Freedom

Today, my friend Isaac wrote me a message and told me about Galatians 5:1

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free"

 

 "What does it mean to live in freedom?"  (insert your answer here) Your answers are important, please if you read this, post it in a comment.
"What keeps US from the freedom Christ gives?" ( Insert your answer here)
(Mark 15: 21, Luke 23: 26)
Simon, a man from Cyrene, met the soldiers as they were forcing Jesus to Carry the cross upon which he would be crucified on. They forced Simon to take the cross and carry it.
Simon, a man, in sudden haste, forced to carry a cross of a man who claimed to be the Savior. If you were Simon, you probably knew about the accusations of Jesus, but what if you were forced to carry the "Saviors" cross?

How would Simon answer this question " What does it mean to live in freedom?"

What is the rest of Simons story?  What did he tell others?

Do you think Simon learned of the freedom in that walk, the sight, the sounds, or the cry from our Lord ON the cross... the cross that he too carried?

DID he learn of the freedom, the freedom we were given that day?

Today, Christians are falling into a deadly trap, of not embracing their freedom in Christ, but instead embracing their shame and guilt.  Young women live in guilt of who they once were and what they once did, because they are judged by a man. Same thing for men. A million examples can be given. Friends, our sin is not domineering to our God. Our sin is not bigger than our God.

Our Savior has set us free.

Our Savior has set you free.

EMBRACE IT.

"Who the Son sets free is free indeed"

 

Acts 11: 19-21, Romans 16: 13

 

Unfinished

"My Soul finds Rest in God Alone"

Psalms 62:1

Minnesota: 3 weeks down. How many breaths have I taken? If we do the math correctly we would get a number that is probably alot higher than 345,893,009 breaths. These are breaths I have taken with people around me, in unfamiliar and familiar places.
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We are called TO LOVE, and to be loved. We are the Beloved of the Lord.

"Goals and the Process"

I wrote that paragraph above 5 months ago. Little did I realize, that finished products are not quite my cup of tea. As you can see, I stoped writing after the 4th sentence. I also have 26 blog "drafts", all within the past 3 months. (This blog will probably stay unfinished and if you read it, congrats, because I would be so lost). Not even my paintings that have seen hours of wet paint on them, have been called "FINISHED". Is something is wrong with me? I must loose motivation fast.

Back in April, I was painting in the studio.  We were in the midst of a conversation and my Profesor told me,

 

"Nothing ever is finished. If you call it finished, it wasnt worth the paint."

 

You see, when he said that to me, I turned around, my eyes widened, and I gave him the most sincere smile, . Finally, i was able to figure it out! I was so comforted knowing that the finished products arent always the purpose. I needed to hear that.

The problem with me, is my perspective is changing all the time... no wonder I cant finish anything.

Perspectives are constantly changing. A change of perspective bring us out of ruts, out of mood swings, bad behavior patterns, bad habbits. depressions, etc... A change of persepctive also enhances our lives. We see more, acknowledge more, realize more, and we are more aware. Perspectives allow us to be creative, and understanding.



However, today I struggled.

My perspective on my life was challenged.  I was thinking about my goals in life. Am I headed toward my finished product? Is what I am doing right now helping me get there? 
I dont want to talk about my specific life goals in the blog, that is for a personal converation that i will hopefuly have one day with you)

Goals are great, but it is the process that shapes and forms us. We may never get to our goal, perhaps that is not Gods desire for you, but instead his desire is shaping you into his Beloved. The process is where we see the life changes. The process is where you will see a new  glimpse into a new perspective,  new challenges, new loves, new understanding, and new goals arise.



It is the process that changes us.

Today,  I was reminded of Gods grace in my life. My Lord is domineering over my fears, pains, and anxiousness. Friends, dont ever leave his Word, hold fast, stay strong, take part in the blessings of his Sacraments, and cling to what is good. From there He shapes you into his.  We never finish, until we run into His arms.

my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him