I am glad to be sitting down, and talking to you today! I have been busy, running around because I seem to have been hit with a spring fever. Away with the dark green table cloth in the dining room, bring out the pastels colors and celebrate new beginnings!

Peace seems to hit us in the same way sometimes. It comes from the depths of our spirit, but can only stay when Christ has washed us, cleansed us, and given us much needed grace. We need washing over and over again. His presence and His Holy Spirit never tire of making us fresh and new.

This washing is like a great river that flows from the throne of God. It carries away all that is not God. The cleansing that it brings makes you brighter than the whitest snow. It is a fruit of the Spirit of God.

 We can cultivate this in our lives by keeping His Word before us at all times. I don't mean that you walk around with your Bible open all day, but in your mind you are meditating on the promises of God. "Write them on your doorposts of our house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.      Deuteronomy 11:20-21.

The reason God said to do this on the doors was so that they would see what God wanted every time they were ready to leave., and on the gates also. I think we could do something similar. Maybe write scripture where we would see it every day, some people put a verse on there mirror in the bathroom. Others use their car, but wherever you choose it will help you to keep your mind on peaceful things, and that is what God is after.

I hear others saying all the time- God is faithful. I love to hear it because we all need to hear this time and time again. We forget that in up times and down times He is every bit the same. It's because there is no one else like Him, so we get caught in the everydayness of life, and we forget the heavenly truths that look us right in the face every day.

He is faithful to bring up the sun at just the right time, every morning. He is faithful to warm the earth just enough for the plants and flowers to wake from their sleepy nap. He is faithful to keep the earth at the right tilt so that we don't burn or freeze. He is faithful to keep us from troubles that we may never know about, this side of heaven.We can see when someone else has their feet pulled out of the fire, and they may never know it.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."    1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

I gave you the first verse here because it perfectly explains what verse 24 means. He who is faithful will make you whole. He who saves also does the clean up work. We are being changed on a regular basis, when we allow the Holy Spirit to work. He is sanctifying us, causing us to be made in His likeness for His honor. It's a painful process, but only when we try to fight against His work. Let go, and let God! You will be happy that you did!

Joy is one of those things that we usually think of for very special events. Someone gets married, or has a baby. The Bible tells us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10 We can have joy more than every so often because we are the redeemed of the Lord. Just remembering that the Lord God Almighty is our everything can keep joy very close.

I too often get off course when I allow some little nuisance to grab my joy. We need to guard it so that it doesn't run off on us. My biggest problem is when a nuisance comes from behind, and I'm caught off guard. It could be when my son tells me he has to do an extra semester of college because he lost credits along the way. How about when my daughter informs me that she is not coming home for the summer because her NY job fell through. Oh well, I'm not supposed to get my joy from other people.
So why do I allow their circumstances to change my emotions?

I guess we will have to settle for:"I am a work in progress." I am finding my joy a lot quicker these days. It doesn't take off quite as fast as it used to. I have weathered through a lot of life's storms, and found that it is much easier to hold on tight to the joy that the Lord gives. He is ever so faithful in every circumstance to win me over with His love.

Love is a fruit of the Spirit of God. Probably you have a good idea of what love is, from God's perspective. Many people don't know what love is. The Bible tells us that: "God is love."
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that does not love, does not know God; for God is love... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins.  { 1John 4:7-10}

Since the fall of mankind the word love has been stomped upon, dirtied, and twisted. We can all remember the oldest line in the book, the guy says, I love you so it's ok. Ha, how many unsuspecting girls have fallen for that line, and what does it have to do with love? Nothing. And how many young people have given their hearts away to someone who has trampled on it, with no regard for them, and left a relationship feeling that love is not worth it. If this is love, why bother?

Biblical love is not a feeling, but a commitment.Yes, the feelings can and should be there, but when the tough times come, and they always do, it is the commitment to the words that were said at a altar years before that hold a relationship together. When we don't understand why a person does what they do, the covenant of love holds strong.

I guess the best definition of love is summed up in the other fruit of the Spirit. Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Only a relationship with Christ can grow these fruit in our lives. If you have never asked Jesus to come into your life, repented from your sin, and to lead and guide you, why don't you do it right now? Tomorrow is never guaranteed. The word in our verse for today- propitiation, means that He took our place on the cross, because He is the sinless Son of God. Because of sin, we deserved to be there, but in His love for us, He went to die in our place. Now that is a true definition of LOVE!

God is good! He is just so good, that the word " goodness" cannot hold it all! There are not enough words in english to describe the type of "goodness" that He is. I heard the phrase, " God is good" in a song on the radio this week, and It hit me, that is just not enough to describe Him! I guess that is why He has given us the gift of tongues, because we can't find words in english that are adequate.

Then we have the words that have been overused lately, like awesome. No one ever used this word when I was younger. Now you can hear it all the time. There are the words  "shut up." If you said that to someone they would be offended. I guess I found out about these words being "updated" from the movie, "Princess Diary.

Goodness never happens without the Holy Spirit. There would be nothing worth having if it weren't for the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self -control. As we worship and adore the Lord, goodness is poured down in wonderful ways. We may call it a loving feeling, or a sense of God's presence, but in that goodness comes as well.

Goodness comes to us as we read about the works of Jesus. " And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst'."  John 6:35 
"He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38
We could go on forever. What about the feeding of the 5, 000, or the healing of the countless people from the days He was here on earth to today. Think of all the ordinary people in the old testament that He spoke to.  He longs to speak to ordinary people today too, like me, like you. Are you listening?

What do you think of when you hear the word, gentleness? I thought of Gentle Ben, a t.v. show many years ago about a bear by that name. The dictionary defines it as "softness of action or effect; lightness." The Bible Dictionary says "gentle words wield great power."

"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
"By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone." Proverbs 25:15

Gentleness is not usually seen as having great power, but it does. When we control our emotions, and give a right answer, it soothes away anger and despair. It can tame the savage beast, or maybe a distraught teenager? Yes, it can bring peace to a situation, where there had been strife. Only the presence of God can move over situations of confusion and bring direction.

I think of gentleness as an action, a touch, an arm around someone who needs to know others care. Our words can build us up or bring us down, and those around us.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.    Proverbs 25:11  { NAS}
This is a pretty idea, it is regal and elegant, and so can our words be, if we watch them. We also know out of the same mouth can come blessings and cursing, and the Bible tells us that this shouldn't be so. If we spend our time reading" good reports" good will come out of us. Spend as much time as possible tonight in God's word, it will make a huge difference in what comes out of your mouth tomorrow.

Kindness- A foreign term to some, but well known to those of us that read the Bible. It is a fruit of the Spirit, so as we grow closer to Jesus, this should be one of the signs of our love and devotion to Him. Oh God, sometimes this is so easy, and then sometimes...  I know you can relate. Our patience can wane. Didn't we talk about patience recently? Oh God!!!

Let me relax a bit. When I am relaxed I can be a lot more kind... and patient. I'm sure you can be too.

"Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?  Romans 2:4  { NLT }

This is so very true! No one turns to God because someone made them feel lower than low over their sin. People turn to Jesus, because they see the kindness of God in His servants. They see the love of the Father, because in His patience He never gives up on us! This causes others to want to put away sin, and be filled with that unfathomable love that fills hearts who want to know Him. There is nothing in this world that can fill us, calm us, and continue with us even when we make mistakes.

Stop, slow down, wait and hear from God. If I do this I am happy with the outcome. I have no regrets. I can look back on any given situation and say Thank you Lord, if I slow down, and hear.
It is so worth waiting and listening. Will you join with me in cultivating this in your life? Let's make sure we pray for each other too. Thank - you!

I have always loved the verse where Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself: he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also." John 5:19 Jesus was so in tune with His Father in heaven that he knew what to do, and not to do. We as His children, can hear Him calling as we become attune to hear His voice through His word. We become attune to the voice of the Holy Spirit as we learn of God's ways.

Do I always hear him correctly? No. But I am learning, and He wants our obedience more than our perfection. Our heart has to be in the right place. Sincere cries to God are never put aside. It's just that we don't always like the answers! Yes. No. Wait. Who likes to wait? When I was younger my Dad would not wait on line for a table in a restaurant. I could be all excited about going to a great restaurant, and we would get there and he would walk out the door. Ugh! The thing is, when you do that you might end up waiting even longer somewhere else.

So I know you get it. No one likes to wait, but with God, you see, you don't have a choice. His desire is to see patience grow in us, so we know we have to wait. I am glad His love for us doesn't have to!

I can't believe I just said what I told my girls not to say. Our neighbor just informed us that my son was driving way too fast around the corner by her house. I instructed the girls with me not to say anything to their brother, that I would deal with the problem at the appropriate time. Well, I walk into the house and I am in his face about the whole thing.

I blew my whole lesson, and only made my son more angry at our neighbor! Why didn't I take my own advice? Why was I quick to tell him how wrong he was? Self control? Oh, yes - - that is it.  I wish I could draw a sad face right here, but I can't. I can't blame it on the caffeine I just consumed, although I would like to. All fingers point to me. Yuck!

We all seem like hypocrites at one time or another. Fortunately, my girls didn't catch that, so I wasn't embarrassed. We all want to do the right thing, and we know better, but out comes the curse words, or the degrading tone. Oh,  how I wish I could take those words back. Lord, help me to remember to slow down, put a comma in my speech so that I can catch my breath. Commas help a lot. I know God has forgiven me, because I asked Him to. He always has the right words to say!

" Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.       { Colossians 4:6}  ESV

You may be wondering about these strange looking cars. I was when I first saw them. They are amphibian. People go for rides in them on a lake, just so they can say they did it. It's not my thing but it's different! I am more of the looking type. I like to see what's going on and watch, not always do.

Why do cars have to go in the water anyway? Why can't people be happy with cars on land, and boats in the water? Why do we need to invent more, go farther, learn more? Why isn't it ok , to leave well enough alone? Some people have a quest to makes things better. I guess you could say it is a mission.We wouldn't have some of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century without someone going the extra mile.

Jesus taught us to do that, go the extra mile I mean. He said, If someone needs your coat, give them your hat too. If someone needs food, get them enough for a week. If someone needs a hug, give them two. What do we do when we see a need? Certainly we can't take care of everyones needs. This brings us back to a mission, or calling if you like. God has something for you to do that may look completely different from what He wants me to do.

The important things is, that we do it! I don't want my life to be characterized as the woman who had good intentions. I want Jesus to say of me, Well done, you good and faithful servant. Do you know what God has for you to do? I don't mean the obvious things like caring for your family, or being a good employee. Has he spoken to your heart through His word, or through mentors about your purpose? I know He will because He wants you to know it even more than you do!

Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you humbly to meet my sisters in Christ now, and fill them with the knowledge of what specific mission you have for them. If they haven't heard, give them patience to wait for you to speak to them. Fill them with peace, and to know how much you love them. May they fly above some storms in life if it is at all possible. Make yourself known to them.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Don't look out your window today, look at this beautiful fountain! It's so unusual, that water can be a blessing or a curse. It all has to do with balance. Too much water in the wrong place brings destruction. The ocean, when it is calm makes for the most relaxing, serene scene of all. If a storm is brewing, get as far away as possible!

There is one thing that the Bible tells us we cannot get enough of. Jesus spoke this to His disciples:

"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. " Luke 6:27  [MSG]

If I was there as a disciple and heard these words come from my Master, I'm not sure I would understand. "Jesus looked at them intently and said,'Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible'." Matthew 19:26 {NLT} Even though Jesus is speaking about another topic, it is still true in this case. Who can love the unlovely? Jesus can. Who can love the murderer? Jesus can. If He flows through us, we have the ability, by the Holy Spirit, to love the outcast. Not earthly possible, but heavenly possible.

I like this verse in the Message translation because it is relaxed, and when we understand God's reason behind His ways we are much more likely to follow them. This is abundant live, living above the fray, and bringing glory to God. "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."   Galatians 5:16  {NLT}

The skies above do not look like this today! Oh well, we can deal with it. Let's all meet here by this balloon, when it is warm and we can go for a ride! I guess we all couldn't fit but we could give it a try! It doesn't sound so exciting if we are all crunched in there together.

I have never taken a ride in a hot air balloon. How do you steer that thing? Not knowing how it works could keep me on the ground. I am not a risk taker. My brother and I were very calm as children, but then Allison was born, and she was full of energy. She made us do all sorts of things that we wouldn't have done otherwise, especially at Amusement Parks.

Maybe your the sibling that likes to do the most exciting things and everyone else thinks your crazy?I wonder how Jesus' siblings felt about his life? He was definitely a trend setter, he disturbed lots of people's ideas about what was acceptable to God. He sent the pharisees scratching their heads when He would speak to them. What they missed was the heart attitude. Jesus wanted them to see that what they did wasn't as important as why they did it. The rich young ruler went away from Jesus with much confusion, because Jesus told Him to give away everything that He had, and too much of His heart was wrapped up in those things.

I know that I can get caught up in things way too easily. When shopping with a friend, I can be so sure that I need these new shoes, because I may never find them again! When I get home I try to explain to my husband why I need them. He doesn't care, but I feel that I have to state my case. Of course shoes won't throw me off, but even simple things can turn into more serious problems. Its called materialism, and the boundries can be  different for each of us. It's all about our heart attitudes.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." {Proverbs 4:23}

Here we are, back at architecture! You know I can't pass a door that speaks to me. This reminds me of a castle, and this door comes down to cover the moat. Sounds like a plan! It really isn't a door at all, it is just for looks. Reminds me of some people that I have met in my travels through life.

I would never say anything to their face, because I do wish them God's best, and true happiness. It is sad that they have an exterior, with not much of an interior. This is one reason why I seek after God. I don not want to be that person! From the time that we are very young, to very old, we can ask God to make us like Him.

This process that I am talking about is not without pain. It is hard to lay down our wills for His, but it so so worth it! I am not perfect, and I make mistakes, more than I want to admit, but I don't want to miss out on the blessings of God because I wasn't willing to listen to Him. Oh this hurts,  just realizing my own weakness, but this realization helps me to lean on the Lord more than ever before!

Life is totally different when we release our troubles, fears and turmoil to the only one who can take it. Rest in the grace and love that He has for you. You will be so glad that you did.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 
"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you: he will never let the righteous be shaken.' Psalm 55:22

It's not my fault! It is snowing but I didn't ask for it, and my snowman friend is pretty happy about it. He does look a little Christmasy, but it's March, so it just goes to show you how mixed up our weather is these days! I thought you would't mind seeing him today, because he is kind of cute.

Why are things so mixed up these days? The weather, politics, society, people taking offense over things that used to be accepted? Priscilla Shrier, in her Bible Study," Armor of God" says " Sensitivity to taking offense is one of the key ways Satan traps believers in his web of deception.{p. 48} There is an upheaval going on, and even nature is feeling it. The Bible talks about the mountains, melting like wax at the presence of the Lord.

The earth is feeling and sensing a change, and so are we, the people of God. What is happening, that even the weather is different? We are coming closer to the return of the Lord. This is something that generations before us have said is near, but we know that circumstances have never been like they are now. So how should we live? As people with expectancy, as a mother waits for the birth of her child.

God is preparing His people for the greatest event of all history! The only reason he has lingered, is so that more will be saved. Pray for your unsaved family, loved ones, friends and neighbors! Pray for those you work with! You can pray, without anyone knowing, in your spirit.God hears! Love to all and have a great weekend! Be warm.

I'd like to continue on the theme that we started yesterday. When we look at Abraham and Sarah, we see what happens when we step in front of God and try to make His promises happen in our lives.

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had no children. And she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her. And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.   { Genesis 16: 1-2}

Really? How could anyone think that good would come from that situation? God said, I WILL GIVE YOU CHILDREN! We can get off track, like Sarai when life seems to be passing by, and we don't see what God has said happening. It can be disastrous! Israel will never forget the outcome of Sarai's decision!

The good news is, there is redemption for all of our mistakes, the big and the small. In His excellent mercy, God knew our need for Him would be great, and provided for our Savior to come and redeem us, even before the world began! His incredible love provided in a way that only He could imagine.

Do you need to confess something to God and turn away from it? If you are serious, God will meet you, and forgive. Did Sarai ever ask God to forgive her for stepping ahead of His plan? We may never know, but we know that redemption is available, free and pure, if we just ask. What a wonderful Savior, What an awesome redeemer!

I love mosaics, in fact I have tried to make some of my own. Not too big, just the size of an ashtray. This is not one of mine, and it isn't famous or anything, I just liked it. It kind of reminds me of all the freckles that have been showing on my face lately.

I started using "bio oil" to naturally erase them, but I never stay with the regimen. At night it seems like another thing to do. In the morning I don't want to be bothered either. The label says it takes about 4 months before you see a difference. UGH! Who wants to wait that long to see results!

I have to say that this reminds me of prayer sometimes. I consider it "easier" if I just do what I want, instead of waiting on God. What a mistake because I usually need to go back, and ask the Lord for His advise or seek it out in His Holy Word. I waste more time by not looking to Him in the first place!

I know my "freckles" cannot be seem by anyone but me, so its not a big deal. My prayer time is. As I get older it seems that I want to seek Him more. A good portion of my life is behind me, and I'm fine with that, I'm not longing to be 20! I want to be more like Jesus, because I know what happens when I am at the helm. It's is worth everything to honor Jesus, and bow before Him!

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.  {Isaiah 55:6}

Greetings! What a lovely summer day, not really but we can dream. I like these windows and chandeliers in this walkway. It is very fancy and I appreciate something different.

The sunlight is what makes Florida so appealing! In the winter, the sun is still strong, and warm. Everyone wants to be in the sun. Birds, animals, plants and us of course. Life is sustained by the sunlight that we get almost every day. Our world is safe from the power of the sun, because we are the exact distance from the sun to keep us the right temperature.

I don't believe that the "Son of God" is synonymous with the sun in the sky by coincidence.  God's unconditional love for us is like a warm kiss compared to the darkness of sin and wickedness. Warmth causes us to think of nights by the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket while snow is coming down in the yard. Maybe New York isn't so bad!

I love my time by the fireplace, and I love that knowing God is a warmth like no other. We can only imagine how wonderful it will be to see Him face to face! And the hug He will have for us will feel like a never ending hug.We will be so fulfilled, and never empty again! It boggles my mind to try to imagine this, but Thank God it will not be something we have to imagine for ever!

Our time here is very important in many aspects and God has wonderful purposes for us being here. We can rest in the confidence of knowing His timing is perfect.  He doesn't make mistakes, and He is not a man that He could lie. Rest in His faithfulness, do what He gives you to do. You will be blessed!    "But for you who fear My name {with awe-filled reverence} the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap {joyfully} like calves from the stall.
{Malachi 4:2 amplified}

"He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The King will be his friend. {Proverbs 22:11}

I'll bet you are glad that I didn't choose to write this entire devotion in hot pink! I want you to be alert and awake when you read this! My daughter thinks it's funny to blow in people's ears to get a reaction, but I don't react; it just doesn't bother me. Of course I wouldn't do that to you, just a little color to brighten your day. I hope you don't think I'm being mean on a Monday!

Pure is a strange word in our society. The only time we see it is on food labels, or maybe in a restaurant.  One hundred years ago it was a cherished character trait, as people might describe another by saying what a pure life so and so has. It was used to describe a virgin, and this was a good thing to be know as. Today our young people are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to sexual purity.

How do we get a pure heart? Only Jesus can give this, and it is usually a growing process in our lives. All heart are deceitfully wicked the Bible says, so in order to desire a "pure heart" we must keep ourselves in God's word. That is where we are kneaded and pulled and stretched  so that we can acquire pure lives. Good friends can do this too, but we must be sure that they have our best in mind before we can accept correction. I know some Moms that know how to say things in just the right way so that their children do not take offense. This is a great art that I wish to learn!

I certainly want our King to be my friend, and I think I speak for all of us! We want to know God and come up next to Him, so that we can hear His heartbeat. The greatest privilege as children of God is knowing Him. Call upon Him in prayer, let Him into the deepest parts of your heart and you will be rewarded with relationship from God himself. Is there any greater calling in this life? I know not one!

Isn't this mirrored wall lovely? I could only get a small portion of it in my picture, but you can just imagine how beautiful it is when it fills an entire wall! The mosaic tile behind it is so intricate,  and it sets the background for the shiny reflective parts.

Do you ever feel as if you are the background, set into a bigger plan but not as important? This just can't be true, because the forefront would never be as definitive, bright and outstanding if the background didn't provide a contrast! Every christian, set into the right place, is just as important as those who are in the limelight.

If one part of the mosaic were missing, it would not be complete, and thus it would not be right! The Bible talks about the whole group of believers as The Body of Christ. If one member is missing, how could it function properly?

" so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."  {Romans 12:5}

If one member hurts, we all hurt. If one of us rejoices we all rejoice! we ought to be team players and not to ourselves, because that is not how we function. We all need one another as a great orchestra, making melody in our hearts, to The King of Kings. It is all for the purposes of God, being fulfilled on the earth that we must stand for.  We need to build each other up, in love, even those who are unlovely. Only the love of Christ can overcome bitterness, hatred and rejection that is so prevalent in our society today. Let the love of Christ flow out of you to some hurting, angry person today. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger."  {Proverbs 15:1 }

I want to continue to talk about free people today. As I was reading the book"With One Cry", by David Butts I came across a section where he wrote about praying for freedom. The pilgrims were so enamored with this idea, that they were willing to launch out into the Atlantic with little certainty that they would survive.

David says," One of the most important prayers you can pray is for restoration of freedom." I believe he is right. Romans 8:21 says,"that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into freedom and glory of the children of God."

Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Some of you may be wondering what kind of freedom I am speaking about. Freedom of worship is certainly what we have in this nation, but the freedom of our souls only comes when we bow our knee at the foot of the cross. Many church goers have no idea about this, because they think that just their presence in church pleases God. He is after much more.

Our hearts are what control what we say, and how we say it. Where we go, and what we do with our time come from our hearts. Freedom of the heart comes when we become free to be all that God desires us to be. This requires a surrender of our own ways to God. It goes against everything that we think we need to hold on to, but once we obey God, and follow in His footsteps, we understand how life has just begun!

I think this is the funniest name for a clothing store! It sounds more like a comment that you would see on someone's facebook or twitter account! So be it, they are making a statement, and I guess it has an effect. It made me laugh, and curious about what they were selling.

What do we know about freedom? We live in a country that is free, just ask someone from Syria or Iran. We are free to take on any occupation, or activity that we want; Go to the college of our choice, as long as they want us. We are free to attend whatever church we want. 

Spiritual freedom is something else completely different. Anyone, anywhere can control who and what they are going to believe. A government can't make us change our faith, but some have certainly tried. What about the 90, 000 christians who were beheaded or killed in the middle east just last year?
Once we are free, we are free indeed! Not even death itself can persuade us to renounce Christ.
Even those who gave in to propaganda, and renounced Christ, are forgiven and encouraged to get up and walk on.

Maybe this title also hit you as funny. All those around me at the time may have not had the slightest idea how I saw this, but freedom to me is what Jesus gave to me, and you, and he's still freeing me from myself everyday. Thank God for the cross, where I can die to my own selfish, wicked ways, and allow Him to shine! Be blessed today!

Beautiful flowers and wide open spaces! Clear skies and warm air; this is not a dream, but it seems like one to me. New York is not there yet, but wait a while, and it will be.  Change is something that  we can count on, almost. It is the unknown in the future that scares us!

Thankfully the Bible tells us that He is in the future, and He is in our hear and now. He doesn't dwell in the past. His perspective is forward march! He tells us to look ahead, not downward, but upward and onward! His plans do not include retirement, but perhaps a different path.

Can you imagine what life would be like without the grace of God on your life? Fear would enter in, and try to rule over you. Change can cause fear as well, but knowing that Jesus holds our future means that we can walk in peace and confidence.

 God gave me the verse below when I was expecting my forth child. I was concerned about how to get my children off the school bus, and take care of them if I went into labor at that time. It seems a little silly now, but it was real at the time. As I recited the first part of this verse, peace swept over me like a warm breeze, and I never thought about it again. There is power in God's word to deliver, and set us free! By the way, I went into labor about the time the bus would have come, but I had a baby-sitter take them that day to the school fair. How good is God to change circumstances to benefit us!

"My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.   {Psalm 31:15}