Almost Forgotten

I almost forgot that I even had this thing.  I was just reading my last post and remembered how hard it was for me to even think the last time I wrote.  There was so much going on in my life and my emotions--that I really didn't want to talk.  Thank goodness for Jesus Christ--who has set us free from bondage, to not be entangled by these emotions.  He brings peace and joy! 

Sunday, my father-in-law preached on--Not just being set free "from" but set free "to."  We have been set free from bondage, sin, snares, traps, etc. But most of us don't know that we have been set free to do something--we just sit around in this neutral area and say were free.  We have been set free to now go and be slaves to righteousness.  To do the work of the Lord.  Not that we are saved by the good works, but we are saved to do good works.  It is not religious acts but a lifestyle of devotion that leads to righteousness.

Lots of times--I see in myself and others--we say man I wish I could be set free from...

The truth is--at the cross we were set free, and when we receive salvation we receive all that was accomplished on the cross.  But for the most part we don't know it.  We still walk around in chains or in prison.

Remember in Acts, when Paul was in prison and the angel came and opened the doors and broke the chains, he stayed there.  Christians are very much the same.  God has set us free--no more chains, no more bondage, but we ignore that the door is open and set us free to go do something, and we just sit in our prison still trapped even though we are set free.  We must embrace what God has done--not just a ticket to heaven but the whole package.  I encourage you to read the word and find out what I mean by the whole thing--I could write some down but it would mean more to discover them yourself--I still find new things everyday that I already have and didn't even know it!  You are free, free indeed!

RollerCoaster!

What do I mean by this word? I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions the past week. Last week my first baby was born Thursday. I seemed to be on top of the world. During the night that night I woke up with uncontrollable fear. Fear about how to take care of him and things like that--but most of all just covered in nervous fear. I seemed to get better the next day and was doing pretty well. Just loving my new son.

Monday morning I was awakened by a phone call (that I will never forget) about my brother being in an accident. He was outside of his vehicle on I-20 and was hit by another vehicle. I have been with him the past few days at LSU-Shreveport.

My stomach feels like a bunch of knots tied up in one, nervous, scared, tired, excited about good news, sad about what happened. I've also felt torn. Torn between two places--wanting to be at home to see my new baby, but also wanting to right with my brother.

A rollercoaster is the best way to describe this feeling. Not just any kiddie rollercoaster, but a massive top of the line rollercoaster--with speeds that put you back in your seat.



I've wondered how people get through times like these without knowing God. If I did not know Him and could not experience his peace--I think I would be a crazy man! But he gives peace, rest, joy, love, healing, and so much more. He clears my mind of negative emotions and fills them with good thoughts!

I'm not going to lie. Sometimes it's hard! Sometimes I have to really fight. There's a war going on daily in our lives--a spiritual war. Whether we engage or not--it still goes on! As I look back over the past few weeks--I see so many attacks by Satan--in my mind and against my heart. The enemy's desire is for me to lose heart and give up--but we must not! We must realize that we have been given authority over the enemy and we have to see the attacks for what they are--alot of them are in our minds and things he whispers to us--and we can make no agreements with him. We must agree with God!