What a joy

to get to write this article on Independence Day 2002. It will be submitted

on Thursday, and you will see it on Sunday.

Since 9/11,

I, and probably you, have been thinking a lot about the world situation

in which we find ourselves as a Nation. This idea of freedom which allows

any and everyone to basically do whatever they want to is actually scary

if you think about it. Naturally one has to obey the laws of the land

and in most cases they are good laws. Even if a law turns out to be a

bad law, there is a procedure to get it changed.

I have lived

almost a third of my life overseas and seen a fair part of the world.

Everywhere I have traveled, I have noticed that most people in the world

have some very basic needs and desires. No matter where you go whether

it be the industrialized western "European" cultures or Asian

or African or South American, Mid-Eastern, or Far Eastern cultures, people

want the same things. In other words even if a family lives in a houseboat

on a mud flat or in a mansion, the basics needs of life are the same.

Remember your

high school social science classes when you were taught about "Maslow's

Hierarchy of Needs?" Brother Maslow basically said that no matter

who you are or from what culture you come, there are basic needs that

one must possess for "self actualization" to be accomplished.

These items are food, water, clothing, shelter, etc., on up the "Hierarchy

of Needs" scale until you, after getting these basic needs met, want

to produce something with your life like creating something. It's like

putting "your print" on this old world.

Since America

allows and even encourages people to "self actualize" their

dreams that is why most people in the world would like to live here. In

many cases that is why the lists are long for people wanting to immigrate

to America. On the other hand that is why the Bin Laddens of this world

hate us. They do so because they spend their misguided and sick lives

attempting to control everyone. They don't believe a minute that "Maslow's

Hierarchy of Needs" should be met for anyone but a small group of

male, Nazi mentality control freaks like themselves.

You can usually

tell how sick or off-base a religion is, whether it be Christianity, Muhammadanism,

Hinduism, or Judaism as to how they treat their women. That is one of

the many things I love about Jesus of Nazareth and true Christianity (notice

I said "true" Christianity). Jesus liberated women. He broke

a long standing Judaic practice by even talking to the woman at the well

from another culture and who was not Jewish. Then we have the first "post-resurrection"

Gospel message after the resurrection was preached to Mary Magdalene at

the garden tomb. The angel said "go tell the disciples." He

didn't say "go find a man" to tell the disciples. In fact the

disciples heard it first from a woman. Don't you think that Jesus did

that for a purpose? I do.

What do we

do with all this freedom? Our freedoms were not given to us to do wrong

or as a liberty to sin. The scriptures say in Galatians 5:13, "For

you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as

an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Your liberties and mine were given not so that you or I can just live

the great ole sin-filled, lustful life, but to love God and serve one

another.

Have a God-filled,

freedom-filled Fourth as you serve one another.

Dr. Knox Herndon

is the pastor of "His House Community Church" (SBC). Rev. Greg

Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Pastor. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School Superintendent,

Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church has moved to the new location

just below Fayetteville, on GA. Highway 85. As you leave Fayetteville

going South on Highway 85, you cross Highway 16, at the Senoia intersection.

It is a mile on the right just below the fire station. If you are not

in a church, come visit us. Church office and Prayer line (770)-719-2365

E-Mail [email protected]

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