In God we Trust ... Hope ... Find Freedom!

Happy Independence Day… This week we will celebrate the 4^th of July in America. It is a day set aside to celebrate our patriotism and the signing of the Declaration of Independance from England. We will watch patriotic programs, celebrate with family and friends, possibly take some time to give thanks for our freedoms as American, we will even renew our commitment to those who sacrificed for our nation. We will be patriots.

Patriots… are people who care about this country, and what it stands for. Patriots are people who recognize the benefits of the Constitution, people who hope to preserve our nation’s values. A patriot is one who votes, earns a honest living, studies our nation’s history and knows what is going on today.

Believers are dual citizens…regardless of what it says on our passports, as Christians, we hold dual citizenship. We’re loyal to our native home, but we recognize that we’re also part of the Kingdom of God. If we at times feel uncomfortable, it’s because we’re not really home yet. The Bible tells us to submit to, respect, and pray for those in governmental authority, but it also lets us know WHO our Sovereign is. We are citizens of Heaven and subjects of the King of kings.

The psalmist in Psalm 146 verse 2 the declaration of a long obedience in the same direction as … “I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.” A journey of a long obedience in the same direction requires the words, “All my life” and “as long as I live.” There is not a partial following of God’s ways. He doesn’t leave room for some or partial. Either you are all in or you are not. You are on board or you are not in God’s Kingdom.

So we learn to be a patriot in God’s Kingdom is …  in God we trust, in God we hope, and in God we find freedom. 

You Know I love ya, Don

Transforming me in 2014: Practicing all aspects of authentic forgiveness

Sins damage the human soul.  Education does not bring healing.  Practicing forgiveness does! Forgiveness is the key to freedom. Fully receiving God’s forgiveness, effectively forgiving other people and sincerely asking others to forgive us allows God to heal the damage caused by sin.

 Colossians 1:13-14 says; “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Practicing forgiveness is like having someone repair damaged hardware in your computer. The truth has new meaning when you truly forgive those around you. This is the activity most commonly left unattended and hinders transformation.

Developing a lifestyle of forgiveness is essential to life-transformation and spiritual formation.

Seeking transformation in 2014...You know I love ya, Don

May we never forget....Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day.

It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

For more information and Memorial Day historical facts click "Memorial Day."

I am remembering those we love that have gone on before us and those that have died giving there all for our freedoms on this day. We love you....Don

Set free to serve

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." - Matthew 7:24-29

Jesus' words are refreshing...It takes work to build your house on the rock. It takes commitment to God, to each other and to life. Over the last few weeks, I have strategically been blogging about orthopraxy...this is the belief that right action is as important as religious faith. In other words, it is to live a full life being putting into action things that are right.

A Christ-follower is set free by exercising prayer & fasting, exercising meditation, exercising worship, exercising right living, and exercising faith.The truth does not set you free for fleshly desires, but in contrast the truth sets you from fleshly desires and the truth makes you a servant.

     What is holding you in bondage today?

           What sin in your life is keeping you a prisoner?

                    How can you renew your commitment to Jesus and His purposes in your life?

The parole board has come to you. It is time for renewal in your life...let the truth set you free through prayer, fasting, meditation, worship, and faith...be set free...become a servant.

You know I love ya, Don

Holding on to be "Set Free"

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:32

Truth...what is truth? Men and women have been asking this question through the ages. Pilot asked Jesus this same question at the trial. Dictionary.com states truth as, "Verified Absolute Fact."

Did you know that in 1828 Noah Webster's dictionary gave this as an example when defining truth: "to rely on the truth of spiritual prophecies." Webster seemed to think that spiritual prophecies were based on truth. Today, the many people in the world believe truth to be relative. They feel each person can have their own version of the truth - that there is no ONE truth out there.

Jesus said he came to bear witness and to affirm the truth. What truth was He talking about? In the book of John alone, truth is mentioned 50 times. It seems like it was important to Him and that it should be important to us.

We as Christians are to believe that The Word of God is Truth. And according to the definition of the word truth, we are to view the Bible as fact and reality. The scriptures are God revealing Himself to us. Thus, the ancient texts are revelation of God in Jesus. Jesus is the truth along with the teachings He brought to reality and the teachings of the prophets before Him. When Jesus said to know the truth and the truth will set us free, He was pointing at Himself. Jesus is God revealed.

I wonder how many Christians "know" the truth? Knowing and being aware are two very different things. I am aware of President Obama, yet I do not know Him. I am aware of the African continent, but I do not know it. I am aware of skydiving, but I have never experienced it. Every Christ-follower can "know" Jesus. God can be known beyond being aware of Jesus. He desires a relationship with us. Thus, in the knowing Jesus a person can be set free.

"All knowing God, thank you for the revelation and the scriptures that bring life. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to live in a country that allows me to study the texts freely. Please help me to treasure the truth and know You in a way others will see you in me. Amen."

I know and I am set free...you know I love ya, Don

Freedom!

White marks on the sidewalk were the only signs that remained of the massacre. It had occurred when a death squad killed street kids as they slept in front of a cathedral in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Concerned Christians had marked the sidewalk with chalk as a simple monument to these anonymous children.

If freedom means no rules, no parents to tell us what to do, no school, and no accountability for our whereabouts, then these kids were free. Maybe as children some of us even dreamed of having such freedom. But this tragedy helps us realize that freedom is more than living without structure or rules.

Freedom needs a foundation and a purpose to make it valuable. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, affirms freedom as an important part of the Christian life. But he also says to use this freedom for service and love.

Christians are called to freedom that creates safe places for abused and rejected children, that opens a space for young people to find direction for their lives, that helps people of all ages to find meaning and purpose. Freedom to make a positive difference in the world -- that is freedom indeed! "For freedom Christ has set us free. -Galatians 5:1 (NRSV)"

It is awesome to live in a Country that is ruled by the people and free from oppression. It is also a joy to celebrate our Country's freedom this week, but as we celebrate, let us never forget the price our fellow Americans have paid make to give us political freedom AND may we never forget the price Jesus paid to give us eternal freedom!

Have a great USA Independence Day and You know I love ya, Don

Freedom, Grace, and Hope for 2009

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." - Romans 5:5-6

Romans is a great book that lays out the Christian faith in a legal manor. The Apostle Paul is strategically educating his readers on the truth that will set us free and how the Truth (Jesus) fulfilled the Old Testament Law. The conclusion is that Christ-followers are free from the bondage of sin.

There is also a great and powerful gift in the GRACE of God. God's grace not only sets us free but draws us into a closer relationship with our creator, grants us a desire for discipline, and brings a special hope in our future. Therefore, as we strive to please Him and worship Him, we may face struggles, but these struggles are only temporary and pale in comparison to Jesus' love.

This is a great way to start the new year....there is hope, don't forget that.

You know I love ya - Don