Tag: freedom

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The Joy of Freedom

Last night  I brought my oldest home from school and he realized that between now and next Wednesday night, the only thing he had to do was to take one test and go to church on Sunday morning.

What freedom!  I anticipate the that the joy he will feel as he finishes his last exam today and understand that he is free (for a while) from the confines of school and homework.  Oh, the joy of being able to do whatever he wants with no projects or major commitments hanging over his head.

There is so much joy in freedom.  I treasure the days when I am not handcuffed with a day full of schedule meetings.  We yearn for the simple days of vacations when we have no one telling us where to be and what to do. ( let me pause and reflect… oh only 18 more work days!!)  And our spirits compel us to look for something that set us free from the curse of the daily toils, and when we find it- oh what joy.

 16-18Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, The Message)

As we enter the Memorial day weekend, be so thankful for those who have come before us to fight for the freedom that we enjoy in this country.  And with that also remember how that freedom facilitates access to the the spiritual freedom that comes from the Christ.

Share it!  You are free to!  Woot Woot!!

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Who Dresses You?

Yesterday I went out to lunch with a old friend and when we got to the restaurant we noticed some other co workers already there eating. Since my friend had not seen these guys for a while he went over and spoke with them. As the conversation wrapped up, one of the guys said to me in jest ( or I think it was in jest) “It’s so good that Amy dresses you, or there is no telling what you would look like”. In response I said “Me too, as I would just be naked all the time”. Of course that quickly ended the conversation with laughs and giggles.

Although that was a humorous conversation and I actually pick out my own clothes int he morning, and usually at the store as well ( some of you are not surprised and wish that Amy would dress me!). But here’s the thing – as we consider our spiritual selves, when we attempt to dress ourselves we unfortunately are as I responded – exposed, and uncovered and unprotected. But when we put on the clothes of Christ we are spiritually unstoppable!

23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:23-29 (New International Version, ©2011)

Heirs to the promise – unstoppable!

And with the clothing of Christ on, we are changed, and different.

13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:13-14 (New International Version, ©2011)

So as you go about today, consider who has dressed you. Are you dressing yourself and therefore leaving yourself exposed or are you putting on the clothing of Christ!

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Happy Freedom Day

Since yesterday was National Religious Freedom Day and today in Martin Luther King Junior’s Day, it seems very fitting to write a little bit about Freedom.

Yesterday the nation commemorated the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, which provided the right to practice or not practice any religion you choose.

Today, we remember the great civil rights leader MLK Jr, and he efforts for racial equality and the freedom of to be able to be treated the same regardless of race.

These are both just remarkable blessings and things we should hold in high honor.  The blessings to be able to live in a land where you can be treated fairly regardless of of your faith, your gender, or your skin color is absolutely incredible.  However, those blessings pale in comparison to the freedom we are giving in Christ.

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The yoke of slavery to sin and addiction.  You see no matter how oppressed you are by your government or by other people ( God Forbid), the freedom from sin and the salvation connected with that are still available. It’s such an awesome way to be able to approach to day, knowing you are not a slave of your desires.

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15

So, all you freemen, approach the day with gratitude, for all the freedoms you enjoy, and use them wisely!

We Shall Overcome!

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Thank You Veterans Day

I started this post with ‘Happy Veterans Day’, but that just didn’t seem like the appropriate words, so I changed it to Thank You Veterans Day.  And with that a big huge shout out to all the veterans out there.  Thank you for your service and for you participation in helping to keep us free.

Make sure you take a moment today to consider whatever you are doing, whether it be work, or watching a game, or surfing the internet, or shopping or eating what ever you want for lunch and think about how great that freedom is.  Then remember to thank the veterans who have fought against forces that would want to take those freedoms away.  And then remember to use those freedoms for good!

And the same with your spiritual life.

Thanks veterans!

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (New International Version)

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Freedom Expressed

It is good to reflect the day after election day on how wonderful a process the elections are.  No matter who won, we have the ability to express our beliefs and vote for who we want.  This freedom is such a blessing.  So today, red or blue, be thankful for the peaceful way we express our desire for leaders and the controlled way the exchange will happen over the next few months. Following that theme here are two mini-thoughts for this post election Wednesday

I think it was interesting that the verse of the day at Bible Gateway today is this from Romans:

“[Submission to Governing Authorities] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”- Romans 13:1

Whether your man (or women) won or lost, remember that God has established the authorities, and we should give them the respect that is espoused in their position.

The second mini-thought today is about freedom.  Like I said above it is such a blessing.  Today relish in that, and realize that is a gift, however, don’t use it for selfishness, use that freedom each and everyday to bring glory to god.

13-17Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (1 Peter 2:15-17, The Message)