Month: June 2016

Happy independence day! Whether you are remembering the great sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom and made America great or celebrating independence wherever you are, remember freedom is not a free pass.

Paul spoke to the Galatians about freedom. He advised not to let freedom be an opportunity to indulge in selfish impulses. Selfish desires go against the Spirit. We can easily be corrupted by what freedom offers but freedom opposes slavery in all forms. We should guard our gift of freedom against all temptations to fall back into bondage. Galatians 5:13 warns us of misguided opportunities freedom allows. Whole countries in history have celebrated what they thought was freedom only to become slaves in another form. There is a partial list in Galatians 5:19 produced by selfish motives. Can you find one of these on the list that has set you into bondage? If not, look into your past to perhaps areas where you were free but fell into bondage when you did not keep your guard up. The opposite to this list can also be found in verse 22 which lists the fruit of the Spirit.

Your choice! Happy freedom day to you all.

T

This post is about pigs. We are all possessed from time to time with our own demons or are you so perfect that you disagree? Look in the mirror! Our demons may vary but I believe we all possess a little evil which is why I believe we should stay focused on being made righteous. How? My last post questioned how we are being made righteous. Is it by our efforts, opinions, law or by our faith? If your confused, then suggest you read more into this topic in Galatians 2 and 3. However, for this post, I would like to stay on the pigs. A man was possessed by many demons. His name was “Legion”. I believe a movie with that name was made. Though not on subject but have you ever wondered why so many movies come out with a demonic theme? I believe because it is very marketable to the curious public. It seems we all have a curiosity towards the evil within. Anyway, back to Legion. He was a real mess. Not the man but the demons within the man. Then he was released from the demons. Where did the demons go? Into the pigs. Were the pigs more valuable than the man? Perhaps, the pigs were used for a better good. What if you owned those pigs and saw them drawn in the water would you be happy about losing your livelihood? I suspect not. So what do you think. What is more valuable the man or the woman saved from a retched existence or business as usual?

Read Luke 8 starting at verse 26 and form your own opinion then listen to my brief message below.

T

We all have a certain belief founded perhaps on what we have learned from our parents or what we have learn from our peers or just the “school of hard knocks”. To put it harshly, we are all entitled to our own stupid opinions. Right? Well not really when it will harm another or break a law. But sometimes, in my opinion, the law or the perceived norm needs to be challenged from time to time. In this modern day of 24-hour news releases, we tend to form a quick opinion that suits our belief system and get passionate about one view over another. I question often the validity of what I hear and attempt to balance what I hear with what I believe. It is not always easy to filter through all of the media noise around us to get to a reasonable conclusion in order to establish an opinion based on our core values. Am I the only one confused with the constant barrage of points of view? Are we made righteous by what we believe to be true through this world’s laws and talking points? Or are we made righteous by our submission to a higher power? Galatians 2:16 says that we are made righteous by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the Law. The story of a woman from the city labeled a sinner did a great service by washing Jesus’ feet with her tears only to be chastised by a prominent man from that same city that was only interested in fame and prestige. Who was more righteous? Read further in Luke 7 and 8 to find out for yourself. Listen to my very brief message below as well.

T

 

 

A family loses a young child to an alligator or a gorilla dies because of a young child’s curiosity. How about a whole group of party goers losing their lives because of an ideological difference so extreme that violence becomes a tool to send an evil message. What will it take? Children’s curiosity will always be a path to maturity. Curiosity leads to dreams which leads in most cases to successful life adventures. Tragically, not all turn out that way but was it the Alligator or Gorilla’s fault that led to a family and national mourning? On the other hand, one person grew up to join a radical terrorist movement meant to impose their radical beliefs. Now that is a tragedy that may have been avoided. We can debate how but I would rather lean on a higher power to direct me. A few thousand years ago people were oppressed by another people and they were looking for a knight is shining armor to save them. Instead they got a suffering servant who saved them and restored them to eternal connection with the ultimate higher power. My question remains. What more will it take? Perhaps the answer can be found within our heart and soul. My prayers go out to the lost due to tragedies currently reported in the 24 hour news cycle. My prayers also go out to this world and may we find peace within.

T

Listen to my brief message that we are all imperfect, God uses us anyway and avoid assumptions.