Freedom and the French-American Friendship

The Statue of Liberty

A joint project between France and America, the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty was built by the Americans and the statue itself, designed and built by French artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, was completed in France, disassembled and shipped to the United States. An icon of freedom, the official name of the Statue is the “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.” The statue was a gift from the people of France and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries. 

Normandy

The Allied assault on D-Day (June 6,1944) aimed to liberate France and drive into Nazi Germany. Over 9,387 Americans are buried in the American cemetery in Normandy with an additional 1557 names inscribed on the Walls of the Missing. France has granted a special perpetual concession to the land, free of any charge or tax. The cemetery is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.  Two Italian granite figures at the western end of the central mall represent the United States and France.

From August 19 until the surrounding of the occupying German garrison on August 25, the last battle in the Campaign for Normandy was the Liberation of Paris.  It started with an uprising by the French Resistance against the German Paris garrison. On August 24, French Forces of the Interior received backup from the Free French Army of Liberation and the United States 4th Infantry Division. On August 29, 1944, a joint Franco-American victory military parade traveled through the streets of Paris.

Casablanca

The cooperation of French and Americans during the war inspired one of the best known movies of all time. 

Casablanca was set in unoccupied French Morocco during WW II. The movie bore the name of the stopping off point on the way to Lisbon and then to America as people attempted to escape Nazi occupied Europe. 

The main characters in the story are Rick Blaine, lIsa Lund and Victor Laszlo.  Prior to the German occupation of Paris, Rick and lIsa fell in love.  On the day the Germans marched into Paris, lIsa was to meet Rick at the train station but failed to show up. She had received word that her husband Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader, had not died in the Nazi concentration camp but was alive and needed her.  

Rick goes to Casablanca and sets up Rick’s Café Américain. Rick and lIsa meet again as lIsa and Victor arrive in Casablanca, attempting to find passage to America. German Major Strasser comes to Casablanca to prevent Laszlo from leaving. While in Rick’s cafe, he leads his soldiers to sing the German national anthem. Victor Laszlo then orders Rick’s band to play La Marseillaise, the national anthem of France. When the band leader looks to Rick, he nods his head in approval.  

Rick helps Victor and lIsa escape to America by providing them with letters of transit to Lisbon. When Major Strasser tries to stop them, Rick shoots him. The movie ends with Rick and Captain Renault (the local police chief) making plans to join the Free French at Brazzaville, ending with the memorable line by Rick, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” 

Friends and Brothers, Free Indeed

I have been an American living in Paris for the last ten months. My husband and I have been conducting our international ministry from here.  Not only has my life been enriched by being involved with a wonderful international church, but I now know some of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are French.  

Our national mottos are Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, and In God We Trust. The origins of the French motto are not Christian, but the principles are. Through Jesus, we have liberty that enlightens the world. The God in whom we trust has provided a way for us to have liberty, equality and brotherhood. Through Christ, true freedom is possible.  Through Christ, we know that we are equally loved by God. Through Christ, we can experience a brotherhood that lasts forever. 

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . .Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36).

The Joy of Food, Fellowship and Family

There's something about sitting together around a table full of food that invites conversation - especially with family. When our sons got married, I made a family recipe book for my new daughters.  It occurred to me that many of our best memories were around meals celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays or traditions we had created for meals on Friday nights, Saturday mornings or Sunday after church. Those memories were of great joy when we were all gathered around the table.

Now the joy is magnified because the family has grown.  On rare occasions when we have mealtimes together again, it is with grandchildren and all the delightful contributions they make to the conversations.

This last week was another reminder of this truth.  I attended two fellowship meals with our church family here in France.  There was a covered dish luncheon on Sunday after church.  So much good food and time to visit with friends around the table is a great treat.  On normal Sundays, people have to be out and about and visiting time is limited.  On covered dish Sundays, people make an effort to stick around, visit and enjoy a meal together.

On Tuesday, our ladies Bible study group got together at a member's lovely home for lunch.  Again, there was time to discover more information about my sisters in Christ.  People I had grown to love I love even more because I know them better now -  they shared their testimonies and experiences with the Lord. It was truly a joyful time.

Jesus had similar experiences.  He never was in a hurry, but it was at mealtimes we see him having the luxury of sharing life with those He loved.  He spent time in fellowship and meals with His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  Those were times of rest and restoration for Him, just as times of food and fellowship with family are for us.

There was one very special meal where Jesus was able to have a time of very needed fellowship.  It was just before His betrayal and crucifixion.  In the upper room, after Judas left, Jesus had an opportunity to share some special revelations of Himself to eleven of His closest friends. He had come so they might be adopted into His family. As He left His brothers with incredible words of encouragement and promise, He told them that His intended purpose for doing so was that they might share in His joy.

Food, fellowship and family are perfect settings for experiences of joy.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves (John 17:13).

To "Our Father in Heaven" on Father's Day

“Our Father in Heaven” we say

When we start to talk to God.

“Please give us our bread this day,”

As your Son taught while on earth He trod.

How can You be both His Father and ours

When You are God and we are only men?

How can we partake of Your power

When our lives are so full of sin?

Incredible though it may be, but true

You had this plan before time began,

That our sins would be hid in You

When Your Son became a Man.

The love You give freely to us

Is more than we can understand;

All You require is absolute trust

In the One You sent, the Son of Man.

“Father in Heaven, how can we say

Thank You for adoption into Your family?”

On this, what we celebrate as Father’s Day

We remember Your love crucified on a tree.

With a heart full of gratitude, we say,

“We want You to be pleased with us,”

As we remember on this and every day,

You are the Heavenly Father we can trust.

Politicians, Promises and Predetermined Choices

If you are a news junkie (like me), you cringe when elections come around.  Scandals and innuendoes about people running for office dominate the media.  It makes you wonder why anyone would ever want to put themselves in that position.  They all say they do it because they are working to make a better life for the people, but in the end, we find ourselves asking the question, "Are they really?"

It is hard to trust politicians.  They often make promises they don't keep.  It seems promises are made to win elections, not to help govern a free society.  Even those politicians who appear to mean what they say at the beginning of their campaigns soon get caught up in politics as usual.  Once the hard reality of the office hits the politician, there is a great deal of backtracking done.  The complicated process or the opposite party gets blamed for unkept promises. It sometimes makes me wonder if a monarchy isn't better (just kidding).

Politicians aren't the only ones who have a problem with promises.  We all do.  Who among us could say they have kept every promise they ever made?  There is only one person who ever lived who made good on all His promises.  One of the most comforting things about being a Christian is that God can be trusted. He doesn't have a faulty memory. Some of His promises have already been fulfilled and some of His promises are for the future, but He has proven Himself trustworthy. He says what He means. He means what He says. We can count on Him.

I recently led a Bible study where we looked at a specific characteristic of David, the man after God's own heart.  Through his psalms, we discovered many instances where he declared what he was going to do.  It was nearly like David was thinking out loud as he said in psalm after psalm, "I will." His predetermined choices were to: praise God, sing praises to His name, not be afraid, worship in God's house, tell of His works, give thanks, trust Him, rejoice in Him, wash his hands in innocence, restrain his mouth, teach others God's ways, wait on God, lie down in peace, hope always, go in God's strength and many others. Even after making his predetermined choice to follow God, David still sinned.  He always returned to God through repentance, however, and would then again state his intentions to follow Him.

One of the ladies in the class remarked, "We can choose to say, 'I will,' like David did, but what about the times when we don't follow through?"  The general consensus of the group - the answer to that question - was, the more good predetermined choices you make, the more likelihood you will be faithful to Him in most of them.  It is when we don't give thought to what we will do and just let life happen, that we are so susceptible to falling prey to being less than what He wants us to be.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 NKJV).

Street Cleaners and Foot Washing

This morning as I was walking to Bible study (all uphill!), it was a little difficult to keep consistent footing because there were so many leaves on the sidewalk.  It had rained recently and walking on wet leaves can be a bit tricky.  Halfway up the hill, I encountered public service people cleaning the sidewalk and street.  It was a joint affair - one man sweeping the leaves, another behind him with a large water hose spraying the leaves from the sidewalk to the gutter and finally a big truck gathered the leaves from the curb and vacuumed them into the truck.  After passing the workmen, my trek was much easier: the path was clean and there were no obstructions.

Starting my walk, I really hadn't thought about the leaves or the mud.  I was just trying to work my way through them or around them.  The pathway didn't really look dirty to me.  In fact, I didn't think about it until after I had passed the workmen and was treading on clean pavement.

If you are a believer in Jesus, in the family of God, you have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. Believers still sin and should confess their sins, but God tells us He stands ready to forgive those sins and have us return to fellowship with Him.

Sometimes, though, like the leaves on my pathway, we hardly notice the things that need moving out of the way.  We walk through those things or around them without giving it much thought.  Everyday obstructions of the world become so commonplace we aren't even aware that our pathway needs a washing.  Those obstructions can be anything: a sin, a worry, a disease, a concern about a loved one, a problem with our job. There is a constant need to check for things that need to be cleaned up in our lives: anything that might hinder us from following the Lord without interference.  A clean, clear path is much easier to follow than one that has to be maneuvered around.

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus made this point to His disciples.  He washed their feet.  As He told Peter, they were clean already because they had bathed, but a foot washing is necessary to get rid of the world's dirt and grime. When we submit to Jesus for a foot washing, He can remove some things - such as sin or worry. Other things that are not in our control, but obstruct our path, we can simply give to Him to carry - such as ill health or a concern about a loved one.  After all, He is the one who walks beside us as we travel.

We often come to Jesus in prayer and praise Him, thank Him, ask Him for guidance or direction and bring all kinds of concerns to Him.  He delights when we do that. We should pray for all those things.  Before we bring any of our concerns to Him in prayer, though, it would be a good idea to ask Him first if we need a foot washing.  Is there anything in your life that would hinder you from walking a straight path for Him today?

Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you" (John 13:8-10).

Twitter, Facebook, Blogging: Thinking Out Loud on the Internet

I do a lot of internet research searching Wikipedia or websites specific to the topic I am interested in. If I want a personal perspective, though, I check out the blogs. I appreciate those who are willing to share their expertise in a field. Some of the blogs I follow have to do with writing.  The publishing world is changing so fast that the best way to keep up with it is to read an expert's blog on what happened in the industry yesterday or even today.


I view life from a Christian perspective, so I also research the people posting the blogs.That doesn't mean I only read blogs posted by Christians. It means I evaluate what I read by their experience in their field, and take their spiritual state into account as well.


If you follow the news, as I do, you know you should be careful what you post on Twitter, Facebook or your blog. What you say reveals who you are. Politicians and other public figures have discovered that posts are definitely not private: "your sins will find you out."


The tools the internet provides has allowed me to feel connected even though I am not in one place for very long. On Facebook, I might discover a relative has been in the hospital, a friend I haven't seen for a long time has a birthday, another friend had a death in the family or another friend needs prayer.  In an instant, I can send an appropriate comment.


Blogs give bloggers an opportunity for even more individual expression that Twitter and Facebook since the words are limited only by the blogger's desire.  I follow one person who intentionally writes a 1000 word blog every Thursday.  Others are of various length, but research has revealed that most internet readers quickly scan a blog, so one of no more than 500 words has more of a chance of being read.  Short paragraphs, breaking up the text with bullets, and using proper font make it easier to read.  If there are no comments on your blog, don't despair.  Experts say that over 90% of blog readers don't leave a comment.


One blog I follow is a daily blog on prayer.  My friend who writes the blog told me, "This is really hard. I am always thinking about what needs to go in my devotional on prayer."  Well, honestly, how cool is that?  His thoughts are always on the subject of prayer.  


The internet has given us the opportunity to think out loud in front of a world wide audience.  What we think eventually comes out in what we say, and for those who are in our real world (not just our internet world), they know what we think shows us in our actions as well.


Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

Situational Awareness: A Life Principle

Situational awareness is a term familiar to pilots.  Flight instructors teach their students that it is imperative to hone their observation skills: to be aware of everything around them at any given moment and in every circumstance. They must be prepared to react to anything unexpected in the flight path. 


The same is true for operating any moving vehicle. When the operator loses focus or is distracted, he is no longer situationally aware and can put himself and others in danger. That is the reason cell phone usage while driving has been outlawed in many places.  


Whenever possible, my husband and I try to start our day with a walk.  He is the leader.  I follow.  I need to observe his every move.  If he turns left, I need to turn left.  If he crosses the street, I need to go with him.  It is not as easy as it sounds because I have a tendency to lag behind.  I have on occasion lost sight of him and for a brief moment, have a sense of panic.  I need to keep my eyes on him not only because I want to walk with him, but because I often don't know where I am.  God neglected to put a compass in my brain. Since I am also inclined to fall, I have to watch the ground and him at the same time. This morning, God provided a big stick for me to use as a walking stick and that did help a great deal. I was able to keep my balance and enjoy the surroundings a bit more since I didn't have to keep my eyes on the path every second.  I enjoy the walks, but I do have to be situationally aware of my husband's leadership and my surroundings.


A believer also needs to be situationally aware. There are lots of obstacles on the path of life.  In order not to be tripped up, it requires a constant focus on Jesus. As the living Word, He is our guide. It is up to us, though, to finely develop observation skills so that we recognize when we have deviated from the path He has chosen for us.  It is possible to ask for help and get back on the right path again, but when we realize we have lost sight of Jesus, there can be a moment of panic. His written word can serve as a rod to guide us. As we hold it dearly in our minds and our hearts, it is easier to keep our eyes on Him.


The Lord is my shepherd. . . He leads me beside the still waters. . . He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names's sake. . .I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1,2,3,4).

Home: Here and Heaven

I have a passport issued by the United States of America and my husband and I have a house there. However, for most of each year, we travel overseas on mission assignments. He jokingly says we live in the airport. 

Our home is wherever we are. We really just leave our belongings behind in a house that we call home, but that house does have our mark on it. We set up housekeeping temporarily in different locations around the world, some longer than others. No matter how long we plant ourselves in any one spot, however, we are still essentially living out of a suitcase. 

If we are fortunate enough to be in a place where we come and go for a period of time and have a small kitchen to be able to cook in, I often go to the refrigerator or the cabinet searching for some item that is not there.  It is actually in my home in the states.

As happy as I am to do what we do, occasionally I get homesick – for the familiar security of the surroundings we call home.  There is a sense of renewal and refreshment when I walk into the doors of our home: a sense of belonging. There, I am joined again not only with our stuff, but our memories. 

Along with you, my heart has broken for those who have lost their homes to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and tornadoes this year. Many whose families survived the tragedies commented on what remained was what was really important.  If all the family members were without injury, they counted their blessings and did what was necessary to start over. 

I have tried to imagine what it was like for Jesus while He was here.  How hard it must have been for Him to be away from the security of heaven.  Although He is the creator and owner of everything on earth, He was treated like a stranger.  He left his Father and the comforts of his home to live among many who didn’t understand his language.  When He spoke about his home, He was often misunderstood. Eventually, of course, He was crucified because of his description of his relationship to the Father and his rightful place in heaven.  His sacrifices were many.  Among them was the temporary condition where He identified with those who had no home. He literally had no place to lay His head.

The more I travel and meet Christian brothers and sisters all over the world, the more I contemplate my eternal citizenship.  Some places we return to again and again.  Some places we have a single temporary assignment.  Each time I am introduced to more of my Christian family, when we leave, I do not say “good bye,” but “I will see you again,” as we will spend eternity together. 

Among the things I would like to say "thank you" to Jesus for was His willingness to leave His home for a time so that those who of us who believe in Him could be home with Him forever. Heaven will be home because that is where Jesus is.

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3).

Falling Down and Getting Up

At present, my husband and I are ministering in France. I love shopping for groceries in France. A car is not necessary. You can walk to the local market or easily take a bus to a favorite store. As I was leaving my favorite discount store yesterday with a buggy of groceries on one side and a full bag of groceries on the other shoulder, I tripped on a piece of jutted pavement and fell flat on my face.

Instantly, three French gentlemen stopped their vehicles and got out to check on me.  Had any one of those men been walking beside me when I fell, I am sure he would have tried to catch me; however, I was already on the ground. One of them extended his hand to help me up.  Although I told him I was OK, the other gentlemen had to make sure themselves.  Although slightly embarrassing (I am now toting a black bruise on my chin), the response of these men reminded me that chivalry is not dead.

I couldn't carry on a conversation with any of these men since I don't speak French.  All I could say was "Merci." Although they were not angels and it is doubtful they are Christians since there is a very small percentage of believers in this country, that brief encounter was a reminder of some Christian principles.

In our spiritual lives, we often stump our toes and wind up in a spot we did not plan on. Being unaware of obstacles in our path, sometimes we trip and fail to carry out the will of God in a given situation.  We may sin by "commission" or "omission," but the sin would have been prevented had we been carefully watching for rocks in the road.

It is our responsibility to be aware of the possibility of stumbling and guard against it.  Once we fall down, it is more than embarrassing. It might be some time before the bruise of the fall disappears. It might be so obvious that it affects our witness. However, when we fall, we need to get up and move on.   If we have stumbled because of sin, certainly we need to ask for God's forgiveness and do what we can to rectify the situation and ensure it doesn't happen again. We might be required to go back and move the rock out of the way so that others will not stumble. 

Sometimes in the moving on process, we need help from our brothers and sisters in Christ.  They can extend a hand, lift us up and help us get back on the path again. God puts the responsibility for sin squarely on the shoulders of the sinner, but one of the ways He provides restoration is through the support of members of His family. It is good to remember that we can be on either side of this situation. Sometimes we fall and need help.  Other times we watch our brothers or sisters fall and need to lift them up.  That's part of being a family.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. . . For each one shall bear his own load (Galatians 6:2, 5).

South Africa Women's Conference

One of my speaking engagements in South Africa was a women's conference in Cape Town.  The other conference leaders quickly became new friends.  The theme chosen by Sandra Johnson was "Sister, the Master is Asking for You."  Lizz Rickert began with a beautiful song, "I look to You, Lord."

Sandra, the first speaker, had taken the theme from the passage in John 11:20-30. After Lazarus had died, and Jesus arrived, Martha ran out to meet him, then came back for Mary, stating "Sister, the Master is Asking for You."  Sandra emphasized that when Jesus calls for us, it is part of a family affair.

Laticia Sives, a local pastor's wife, then spoke of the passage in Matthew where Mary had anointed Jesus with perfume.  Are we doing that today?

Luann Rickert reminded us all that we need each other and we all have a gift.  Her scripture came from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The Master is calling all of us to service.

Caroline Schiesl, a friend of many years, spoke next about how Mary and Martha were so different but God looks on the heart.  She asked pointed questions: "Is Jesus really Master? Do you have a willing heart?"

I closed with a look at different women of the Bible that had been sought out by God: Eve, Hagar, Sarah, Ruth, Hannah and Mary, the mother of Jesus.  

It was a blessing for me to be a part of that conference and meet Christian women serving in South Africa.  Many of them made sacrifices to be part of the conference. As has been the case in every country, I have come away enriched by the examples and dedication of the people I met.

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (Romans 1:8).