A Blue Balloon

Balloons are delightful to children. It is fun to watch their amused looks and wonder at the brightly colored ball floating through the air attached to a string they hold tight in their hands. I remember each of my children smiling wide as the balloon followed them with just a little encouraging tug on the string. They all also felt the deep disappointment when they momentarily eased their grip and the balloon floated away up into the heavens. Oh, they watched their blue, pink or yellow flier climb high and become smaller and smaller. They expected it to come back but it never did. It was gone, for good.

One of my first mothering experiences with a runaway balloon came when my first daughter was maybe two or three. At first, Erin was surprised that her toy was moving away, and then her surprise turned into tears. I began to comfort her and told her that God would take care of her balloon, and that I was very sure He was happy that she let it go up to Him. With tear filled eyes, Erin turned to me and said, "But I don't want God to have my balloon!"

I've discovered that same story lives in me. There are somethings dear to my heart that I hold onto very tight. I grasp and try so very hard to keep my treasure close. Inevitably it slips away from me, maybe by the gentle tug of my Heavenly Father who really does know what is best for me. I am surprised, because I've fought so hard to keep them close. Then I am brokenhearted to lose what I thought was so precious. I watch with impossible hope, my heart following after the lost possession.

I feel empty. I am empty handed and I cry out that I don't want God to have what belongs to me! I sense the loss, and my eyes fill with tears. I don't want to let go. I do not want God to have my home, family, career, ministry or a million other things. They belong to me, don't they? The truth is that those idols I grasped so tightly were never mine. I was bound to them. My Lord God is a jealous God, wanting me for His own! He desires my freedom from bondage and will set me free even if it causes me some momentary pain. Oh, what a Good God He is!

God of wonder and infinite love, You loosen the strings and ropes that bind me to people, places and things, not so that I will be hurt, but so that I will be set free! You set me free so that You can be greater in me and for me! You are Good. Thank You for taking away those tethers that tie me down. Thank You for setting me free to reach upwards to You and come closer to You! Forgive me when I forget that I am the balloon set free. Forgive me for wanting to be tied down more than to fly high to You! Remind me always that You are my Freedom, You are my Deliverer, You are where my treasure lies! God I want You to have all of me!

The Miracle of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a God-like quality. It begins with God. We would not know forgiveness if God was never revealed to us through His interaction with people and through His word. His forgiveness of us makes possible our forgiveness of others.

Gods' act of forgiving began with a promise to send a Savior. He, himself, became our Redeemer and removed the remembrace of our sin. Sunday, Pastor John mentioned that Forgiveness is needed when we cannot forget. God forgot our sin when He forgave us. It is an awesome thought to think that God did it all. He did not ask us to pay the price and then we would be forgiven. He is the covenant maker and the covenant keeper.

The process of forgiveness can be a painful journey for the one who has been hurt. God also took a painful journey to rid us of our sin. It is said that forgiveness is not for the one forgiven but the one who forgives, but both are set free in the process of removing the wall of sin. The person forgiven may not know or receive the pardon, but he is no longer bound eternally by the accusations of the one setting him free. The one who pardons another will experience freedom in thoughts and emotions. It may take a very long time or a constant returning to the conscience act of forgiveness to find the freedom but it will come. In it all there is a miracle of new life; a life free from the past and ready to start anew.

The miracle of forgiveness is the intervention of God in our sinful lives. It is a joyous experience to forgive. It is a miracle to be forgiven and made clean.

Savior God, You are a miracle worker! You have taken our sin and made it disappear to the place where even You have forgotten! You set us free to receive Your pardon. You are Good! You have also given us the power and grace to free others when they have hurt us. Forgive us when we hold on to those hurts. Help us to relase our grip on those things that can only bind us to the past. Thank You for supplying all our need when we need to forgive!

We Want You, Lord

When tough times come what do we want? We want someone to help us. We want someone to fix the problems so that we can be free of the stress worry or burdens that keep us from enjoying life like we would want.

In our family we have found this Christmas to be a tighten-our-belts type Christmas. I've heard many others in the same place. It is hard work to have a celebration without the freedom to give freely or to host the parties with a feast. It is, however, these kinds of situations in which we can get down to the foundation of what we really want. It usually is revealed to be a filling of an empty part of our hearts or our spirits.

What do we want for Christmas? We want that joy that lights our world in all circumstances. Like a perpetual flame, that kind of joy can never be snuffed out by the want or plenty of this world! Joy, like that, can only come from a loving and good God who sent His joy to earth as a tiny baby. He was sent to teach, serve and sacrifice to make sure that joy would never end.

We need a Savior to free us from our burdens and fill us with joy. The good news is that He has come! He did free us from sin and He has sent His Spirit to fill us with joy! Do you know Him? Do you have His joy? The first step of faith may be hard to make. It is the release of all our efforts and the accepting of His. Even if you have His gift of freedom and joy, ask again! He will fill you again and set you free for today!

This Christmas I pray that you will enjoy freedom in Christ and be filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory! You can have what you really want if you just ask! Go ahead and ask!

Father, You sent Your joy to us as a tiny baby, but He grew up to save us and fill us with joy. I want that freedom and joy every day. Thank You for being a constant source of my deepest need. I do ask You, Lord, to lift up the hearts of those who are hurting because of want and need this Christmas. Help us who know You to be a light for them so that they might see You as their Savior who frees and fills with joy! May joy reign in our hearts forever!

Vote with Joy

Voting can be a stressful activity. No one likes the attack ads, but often it is all we are offered to make our decision at the polling place. Researching the candidates takes time and effort that many of us do not easily find in our busy days. Who do we believe? Who can we trust with the business of running our beloved country? Our lives are affected by our choices for generations to come. Voting is important! It is a responsibility we cannot ignore. It is a privilege we can lose if we do not use it wisely!

I just came back from voting in the primaries. It is the first, and I believe the most important step for the voters to be involved in fully. I spent much time visiting websites, reading up on candidates, and talking to others about their choices and ideas. The process has been long and sometimes irritating when watching the reputation soiling ads over and over again. But the day is here. It is time to rejoice in the process that sits at the core of our country's freedoms.

I love to vote at the voting booth on Election Day. It is a ceremony of freedom. It is a celebration of my rights, responsibility, and privilege! I dress the part by wearing one of my many patriotic shirts. I go early so that everyone will see that I have my "I voted" sticker proudly displayed on my shirt. I do it all prayerfully and with joy!

Father God, You are the author of Freedom and Liberty. You created us to live in freedom and yet, we placed ourselves in bondage to sin. It is because of You that we desire and seek freedom wherever it might be found. Thank You for allowing me to live in a country founded on the liberties You secure for us in Christ. Thank You for the process of voting. We need You to guide our hearts and our hands as we choose. We choose to rejoice in it all! Bless America today, Lord!

Would You? Would I?

If we lived at the time of our nations birth would we fight for our independence? It seems to me that we must make that same choice today. Will we take the stand for freedom, or will we let others dictate our fate as a nation?

The choice is before us. Will we stand in the same line as our forefathers? Will we choose to make our voices heard? Will we not give up the fight? There is so much at stake in the seat of our governing bodies. If we do not rise up and speak for LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS we will lose those basic rights afforded us by our constitution but more dearly by our Heavenly Father, the Creator of all!

I may not be able to post the next few days. I will be working the Fireworks tent with my husband. It is a joy to celebrate our Independence Day!. It is more joyful to share our love of country and our love of the blessings of God with those who come to participate in the traditions of our united celebrations.

Our tent will be filled with joyful songs of liberty of spirit and the foundations upon which we were built! I humble myself, pray and seek Gods' face begging Him to heal our land! Will you join me?

Father , You are the Author of Life, and Liberty. It is You who we pursue to find happiness! Thank You for placing us in the country of the Red, White and Blue! Thank You for the opportunities we have and for the freedom we fight to make possible around the world. Help us to place You ahead of all others, and teach us to live our lives in freedom that is wrapped in self control. Heal the land that we love! Protect our men and women who stand firmly for the rights we believe belong to all men! Thank You again and again!

Freedom in Christ

For a long time I lived my Christian walk bound by rules and regulations that I placed on myself. I thought I had to do many things in order to be a good Christian. church attendance, bible reading, and of course all the "Don'ts." Don't drink, smoke, dance etc. I found myself afraid to enjoy life.

I has been awhile now, but I have finally found freedom in Christ to enjoy the abundant life He offers! I am free to do anything I want! True! I can do anything I want as long as I remain in right relationship to Christ. It is an amazing feeling to enjoy life without restraint, knowing that Jesus is right there with me and certainly enjoying my delight in all the feelings and experiences He has planed for me!

Lord, You are an amazing and wonderful God! You delight me with life abundant! I realize that I often step over the line into sin with my enjoyments, but you are always faithful to bring me back to You! Thank You for making my life full and free! Help me remain close to You so that i never need to be in bondage to sin! You are my delight! In You I trust!

Patriot Prayer

God of our Fathers, You have created our land and blessed us with freedom! You are our foundation and our only hope.

Thank You for the freedom to speak out, worship You or even other gods, bear arms to protect our families and our possessions, and so many other freedoms from You and confirmed by our founding Fathers. Thank You for our inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Thank You, O Mighty God, for speaking wisdom into our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. It is You alone who give freedom!

You have lifted us up from the lowest to the highest power on earth, but we have not taken care of what You have gifted us with. We have become spoiled and greedy. We have forgotten the fight for freedom and the cost of liberty. Forgive us! Have mercy on us. We have turned our hearts away from You and Your gift of freedom and trusted men to provide for us. Forgive us!

Reveal Yourself to us anew. Heal our blind eyes that no longer see Your precious gifts of liberty and justice. May our hearts be set on fire for You. May we turn our hearts to Your good and perfect ways. May we Your people speak out with boldness and faith.

As You have said in Your word, O Lord, may we Your people, who are called by Your name, humble ourselves and pray, seeking Your face and turning from our wicked ways, You will hear us, forgive us, and heal our land. (2 Chron. 7:14) I, your daughter, now humble myself and seek You in prayer for my beloved country. I turn away from evil and stand for what is holy and good in Your eyes. I ask You to heal America! There is much to be healed. Without You we have no future. Give me strength to do Your will in the midst of rising opposition to You and Your ways.

Lord, I remember the glory You have bestowed on America. Bring it back I pray! I humbly bow to You.

U.S.A.

I think that most people would agree that our beloved country is on a fast and furious downward spiral. We are losing ground as a nation under God, and as the most powerful nation on earth. It is most tragic to note that we have chosen this path ourselves through our blind-folded eye as we vote.

What will become of us? Only God truly knows, but I have my own opinion. I believe that we as citizens are allowing ourselves to become slaves to our government. We no longer are the directors of our fate. We have handed our rights and freedoms over to our greedy, godless, government. It is a time of grief for those who remember the wonderful pride we had in our leaders, our heritage and our strength. We are fading fast and will soon be living under the rule of men who would dictate our every move. All the while our hearts cry out for freedom!

This Fourth of July I pray that we will remember that we are a country for the people and by the people, not a people whose lives are directed by a few men and women in the seat of power that we have elected. I pray that we will remember that we have GOD-GIVEN rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I pray we remember, because if we do not remember we will be forgotten.

Almighty King and Lord of the Universe, You are our sovereign ruler. You alone hold power over men. You are Good and Righteous. You offer freedom and hope to the oppressed. I pray that my fellow beloved countrymen would turn our hearts back to You. Allow me to be one voice crying out for You in this dark age!

What Has Changed?

Selling fireworks is very interesting as we talk to the people strolling through the tent and trying to decide what they want to buy.

One of the frequent comments we hear from adults is how we as children had access to more fireworks than we do now. It is difficult to tell our customers that it is all too easy to loose the right to set off our own fireworks. Why? What has made the difference between what we so freely enjoyed in the old days, and what we are limited to now?

My answer needs to be self control. When we control our actions, and do unto others as we would have them do to us, we do not need our city, county, state, or national governments to control us by petty laws. Without self control we may feel free for the time being, but certainly will be oppressed by our neighbor whose rights and personal space we have invaded. This is true not only just for fireworks but in every part of our lives.

Free speech without self control can become a heated argument instead of a discussion of issues.

Freedom of expression without self control can become vulgar instead of an enlightened understanding of true beauty.

Free enterprise without self control becomes greedy, selfish, and manipulative instead of a team effort to provide and protect our resources and people.

I could go on but maybe you can see the picture I am trying to paint for you. Self control is lacking in our world. We would be wise to check our individual lives to see if we have lost self control and need to be held accountable to the authority.

Father, Giver of the Holy Spirit that lives within me, I ask Your forgiveness for the times I have been out of control and letting the world persuade me to follow instead of lead. I need Your Spirit to teach me self control and to rein in my worldly passions. I pray also for our country. May we have a change of heart. May we turn back to You and find Your ways to be freeing as we gain self control.

Free as a Bird

My feet are dragging through this Lenten List I have made for myself! I think it is time to set myself free and write something new and different.

Tuesday afternoon I watched a baby bird fly into our screened porch through the door my granddaughters don't take time to close. He hopped back out a short time later, evidently not finding anything of interest. The day before I watched a squirrel take a trip around the porch and then leave empty handed! I enjoyed watching the little critters, but I also did not want them to take up residence in MY space!

The experience brought to mind the scripture, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Psalm 37:11a It was as if they were house hunting. I'm glad it did not suit their taste in living quarters and I hope they will not direct their relatives or friends to check us out! Someday my worn out house may be a playground for them and their friends but it is not theirs yet!

I thought about what I could learn from this display of natures wildlife. I didn't recognize myself in the real life picture at first. I was sure God had sent these little friends for me but I didn't think it was because I was Cinderella, though I do sometimes feel that way! Later on as I prayed about my struggles, God reminded me of the tiny bird and squirrel. He told me that I was looking in the wrong place to belong. I want to fit in where I don't fit in. I want to try being someone I am not meant to be. It was time for me to return to Gods' place for me.

I can't be a happy squirrel living in a porch. I cannot be a free bird living in a confined space. The only place I can be happy and free is in God! He is the home I am looking for!

Father, I am coming home to You! I am rejecting the worlds' ideas about where I should go, what I need to be doing and what You have called me and created me to be! You will make me happy and free!

Family Ties

Families tie us up in knots sometimes! We are bound by our past mistakes or by the roles we play. Breaking those bonds takes time, patience, and consistency. Family ties can be knotted quickly, but so hard to release.

None of us enjoy being faced with the ties that hold us back from growing within our families. We want to be heard and known for who we are now, not the person we are imprisoned to be because of our past. The problem is that we cannot change someone else's mind. We can only be consistently different and hope they will see and hear enough to set us free.

On the other side of the coin I see myself imprisoning my family with judgements that span the years. I lock my loved ones up with titles of crazy, controlling, unforgiving, wild, baby, bossy, unfocused, etc. And then God said, "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." I must change if I am to be free. What would change for me if I looked for the good in others and set them free to be the best they can be? What would my walk with Christ look like if I opened up the prison doors and set my captive family free from my preconceived ideas of how they will react or think or believe?

Father, You are Freedom. You are the Open Door. You are Good. Change my heart and mind to reflect You. Work Your will in my family. You are the lifter of our heads!

Butterflies

Within a cocoon, a caterpillar is transformed. Mysteriously a hairy looking, fat worm that slowly marches toward a feast of leaves at the top of the tree, changes form. Little resemblance is found between the sleek and beautifully winged butterfly and its former self.

When the time is right God instructs the tiny caterpillar to build a protective covering around himself. Then the little caterpillar goes to sleep while God perfects who the little butterfly was always meant to be. Finally the struggle begins. The butterfly is awakened and pushes and stretches till the cocoon breaks open and the butterfly is free to fly away!

Could it be that I, too, am living the process of the butterfly? Could I be struggling to finally be free of my old way of doing things? I want that to be the case. I want to find a new way of being who I really am!

License

This morning I stood in line to renew my drivers' licence. It was not a long wait and the clerk was friendly. My photo is typical of Drivers license photos. Yuck!

On the way home I saw a man fishing and wondered if he had a license to fish, and so, I began to consider the word "license." It means to allow or permit, to be permitted. A license gives authority or freedom to do something. Permission can be given verbally or written. Today I carried home my written permission to continue driving.

This takes me back to past blogs where I have stated that freedom has boundaries. In order to be free to drive, I must gain permission. If I break the rules of the road I will find my freedom to drive hindered in some way. Of course there are those who seem to get away with not following the rules, but eventually they will reap what they sow.

Living with license carries responsibility. Living without license (permission) can bring a thrill but it also comes with the fear of being found out and penalties if caught. I prefer to manage my license with accepting the responsibilities that go with it .

God has given each of us license in our free will. We choose to live within the safety of His will or we can climb that fence and live in eternal danger. It is our choice.

License . Freedom. Permission. These words do not hinder but offer adventure and excitement without fear.

Deaf Ears to Politics

I am turning a deaf ear to the political ads that point fingers at the opposition instead of presenting strategies that they will take for leading our beloved country and ALL citizens. I am tired of hearing how bad the other side is and how our side will be "Different."



Don't get me wrong. There is a need for change. We must find a leader who can stand against the flow that has Washington in its grip. We need something different! BUT, I am convinced that one person, even a strong leader cannot undo, remake, or change the flow without the cooperation of the congress and the majority of the people. I am not looking for someone who can talk change. I want to hear and be convinced that our next president and vice president can convince both sides of the aisle that the change they propose is for everyones best interest.



I am certainly not looking for someone who polarizes so much change that it would be impossible to move in any direction. I am looking for someone who thinks through what really matters.



A message to the candidates: Please do not talk about your opponent! I will make my own judgement about both of you. Tell me what qualifications you bring to the office. I want to hear not only your platform but how you intend to achieve it without placing it all on the backs of the citizens (taxes included). I believe both sides have good ideas and want the best for the country. I am a smart voter. I read between the lines. I will decide by what you intend to do not by what you say the other side will do!



Change is in the wind no matter who gets elected. But do we want the change to put us into slavery because we, as voters, do not want to rise up and work for our own needs, make our own decisions, and live self-controled lives? We have the power in our vote to tell our representatives that we want our freedom, not a government that is the master over every part of our lives.

My cry at the the voting booth is "FREEDOM!!!"

Polling Power

I am disheartened with the weak turn out for the primaries at my polling place today. It amazes me that Americans hold such power in their votes and yet set it aside without much thought. The most power is afforded to those who choose those who will run in November. If my polling place is typical, the power rests in the hands of a minority.

Our freedoms are set in a balance and judged by the few who deem it a priority to study and test the candidates. The question arises: who would you chose to decide for you? Who do you trust to hold the keys of freedom for you?

Brokenness and Freedom

Can brokenness lead to freedom? I do not know, yet. Maybe I will find out.

Rejection

Rejection hurts, stings and can be seared into our memories for a very long time. There are times when a rejection happens unintentionally, but none the less it still hurts. Rejection seems to whisper a host of accusations to us that may or may not be true.

I usually hear that I am not good enough, and then it digs deeper to reinforce my long held fears of never being worth anything important. But, there are times that I turn my hurt around toward the person who has rejected my love, talents, or friendship. It is those times I am most hurt by rejection because it is then that I become the one who hurts. I may not be hurt by my words or actions towards them, but the thoughts that pour poison into my heart and harden it towards others becomes a spiritual hurt that weakens me. A hard heart is in danger of losing a godly perspective of the world and the people God so loved that He sent His only Son.

A hard heart is unforgiving, jealous, critical, prideful and judgmental. A hard heart builds up stone walls to keep out pain, but also becomes a prison that keeps me from experiencing God. Over time a hard heart becomes so entrenched that in order to soften it must be broken. Brokenness brings me to my knees and to the One who was broken for me!

The conclusion I come to is that I must go directly from rejection to my knees to hear His voice say, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first." John 15:18. He alone truly understands and can keep my heart filled with grace to forgive! In this way I can avoid the hardening of my heart.

Friends, may you never feel the heaviness of a hardened heart from rejection. May you know the freedom of a heart tender toward God and others.

Be blessed.