, a former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Katrina Lantos Swett, a former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, speaks at BYU's Religious Freedom Annual Review. | Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News

"Tell them that you care about religious freedom and think advancing this right is in our national interest," she said.

The panelists said they have seen the value of connecting on an emotional level with people who don't understand or care about religious freedom, rather than relying on general arguments about why related protections benefit everyone.

"We must be ready to show our heart and show the sincerity of our faith when we are trying to share value of religious freedom and tolerance," Swett said. "People are much more likely to consider us credible interlocutors if they get that we have deep beliefs, too."

The panel discussion focused on the best responses to international religious freedom violations, which come in many forms. In dozens of countries across the globe, minority faith groups are forced to register their activities with the government or abandon their houses of worship in the midst of interreligious violence.

"If you look at whats happening day by day, you will see similar kinds of things" everywhere, Durham said.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's 2017 Annual Report highlights rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, as well as the threat of blasphemy laws, which enable people to be arrested and even put to death for a perceived statement against a dominant religion.

The commission works with the U.S. government to seek solutions, as well as with leaders in the State Department tasked with outreach to religious communities.

The panelists expressed disappointment with the fact that the Trump administration has yet to appoint an ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

"This is a tragedy that we dont even think we can do anything enough to get somebody in place with authority to do something," Hill said.

In the midst of a global refugee crisis and the Islamic State's reign of terror, it's understandable that some Americans feel helpless, the panelists said. But by turning to their own faith for spiritual nourishment, they can gain the strength to keep working toward a better world.

"I think the great temptation for people who see a big problem is to despair and to decide that they really can't do anything," Hill said. "I would point out that despair is not a Christian virtue."

The Religious Freedom Annual Review is a two-day conference that brings together leading lawyers, scholars and activists to discuss and debate conscience rights. It's sponsored by the BYU International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

Email: kdallas@deseretnews.com, Twitter: @kelsey_dallas

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Here's how to respond to religious freedom crises around the world ... - Deseret News

Vandalism at the Colorado Freedom Memorial

Vandalism at the Colorado Freedom Memorial

AURORA, Colo. Robert and Jean Terry stood looking up at the Colorado Freedom Memorial under a row of names. Your brother was 14th I see him, they said pointing above on the wall.

The Terrys came to visit and remember her brother Raymond Stolte who was killed in WWII.

The Freedom Memorial is dedicated to all from Colorado who died while defending freedom.

But July 3rd, someone vandalized it causing at least $55,000 in damage.

Stoltes name is just one panel over from the glass that someone smashed the day before Independence Day.

Its hard to understand the mindset of someone that would damage something like this, Robert Terry said. You know its just beyond my comprehension.

Some of their friends are also among six thousand names of those who died from Colorado.

More than half of whom never made it back home but were buried overseas.

They were headed back to the fire base when the IED went off under his vehicle, said John Harris whose son Blake was killed in Iraq 10 years ago and now appears on the memorial.

I think its an affront to every family member that has a name on the memorial.

Their kids are on this memorial, said Colorado Freedom Memorial founder Rick Crandall. So whoever breaks it you broke a piece of glass you broke the heart of families whose hearts have been broken enough already. I mean this is beyond sick to me.

Crandall worked nearly 20 years to create the memorial only to find it vandalized.

But the vandalism has also sparked a huge outpouring of support from visitors.

Along with donations to replace the expensive shattered glass where more names were to be added.

I fail to understand vandalism in any way, said Colorado State Senator Nancy Todd, (D) Aurora. It is so disrespectful to those whove given their life in freedom for our country.

When this happened and I saw how people responded, said Crandall. Six thousand names on the memorial over 3,000 never came home. Those moms never had a grave to go grieve. This is their grave.

A grave desecrated but never to be forgotten.

If you would like to donate to restore the Colorado Freedom Memorial, a Go Fund Me page is available.

The Aurora Police Department is investigating and is offering a reward of up to $2,000 from the Aurora Police Reward Fund for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the event its determined to be a criminal incident.

RELATED: FOX31 Problem Solvers Serving Those Who Serve

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Hundreds gather to help restore vandalized Colorado Freedom Memorial - FOX31 Denver

The fireworks have faded, the grill is cold, the parade has marched into the distance and the family has all gone home. With all the hoopla, it is easy to forget that the Fourth of July is actually Independence Day, an event that marks something really meaningful the day, almost two and a half centuries ago, when 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. It was a time of transition when a young nation forged its own identity from oppressive British rule, a movement that required great resilience and grit.

As I reflect on Independence Day, it evokes thoughts about another kind of independence, that of young people breaking away from their parents. As we settle into summer and anticipate time to relax and ponder, let us consider the opportunities we all have to declare independence in times of transition and identify the skills we need to be successful in doing so.

Helicopter, bulldozer or Velcro parent, tiger mom, not exactly labels that we as parents can celebrate. What is behind this trend to pathologize and disparage our well-intentioned efforts and concern for our children? Those terms dont apply to me, most of us tell ourselves, but could the culture of fear and enmeshment surrounding us be blinding us to a dark reality?

Research, books, seminars and headlines abound about parenting in the 21st century and the ways in which we are damaging our children. It can be overwhelming to imagine even where to start. The growing literature on resilience, grit and anxiety all point towards encouraging independence in young people. If you read three books this summer, make them GRIT The Power of Passion and Perseveranceby Angela Duckworth, Mindset: The New Psychology of Successby Carol S. Dweck and Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Childrenby Reid Wilson and Concords own Lynn Lyons.

Needless to say, we must find the balance between engaged parenting and fostering independence. Allow your high school student to make mistakes, take ownership for her learning and advocate for herself. The college admissions process is the perfect opportunity to turn over control. Empower your young person to take the reigns in the college search and application experience, providing support rather than action. If you have a child leaving for college this fall, give her space to navigate the transition on her own. The students who struggle the most and who are the least happy with their college choice are those who talk/text with their parents everyday and rely on mom and dad to resolve every challenge they face.

While you may feel like you are under the oppressive rule of teachers and parents, this is not permission to take a back seat to your life. Do not overlook the proactive ways that you can be independent.

If your parents are managing your college search, then perhaps you are not ready for college.

If you do want to go to college then listen up. I recently met with a group of selective college admission deans who lamented about how often a students parents initiate contact on behalf of their child. Dont be that kid who lets their parents set up all the college visits and then fills out forms for you when you arrive. And definitely do not allow the adults in your life to write your essays, complete your application or dictate all the activities in which you should be involved.

Socrates wrote, to find yourself, think for yourself. In its purist form, high school is about finding yourself and when you rely on friends, family and teachers to think for you, you renounce your independence. Preparation for college is an ideal opportunity to assert your individualism and self-reliance.

Prom, graduation ceremonies and senior parties are behind you and now it is time to look forward to the next phase of your education. For many young people, college is the first time they are able to truly dabble with being independent. Nobody is going to make you go to class, clean your room or eat healthy. The decisions you make and the approach you take toward your college experience are yours and yours alone. This can be a time that is wonderfully liberating when students come into their own and embrace self-advocacy and ownership for their lives, but it can just as easily go the other way.

Students who struggle with this freedom generally fall into two categories those who abuse independence and those who refuse independence. The abusers often skip classes, excessively use alcohol and drugs and make poor decisions in other areas of campus living and learning. Frequently these young people find themselves with low grades, disciplinary issues and a college career cut short. The refusers avoid the opportunity to live autonomously and flounder without the constant support of family and high school friends. These students fail to engage in campus life in meaningful ways and are quick to blame their unhappiness on the institution rather than their inability to be self-reliant.

Increasing independence requires balance and resilience. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.

So, carry your own weight and embrace opportunities to be involved on campus. Take risks, be open to failure and acknowledge that being independent can be uncomfortable, and that is alright.

The Fourth of July holiday presents a great opportunity for us all to consider from what we need to declare independence. What is not serving us in our lives? What can we do without? What habits, relationships or ways of thinking keep us stuck in a rut? How are we oppressed by our own thoughts, actions or rules? Even if we do not have any significant transitions in our lives, the pace of summer can provide the ideal space to reflect on ways in which we are dependent. Let us all articulate one change that would allow more liberty.

It is one thing to declare independence, but the difficult work happens when we attempt to live it. How do we best stay dedicated to finding freedom in the areas in which we need it? Remember that independence does not mean isolation and we are often best served to enlist friends and family in our efforts after all, it took 13 colonies to rally against the British Empire. I have committed to a three-day silent mindfulness retreat each summer as a way to reconnect and set intentions for my personal independence. This is not for everyone, but whether in high school, college or life, I encourage us all to identify and celebrate the power we have to liberate ourselves.

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Reflecting on freedom - Concord Monitor

The event, organized annually by the Global Friends Coalition, aims to raise awareness of refugees not just in Grand Forks, but all across America, according to Cynthia Shabb, executive director of the Global Friends Coalition.

"The idea is to celebrate refugees," she said. "Just as a remembrance that there are people all over the world that are displaced, there are people all over that are looking for freedom."

The event was originally to take place on World Refugee Day, which has been celebrated on June 20 every since its inception in 2001, but was rescheduled due to Ramadan falling during that time.

The traditions of Ramadan - fasting, abstaining from drinking liquids - would have made playing soccer games too strenuous for observers of the holiday, Shabb said, so the tournament was delayed until after Ramadan and the Fourth of July.

Shabb has been organizing the tournament since its kicked off in 2011. This year is the most successful year the tournament has seen, despite one of the main teams pulling out of the tournament at the last minute. This year's lineup brought two women's team and four men's teams from, coming from Grand Forks and Fargo.

The North Dakota Shining Star club team is a Fargo-based team that will travel to tournaments in Omaha, Neb., and Pittsburgh, Pa., in addition to attending regional tournaments this summer.

Shabb said that soccer was chosen as the event to commemorate refugees because it is shared by so many cultures and is a healthy thing for the community. And she hopes it shows the community a thing or two.

"Many of the players came as refugees themselves and are now in Grand Forks...pursuing the American dream." she said.

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Soccer tourney celebrates refugees who came to America looking for freedom - Daily Republic

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thomas Jefferson

In the United States, we celebrate our freedom. It is one of our most fundamental values.

When we take time to reflect on the freedom that we have, hopefully all of us can find reasons to be grateful.

The freedom that we embrace is a work in progress. We are still on the road to growing into the vision of freedom that our founding fathers gave us.

Growing into a vision is good. A vision is meant to guide us to a better place. Growing into a vision of freedom requires work, dedication and vigilance.

A vision of equality and freedom for all is a vision well worth the responsibilities it brings.

As we celebrate our freedom it is important to remember that freedom is not just political it is also very personal.

Its the freedom to think, to discover, to know, to understand and to speak our truth.It is freedom to love, to dream, to work and to create.

We need to be vigilant about how we allow external pressures to steal away our personal freedom. When we are not careful, we can allow circumstances to interfere with our ability to think, to love and to feel the joy that comes from deep within our souls.

We can live in a society that offers freedom, but still be bound by internal chains that hold us down.

Throughout history there have been amazing people true heroes who were able to demonstrate freedom of spirit even while they were held captive, sometimes under unthinkable conditions.

Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Tchicaya Missamou are just a few. We can allow them to inspire us to be greater than our circumstances to live beyond the apparent limits that life seems to have dealt us.

When we are tempted to let an old wound or grudge take away our freedom to love, we can remember our personal vision of freedom and follow the example of these heroes instead.

When we are tempted to allow sound bites and Twitter feeds to decide what we think and how we react, we can choose to remember the power of our minds and our freedom to think independently instead.

In each circumstance, we can allow the truth that lives deep within us to set us free.

The Rev. Dalia Adams is the pastor of Unity Church of the Valley in Vacaville. She can be reached through http://www.unityvacaville.net.

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Trust the truth that lives deep in you to find freedom - Fairfield Daily Republic

Despite four home runs and a comeback push in the middle innings, the Florence Freedom could not overcome an early four-run deficit Friday night at Sprenger Stadium and fell to the Lake Erie Crushers by a score of 11-5. With newcomer Eric Gleese (0-1) on the mound for the Freedom (32-17), the Crushers (21-27) rallied for four runs in the first inning. L.J. Kalawaia led off with a bunt single and scored the games first run on a double by Brandon Murray, who later came home on a Cody Lenahan single. Austin OBrien immediately followed with a two-run homer for a 4-0 advantage.

But as Gleese rebounded to hold Lake Erie scoreless for the next three innings, Florence gradually pushed back. Collins Cuthrell led off the second inning with a home run to left field off Crushers starter Juan Caballero (3-1), and Andrew Godbold hit a solo homer in the fourth inning. In the top of the fifth, Austin Wobrock hustled out an infield single and took second on a groundout. Taylor Oldham then walked before Jose Brizuela drove in Wobrock with a bloop single to center field, putting the tying and go-ahead runs on base with the score 4-3. Godbold, however, struck out looking to end the threat. Gleese returned to the mound in the fifth and would serve up a three-run homer to Sean Hurley, re-extending Florences deficit to four runs. In the sixth, the rookie right-hander allowed a double and a single before yielding to Laetten Galbraith. The latter hit Trever Achenbach with a pitch to load the bases, and all runners would score on a triple by Kalawaia, who in turn raced home on a sacrifice fly to center. Gleese gave up a total of nine runs, all earned, on eight hits, but still struck out seven batters in his Freedom debut. Meanwhile, Caballero pitched five innings for the win and struck out five, while Justin Sinibaldi fanned four over three innings of relief before turning the ball over to Manny Arciniega for the ninth. Jose Brizuela and Jordan Brower hit solo homers in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, giving Florence its final two runs of the evening, but the five total runs on seven hits was not enough against Lake Eries 11-run, nine-hit onslaught. The loss was the Freedoms third straight, and the team has now two of its last seven games. The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at Sprenger Stadium. Enrique Zamora (1-0) will start for the Freedom against Lake Eries Payton Lobdell (0-3).

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Freedom fall to Lake Erie Crushers on their field, 11-5, despite four home runs and a comeback push - User-generated content (press release)...

Every generation of Americans needs to know that freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. St.John Paul II, October 8, 1995 Homily, Apostolic Journey to the United States of America

July 4, 2017 is now past, but its never too late to ponder a fundamental question related to our nations founding: What is freedom?

Thats the exact question with which I began each semester of classes during the seven years I served as an adjunct professor of theology at a local Catholic college, teaching Healthcare Ethics and Sexual Ethics.

Every year, students answers inevitably boiled down less and less surprisingly to one clear mantra: freedom is the ability to do whatever we want, without restriction. I would then spend several weeks explaining the Christian concept of freedom, and why it has more to do with having the grace and strength to exercise self-restraint than the ability to act upon limitless choices.

I am reminded of that experience every July 4th, when I hear these words from America The Beautiful:

America! America!God mend thine every flawConfirm thy soul in self-controlThy liberty in law!

Our freedom is made possible in large part through the practice of self-restraint, and as Pope John Paul II said on his apostolic visit to America in 1995, through a shared commitment to certain moral truths about the human person and human community.

He went on to ask:

The basic question before a democratic society is: how ought we to live together? In seeking an answer to this question, can society exclude moral truth and moral reasoning? Can the Biblical wisdom which played such a formative part in the very founding of your country be excluded from that debate?

St. Paul gives us some key points of such Biblical wisdom in his letter to the Galatians, wherein he writes about freedom:

For freedom Christ has set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slaveryFor you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love.For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:1, 13-15

As we Americans celebrate freedom, and concurrently observe the world around us engaged in macro and micro level wars (including those among our brethren on social media), we would do well to ask ourselves how free we really are, and whether we are personally promoting war or peace, slavery or liberty. More specifically, are we engaging in behaviors that prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God, including hatreds, rivalryoutbursts of furydissension, factions and the like? Or in contrast, are we allowing the Holy Spirit to grow us up in true freedom; freedom that is manifested in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? (Galatians 5:19-23)

To paraphrase John Paul II, are we living together as we ought?

Of course, Im preaching the Gospel to myself, and it is a message I am earnestly asking God for the grace to take to heart and live. Will you join me? Let us pray together the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, which first appeared in France in 1912 on the eve of World War I.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

Amen.

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What is freedom, anyway? And how are we living it? - Aleteia EN

If you've never been, it's a beautiful little spot tucked in by Buckley Airforce Base. The series of glass panels has the names of every Coloradan who gave their lives for this country.

Allison Sylte, KUSA 6:54 PM. MDT July 07, 2017

The Colorado Freedom Memorial, which honors fallen soldiers from the Centennial State, was damaged on Fourth of July weekend. Police are investigating. (Photo: Byron Reed)

KUSA - May we make a recommendation? This is where Next points you to something that isn't ours, but is worth your time.

In this case, its an event thats trying to do something good after a shameful act.

You might remember how over Independence Day weekend, the Colorado Freedom Memorial which is dedicated to Colorados fallen soldiers was apparently vandalized, its glass shattered.

The damage is estimated at between $40,000 to $55,000.

But this is Colorado, and one amazing thing about our community is how we band together for people in need.

You can help restore this important memorial from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday at a fundraiser and open house.

Starting at 8 a.m., you can get a breakfast burrito and bottles of water in exchange for a donation. Later, Jim N Nicks will sell barbecue sandwiches, with all the proceeds going toward the Colorado Freedom Memorial.

There will also be tours of the memorial, chances to ask questions as well as a look at some of the heroes the memorial honors.

If thats not incentive enough, were also told the Denver Broncos cheerleaders will make an appearance.

What happened at the Colorado Freedom Memorial was a shameful act, but once again, this is Colorado and one thing you can count on is for our community band together.

You can find more details about the event here:http://bit.ly/2tqXkBt

2017 KUSA-TV

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A recommendation: Support the Colorado Freedom Memorial - 9NEWS.com

Have your eardrums recovered yet?

In the aftermath of another Fourth of July, its a fair question to ask. Nowadays the blasts, brocades and breaks of July Fourth are so extreme that I wear the sound-deadening earmuffs I would use while sighting in a hunting rifle. Sure, they dont look very cool but they look much cooler than a hearing aid.

Now, dont get me wrong. I enjoy a good fireworks display and we detonate our fair share in the driveway. But over the last few years weve had some close calls.

Like the artillery shell that exploded a few feet in the air, landed in my friends lap, and started him on fire. We promptly put him out, but still.

Nor will I forget the firework cake that tipped over and started shooting multiple flaming balls into a lawn full of kids and a garage full of more fireworks. That was fun.

July Fourth is a day to celebrate and remember our freedom but these accidents have changed our family display. This year, we were more selective in what we bought. Were free to blow up whatever legal fireworks we can find. That doesnt mean we have to.

When my freedom is putting my children and party guests in danger of being, you know, set on fire, then maybe its time to dial things back a bit.

To me, its a colorful reminder of how freedom isnt the same thing as license.

Christianity is sometimes seen as freedom to do whatever we want, because after all, God is forgiving and kind. He certainly is that and more but does that really mean I can do whatever I want?

The Rolling Stones lit the fuse on this concept back in 1965 with the resounding report, Im free to do what I want, any old time.

That song has been covered and sampled through the years because of the ideology that keeps it smoking: freedom means being able to do what we want for ourselves.

Just this year, the recording artist Pitbull threw some Stones into the lyrics of his song, Freedom.

Feel free, do whatever you want whenever you want with whoever you want. Feel free, who cares what they say? Just live your life cause we dont live twice.

With my lips, I might say I disagree with those lyrics. With my life, I seem to affirm them. Often, Ill use my freedom as an excuse to serve myself. Were all guilty of that from time to time. Those kinds of choices usually wind up blowing up in our faces and burning other people. Its what we do.

But is it what we were made to do?

Jesus displayed a different kind of freedom. He was free to do whatever he wanted during his earthly life: Free to turn stones into bread; Free to put on a sparkling show; Free to have all the wealth, fame and recognition imaginable.

But he didnt abuse his freedom. He used it to serve others instead of himself. He served the duds, the discontinued and the damaged. Thats what love does.

Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

What if we celebrated the freedom that men and women have laid down their lives to secure for us by serving others? That kind of love can light up a neighborhood in an entirely different way.

And, no one will wind up on fire, either. Which is nice.

Gregg Madsen is the lead pastor of Steadfast Gretna.

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Freedom to light up the neighborhood - Omaha World-Herald