Category Archives: Discipleship

      Obstacles are a part of life everyone encounters them.  They may come in the form of financial reverses, family problems, spiritual challenges, or physical ailments.  But one thing is certain, obstacles will come into our lives.

But why?  Why do we have to endure obstacles?  How do they add  value to our lives?  And why does God allow Christians to endure obstacles? As an answer consider the following story.

The Temple’s inspiration was supposedly based on the great love the Moguel emperor Shah Jahn had for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  When she died he was devastated.  Grief stricken, he ordered this edifice erected as her final resting place.  No expense would be spared in honoring his beloved. 

“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.”

We recognize these words, written by Thomas Jefferson, from the Declaration of Independence, issued 240 years ago today. On America’s birthday we celebrate our freedom and revel in our liberty. We love the feeling of liberty.

As we approach the day of celebration in the United States for our Independence, we give thanks for the freedom we enjoy that has blessed our lives in so many ways.

While we often reflect upon the personal, economic, and social aspects of freedom, let us ever grateful for the freedom of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment to our U.S. Constitution.