Whatever

"The first step on your personal journey to living in absolute freedom is facing your bondage" says Donna Partow in her book Living in Absolute Freedom. "It begins when you realize that although the promises of our culture sound wonderful, you are in constant danger of being enslaved. We become seduced by our culture, eager to get our hands on the best this world has to offer." The author says we need to go God's Word, the Bible. "God has sent us into the world, but we are not to allow the world into our hearts."

As she says, we are free to smoke, drink, and eat junk food all day. But are these things beneficial? Do they line up with I Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

And "We are free to make our own choices, but let us never forget: First, we make our choices, then our choices make us. The next time you are exulting in the truth that you are free to make your own choices, remember: You are not free from the consequences of those choices."

Also, "I am free to watch R-rated movies, but are they beneficial to me? Does my doing so line up with Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

This book has given me alot to think about. It is easy to go with the "ways of the world" and of our society, choosing to do things which are not truly beneficial. We tend to think that we have to "give up" our freedoms, such as freedom to watch certain movies, or eat or drink in ways we enjoy. For me, it is new to think of this in terms of "choices". I have the freedom to make a choice. It is up to me which choice I make.

Jesus Set Us free ... Are You Free?

Have you ever seen a circus elephant and wondered why that dinky little rope around its ankle is strong enough to hold that great big elephant? Well, it isn't strong enough, but the elephant thinks it is! When a baby elephant is being trained, they use a strong chain around its ankle and tie it to a post. The baby tries and tries to get free, but it can't break the chain. When it finally decides it can't get free and gives up, then the trainer substitutes a dinky little rope for the chain. In its mind the elephant has already decided it can't get free, so it gives the power to the rope to enslave it. It would be so easy for the elephant to break free, but it doesn't even try.

There are many things that people allow themselves to be chained by - from Oreo cookies to other people's opinions. The book Living in Absolute Freedom by Donna Partow provides wonderful examples and insight, and also a longer version of the story about the circus elephant. She reminds us that when Christ went to the cross, he broke the chains that bind us. He set us free from the power of sin and death. If you have trusted Christ for your salvation, you're no longer in bondage.

If you are not living free, it's probably because you ( or someone else ) has tied some dinky little rope around your ankle. Since you haven't taken a close enough look, you're giving that rope far more power than it deserves.

I am finding the book Living in Absolute Freedom to be very insightful. I'm only on Chapter 3, and I'll let you know what else I learn as I read through it.

Thy Will Be Done

I have been studying FREEDOM. I am surprised by what I have been learning. We think that we are free when we are "free" to do whatever we WANT to do. But so often, as we pursue pleasure and indulge ourselves, we make choices which ultimately are harmful. We may even become enslaved by addictions to alcohol, gambling, shopping, and .... OH NO ! ... the internet.

We may be caught in a "rat race" trying to buy bigger TV's, fancier phones, more fashionable clothes. Perhaps we have become stressed out and frustrated. We long for more peace of mind, more kindness, more love in our world. It could be that we find we have become like the man in Romans 7:19 "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."

However, if we choose to go the way of God, then we find ourselves becoming more and more free. And if we can get to the point where our own will has become the same as God's will, then we have become TRULY FREE. Psalm 143:10 says: "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness." I like to think of it as:

"Let my will and thy will be one."

Don't click on anything! Just sit and wait and eventually you will get to see the show ... there are 5 images. Trust me ... it's worth the wait : )

Fellowship

I just got back from the Wednesday Night Alive meal and fellowship at the church. It was like being with family for a special occasion, all of us sitting around one big table, enjoying home-cooked food and good company. It was wonderful.

THANKSGIVING

Today is Thanksgiving Day. We give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. Praise God. Especially for God's mercy am I grateful. Even though we are so far from perfect, God has mercy and loves us nevertheless. God's love is patient and kind. God's love never ends.