Front Porch Sanctuary/Fourth of July

In the past few weeks I have found such comfort in the few days that I have been able to sit out on my front porch just me, my dog and Jesus. It has felt so nice these past few weeks and the peace outside is just wonderful (except for when Bear decides to start barking). I love places where you can get away from the world in a way and just be alone with Jesus. Some of my favorite places to do this are places I have mentioned before such as church sanctuaries, the beach and a little chapel in Ecuador. Well, now my front porch on nice days in the summer has been added to this. The scenery is beautiful, the sounds of nature are calming and the best is when we have a nice thunderstorm:)

Today there is a mix of noises that aren't nature but are definitely natural in America. With it being the fourth of July you can hear families gathering, patriotic country music playing and oh the smells of food being grilled. As I write this, five minutes ago it was pouring down rain and now it is beautifully sunny and seemingly perfect for cooking out.

Anyway, my times on the porch I feel are so very nice, there is very little to distract or disturb me, there is a gentle breeze blowing, and of course (as I've already mentioned) the peace and quite. The other day (actually the first day that I decided to sit out here) I spent the entire day out here, I only when in to cook dinner later that after noon and then came back out side. It was such an amazing day spent having quite time. God spoke through His Word, through the book Charles and I are reading together, and just simply through time of prayer. I know God is everywhere but there is just something special about meeting with Him at these places:)

So all that being said, as previously stated, today is the fourth of July. One of the many sounds I hear right now is our American flag that's hanging off of our porch waving back and forth in the wind. What a great reminder today is of the freedoms we have as Americans. A great example at the moment is free speech... the freedom that I have to write this blog and Great News. Freedom of religion also comes to mind. The freedom to go to church, pray and live out our faith in public with out fear of being arrested which is a privilege we have that a lot of other countries do not.

As you go throughout your day thank God for the freedoms that He has provided you as an American. Spend time with your family and praise God for all He has given you. God bless you all today my friends and may God bless and have mercy on America in these last days.