Tag: freedom

  • Sacrifice for You and for Me

    Thoughts while sitting on the Amphitheater steps of the Unknown Soldier Tomb:

    Oh, the tears, the blood shed
    Represented here in this place.      
    Row after Row after Row
    White tombstones
    Representing sons, fathers, uncles.
    Real live people.
    Real live losses.

    Days gone by.
    Ancestors, family, friends.
    What sacrifices!
    All to secure my freedom and yours.
    Words cannot describe
    The debt we owe
    To the many who’ve gone on before.

    I am humbled, speechless
    Driven to my knees.
    My only response
    Is Thank You.
    And then the tears flow.

  • And be thankful …

    “Forever is composed of nows,” Emily Dickinson.

    My forever (and yours too) is composed of the nows. Exactly what I’m writing about in my new devotional/meditation book. Living in the present. Enjoying the moment right here and now. Even if it hard to accomplish.

    When I first began writing about living in the now was during a personal health crisis. A neurologist discovered I had an operable tumor growing on the left temporal side of my brain. The tumor needed to be removed surgically and the sooner the better. All other life was pretty much put on hold. Daily details focused on an upcoming hospital stay and subsequent rehabilitation.

    I’m writing this post seven years later. God chose to spare me; for which I’ll be eternally grateful. Life is pretty much back to normal. Except I hope and pray lessons learned never vanish.

    • Life is Good. Regardless of circumstances in my life, I’ve got it pretty darn good. I have a roof over my head, food on the table (I don’t go to bed hungry), modern conveniences such as electric, heat, indoor plumbing, and access to the finest educational opportunities. Not to mention ALL the freedoms I enjoy thanks to my ancestors and those serving now: freedom of worship, speech, etc…,

    Through my health scare times, I realized we are not guaranteed tomorrow (not even tonight). Making the best of my situation right now promotes longer life and joy today. Isn’t that what each of us strive for? Being content and happy in our current situation. We are past Thanksgiving and entering the Christmas season. Many around you will exude happiness; some do not feel like rejoicing for whatever reason. Even those who place a smile upon their face probably face troubles and may be masking their inner feelings. Be aware that many fight tough battles. This time of year amplifies unrest.

    Let’s strive together and rehearse our thankful lists. What’s on your thankful list?

    “Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].”  (Colossians 3:15/AMP)

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  • Freedom in the Lord

    I am a work in progress. It’s good to know that this body with all its inferiority, sin, and weaknesses is not a finished product. I’ve still got a long ways to go. A work in progress. Plus, I can be encouraged with the fact that I’ve got God on my side helping, molding, weaving all the good and bad experiences into a pleasing tapestry. Whew! Good to know.

    With the knowledge does not mean that I should feel free to sin all the more or continue to repeat the same dumb mistakes. On the contrary. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I need to strive to do good — to be and do what my Heavenly Father desires of me.

    How does that look in real life? If I see a brother or sister in need, I should go to him and offer my help if I can. When my tongue tends gets away from me or I’m inclined to say unkind things about someone, maybe I should listen more and speak less.

    “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” —          2 Corinthians 3:17, 18.

    “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (NLT).

    Are you becoming more and more like God or more and more like someone God wouldn’t recognize?

    More and more like the Savior I would be. More like him every day.

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  • True Freedom

    “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” — 2 Corinthians 3:17.

    Do you sense that freedom? Freedom that comes only when God is involved. The freedom to speak about what God is doing in your life? I’ve experienced it, and there is no comparison to anything else on earth. I’ve also known bondage — bondage to man’s rules and regulations, bondage to feverishly trying to win another person’s approval and love. Relief may come, but usually is temporary.

    God’s freedom is boundless. His love is unconditional. When I mess up by not seeking his wisdom or approval, I’ve felt disappointment in my soul. And so did God during those times. He gave me life, and he continues to bless me with seen and unseen blessings. Why do I even consider giving him anything but my best? What can I give God today?

                 · My time

                 · My energy

                 · Words of praise 

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  • Draw near to God

    “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

    What a great promise — that when I draw near to God, he will automatically in turn embrace me with his everlasting love. The responsibility is mine to freely give myself to him. No one forces me to get close to God or learn more about his character in the Bible and through godly teachers. But I know for a fact that relief and comfort reside    when I do act on what I know to be true, honest, just, pure and lovely! “The moments I truly live are the moments when I act with my entire will” – Oswald Chambers.  

    The opposite is true when I chose to go my own way and do my own selfish thing … turmoil, chaos, fear, doubt permeate my being and cause all manner of physical and mental distress. This place is not a pretty place to linger. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” — James 3:7

    I have options … choosing to follow the devil = pleasure for a short time, followed by unrest and death; or chose to follow and cling to God = liberation, freedom and life eternal.

    Why not be dominated by God and allow the supernatural power of the life of God invade you?

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