Today is July 4th, the birthday of a great nation -- America.

I know, America isn't perfect. Both as a citizen and as a Christian, there are many things about my country I'm not proud of. But, I still love America.

What don't I like about America? Since today is America's birthday, I'd rather tell you what I like about America.

You see, although I'm a Baptist now, my parents were Mennonites. And, America welcomed in my Mennonite ancestors back when the European nations were busy persecuting them. 

The Mennonites were also called Anabaptists. And in Europe, to be called an Anabaptists was one of the worst things you could be called. Anabaptist were considered the religious scum of the earth. 

What was so bad about Anabaptists? Well, for one thing, they insisted on interpreting the Bible for themselves. Needless to say, the ecclesiastical wolves hated this.

The result was, not only were Anabaptists burned at the stake during the Spanish Inquisition, they were also persecuted -- although to a lessor degree -- by the Protestant nations into which they fled.

In fact, even after the reformation, the surviving families of Mennonites experienced more tolerance and freedom in Russia than all of so-called "Christian Europe."

But, America was different. Not only did America welcome in the hated Anabaptists, but for over 200 years now, American has continued to treat them good.

But, you know what? My people -- the Mennonite people -- aren't the only ones who have tasted America's goodness. American has welcomed in many other oppressed people from around the world in exactly the same way.

No, America may not be perfect.

But, I still love America.