Live in Freedom

The reminders of freedom will be ringing loud throughout the day and balance of the week as we celebrate the birth of our nation. It’s difficult to believe that Independence Day is here again. I’ve often heard that the older one gets, the faster time will fly. This, as all of know is a special time of celebrating a very special birthday and a time to celebrate our freedom and independence.

Birthdays are special times of being thankful for achieving another milestone in one’s life.  I am well aware that as one starts getting older, birthdays start to mean less and less.  For many it is just look at it as being one day older than yesterday. However, birthdays are special times to look back over one’s life and remember the significance of the journey and the successes and sacrifices that helped to mould who we are as an individual or nation.

Therefore, I sometimes wonder, because of her age, are we now starting to lose the significance of who we are as a nation, where we came from and how we obtained the freedom for which we enjoy?  Today, we have an opportunity to take some time out our busy schedule to just pause and remember what this special day is all about.  It’s not just about time off work, hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill and fireworks; it’s celebration of freedom!

During the celebrations let’s not forget our freedom did not come without a price.  True freedom is never really free; someone paid the price.  Perhaps someone close to each of us gave the ultimate sacrifice and we must never forget. Remember them by name and thank God for them. We live in freedom as a nation because many men and women were willing to pay the price so that others could live free.

Political freedom is great and greatly to be honored.  However, we as individuals may live under an umbrella of freedom and still be in captivity.  Captivity comes in different ways to keep us from being all of whom we were meant to be.  One’s captivity may be in attitude, low self-esteem, financial, greed, past wrong-doings, present regrets and future fears or it may be physical challenges. We have the control or change some of these, however, some are beyond our ability or power to change.. The Bible speaks about these types of captivity as "a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions." If we are being held in captivity in any of these areas, this Independence Day would be a great day to declare our freedom and to change the things that are keeping us in captivity.  A good thing to remember is part of a song, “The things beyond myself, I leave to God,” Who knows all things and does all things well.

So, let’s declare this Fourth of July our personal independence day and live in the freedom that only God can give.  Let’s take the words of Jesus literally and apply to our life, “when the son hath set you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Happy Independence Day!

Galatians 5:13-14 “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows.”

Don't Cross That Line!

“I dare you to step across that line.”  Many of us while in our early childhood days made this very common statement.  If the first dare didn’t work, it was on to “I double dare you.”  Most of us remember many of the lines that were drawn by our parents, school officials and other individuals in authority.  We would refer to these as rules.  It is sad to say but in recent years, these “rules” have been translated into “guidelines” which seem to be interpreted as an option. 

I know that this subject is not very popular in the “no absolute” philosophical world in which we live.  One is constantly encouraged or enticed to walk close to the line, have the option to step across when convenient and still maintain the awareness the line.  Therefore, the line between right and wrong is often so transparent that it is difficult to see the difference. I just heard this statement last week from a well-known Christian artist whom I would rather not identify; he stated with approval, “The older I get the more blurred the line between Sacred and secular becomes!”

There are areas that each of us must hold sacred and therefore, refuse to be enticed to step across the line.  I heard the story of a little boy who got mad at his mother and decided to run away.  He packed a bag and started walking around the block.  A police officer saw him and asked him, “Sonny where are you going?  You’ve walked around this block three times.”  The boy stated, “I’m running away from home.”  The police officer asked, “But why are you just walking round and round the block?” The boy replied, “You don’t understand sir; I’m not allowed to cross the street.”[1]

The safest place to walk is at a distance from the boundary.  Trying to walk as close to the boundary as one can walk without stepping across is a difficult place to be.  When personal boundaries are removed by society, it does not mean that it is an okay behavior.  There is still a line between what is legally right and morally right.  We must maintain personal boundaries regardless of what society tells us.  We must be reminded that it’s never too late to repair or rebuild the boundary lines that have been damaged or broken-down.  It is not “old fashion” to build those boundaries into high fences where it is not easy to cross.

One has the choice to stay within the boundaries or to cross them.  The key to a life pleasing to oneself and to God is to learn to say no, before it is difficult to say no, when enticed to step across the line.   We must not take the “dare” and step across the line because consequences are waiting on the other side!

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.”[2]

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[1] unknown

[2] Galatians 5 13

Mountain Climbing

We watched intently as the mountain climber worked his way to the top of the steep incline.    He looked for every safe area in the rocks and crevices to place his hands and then one foot at a time on his way upward.  The energy required to climb was so great but continued to climb to reach the goal.  He kept his eyes focused on the next place for a firm footing and never gave up until he reached the pinnacle for a time of celebration. 

The cameras are now turned off as if the task is now complete.  But wait; he cannot stay on the mountaintop; he must come down.  This is perhaps the most dangerous part of the climb but we rarely get to see that.  We do know that approximately 80% of mountaineering accidents happen on the way down.  One has stated that this is very dangerous because our bodies are not as well suited to climb down as they are to climb up.  We are also reminded that the climber cannot depend on eyesight or the footholds that got him to the top, but on a very careful analysis of the next step below. The safe foothold may be within reach but he cannot see it.

Does this sound like life?  It seems that we are constantly climbing mountains but the celebration time is short-lived until we are challenged by returning to the base of another mountain and start the climb again.  The way down is often very difficult and takes all of our stamina and effort to maintain a firm foothold on life to keep from being destroyed.  Going up may be difficult but going down is most difficult because our plan Is to be successful on the mountain and the descent from the mountain is not planned and is often accompanied with failures and disappoints. 

One of the rules of climbing is that one never climbs alone; there is safety in numbers. We need a support team or a group of climbing companions for ascending and descending the mountains or the mountains of real life situations. When we have the proper support team in place we can make it safely to start the climb again.  These may include:

• A set of guiding principles to live by.
• Traveling companions that are encouragers.
• Proper tools of the trade for climbing.
• Dependence on the experience and sound judgment 
• And most importantly, Jesus--”I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”[1] “He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.”[2] 
  

Enjoy your next mountain climbing experience; and do not allow it to overwhelm you with fear and cause you to lose your footing.  Remember, Christ will be with us to the top and will be there to catch us if we fall.  He is not just a safety net but a close companion along the trip.  Climb with confidence and depend on your traveling companions and remember that we cannot make it alone.  Hear Him whisper, “here’s my hand, we’ll conquer it together and with my strength, you can keep climbing on.”[3]

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[1] Heb 13:5-6

[2] NRSV Ps 121:8

[3] Mountain Climber-George Lewis

The Silence of the Teacher

Life is one continuous time of education with no vacations and no graduations.  Each day is a new learning experience.  The teacher may be a composite of experience, situational relationships, national disasters, health issues, economic downturns, personal financial disasters, life successes and God (if we choose to listen).  We have often heard that experience is the best teacher; however, we have a way of forgetting experience and will often repeat the experiences over and over again, thus obtaining the same results.  That is why we need to communicate daily with our heavenly Father to guide our thoughts and direction in life. 

As in school, we have testing times in the school of life.  While we were attending school, we spent much of our time listening to the teachers to prepare us for passing the exams.  In addition to the instruction, the teachers were always there to help us when we did not understand.  The real two-way communication really occurred at examination time.  Does this sound like the situation relative to our relationship with God?  We often only communicate with Him to ask for help when we do not understand the life lesson or we want something special.  When the testing time comes in school, we depend solely on what we have learned in order to pass or the “cramming” the night before the exam.  It is during this time of taking the exams that the teacher becomes silent.  He/she may be silent but constantly observing.  Is it not amazing that we are never more willing to learn than during testing time? And now the teacher is silent!

One of the most terrifying times in one’s life is when we call on God for a quick answer or direction to take and we hear nothing but silence.  We cry out to God in desperation and He does not seem to be paying attention to our cries for help.  Notice what David said when he cried out in desperation; “Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.  My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught.”[1]  Does this express our thoughts?  What do we say to God when we hear nothing but terrifying silence?  At times, the silence is so loud that it becomes deafening.  If we cannot hear God speaking or see the effects of His voice, does that mean that nothing is taking place or that He has abandoned us? 

      We must not forget that life is a process.  We will experience major problems and disasters like those that we have seen recently with the school massacres or the storms on the east coast or the personal failures and disappointments.  However, we must not give up or give in because if we have prepared during the learning process and know from where our strength comes, we will pass the exams with excellence and come out stronger, even if it seems that God is silent.

      How do we deal with the silence of God?  This silence can be a very positive time for us.  His silence helps us to analyze all the things He has done for us in the past.  We remember how He brought us through the trials and we came forth stronger.  His silence helps us to look at our own circumstances and realize our own weaknesses.  It helps us to tune out the noises of the circumstances and tune in more intently to His silent voice.  It helps us to really trust in Him more.  It is when all of personal resources have been exhausted that His giving really shines through.

      An unknown author wrote, “Why am I unable to hear my heavenly Father’s voice?  Is it because I am not listening?  Are our difficulties a source of distraction?  Could it be our heavenly Father is trying to deal with other more pressing issues and needs in our life?  Could it be that we expect a different answer and the answer received was like the voice of silence?” 

      God is sensitive to our needs and willing to speak to us.  The secret is to be willing to take time to listen to Him.  Are we listening on the wrong channel or are we allowing the problems of life override His voice?  We may want God to speak in a spectacular way but He may choose to speak in a still small voice, or in silence.  Are you listening?  We are encouraged to, “Be still, and know that I am God.”[2] We can be sure---He still speaks.    

“God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness.  He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost.  He's giving everyone space and time to change.[3]

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[1] Psalms 55:1-3 NIV

[2] Psalms 46:10

[3] 2 Peter 3:9

When God Shows Up

      We spend much of our time in life making plans.  Most of us have experienced having big plans to do something special and then something unexpected happens and our plans are out the window.  It just didn’t make sense; it didn’t seem fair; and we spend much time asking the difficult question, “Why?”  At Christmastime we spend much time planning and celebrating a Gift given to us but started His life on earth by interrupting the plans of a young couple.

      Mary and Joseph had great wedding plans.  They were going through the traditions and customs of the times and all of a sudden something changed the situation entirely—God showed up.  Can you, for just a moment put yourself into Mary’s position?  Here she was most likely about fourteen years old and was still a virgin and now something special happened to her.  Notice: Luke 1:28-33 “Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Congratulations, favored lady! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to wonderfully bless you!  Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name him 'Jesus.' He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God. And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his ancestor David.”  She became pregnant by the Holy Spirit to give birth to a very special person—Jesus.  Imagine the turmoil within her life trying to decide when and how to tell her parents and especially Joseph about the encounter and the results of the encounter with God.

      Now put yourself into Joseph’s position and try to understand this.  After all, he was going to take as much ridicule as Mary.  I’m sure his parents and friends did not and would not even believe his explanation.  Matt 1:20-21 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” KJV

      What a difference it made when Mary and Joseph were willing to follow God’s plan for their lives rather than following the traditions and customs of the time.  The whole world is now able to receive this precious Gift--JESUS. 

      Have you ever had God show up when least expected and your plans were changed?  Was it easy for you to allow God to enter into your life-plans and lead you the direction that was not the direction you planned to go?  Most of us want the big things in life, but is God in the plans?  What a difference it makes when we listen to the voice of the Lord and hear Him say, “Jer 29:11-12, “For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah’s message in these verses was to a group of people who were being held captive, and were in exile from their homeland.  He’s writing to let them know that although they’re not where they would have expected, nor where they would have asked God to place them, God has not forgotten them and He still has a plan for them. We need to remember that when God shows up in the middle of our plans, He knows what is best for us and will give us the gift of direction and determination. We need to just be sensitive to His voice, be willing to listen and see what His plans are for us.

      Sometimes we might feel God has abandoned us. Sometimes we might feel all our hope is
lost, but what a difference it makes when God suddenly shows up............In this busy time of the year with so many plans in place, perhaps it’s time to “stop, look, and listen” and see if the Gift of all gifts is saying to us, “I know the plans I have for you…. to give you a future and a hope.”"

Merry Christmas