“Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.” – Albert Camus
45 I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Psalm 119:45 New Living Translation (NLT)
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Tag: Memorial Day
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Send Me
Yesterday, I actually took a few moments and watched the Memorial Day service from Arlington National Cemetery. I even watch the majority of the President’s address. Yes, I know, what a boring Memorial Day right? Well, I had just finished a nice, extra hot 5 miler and stood watching the monitor while I cooled down enough to do anything else.
So, anyway, there was one thing that stood out. That’s actually not true, I did find the there were several very interesting points made by the speakers. But, back to the point, the President mentioned that in a letter he had received from the parents of a fallen soldier, the parents had quoted these words from Isaiah:
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8, New International Version)
These seem pretty appropriate when thinking about a soldier heading off to battle. I think however, that these are also appropriate words for us to consider each day as we head off to the spiritual battlefields. And that is what this blog is about – daily buffeting our spiritually bodies, so that we are ready when we are sent. But in actuality we are sent every day.
So today, how will you answer the Lord’s call?
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Freedom and Memorial Day
It’s Memorial Day and I hope that in the middle you cook outs, lake trips and ice cream, you take a moment to remember those individuals who served America by giving up their lives. Remember those lives sacrificed so that you can enjoy the marvelous freedoms we enjoy in the country.
And then also think about how you are choosing to use those freedoms that you have been afforded.
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, New International Version)
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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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Happy Memorial Day
Its Memorial Day, so enjoy your day of work, enjoy your bbq’s and your time on the water. Summer is officially here!
But also, take a few moments to remember those you fought and died to give you the wonderful freedom you have!
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (New International Version)