3rd F theme for July, Liberty and Identity.

As you might expect, the 3^rd F theme for the month of July is Liberty.  However, I hope I encourage you to see Liberty, and its presence in your life from a different perspective.  I have had the privilege of sharing Tuesday mornings with several brothers at the Crusade, a 3^rd F study at the Starbucks in Harris Teeter.  Whoopee has been leading a study through a book called “Killing Lions” by John and Sam Eldredge.  An underlying theme in this book is self-identity and purpose in our lives.  To summarize one point in the book, a young man from a foreign country sits in a college class seeking his doctorate. Before arriving in the western world the young man had killed a lion with a spear to protect his village and livestock.  He was regarded as a hero and a leader to his people. Sam comments “I can’t imagine any university final or job interview being very daunting for a man with lion scars across his chest”.

One might suppose that a similar battle faced our founding fathers.  Knowing the battle that may come; the imminent attack of the military might of England, those colonists pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor as they signed their names to the declaration of independence.  When we read of this in history books, do we really grasp the weight of this event?  Do you suppose each signer went home to their families, apprehensive of the decision they had made?  It took months for this declaration to cross the ocean to be read by the King of England.  I can image it could be a feeling akin to knowing that a lion crept outside of the village and could strike at any moment.  What was it that brought these men to the decision that the battle would be worth it?

The key to both situations is this; knowing your Identity.  A man can not know true liberty without knowing who he is and what he stands for.

In the Declaration of independence, a critical line is written: “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”.  When these men felt the bondage of the King of England, they called on their identity as men equal to each other, and equal even to the King, and later with their reliance on divine providence they clearly communicate who they believe themselves to be, and in whom they put their trust.

Whether the battle you are about to enter is against a Lion, military might, or a personal struggle you must know who you are, and what you are capable of!  In both instances, Life and Liberty hinged on the warrior knowing who he was and what he believed when the weapons were drawn.

Have you even stopped to ask yourself “what do I really believe, and is it worth fighting for?” Do you face the battles in your life knowing who you are and what you believe?

Week 1: Both the cause of liberty and the Gospel of Christ is most often spread through the shedding of blood.  We honor those who sacrificed before us for the freedom we share in our country, but most of all for the freedom we have through faith in Jesus Christ.  YHC shared on the story of David Eubanks and his family as they lend aid to those suffering under the grip of ISIS.  I encourage you to watch this video.  I believe you will see a man who knows who he is, what he is capable of, and in whom he believes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojgZueHW6Tk

Week 2: Who’s your Daddy?  Are you a Son of God?  Do you stand in battle knowing the creator of the world has your back? We will review Romans Chapter 8 and your identity as a Son of God.

Week 3: Liberty, are you free to do whatever you want?  Matthew Kelly, author of “Rediscovering Catholicism” is quoted “Freedom is not the ability to do whatever you want. Freedom is the strength of character to do what is good, true, noble, and right.” We will review Galations 5: and how the church in Galatia put itself back into bondage by straying from faith, and the bondage that could come if they fell into the sinful ways of the world.

Week 4: JJ has the Q for a liberty inspired message straight from coach K,

Week 5: The Ambassador of God  We will review 2nd Corinthians Chapter 5 and how you are reconciled to God and his Ambassador.     Also planned for this week will be an F3 dads fishing outing. Taking suggestions for locations!

Know who you are as a Man, as a Son and Ambassador of God and in the Liberty HE has provided for you.

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