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Dear Shiloh Family,

It was the first day with a peek of sun after what seemed like weeks of torrential rains. As I enjoyed an incredible day fishing, swimming, and hanging out with my grandson, my thoughts meandered toward the events of the up-and-coming church services and the following Memorial Day celebrations.

I snapped a shot of him and me and sent it to Anita with the caption that read, "Sitting by the pool eating the fish we just caught." I reminded the young man of how blessed we were, and how God had shared his glorious bounty with us that day. Consequently, I was also reminded of the enormous price that was paid for us to enjoy such freedoms. 

The long-anticipated sunshine reminded me of war theaters like, the battle of the bulge, Normandy, Midway, the Pacific realm, Vietnam, and others; where American and Allied soldiers battled inclement weather and horrid conditions for the cause of liberty and freedom. In fact, everything we experienced that day came with an ever present often forgotten price tag.

The elementary school from which we had begun our day and the right to a superior education did not come cheap. A great price was paid for the ability to own land in America. Men and women gave their lives for the right to roam a free land and experience free enterprise. Our day culminated at our church where the campus was filled with those experiencing the freedom of worship. 

I know you grammar geeks are writhing in disdain for the redundancy of free (or freedom) and price, and how they are oxymorons. However, they go hand-in-hand. It's like peanut butter and jelly or ham and eggs. You can't say one without the other. So, out freedom in America was paid, and is still being paid on the front lines - on air, land, and sea, by our great military. We honor them.

John 15:13-14: 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. NKJV

This principle was set long ago and was exemplified on the cross of Calvary. Our salvation is free to us, but a great price was paid by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I stated last Sunday, "He paid a debt (price) he didn't owe, because I owed a debt (price) I couldn't pay."

1 Corinthians 6:18-20: 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. NKJV 

This Sunday, we will also be honoring our 2025 graduates. We are so proud of them for achieving goals and and accolades. I pray they all enjoy the freedom of life and liberty afforded to them through perseverance, hard work, and the grace of our Lord. 

A child cannot fully understand free until as an adult, he places it in the hands of his child. 

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell