Quote from today's setting captives free:
12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. 1 Corinthians 6:12-13
In the above passage, Paul applies this teaching (of liberty in our choices) directly to eating. He said, "Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them." In other words, both food and the stomach are temporary. Therefore, let us not expend energy thinking about food; that is, counting calories, reading labels, or fixating on food in any other manner. It is far more important that we consider how we may fatten up our souls than it is how we may slim down our bodies. Jesus said, "Give no thought for what you will eat or drink..." (Matthew 6:25) Food and our physical bodies are temporary. Eat in moderation: enjoy what you eat, and then get on with what is truly of value--pursuing intimacy with Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
11 days to go
Well well well. I won't even try to explain a lack of correspondence, but just jump right in. The verse at the top of the page refers to my continual desire to drop teaching and hit the road. Unbelievably I will be hitting the road in a month. After so many highs and lows (you know that I mean that literally if you've ever been in a LifeGroup at CLC) I am getting ready to leave the California years behind me. I was telling Simon tonight, for the first time in my life I feel like I am about to follow through on a well thought out decision. Mostly before direction came as a culmination of many events or the obvious outcome of circumstances. Now as I am about to marry the man better than the one I dreamed of, and join him in the green countryside of Austria I am so happy to say that I am doing exactly what I want to be doing. We've prayed, we've waited, we've changed, we've planned, we've submitted and now we begin. So at this ending, is a great beginning.
I may post more before I leave California and eventually I may start another blog, and if I do I will leave the link here. If not, keep praying for me and send me an email every now and then.
Blessings in the God who keeps His Word!
I may post more before I leave California and eventually I may start another blog, and if I do I will leave the link here. If not, keep praying for me and send me an email every now and then.
Blessings in the God who keeps His Word!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Its from Grandma Mary, it must be true!
Revelation 3:8 (New International Version)
8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
My Grandmother prayed when I was born that I would come to know Jesus as Lord.
She prayed last spring that God would provide a door alternate to the Cache.
So now she is sending me this scripture, like Timothy I am trying to emulate the faith of my grandmother right now and believe God for this open door. I don't know exactly what door may be open, but I am praying for the eyes to see it.
Ephesians 1 tells us to have faith that is intelligent and discerning, if God commands it I believe he will make it so for those who claim the promise. Oh that I would be able to discern the open door in a time of little strength...
8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
My Grandmother prayed when I was born that I would come to know Jesus as Lord.
She prayed last spring that God would provide a door alternate to the Cache.
So now she is sending me this scripture, like Timothy I am trying to emulate the faith of my grandmother right now and believe God for this open door. I don't know exactly what door may be open, but I am praying for the eyes to see it.
Ephesians 1 tells us to have faith that is intelligent and discerning, if God commands it I believe he will make it so for those who claim the promise. Oh that I would be able to discern the open door in a time of little strength...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Overwhelmed by love!
Thank you all so much for sharing your well wishing! It is so great to know that people I haven't seen in so long are happy for Simon and I. It was really neat to even get a couple of messages from residents and former coworkers from Russell Hall! To hear from people literally around the globe, saying congratulations and best wishes, wow what a blessing!
I have also been amazed at how supportive friends and family have been here, in Georgia and in Austria. It has been such a great picture of how our marriage will not be something we accomplish alone, but through Christ in the context of supportive community. Thank God for his faithfulness! Thank you all for your friendship and caring!
I have also been amazed at how supportive friends and family have been here, in Georgia and in Austria. It has been such a great picture of how our marriage will not be something we accomplish alone, but through Christ in the context of supportive community. Thank God for his faithfulness! Thank you all for your friendship and caring!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I'm what?
That's right. Courtesy of Elias this post shall be modeled after the first time I told you all about Simon! I just got back from Austria and while I was there Simon and I got engaged! So I am Mrs. Freischlad to be :)
He actually managed to surprise me by catching me in a laid back moment. He asked casually if it mattered how romantic the timing or place of his proposal was. I of course said no, and then was surprised to see him reach for his pocket! I started crying before he even made it to one knee, but he did get there and I tearfully, joyfully said yes when he asked me to marry him. It was a perfect and simple moment, hopefully this is a foreshadowing of our life together?
Also, by surprising me early Simon freed us up to really enjoy our special evening out and surprise trip to the symphony! You want to see the happy couple you say? Okay!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
One-the art of relationship
We've got to unite ourselves as one body. Because Jesus is coming back, and he's coming back for a bride, not a harem.
-a gospel preacher as quoted by Shane Claiborne in The Irresistible Revolution
John Chapter 17
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John Chapter 13
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Its all about love. Everything in life is about relationships. Your relationship to God and your relationship to others. God chooses to use our love as the testimony to call the world to faith.
Love is hard. We can be the unlovable and yet we often love ourselves so much that we don't have love leftover to share.
Healthy relationships require trust. Trust is a product of time. Trusting others and having others who trust us. Who can be trusted? When we have seen so much abuse of trust, it seems impossible to know who is trustworthy. We have all been betrayed in trust, because we all let each other down. We must forgive immediately, but it is godly to allow time to regrow trust.We all long for someone we can trust, bare our soul and be known. We long to be trusted, it is a great compliment and responsibility. We have a God-placed longing to be trustworthy, because where love prevails trust grows. To create helathy relationships our part is to be someone who can be trusted.
Healthy relationships require respect. Respect has to be earned. Can you see yourself on the same trajectory, and do you value and respect the choices and direction that person chooses?
Healthy relationships require empathy. We must pay attention to the effect we have on others. Spiritual maturity is not just about doctrine and knowledge, it is about empathy. This is a byproduct of intimacy with God, when you connect with God you begin to care deeply about people. Jesus in us teaches us how to love and makes us aware of how our lives effect other people. A person who lacks empathy is someone whose emotions are completely focused on their own experience. Heal relationships by giving yourself away to others.
This is love, more than an nice word, it is demonstrated by these characteristics and so many more. Love is miraculous. It is the proof of God.
Let's learn to live out love, in community and all the world will know.
-a gospel preacher as quoted by Shane Claiborne in The Irresistible Revolution
John Chapter 17
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John Chapter 13
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Its all about love. Everything in life is about relationships. Your relationship to God and your relationship to others. God chooses to use our love as the testimony to call the world to faith.
Love is hard. We can be the unlovable and yet we often love ourselves so much that we don't have love leftover to share.
Healthy relationships require trust. Trust is a product of time. Trusting others and having others who trust us. Who can be trusted? When we have seen so much abuse of trust, it seems impossible to know who is trustworthy. We have all been betrayed in trust, because we all let each other down. We must forgive immediately, but it is godly to allow time to regrow trust.We all long for someone we can trust, bare our soul and be known. We long to be trusted, it is a great compliment and responsibility. We have a God-placed longing to be trustworthy, because where love prevails trust grows. To create helathy relationships our part is to be someone who can be trusted.
Healthy relationships require respect. Respect has to be earned. Can you see yourself on the same trajectory, and do you value and respect the choices and direction that person chooses?
Healthy relationships require empathy. We must pay attention to the effect we have on others. Spiritual maturity is not just about doctrine and knowledge, it is about empathy. This is a byproduct of intimacy with God, when you connect with God you begin to care deeply about people. Jesus in us teaches us how to love and makes us aware of how our lives effect other people. A person who lacks empathy is someone whose emotions are completely focused on their own experience. Heal relationships by giving yourself away to others.
This is love, more than an nice word, it is demonstrated by these characteristics and so many more. Love is miraculous. It is the proof of God.
Let's learn to live out love, in community and all the world will know.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Goals and Visions
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
I read a message from John Piper at the beginning of the month that talked about the necessity and benefit of committing scripture to memory. I really want to be able to stand before Jesus and say, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I have seen passages and verses that I memorized years ago resurfacing in my prayers and conversations as I have turned my thoughts toward this. I don't by any means want to be some foreign creature that can't relate to anyone because all I do is quote Bible at you all the time. But I do believe there are so many biblical perspectives that do improve your every day outlook, and that it is easier to stand in positive scripture than postive thoughts I am trying to conjure on my own.
So, with the new year a new passage. God has spoken to me much through Isaiah 58 this past year, and I am confident there is more there than I have yet understood. I am memorizing the version that I read and prayed through this year, "The Message". It is a paraphrase that comes from the original language and attempts to preserve the tone and integrity of the message more than a word for word translation. If you've not read any of it you check look up your favorite passages (or mine for this year!) at www.biblegateway.com . The Piper message that I referred to can be found on desiringGod.org . Hope I have encouraged someone to think twice about hiding some Bible in your heart this year!
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
I read a message from John Piper at the beginning of the month that talked about the necessity and benefit of committing scripture to memory. I really want to be able to stand before Jesus and say, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I have seen passages and verses that I memorized years ago resurfacing in my prayers and conversations as I have turned my thoughts toward this. I don't by any means want to be some foreign creature that can't relate to anyone because all I do is quote Bible at you all the time. But I do believe there are so many biblical perspectives that do improve your every day outlook, and that it is easier to stand in positive scripture than postive thoughts I am trying to conjure on my own.
So, with the new year a new passage. God has spoken to me much through Isaiah 58 this past year, and I am confident there is more there than I have yet understood. I am memorizing the version that I read and prayed through this year, "The Message". It is a paraphrase that comes from the original language and attempts to preserve the tone and integrity of the message more than a word for word translation. If you've not read any of it you check look up your favorite passages (or mine for this year!) at www.biblegateway.com . The Piper message that I referred to can be found on desiringGod.org . Hope I have encouraged someone to think twice about hiding some Bible in your heart this year!
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