July 20, 2020

Hi students,

I don't have time to go to Mail Chimp and put together a pretty email, so this will have to do.

Tuesday is Liberation Day in Guam. Many of the usual festivities will not be held because of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. I hope we can have a great day in spite of the limitations. Liberation Day remembers July 21 in 1944 when US forces liberated Guam from Japanese occupation. Our own Celia Atoigue has stories from her family about this part of the history of Guam.

Freedom, Liberty is an important virtue. Scripture speaks about the greatest liberty.

 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, ESV)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13–15, ESV)

 Like any precious gift, we should use our freedom responsibly. What are you doing with yours? What am I doing with mine?

In my seven decades of life, I have noticed that the abuse of freedom leads to entrapment, slavery, and an utter inability to enjoy liberty.

• I may be free to indulge in bad habits. I don't have the liberty to be free of the consequences.
• Doing the right thing is frequently hard, but not doing what is right often leads to a loss of freedom.
• “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, ESV) 

In this Covid-19 infected world, how is your freedom being limited? I'm sure that you join me in looking forward to the day when we will be liberated from this virus. But, what can we do in the meantime? 

Instead of focusing on the restraints that are placed on you from the outside, take a look at those your own behavior is imposing. What are you doing or not doing that limits your freedom now, or will limit it in the future? Let's do something about that.

How about making Tuesday a personal Liberation Day? Make a decision to stop allowing Covid-19, the government of Guam and other forces beyond our control to hold us captive. We may have to wear a mask, but our freedom in Christ is not diminished.  Let me know how I can pray for you.

   “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16, ESV)

Watch for an invitation from Mama Kath. She has some Liberation Day plans you'll like. You will have the freedom to attend.

Here is a video that gives information about fall plans at PIU. 

One more thing. Kathy and I don't want to diminish the many other good options that you have for Sunday worship, but we are willing to give you a ride to Faith Church. Let us know if you want to attend with us.

Freely, 
Howard Merrell (The Prez)