Of Love for Country

Celebrations of our nation's independence began early this weekend.  I have already taken in a Waterfest at a nearby reservoir.  The crowds grew as the time for fireworks neared.  Then on Sunday, my church choir presented a musical, With Liberty and Justice for All.  It made for a rousing worship experience.

With the approaching 4th of July, I give thanks for this land of ours.  Despite all our present strife and errors, this nation still holds promise for each of us and our world. 

Equally, I give thanks for the lands of the Bible and the other nations that I have had the privilege of visiting.  A hymn comes to my mind in celebration, This Is My Song.
        
      This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar
      and mine.  This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are
      my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; but other hearts in other lands
      are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

For the entire hymn text, do an internet search for the hymn writers, Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness.  The hymn tune is the familiar FINLANDIA composed by Jean Sibelius.