My friend Joy had her status on facebook set as "Joy is so blessed to be living in the freedom of grace." Since then I've been thinking about freedom. I shared with her that:
"in Bible study we have been working through the first chapter of Ephesians. We talked about redemption (v7). I explained that this imagery has to do with Christ purchasing us for the purpose of setting us free. We are now free to reject sin, among other things! We couldn't do that before! Amen!"
Since sharing that with her, I've been striving to apply the truth that I am free to reject sin to specific areas of my life. Well, mostly one specific area - food! I generally try to eat healthy things like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The problem is that in doing this I don't cut out the unhealthy things. Not only that, but the purpose of food is to nourish our bodies, not satisfy a craving. So, instead of trying to convince myself that I don't really need whatever it is I'm feeling like eating or trying to convince myself that "I really shouldn't" I've started reminding myself that I'm free NOT to do it. It's a good perspective shifter and redirects my thoughts to "things above, not earthly things."
In what area of your life has Satan been able to convince you that you can't help the way you feel or you are powerless to change the way you have been? Remember that Satan is the Father of Lies and that YOU ARE FREE! As some of us enjoy the freedom of a day off work, as we remember the national freedoms we have because of the sacrifices others were willing to make, I pray we will remember the sacrifice that Jesus made and the spiritual freedom that we now possess to reject sin. Today I pray that you will experience the blessedness of living in the freedom of grace.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Various Updates, because I've been a blogging slacker :)
OK, what do I need to update you on?
Helena High Men's Varsity Soccer (Michael is an assistant coach) won the State Championship in a crosstown battle that wasn't settled until two overtimes and a PK shoot-out!! What a game! Michael was really excited because he coached most of the Seniors on the JV team during his first year when they were Sophomores. This was a good note to go out on as there is not soccer in class C schools like Columbus High School.
I was in a car accident! It was sort of a head-on collision! I'm doing fine, I feel better every day. I mostly just had bruises and pulled a muscle in my neck and shoulder. And, as my cousin Kelly was happy to hear, I have not had a single headache since the accident. I'm driving a rental and we are waiting to hear from the other guy's insurance about our car (the accident was his fault).
Now about a house. We (including Michael's parents) though we had one, but it fell through due to building restrictions in the subdivision. We have our eye on another one that looks good on the Internet :) We'll be able to take a look at it when we are down in Columbus on the 17th and 18th for Michael to preach his first sermon as the new pastor! I've started packing this week while Michael and Haddie are away hunting.
Michael and Haddie are away hunting. One of our friend's church plants started this men's' retreat last year. He took every thing he would need to hunt any thing from deer, to waterfowl, to upland birds, pheasants and turkey! Please pray for him this coming week as he finishes preparing his Thanksgiving sermon and maybe starts working on a Christmas series.
I was just about to say that I had covered every detail of our lives, but . . .
Michael's birthday was on Tuesday (the 6th). He got a lot of great phone calls from family and friends (and NAMB!?!) He's 33 if you were wondering :)
If you have a moment, please keep my family in your prayers: My brother-in-law and sister are also moving to accept a ministry position at a different church. They have found a place to live, now my sister just has to pack the house with an 1 1/2 year old and a 3 1/2 year old running around! Also keep my parents in you prayers as this is, by extension, a stressful time for them also, besides all their own stuff.
Thanks for your prayers. We love you.
Helena High Men's Varsity Soccer (Michael is an assistant coach) won the State Championship in a crosstown battle that wasn't settled until two overtimes and a PK shoot-out!! What a game! Michael was really excited because he coached most of the Seniors on the JV team during his first year when they were Sophomores. This was a good note to go out on as there is not soccer in class C schools like Columbus High School.
I was in a car accident! It was sort of a head-on collision! I'm doing fine, I feel better every day. I mostly just had bruises and pulled a muscle in my neck and shoulder. And, as my cousin Kelly was happy to hear, I have not had a single headache since the accident. I'm driving a rental and we are waiting to hear from the other guy's insurance about our car (the accident was his fault).
Now about a house. We (including Michael's parents) though we had one, but it fell through due to building restrictions in the subdivision. We have our eye on another one that looks good on the Internet :) We'll be able to take a look at it when we are down in Columbus on the 17th and 18th for Michael to preach his first sermon as the new pastor! I've started packing this week while Michael and Haddie are away hunting.
Michael and Haddie are away hunting. One of our friend's church plants started this men's' retreat last year. He took every thing he would need to hunt any thing from deer, to waterfowl, to upland birds, pheasants and turkey! Please pray for him this coming week as he finishes preparing his Thanksgiving sermon and maybe starts working on a Christmas series.
I was just about to say that I had covered every detail of our lives, but . . .
Michael's birthday was on Tuesday (the 6th). He got a lot of great phone calls from family and friends (and NAMB!?!) He's 33 if you were wondering :)
If you have a moment, please keep my family in your prayers: My brother-in-law and sister are also moving to accept a ministry position at a different church. They have found a place to live, now my sister just has to pack the house with an 1 1/2 year old and a 3 1/2 year old running around! Also keep my parents in you prayers as this is, by extension, a stressful time for them also, besides all their own stuff.
Thanks for your prayers. We love you.
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