July Monthly Letter

Dear Reconciler Family,

Half the year is gone and now we’re in the second half!

Since the 4th of July is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States, I thought I would focus on it in this letter. Of course, it’s the commemoration and celebration of the United States’ independence from the British Throne, which took place in 1776. It is highlighted with firework explosions, mock battles, sporting events and family reunions! My family and I will celebrate it in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s a family tradition.

It’s also a time to THANK OUR VETERANS who still fight so valiantly in wars to this day, and never forget our WW1, WW2, Vietnamese, Iraqi and Afghanistan War Veterans. All deserve our gratitude! And more importantly please pray for those who are currently in harm’s way.

I’m reminded of United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his prayer at a critical moment in WW2 as the date for the D-Day Mission was chosen. It was scheduled for June 5th but the weather reports were bad! June 7th was also predicted to be a bad weather day, so considering what has been called the “most important weather forecast in history,” June 6th turned out to be the best weather day of the three. Many American and Allied lives were saved from slaughter, sparing many more than the 10,000 who did die.

I’m intrigued and deeply moved by the prayer of President Roosevelt on a radio broadcast on the evening of June 6,1944, as 160,000 Allied troops were landing on Normandy to help liberate France.  Here’s his prayer from the FDR Library and Museum:

“For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all the people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for to return to the haven home. Some may never return; embrace these Father and receive them, thy hero servants, into Thy Kingdom.”

He went on: “And for us at home…whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them—help us Almighty God to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee this hour of great sacrifice.”

What a heartfelt and deeply moving prayer! Thank God for our freedoms in this nation and others, and most of all for our freedom in Christ, which “no man can destroy.” He went to the cross at Calvary and freed all who are willing to accept it, gratis. And He said: “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36).

Praise God for His Precious Freedom and Salvation, and thank you all for your loyal dedication to Him and what He is doing through us all. Our country still has many flaws, some of which we in ORM are trying to mend, but thank God we have the freedom to be able to do that! Blessings as you use your freedom, prayers and support to serve others.