Let Freedom Ring

Memories…

They can be like a refreshing walk down a garden path OR


Memories can sometimes flood us with pain.


Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining my grandmother and grandfather at my teenage son’s school. Jared’s history class is studying World War II and the teacher invited my 89-year-old grandfather to talk to two classes about his experience.

Now just to let you know, my grandfather never talked about the war for years. In fact it wasn’t until my son, his great-grandson, was in elementary school and my curious boy took an interest in World War II that my grandfather even opened up about his time serving our country.


After the class, I took my grandparents to lunch. I knew that it had been difficult for my grandfather, not just because he is nearly ninety years old, but because of the emotions and heartache attached to that very difficult time in his life. Yes, even as believers in Christ, we are not immune to pain and suffering.


During class, my grandfather talked about the two battle campaigns he served during his tour in Italy, his injury while riding a tank, how he was a radio man in the 88th Army Infantry Division – how he was told that he was dispensable, but the radio was not.


God in his infinite wisdom and plan saw my grandfather through. He came home, but many did not. What my Pappy did not say in class, my Nanna said at lunch. “You didn’t say how difficult it was to step over the dead bodies of your buddies.”


The moment my grandmother said those truthful words, tears slid down my dear grandfather’s face. He had been doing his best to hold back his emotions during class, however I saw his eyes fill up several times. So did mine. Now his tears fell unchecked as did mine.


“These things bring back painful memories.” My Pappy’s once strong hands shook as he took off his glasses and wiped his eyes then nose with a white hankie from his pocket.


“I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for you, Pap.” I leaned in over the table so he could hear me better. “But, I do understand how difficult it is to talk about painful memories. I have to speak to two women’s groups next week about my testimony and share what happened when Gerry died. That hurts.”


I looked at both my loving grandparents sitting across the table from me. Their gray hair adorned their heads like crowns of glory. Wisdom from years of walking with the Lord etched the lines of their faces and the tenderness of their hearts. Their love and prayers to the God they love and serve, the Lord Jesus Christ, have been a constant source of strength in my life.


“Please pray for me next week.” I stood and walked around the table and squeezed my grandfather’s shoulders and kissed his cheek. “I love you Pap. Thank you for risking your life to keep us safe. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”


The memory of this day is one that I will not forget…


My heart goes out and my prayers go up for all the families of those who are serving our country. Let freedom ring!


Living the adventure,

Foolishness OR the Power of God?

At church on Sunday our pastor had us reference Scripture in I Corinthians chapter two. As I glanced across the page to chapter one, I recognized a particular verse and jotted it down for later reference. Here it is:

"FOR THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS IS FOOLISHNESS TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING, BUT TO US WHO ARE BEING SAVED IT IS THE POWER OF GOD." I CORINTHIANS 1:18

Have you ever gotten a "crazy" look from people when you've tried to explain what it means to be saved from sin and come to Jesus Christ? I can't help but think about my last post and what an unbeliever, one who hasn't experienced a personal relationship with Jesus, might think. I know there are people out there in the cyberworld reading.

Maybe they are saying, "Hey that lady is nuts!"

But the Bible says that to those who are perishing, the message of the cross is foolishness. Does that make God's message any less real, just because it seems foolish to some people? Does it mean that we shouldn't talk or write about Jesus? Absolutely not! God wants us to get HIS message out there to people who are perishing. People need the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

To those of us who are saved, or being saved, the message of the Cross is the power of God. What does the Bible mean when it says, "being saved"?

I had a pretty good idea of what "being saved" meant, but I thought I'd call our pastor, (aka my dad, yep, my family and I have the honor of still attending the church where my dad is pastor). Being saved would refer to the process of salvation. Once we come to Christ and ask Him to forgive us of our sin and come into our life, we are saved from our sin, saved from Hell, saved to Heaven for all eternity. That's for keeps.

But "being saved" everyday is a process. Each and every day we live and breathe and experience life, we are transformed. Dad referred me to a good cross-reference of II Corinthians 3:18. Let's take a look at what the Bible says:

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Simply put, we are becoming more like Christ until the day we go home to be with Him. That is God's desire, that we be separate from sin, sin that can entangle us, hurt us.

Aren't you glad to know the power of God unto salvation? If you don't, ask God to show Himself to you. I can give you a BIG hint where to start... open up His Word, the Bible. He has revealed Himself and His eternal love and plan for the ages. And then pray and say, "Lord, I want to know you..."

Live the adventure,

God's Offer, Our Choice

Does God want all people to come to Him and be saved from their sin? YES!

Does that mean everyone will come to Him and be saved? NO!

Friends, each of us has a choice. It's called "free will". God did not make us robots - preprogramed.

Listen to what God says in I Timothy 2:3-6 after talking about the importance of praying and giving thanks. When the Bible says, "men", that is an all inclusive word and includes women and children too:

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is ONE Mediator between God and men, the Man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time."

Did you see those words - ALL? It is God's desire that ALL people would be saved. Salvation, to be saved, simply means this: putting your faith and trust in the One who can save - the Lord Jesus Christ, God come in the flesh, Immanuel, God with us! This is more than just a Christmas and Easter message - it's a message that should change our lives, everyday of the year, yes for all eternity!

So what do we need to be saved from?

Our sin that separates us from God and an eternity in the lake of fire, Hell, a place originally made for the devil and the fallen angels. We are saved from our sin to an eternity in Heaven with God. Yes, friends, we all sin. The Bible says by nature we are born into it. But the Bible says we can be forgiven of our sin, saved from our sin, by coming to the One mediator (see the Bible verse above) there is between God and man - Jesus! Confessing your sins to a mere man does not bring forgiveness. There is only ONE man you should go to - JESUS! God Himself has made the way, the only way to be saved!

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:8,9

And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things have I written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that YOU MAY KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE..." I John 5:11-13

If you are still uncertain, go back to one of the most basic Scriptures there is - John 3:16. That's what I do when I'm confused by what people or theologians might say.

"For God so loved the WORLD, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in Him SHOULD not perish but have everlasting life."

Oh let's add in here John 3:17 as well. It's wonderful.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him MIGHT be saved."

Do you see those words SHOULD and MIGHT? It's a choice God gives each of us. The provision is there through Christ - we need to realize we are sinners, repent, asking God to forgive us and accept Christ into our life. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is the payment for our sins. Yes, folks, sin is that awful and God is that holy. No sin can enter His presence.

So, God offers salvation to ALL. Will all claim it? No. But the offer is still good - as long as you have breath on this earth. Once you die, your opportunity is up - gone - over - your eternity is sealed. It's a matter of life or death, heaven or hell - for all eternity.

God offers life. What will you chose? Choose Christ and live the adventure with Jesus! You won't regret it!

Blogging Bonanza!

Isn't blogging great? Where else could you go on the internet to find interesting facts about people and their lives? I know, I know, there's those other ways of connecting - my teen is all about quick info. on those networks like F*A*C*E*B*O*O*K *, etc., etc., etc. But for now until he is launched from the nest to college, I'll stick with my tried and true blogging ways.

I like stories and to me blogging is telling a story - kind of like a mini-book of sorts, not just quick bites of info. And there's all kinds of fun to be found. Like the great giveaway contest my blogging friend Maxine is running right now.

Hop on over to her site called Speakable Gifts for a chance to win a fun children's board game by clicking here. And while you're there, browse around at her site. I know you'll enjoy all the great information she has made available to you. It comes from a wealth of experience of walking with the Lord Jesus. Maxine is one of the most humble, honest, practical saints I know, always encouraging and pointing people to Jesus her Savior.

She also has two other great sites called Nanna's Reflections and her devotional site called Scraps of Glory. She is a talented writer and draws you in with every carefully thought out and prayed about word.

So stop on by this blogging bonanza and don't forget to enter her contest. What better way to spend time with little ones than playing a wholesome game? If not for you, win it for someone you know. Come on now... live the adventure!